Softly beside you - Softly beside you

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The reception had ended only a short while ago.

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Soft music still echoed faintly in the large hall downstairs, where the last few guests were saying their goodbyes. The lights of the city shimmered outside the tall windows, reflecting on the polished floor.

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She stood near the balcony doors for a moment, holding the edge of her shawl.

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It had been a long evening.

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Family members, laughter, endless congratulations, warm smiles from relatives… everything had passed like a blur.

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Now the building was slowly becoming quiet again.

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She finally walked down the hallway toward the apartment kitchen. Tomorrow morning was important. Her family had always followed a small tradition after a big family celebration — the first cooking ritual of the next morning, preparing the season’s first dessert.

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She wanted everything to be perfect.

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The kitchen lights were soft and warm. She opened the cabinet and started checking the ingredients.

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Sugar.

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Flour.

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Cream.

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She was still quietly arranging them when a calm voice came from behind her.

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“You should sleep.”

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She turned slightly.

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He was standing near the doorway, leaning lightly against the frame.

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“You’re still awake?” she asked.

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He walked a few steps closer.

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“The reception ended an hour ago,” he said. “Everyone’s resting.”

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She looked back at the counter.

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“I just wanted to make sure everything is ready.”

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“You can do that in the morning.”

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She shook her head slightly.

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“It’s my first time doing the ritual after the celebration. I don’t want to mess it up.”

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For a moment he didn’t say anything.

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Then he walked to the counter, looked at the ingredients, and adjusted the bowl she had placed slightly off-center.

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“You won’t mess it up.”

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His voice was calm.

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“But you will be tired if you stay awake.”

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She looked at him for a second.

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He rarely said long sentences. Most of the time he spoke in short, quiet observations.

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But they were always thoughtful.

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He turned toward the door again.

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“Sleep now. Tomorrow is important for you.”

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He paused before leaving.

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“And don’t start cooking without breakfast.”

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She smiled softly as he walked away.

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Then she turned off the kitchen light and went to her room.

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She lay awake, smiling, unable to sleep.

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The room was quiet except for the faint ticking of the wall clock. Outside, the city lights glowed softly through the window.

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She kept remembering what he had said a few minutes earlier.

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He had gently reminded her that she had her first cooking ritual in the morning and should sleep early.

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His voice had been calm, almost protective.

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“Sleep now. Tomorrow is important for you.”

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The words were simple… but the way he said them stayed in her mind.

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She turned to her side and hugged the pillow slightly.

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Why does he always sound so serious… and still so caring? she wondered.

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A small smile appeared on her face again.

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Even though he rarely spoke much, he always noticed small things about her.

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Like when she forgot to bring lunch.

Or when she stayed too long working in the kitchen practicing recipes.

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He never said much… but he always quietly helped.

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Eventually, sometime after midnight, she finally drifted into sleep.

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Morning

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The next morning sunlight slowly filled the kitchen.

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Today was special.

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It was the first time she would perform the small cooking ritual her family followed every year — preparing the first dish of the season.

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She was nervous.

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Her hands were slightly shaking while arranging the ingredients.

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Just then the door opened softly.

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He stepped inside.

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“You woke up early,” she said in surprise.

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“I said yesterday it was important,” he replied calmly.

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She noticed he had brought a small bag.

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“What’s that?”

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He placed it on the counter.

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“Fresh strawberries.”

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Her eyes widened.

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“You went out early just to buy these?”

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“They’re your favorite ingredient for desserts,” he said simply.

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For a moment she just looked at him.

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He acted like it was nothing… but she knew he must have woken up very early.

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Her heart felt warm.

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A Quiet Moment

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While she was cooking, he stood nearby watching quietly.

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Sometimes he handed her utensils before she even asked.

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Sometimes he adjusted the stove flame.

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It felt strangely comfortable.

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No rush.

No awkwardness.

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Just calm silence.

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Finally the dessert was ready.

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She nervously tasted it.

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Then she looked at him.

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“Try it.”

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He took a small bite.

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For a few seconds he didn’t say anything.

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Her heart started beating faster.

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“Is it bad?” she asked quickly.

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He shook his head.

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“…It’s really good.”

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Her face instantly brightened.

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“Really?”

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He nodded.

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“You worked hard.”

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She laughed softly.

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“You’re the first person to taste it.”

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He looked slightly surprised.

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“…Why?”

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She smiled shyly.

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“Because you’re the one who reminded me to sleep early.”

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For the first time that morning, a small smile appeared on his face too.

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The Afternoon

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Later that day, the house slowly filled with relatives again.

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Everyone tasted the dessert.

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Compliments filled the room.

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“It’s wonderful.”

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“You made this yourself?”

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She kept smiling politely, but her eyes occasionally searched for him.

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He was standing quietly near the window.

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Watching.

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Not saying much.

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When the guests finally left again in the evening, the house became peaceful once more.

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The Balcony

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After the long day, they sat quietly on the balcony.

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The sky was turning orange as the sun slowly set.

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She looked at him and said softly,

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“You know… last night I couldn’t sleep.”

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He glanced at her.

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“Because you were nervous?”

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She shook her head.

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“…Because you sounded so caring.”

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He looked away slightly, a little embarrassed.

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“I just didn’t want you to be tired.”

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She leaned back in the chair, smiling.

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“Well… thanks to you, today went perfectly.”

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A light breeze moved through the balcony.

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For a moment neither of them spoke.

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But the silence wasn’t awkward.

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It was warm.

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Comfortable.

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Then she said quietly,

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“You always help me like this.”

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He looked at her.

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“It’s nothing.”

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“It’s not nothing.”

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She rested her arms on the balcony railing.

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“You remember small things about me… even when I forget them.”

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He stayed quiet for a moment.

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Then he spoke softly.

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“Someone has to.”

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She looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice.

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“Why you?”

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He hesitated slightly.

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Then answered honestly.

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“Because I want to.”

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Her heart beat a little faster.

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For a moment neither of them spoke.

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The sky slowly darkened as the first stars appeared.

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Finally she smiled gently.

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“Well… I’m glad it’s you.”

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He didn’t reply.

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But a quiet, genuine smile appeared on his face.

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And in that peaceful evening air, both of them understood something without needing to say it aloud.

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Some feelings don’t begin with grand confessions.

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Sometimes they begin quietly…

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With simple care, soft reminders, and someone standing beside you when it matters most.

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And that quiet connection between them was only the beginning of a story that would grow gently, day by day.

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