Valentine's week continued, and today was Hug Day. Mahiru had heard her friends talking about it earlier at college, teasing her about whether she'd get or give a hug today. She had laughed it off, but deep down, the thought lingered in her mind.
Would she and Sam share a hug today?
As the cold evening air wrapped around her, she found herself wondering if fate had something planned for them.
--
The sun was setting, casting an orange-pink glow over the park. The air had turned colder, the evening breeze rustling the trees around them. Sam and Mahiru sat on a bench, side by side, their breath visible in the crisp air.
Mahiru shivered slightly, rubbing her hands together.
Sam frowned. "Didn't I tell you to wear something warmer?"
Mahiru pouted. "I did! But it's colder than I thought…"
Sam sighed, shaking his head. Without another word, he pulled one arm out of his jacket and draped it over Mahiru's shoulders.
Mahiru blinked, startled. "Wha—"
"Just get in," he mumbled, pulling her closer so that they were now sharing his jacket.
Her heart skipped a beat. The warmth of his body immediately wrapped around her, his scent filling her senses. Their shoulders brushed, his arm rested lightly around her.
"…Better?" he asked.
Mahiru swallowed, nodding slightly. "Yeah…"
They sat there in silence, the distant laughter of children playing blending with the rustling leaves. Mahiru found herself stealing glances at Sam, his side profile looking unusually calm, his lips pressed together in thought.
Then, as if on instinct, Sam tightened his arm around her, pulling her in just a bit more.
Mahiru stiffened.
Her face was dangerously close to his chest now, and she could hear his heartbeat—steady yet slightly faster than usual.
"Sam…" she whispered, unsure what to say.
"…Just stay like this," he murmured.
Mahiru bit her lip, her heart fluttering. Slowly, she let her head rest on his shoulder, feeling the warmth of his body seep into hers.
Sam relaxed at her touch. His grip on her shoulder tightened slightly, as if he didn't want to let go.
A hug wasn't just about arms wrapping around someone.
This moment—this warmth, this closeness—felt like the deepest embrace.
The world around them faded.
No teasing friends. No college stress. No expectations.
Just them.
Wrapped in warmth, in silence, in something unspoken yet deeply understood.
Mahiru closed her eyes, listening to his heartbeat.
Sam gazed at the sunset, feeling the weight of her against him, the soft rise and fall of her breathing.
He felt at peace.
And in that moment, nothing else mattered.
----