REWRITING THE SCRIPT

ONE LAST TIME

Scene: Marine Drive — Golden Hour

The sun was setting, casting golden hues over the Arabian Sea.

Gunjan stood near the edge, wearing the same red frock from their first beach day.
Raj walked in quietly behind her, wearing the kurta she embroidered, now his favorite.

They didn’t speak at first. Just stood in silence, eyes tracing the waves — and their memories.

Gunjan finally said, “So tomorrow, huh?”

Raj nodded.

She turned to him, voice shaking but calm, “Are you scared?”

“A little,” he admitted, “but mostly because I’m leaving my heartbeat behind.”

She chuckled sadly, “Drama queen.”

They started walking, like that night a year ago. This time, slower.

They reached the exact bench they once sat on when things were blooming.

“I hate this bench,” Gunjan said.

Raj raised an eyebrow.

“It reminds me that the same place we made a start… we’re also saying goodbye.”

He gently held her hand. “It’s not goodbye. It’s just… a pause. Until we press play again.”

---

They exchanged gifts.

Gunjan gave him a small photo frame:
A polaroid from the arcade day with a note on the back — “When you miss me, just remember I’m missing you more.”

Raj gave her his hoodie and a glass bottle filled with seashells they had once collected.

Gunjan laughed, “What is this, a beachy memory potion?”

“No,” Raj smiled. “It’s proof. That our story started with the sea. And ends with ‘see you soon.’”

---

Scene: The Airport — Next Morning

Everyone came to send him off.
Mrs. Verma sobbed quietly. Mayur pulled Raj in for a final side hug.
Nayan gave him a handwritten joke book: “So you don’t forget my humor.”
Dhruv: “Make Indians proud there… or I’m coming with chappals.”

Gunjan stood still.
Silent. Strong. A storm inside.

They hugged. Long. Too long. His hand lingered at her hair, hers around his waist.

“I’ll call as soon as I land,” Raj whispered.

Gunjan nodded, biting her lip.
They parted.

He walked a few steps, then turned back.

“I love you, Gunjan.”

“I love you more,” she managed to say.

He smiled. Blew a kiss.

And he was gone.

---

Scene: Long Distance Phase

Daily video calls at midnight.

“Did you eat?” — the most asked question on both sides.

Gunjan recording voice notes when she missed him at odd hours.

Raj sending flowers to her college anonymously.

Surprise gift drops.

Watching shows on video calls, synced at the same time.

Gunjan falling asleep with his hoodie.

Raj keeping her photo beside his bed.

One year passed with their hearts closer than ever.

---

Gunjan’s Diary Entry:

“Love didn’t fade with miles. It grew, like time never left us.
I just hope… when he returns, he walks straight into my arms.”

---

But Raj hadn’t told her the return date.
He wanted it to be a surprise.

And so he plotted, with Mayur, Dhruv, and even Nayan.
The next chapter... would be hers to remember forever.

--------------
(End of Chp 25)

Why he can't stay a little longer ,,right readers thats what you are thinking??

HAPPY READING

~byCuckoo@20