Chasing Tomorrow

chapter 29

Raya’s life in New York began with a whirlwind of activity. Between orientations, meeting her professors, and getting accustomed to her rigorous pre-med schedule, she barely had a moment to herself. Her apartment, though cozy, felt more like a box of solitude than a home.

The city buzzed with energy—car horns blaring, people bustling down streets, and neon signs flashing promises of adventures that seemed a world away from her small town. She thought she would feel exhilarated by it all, but every corner of this vibrant city seemed to echo with memories of what she’d left behind.

Back home, Jake was struggling to find his footing. College and JEE preparation consumed most of his time, but his heart wasn’t in it. He attended lectures, solved equations, and completed assignments on autopilot, yet his mind wandered back to her constantly.

Every time he walked through campus, he imagined Raya walking beside him, laughing at his jokes or rolling her eyes at his silly antics. But now, there was only silence.

Mimi, ever persistent, tried to worm her way back into his life. She’d appear at his table in the cafeteria, strike up conversations in class, and offer to help him with his studies. But Jake wasn’t interested. He kept his distance, his heart guarded and resolute.

One evening, as he sat in his room scrolling through his phone, he saw a picture Raya had posted. She was standing in front of her new college building, her smile radiant but her eyes holding a hint of something he recognized—loneliness. His fingers hovered over the "like" button, but he stopped himself.

“She needs space,” he murmured to himself, placing his phone down on the table. But the ache in his chest didn’t fade.

Raya’s days were filled with textbooks, lectures, and late-night study sessions. Her college was a melting pot of cultures and ideas, and she found herself surrounded by brilliant minds and passionate individuals.

She quickly became friends with a girl named Elena, a spirited New Yorker who had a knack for making even the most mundane topics interesting.

“You’ve got that mysterious vibe,” Elena said one afternoon as they shared a sandwich in the cafeteria. “Like you’re carrying some deep, dark secret.”

Raya laughed, but it sounded hollow even to her. “Not really. Just focused on my studies.”

“Uh-huh.” Elena arched an eyebrow. “Well, whatever it is, if you ever need to talk, I’m here. We New Yorkers are great listeners.”

Raya smiled, grateful for the offer but unsure if she could ever open up about Jake. Every time she thought of him, a pang of guilt and longing washed over her.

One month turned into two. Jake and Raya hadn’t spoken since that day at the airport, but they were always on each other’s minds.

Jake poured himself into his studies, using his heartbreak as fuel to excel. He often found himself staying up late, replaying their last conversation in his head and wondering if there was something he could’ve said to make her stay.

Raya, on the other hand, buried herself in her coursework. Her professors praised her dedication, and she aced her first round of exams. But no matter how much she achieved, it all felt hollow.

One night, as she lay in bed staring at the ceiling, her phone buzzed with a message from an unknown number.

Unknown: Congrats on your exams. I knew you’d kill it.

Her heart skipped a beat. She didn’t need to ask who it was—she knew.

She typed a response but deleted it before hitting send. Instead, she placed her phone on her nightstand and turned off the light, tears streaming silently down her face.