Devika sat on the edge of her bed, lost in thought. As she recalled last night, she felt a strange mix of guilt and doubt. Everything that had happened between them—his arms around her, his warmth, the silence that held them together, and lastly, the boundaries they had broken—it hadn’t felt wrong in that moment. She didn’t know why it had happened or how it had even reached that point, but at that moment, it had felt right.

They had given in to their emotions. They had not only made love to each other but also rediscovered themselves in ways they hadn’t expected.

She had met him when she opened the book café. He was her first customer, quiet and curious. Since then, they had kept in touch—occasional chats, lingering smiles, conversations about books and life. A warm friendship slowly blossomed. And now, they had crossed that line.

As she returned home in the early morning light, she felt heavy. Guilt clouded her thoughts. Being a middle-aged woman, she felt that if society learned of their bond, then she’d be the one to be blamed.

“I shouldn’t have done it,” she whispered. “I should’ve controlled myself.”

“And does he even feel the same? What if… it was just pleasure for him?”

Her thoughts spiralled. She sat frozen in place, heart and mind in conflict, until the sudden sound of the doorbell shook her. She wiped her tears and opened the door.

Daksh.

“Why didn’t you open the café today?” he asked, his tone casual.

Devika met his eyes, and the same question echoed in her mind—Was it just pleasure for him?

“Daksh… what are you doing here?” she asked, voice barely audible.

“The café was closed. I got worried,” he said.

Their eyes met. She quickly looked away.

“Were you thinking about last night?” he asked gently.

“It shouldn’t have happened, Daksh,” she said softly.

He didn’t flinch. “Wasn’t it something we both were longing for? Didn’t it bring you peace, even if for a moment?”

She sighed. Yes, she had felt peace—warmth, affection, even love.

“Maybe… but it still feels wrong,” she whispered.

He stepped closer, placed his hands on her shoulders. “Devika, we didn’t plan it. It just happened. Love doesn’t come with rules. Maybe… maybe we were looking for each other.”

He looked into her eyes, voice calm yet certain. “You’re trying to see the glass as half empty. But I see it full—with our love.”

His words sank in. She needed to look at both sides of the coin. Just yesterday, they were speaking of love when it happened—naturally, without pretence.

His presence brought her solace. She wanted to accept it. Yes, she had been afraid—but it wasn’t wrong. They had simply acknowledged what had always been there.

“You need to accept it, Devika. Love can happen anytime, to anyone,” he said.

She paused… then nodded.

And as she embraced him, she felt her guilt melt away—silently giving their relationship a name.