Aira noticed it slowly.
Not in words.
Not in gestures.
In weight.
Reyhan had started taking on more than his share without saying anything.
He remembered deadlines she forgot.
Handled conversations she avoided.
Checked in before she even realized she needed it.
It wasn't controlling.
It was caring.
But care, when unbalanced, became quiet pressure.
They were sitting in the library when Aira finally spoke.
"You don't have to manage everything," she said softly.
Reyhan looked up from his notebook. "I'm not."
She tilted her head.
"You are."
He frowned slightly. "I'm just trying to make things easier."
"I know," Aira replied.
"But easy for me doesn't mean fair for you."
Reyhan leaned back, thoughtful.
"I don't mind," he said.
"I like being reliable."
"That's not the same as being responsible for everything," Aira said gently.
The words landed.
Not accusing.
Clarifying.
"I don't want to become something you carry," she continued.
"I want to walk beside you."
Reyhan was quiet for a moment.
Then he nodded.
"I think I do that when I'm scared," he admitted.
"If I'm useful, I feel… secure."
Aira's chest tightened.
"You don't need to earn your place with effort," she said.
"You already have it."
He met her eyes.
"And you don't need to protect me from your struggles," he replied.
"I want to know when things are heavy for you."
They closed their books after that.
Not to leave.
To breathe.
Later, while walking toward the gate, Reyhan slowed his pace.
Aira noticed he wasn't checking his phone.
Wasn't planning ahead.
He was just… there.
"Thank you for telling me," he said quietly.
"Thank you for listening," Aira replied.
They stopped at the gate.
This time, Reyhan hesitated.
Then said,
"I don't want to be the strong one all the time."
Aira smiled faintly.
"Good," she said.
"Because I don't want to be the one who's always leaning."
They parted ways after that.
Balanced.
Lighter.
Because care didn't mean carrying everything alone.
RULE #65: Don't let him carry everything.
Because love isn't about weight—
it's about sharing it.