Azure Knot

:: 18 ::

Jaimathi sat in silence for a moment, her hands clasped around her teacup as she stared out the window. The day's last rays filtered through the curtains, bathing the room in a soft, golden light. A heavy silence hung in the air, filled with the unspoken regrets and longing for something they couldn't seem to control.

"Maybe we should have been more patient," Jaimathi said quietly, her voice carrying a tone of self-reflection. "I remember how we used to talk about everything so freely. There were no walls between us, no hesitations." She paused, her eyes softening. "Now, everything feels so distant. It's like they've built up walls we can't see, and I don't even know how to reach her anymore. We have been out of touch of five months now."

Raahini sighed, setting her cup down on the table. She understood the weight of Jaimathi's words. They'd spent their lives navigating difficult paths—together and separately—but this was different. This was about their legacy, their family. Lathika and Prashanth were the continuation of their story, their hopes, their dreams. But somewhere along the way, the younger generation had begun writing their own chapters, leaving the elders in the margins.

"We did what we thought was best, Jaimathi," Raahini said gently, placing a reassuring hand on her friend's. "We were looking out for them, for their future. But I think we forgot that their journey was always meant to be their own. And maybe, just maybe, the more we push, the more they feel trapped."

Jaimathi nodded, the sorrow in her eyes deepening. "I don't regret caring about them, but I regret pushing them too far. I thought I was helping, but now... now I wonder if they felt suffocated. If they felt like they couldn't breathe without our approval."

Raahini leaned back, her gaze shifting to the half-empty plate of snacks between them. "It's hard, Jaimathi. It's hard to let go when you believe you know what's best for someone. But love... love is a lot more than guiding them down the path we think they should walk."

A heavy sigh escaped Jaimathi's lips as she stared down at her hands. "I just want her to come back, Raahini. I want them to know we're here for them, no matter what. I want to make up for the mistakes I've made. But how do we fix this? How do we take back the words we said?"

Raahini gave her a small, knowing smile, though her eyes were filled with the same sadness. "Maybe it's not about fixing it. Maybe it's about waiting. Waiting for them to come to us when they're ready. We've already done all we can. Now, it's their turn to make their own decisions, and we have to respect that."

Jaimathi leaned back in her chair, letting Raahini's words settle in. A wave of emotion washed over her, a mix of guilt, longing, and a hint of acceptance. "I hope they know that we love them, Raahini. That we'll always love them. No matter what."

"They know," Raahini said softly, her voice steady with conviction. "Love isn't always about being right. Sometimes, it's just about being there, even when they're far away. And when they're ready, they'll come back to us."

The two friends sat in quiet reflection, the soft hum of the evening settling around them. They had their differences, their mistakes, but they had always had each other. And in the silence that followed, they both knew that love, however imperfect, was still the strongest bond that held them together.

▾▴▾▴▾▴

Lathika arrived at the airport nearly thirty minutes earlier than the scheduled time, her nerves a jumbled mess. She had spent the last hour talking herself up, convincing herself that this was the right thing to do. Yet, sitting in the café, waiting for Prashanth, the reality of the situation hit her hard. The minutes seemed to drag, each tick of the clock making her more anxious.

And then, she saw him.

Prashanth strode into the café, dressed in his crisp white uniform. He looked different—more polished, more confident, with a maturity that made him seem even more charismatic than she remembered. The moment their eyes met, he flashed a smile that almost made Lathika's heart skip a beat. It was effortless, charming, and undeniably him. She returned the smile, though it was more of a nervous one.