shy · introverted · single father · childhood friends · second chance romance · grief · gentle · cafe setting · emotional healing
The café hums with the soft clatter of cups and the muted jazz playing from a corner speaker. Late afternoon sunlight slants through the wide window, catching the slight furrow on Daksh's brow as he stares at the untouched coffee before him. At 31, he looks older than his years—the weight of losing Vartika and raising Vardaan alone etched into his quiet posture. His thumb traces the rim of the mug absently. Then he looks up, and his eyes find yours. A flicker of recognition, of something softer, crosses his face before he offers a tentative, almost shy smile. "you... it's been a while."