They never met...

CHAPTER 13 - CHANGING TIMES

*Flashback continues*

Author's pov:

A bittersweet smile played on Mahima's lips as she watched a movie with Jagjeet on the screen. The comfort of his presence, albeit virtually, warmed the loneliness that had settled in her heart. Even miles apart, their bond had grown stronger, forged in the fires of shared hardship.

"You seem distracted today," Mahima observed, her brow furrowed with concern.

Jagjeet forced a laugh, the sound brittle in the silence. "Just thinking about everything, that's all. Recovering from all this... it's draining."

"Tell me about it," demanded mahima

Jagjeet sighed. "These past few weeks have been a whirlwind." Briefly, he described the hospital discharge, the initial awkwardness readjusting to life at home, and the relief of seeing his parents regain their independence.

Mahima listened intently, offering encouraging words and shared experiences. Yet, the truth about her own struggles remained a heavy weight on her chest.

The conversation shifted to Jagjeet's interview. "So, spill the beans," Mahima coaxed, a playful lilt in her voice. "Did you ace it?"

"Think so," Jagjeet replied, a hint of nervous energy still clinging to him. "Your mock interviews were brutal, but definitely helped me prepare."

"Good," Mahima said, pride evident in her tone. "I knew you had it in you."

The moment of levity was short-lived. Jagjeet's gaze softened, and the question that hung heavy in the air finally escaped his lips. "Mahima, when are you coming back to Delhi?"

Silence took over.....

Mahima's smile faltered. The weight of her unspoken anxieties threatened to suffocate her. "There's a lot to take care of here, Jagjeet," she mumbled, the words heavy with unspoken burdens.

"The house, Arpan... I understand," Jagjeet said gently. "But things are settling down here. Mom and Dad are doing much better. We could..."

He trailed off, his sentence incomplete. Mahima knew where he was going, the unspoken yearning for her presence a palpable force across the screen.

"It's not just that," Mahima blurted out, a wave of panic rising in her chest. The words tumbled out in a rush, fueled by the fear of burdening him. "Arpan... he's doing better, but therapy is expensive. Didi and I are managing, but..."

Shame burned in her cheeks as she confessed the financial strain. She hadn't planned to burden him, but the truth spilled out like a dam breaking.

Jagjeet listened patiently, his expression unreadable. "Mahima, why didn't you tell me before?"

"I didn't want to bother you," Mahima whispered, tears welling up in her eyes. "You're already facing so much."

His hand reached out, a phantom touch mirroring the action on the screen. "But we're in this together, remember?" he said, his voice was warm and reassuring. "And besides, a little financial help wouldn't hurt. Consider it a loan, okay?"

Mahima hesitated, torn between relief and the lingering fear of burdening him further. "Jagjeet, I..."

The connection sputtered and died, plunging the room into darkness. The power cut, a frequent occurrence in Patna, had robbed them of their conversation at a crucial moment.