The Last Summer of Us

Chapter 1: The Return

The lake looked like it always had-calm, serene, and untouched by time. But to Naina, it seemed like the entire world had shifted. The moment her feet touched the familiar path to the water's edge, memories of childhood summers came rushing back. She could still hear the echo of Arjun's laughter, see him teasing her as she tried to race him to the lake, and remember how they had promised they would never let anything come between them.

That was before time had taken them in different directions.

Before Arjun had started avoiding her calls. Before the silence that had grown between them.

But today, Naina was back. And everything felt different. Even the air tasted unfamiliar.

"Naina?"

The voice reached her like a whisper in the wind. She turned, and her heart skipped a beat. There he was. But he wasn't the boy she remembered. He was different. Colder. Worn out.

"Arjun..." She whispered his name, barely able to believe he was standing there, so close.

"You're back," he said softly, almost like a question, his eyes searching hers.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The weight of the years between them felt heavy in the air, and the old bond they shared now felt like a fragile thread about to snap.

Naina tried to smile. "I had to come back... for closure, I guess."

Arjun's lips barely twitched, but there was no warmth in his eyes. "Closure?" His voice dropped. "Some things... don't need closure, Naina."

Before she could respond, Arjun turned away, leaving her with a thousand unanswered questions. He was hiding something. She could feel it. But she didn't know what. And the mystery of it lingered in the cool evening air, making her heart race even more.