Nidha's POV:
The crisp winter breeze bit at my exposed skin as I stood at the bus stop. Shraddha would be arriving soon, accompanied by a taxi driver. The cityscape sprawled before me, familiar yet foreign after years of absence.
Emotions churned within me, a stormy mix of nostalgia, worry, and long-forgotten memories returned.
The bus stop became a time capsule, holding memories I had tried to bury. A place where past and present collided, threatening to unravel the carefully woven threads of my new life in Canada. The roar of distant traffic echoed in my ears, drowning out the subtle whisper of insecurities.
Shraddha's taxi pulled up, and Jaira burst out with bright energy, her enthusiasm a stark contrast to my inner turbulence.
Oh, the innocence she held, for her all of this was just one big adventure. Unlike Shraddhra and I, both of whom couldn't stop the nervousness on our journey here.
The three of us, bound by the invisible strings of shared history, embarked on this journey together.
Soon the taxi pulled up to a tall courtyard of buildings. Our return had brought up the question of our living, Shraddha and I thought it best to rent out an apartment and not bother anyone.
The penthouse echoed with Jaira's laughter as she explored every corner, her excitement contagious. Shraddha and I shared a look, uncertainty masked by forced smiles.
"Quite the adventure, isn't it?" Shraddha's voice carried a mix of nerves and excitement.
"Yeah, it's... something," I replied, glancing around at the unpacked boxes, each one holding fragments of our past.
Shraddha joined me by the window, watching the city lights twinkle below. "Do you ever wonder if we're doing the right thing?"
I nodded, my gaze distant. "Every moment since we decided to come back."
"We can't change the past, Nidha, but we can shape our future. For Jaira, Pihu, and us," Shraddha's words held a weight of trust, a reminder that even uncertain beginnings could lead to beautiful stories. Somehow her words were just the anchor I needed to hold myself over.
Jaira skipped into the room, her eyes sparkling. "Momsi, Mumma, guess what I found!" She held up a dusty photo frame, a relic from a time forgotten.
Shraddha and I exchanged a knowing smile. Jaira's discovery seemed like a message from fate—a prompt to embrace the journey we were embarking on.
As the night unfolded, we sat on the couch, surrounded by the comforting glow of the city below. Jaira snuggled between us, her curiosity sparking a lively conversation.
"Momsi, what's this?" Jaira pointed at an old photograph, capturing a moment when Shraddha, Pihu Di, and I were mere teenagers, full of dreams.
Shraddha chuckled. "That's us, a long time ago."
"You look funny, Mumma," Jaira giggled, earning a playful nudge from Shraddha.
"Kiddo, you know your Mumma had big bright yellow braces back then?" I joined in.
"Ew Mumma, you didn't brush your teeth huh?" Jaira interrogated her mom.
Shraddha sighed in defeat knowing there was no escaping Jaira. "Yeah bunny, see that's what happens when you don't listen to your mom."
Jaira brushed aside Shraddha's warning and resumed rummaging through the box.
"And this one?" Jaira's tiny finger landed on a picture of Vyom and me during our wedding.
"That's Momsi's friend," I replied, unsure of how to explain the setting.
"Why are you both not smiling?" The curious eyes wandered to my face.
A moment of silence lingered, our eyes meeting over the photo. "Sometimes, even when you're surrounded by people, you feel alone," I whispered, my words carrying a weight only Shraddha could understand. Her hand settled on my shoulder giving it a small squeeze. "Momsi was just very tired that day."
Jaira, however, continued her commentary. "Well, you should always smile. Smiling is good!"
Her innocent wisdom lightened the atmosphere, a reminder that life could be simple and joyful despite its complexities.
Shraddha and I exchanged glances. In the midst of uncertainty, we found solace in each other's company and the laughter of a little girl determined to fill our lives with joy.
And for now, that was all we needed.
Vyom's POV:
The gym was empty, a perfect retreat for me in the early morning hours. The rhythmic clinking of weights accompanied the steady beat of my heart. The apartment complex is still quiet, everyone sleeping peacefully.
Peace is for the weak, a hiding place for those who can't handle the challenges of life.
To me, it's like a punishment, something you get stuck with if you're not strong enough to chase after success. The real strength comes from the chaos, the constant drive to achieve something.
The only distraction I can allow for.
As I lifted the weights, the image of Nidha at the bus stop lingered in my mind. Her silhouette against the cityscape was etched in my memory—a moment suspended in time. I couldn't shake the feeling of a missed connection, an unfinished story that begged for closure.
I should've gotten out of the car. She was right there, the answers to all my questions for the past 4 years in front of me, and I couldn't move a muscle.
In the midst of my workout, a small voice interrupted my thoughts. A small girl stood behind the machine, eyes wide with awe, taking in the sight of me lifting weights.
"Wow, you're really strong!" Her words were a melody of admiration, and a genuine smile graced her face.
I squinted, placing the weights back. "You're not supposed to be here." I surely must be imagining things.
"The door was open, so I can go anywhere." She answers back, her shoulders lifting to straighten her back.
I huffed, moving on to the next set of weights. "You're going to hurt yourself, little kid, go back home." I think back to the time I thought having an indoor gym was a bonus for this apartment complex, maybe I should just build one inside the penthouse.
"Hey!" She followed me around and stood on the bench of the empty machine next to me. "I'm not a little kid."
I turned to ignore her, hoping she would leave out of boredom but that didn't faze her. She walked around, eyeing all the machines and making faces in the mirrors.
Finally circling back to me, she stood in front of my weight set. "My momsi said I can't wake her up, so I can to see if there were any cool things down here. But you're the only one here." Her disappointment was endearing, and I couldn't help but smile.
She inspected my bicep with a thoughtful expression. "Momsi says muscles make you strong. Are you a superhero?"
Her innocence painted a picture of pure joy, a feeling I had not experienced in a long time. "Not a superhero, just trying to stay fit." Her eyes drooped down in dismay at my statement. "What about you? Do you have any superpowers?"
She nodded, eyes gleaming. "I can make cookies disappear!"
Laughter echoed through the gym, a fleeting moment of simplicity.
As she ran off, I couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of her innocence. "Bye Oldie!"
Her words coated the air as everything went still around me. It stirred a twinge of longing, a reminder of what could have been if fate had taken a different turn.
In the silent gym, Nidha's voice lingered in my head, a bittersweet reminder of a past lost to time, a melody that would never play again.
Precap: Vyom see Jaira with Nidha!
Omg, Nidha and Vyom living in the same apartment complex! I can't wait to see how fate makes them meet again!
I hope you liked the chapter! Please vote and leave some comments!
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