TOGETHER

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Another exhausting week. Piled-up interviews, sleepless nights, and the pressure of trying to find my place in this city that never seems to slow down. This time, though, I had my biggest interview yet—a Parisian brand with Indian collaborations, the kind of place that could open every door for me. But after being rejected by smaller companies, I'm not holding my breath. Honestly, I'm just tired.

I walk back into my apartment, dropping my bag by the door with a thud. Erin, my roommate, is sitting on the couch, nose deep in a book as usual. She glances up, offering a soft smile. She's caring, in her own way—quiet, reserved, always listening but rarely prying. She never really asks me about my personal life, even when it's clear I'm upset. I can't figure her out sometimes, whether she's giving me space or just doesn't know what to say.

"Hey, how was the interview?" she asks, her voice gentle but distant.

"Exhausting. I mean, it went okay, I guess," I shrug, kicking off my shoes. "But it's the biggest brand in Paris, so...not getting my hopes up." I flop onto the couch next to her.

Erin nods, offering a soft, "You never know." Then, as if that's enough, she goes back to her book. It's not that she's uncaring; she just doesn't push. I sometimes wonder if I expect too much from people, if I want more than they can give.

I glance at my phone. I haven't told Ashutosh about the interview yet—or the fact that I'm not thinking of moving back to India after graduation. I'm going next month, though. A part of me can't wait to see him, pull him out of his busy medical life for a few hours. He's always so stressed about clinicals, but somehow, he never forgets to make me laugh, to remind me that I'm not completely failing at life.

And then there's Anoushka. She's living her best life at IIT—going to parties, making new friends, exploring everything. Between the three of us, she's the most outgoing these days. Funny how things change. I'd decided I'd be invisible when I started at my fashion school, to focus only on work and not get distracted by the social scene. That plan lasted a week. Now, somehow, I'm "the popular Indian girl" in the middle of Paris. Go figure.

I sigh, grabbing my bag again. "I'm going out," I tell Erin, who just nods without looking up. Maybe I expect too much, but I guess I'm used to being left to figure things out on my own.

I head to my favorite café for a solo date—just me, some coffee, and a chance to unwind. As I'm about to step inside, I hear a familiar voice.

"Ahana? Is that you?"

I turn around, surprised to see a familiar face from what feels like another lifetime. "Pranav?"

He's taller than I remember, but the same warm smile is there. Pranav from Madhavgarh, the guy who used to have a massive crush on me back in school. He's studying gaming now, of all things. How bizarre and beautiful it is that we all end up on such different paths.

"Wow, it *is* you," he says, a little disbelief in his voice. "What are the chances? Paris of all places."

"Yeah, it's been a while," I laugh, stepping toward him. "What are you doing here?"

"Studying gaming, believe it or not," he grins. "What about you? Fashion, right?"

"Yeah, living the dream," I say with a roll of my eyes. "Or trying to."

He chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. "I remember you as a twelve year old Ahana, so bubbly.

I look around, at the cobbled streets, the bustling café, the Eiffel Tower peeking out in the distance. "Yeah, well. You're changed too."

We sit down together at the café, the warmth of old familiarity settling in.

"So, how's life treating you?" he asks, genuinely curious.

I pause, unsure how to sum it all up. "You know, it's... it's good. Busy. I just had an interview with this big brand, but honestly? After all the rejections, I'm kind of bracing for another one."

Pranav nods sympathetically. "Yeah, I get that. I've been applying for internships everywhere. Haven't landed anything yet, though."

I look at him, surprised. "You too, huh? I thought gaming was, like, the *coolest* thing right now."

He laughs. "That's what they say. But turns out, everyone wants to do it. I should've stuck with engineering or something."

"Nah," I grin. "You'd hate it. And besides, you've always been into games. I remember you showing me those terrible pixel-art designs you used to do in school."

"Hey! They weren't that bad!" he protests, but he's smiling.

We sit there for a while, talking about everything and nothing. Old school memories, where people from our hometown ended up, how strange and wonderful it is that our paths crossed again here.

"Do you still talk to anyone from Madhavgarh?" he asks after a sip of coffee.

I shake my head. "Not really. You?"

"Same," he shrugs. "You kind of just... lose touch with people."

"Yeah," I murmur. "But I've got a couple of close friends still." I don't want to mention Ashutosh.

"They're lucky to have you," he says softly, and I can't tell if he's being polite or if he actually means it. I smile anyway.

After a while, we part ways, promising to catch up again soon, though both of us know it's one of those things people say and never do. As I walk toward the Eiffel Tower, I let the familiar weight of solitude settle in.

I stop at the base of the tower, looking up at it, this iconic symbol of everything I thought I wanted. I'm here. This is where I've always wanted to be.

So why does it feel like something's still missing?