Laila and Jane begged Harry to get their mother's medication from the local store, and he agreed.
Airam was also coming to the store to get the medication, a perfect setup by Laila and Jane
He spotted her immediately.
"Breakfast?" Harry suggested holding takeaway cups of cocoa. "I got you one. Extra sugar."
"No," she protested automatically.Thenpaused.Then sighed."…Fine."
They walked to the little roadside cafe at the corner, sat on wooden benches, and shared a plate of dough balls and eggs.
"You're quieter than usual today," Harry said.
"I'm thinking."
"About?"
"Life," she replied vaguely.
He nudged her shoulder lightly. "That's too big. Think smaller. Think… today."
She chuckled. "Today?"
"Yes. Like how your hair looks good in the morning sun."
She froze. "Harry…"
He lifted both hands innocently. "I'm just telling the truth."
It was embarrassing. But also… felt warm and in between comfortable.
She didn't push his arm away when it brushed hers again.
"Jane and Laila made you get our mother's medication, yet they didn't care to let me know," Airam said. "Well, I guess they wanted you to rest," Harry said.
She looks at him. "Harry, stop. You can't be this… kind." He stopped eating, looked at her, and said quietly, "You act like you've never been taken care of."
Her breath caught. She looked away. "I haven't."
Harry was silent for a long time. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft.
"Then let me start."She didn't reply, but the sound of it made her feel good within.
"Hmm, well, I need to leave for work, so see you and no school today?" Airam asked.
"No, I will be home," He said, and Airam wondered what at all he was studying, but didn't want to intrude, so she didn't ask. She gathered her things and gave him one glance before taking off.
"Thanks for breakfast," she said. Harry smiles.
~~~~~
Later that night, Airam stood outside on the balcony, letting the cool night air touch her skin. She didn't expect Harry to step out, too, but he did, holding two bottles of malt.
"You look like someone who needs a drink."
She accepted it. They sat side by side on the low wall, silence stretching comfortably between them.
"I like nights like this," Airam said quietly. "It's peaceful. No shouting. No work. No pressure."
"And no running away from me," Harry added, smiling.
She smirked. "Who told you I'm running?"
"Your feet," he teased. "They flee at the slightest compliment."
She rolled her eyes. "You're impossible."
"And yet," he leaned a little closer, "you're still sitting here."
Airam said nothing as her mind flashed back to last night. She didn't want to think of it, but the memory flooded her mind unwelcome. She kept wondering if he really wanted to kiss her or if it was a simple mistake. She found it hard to accept that it was a simple mistake.
Harry looked at her, and for a moment she felt… seen. Not as the strong one, not as the fixer, not as the family's backbone.
But as a woman. A woman someone actually cared for.
By the time she stood to leave, Harry reached out and held her wrist very gently.
"Airam," he said softly, "you know you can talk to me… about anything, right?"She swallowed, her heart racing at the possibility of what was happening. She managed to nod once.
And then, like always escaped before her feelings betrayed her. But as she closed the door behind her, leaning against it, she whispered to herself, He's getting too close. And I'm starting not to mind.