Memories

7

Shivani

The airport was alive with the usual chaos—people rushing, announcements echoing across the terminal, and luggage wheels screeching on the polished floors. I gripped my bag strap like it was a lifeline, my heart thudding so hard I thought it would escape my chest.

I had told myself I wouldn't cry. I had rehearsed it in my mind: Just be strong. Smile. He's only leaving for a few weeks. But as I scanned the arrival gate, my resolve wavered.

And then I saw him.

Kar.

He was leaning casually against the railing, dragging his suitcase with one hand, cap pulled low over his forehead. My stomach flipped at the sight of him, every memory of these past months flooding back—the stolen kisses, the laughs, the late-night calls, and the tiny, private moments no one else knew about.

He looked up, caught my gaze, and waved. My lips parted involuntarily, a mixture of joy and fear twisting in my chest. He was here. But not for pried hurried toward him, my steps quick but unsteady. My throat felt tight. Every part of me wanted to run into his arms, but every part of me also feared letting him go.

Karthik

And there she was.

Shivani. My Shivani. Standing just past the gate, her bag slung over her shoulder, hair slightly tousled, her eyes wide as she caught me looking at her. Every nerve in my body tightened with a mixture of guilt and longing.

I wanted to go to her, wrap her up, never let go. But I had to let her see me calm, strong. She had always been my anchor. She didn't need to see me trembling under the weight of leaving.

I jogged toward her, suitcase trailing behind me. "Shivani," I called softly, trying to keep my voice steady. Her eyes flicked up, meeting mine, and she broke into a small, shaky smile. Relief and panic mixed in her gaze. I knew what she was thinking: He's leaving. And I can't stop it.

Shivani

He reached me, his hand brushing against mine. My breath caught. He lowered his voice. "Hey," he murmured. "Don't panic. I'm here now."

I wanted to say something, anything, but the words stuck in my throat. Instead, I let him pull me into a tight hug. My hands clung to his sweatshirt like a lifeline, burying my face into his chest. I could feel his heartbeat, steady and strong, and for a moment, the rest of the world faded—the crowds, the cameras, the distance that would soon separate us.

"I don't want you to go," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I know," he said, holding me a little tighter. "And it kills me to leave you, Shivani. But I have to do this."

Karthik

Her voice was so small against my chest, so fragile, that my heart ached. I pressed my forehead against hers. "I'll be back before you know it," I said softly, trying to convince both her and myself. "I promise, Shivani. You'll see me again soon. And when I come back... I'll make it up to you."

She pulled back slightly, just enough to look into my eyes. "Promise?"

"Always," I said, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Always. "Her hands found mine again, fingers intertwining. The terminal buzzed around us, but we were alone. In that stolen moment, nothing else mattered.

Shivani

I fished into my bag, hands trembling. "Wait," I said. "I want you to have this."

I handed him my bracelet—a delicate silver chain I always wore, now slipping into his palm. "So... so you don't forget me while you're gone," I murmured, unable to keep the tears from brimming.

He looked at it, his eyes softening. "Shivani..." He held it close to his heart, as if it were the most precious thing in the world. "I'll keep this with me. Always. "I felt my chest tighten at the thought of him holding a piece of me while he was away.

Karthik

She had given me so much more than a bracelet—she had given me a piece of her heart. I cupped her face with my hand, thumb brushing against her cheek. "You have no idea how much I needed this," I whispered.

Her lips parted slightly. My eyes searched hers, and then, almost instinctively, I leaned down. Softly. Tentatively. Our lips met in a slow, tender kiss—lingering, hesitant, but full of everything we couldn't put into words.

I could feel her warmth; her heartbeat pressed against mine. I traced her cheek gently, memorizing every detail. It was our private world, even in the middle of the crowded terminal.

When we finally parted, my forehead rested against hers. "I'll come back to you," I whispered. She nodded, tears brimming, but she tried to smile. "I'll wait."

Shivani

I watched him adjust his cap, trying to appear casual, but I knew him too well. I could see the tension in his shoulders, the pain behind his smile. I wanted to stop him. I wanted to hold him forever.

"Go," I whispered, my voice catching. "Go make your dreams come true. Just... come back to me."

"I will," he said. "I'll come back. And I'll bring you with me next time."

Even saying it aloud made my heart ache. Next time. But for now... I had to let him go.

Karthik

I grabbed my suitcase, slinging it over my shoulder. One last look at her. One last squeeze of her hand. "I love you," I murmured.

"I love you too," she whispered back, voice trembling.

I started walking toward the security gate, but turned back to see her standing there, small and fragile in the sea of people. I wanted to run back, hold her, never let go—but the line of security guards was between us.

She raised her hand slightly, waving, tears streaming down her cheeks. I waved back, forcing a smile. "Come back soon," I mouthed, though she could barely see my lips.

And then I was gone.

Shivani

I stayed there, staring at the glass doors as he disappeared from sight. The world felt muted, as if someone had drained the colour from it. My fingers clutched the bracelet he held close to his chest in my mind, and I whispered, Come back soon, Kar. Please come back soon.

I sank onto a nearby bench, trying to steady my breathing. The ache in my chest was real, tangible, as though a part of me had gone with him. And yet... beneath the fear and the longing, there was a spark of pride. He was chasing his dreams, and I would wait for him. Always.

The terminal lights reflected off the polished floor, but all I could see was him—his smile, the brush of his hand against mine, the warmth of his lips against mine.

And I knew, without a doubt, that this was only a temporary goodbye.

Because some things—love, trust, and fate—were strong enough to withstand any distance