Why does another person's silence hurt so deeply? In this literary reflection, VB Bonny explores human behaviour, unanswered questions, and the difficult line between telling someone the truth and protecting them from pain.

The place was unfamiliar to me. Observation was not. I had entered intending to eat, but the table had other plans. Porcelain beneath porcelain, silk napkins, polished cutlery, suspended wine, and a waiter waiting patiently beside it all. Every movement seemed choreographed, every clink carrying its own little announcement of refinement. Then someone took a bite, paused, chewed, paused again, and finally began: “I think… perhaps…” The entire table waited. So did I.