---
Alice found him one evening.
Still working.
Still reading.
Still sitting behind a desk.
The sun had already disappeared.
The moon had risen.
Yet he remained there.
Alone.
---
"You should sleep."
Akshay didn't look up.
"You should too."
Alice rolled her eyes.
"Don't copy me."
"I'm older than you."
"By three months."
"It still counts."
---
For a brief moment—
The conversation almost felt normal.
Then Akshay reached for another report.
And Alice noticed his hands stop.
Just for a second.
---
The report contained a single name.
Oheyo.
---
Akshay folded the paper.
Placed it aside.
And continued working.
---
Alice didn't mention it.
Neither did he.
---
Because they both knew.
---
He was grieving.
---
The only difference was that Akshay buried his grief beneath work.
---
Meanwhile—
Raj spent most of her time helping refugees.
Cooking.
Organizing supplies.
Managing records.
Doing what she always did.
Helping people.
---
Though recently—