I met him on the way - Again and Forever

Naina can't stop smiling.

"Guess what?" she asks.

Abhimanyu laughs. "What is it? You look really happy."

"I got it!"

"The one abroad?"

She nods excitedly. "It's finally happening."

Abhimanyu smiles, reaches across the table, and congratulates her. But somewhere behind his smile is a silent thought.

Would there be a place for us?

The rest of the evening is spent talking about her new job, laughing, and making plans to celebrate.

As they step out of the cafe, Abhi asks, "So... when are you leaving?"

"In two weeks."

"That's quite soon! We haven't even celebrated yet," he jokes.

She laughs. "We will."

Two weeks later, Naina leaves to start her new job.

They stay in touch through texts and late-night calls, often falling asleep mid-conversation. She tells him about her work and the little things she discovers in the city. He shares stories about his life back home.

At first, everything feels the same.

But slowly, somewhere between busy days and changing routines, they stop sharing the little things. Their conversations become less frequent.

As Naina settles into her new life, she sometimes reaches for her phone to tell Abhi something, then smiles and puts it away. I'll tell him later, she thinks. Sometimes, later never comes.

She misses him and often wonders if Abhi will feel the same way when they meet again.

But then she reminds herself, He never says anything. If things are meant to be, everything will work out.

Abhimanyu, too, gets busy building his career, and life gradually settles into a routine. Yet every now and then, something reminds him of Naina - a funny incident at work, a new café, or a movie she would have loved. He smiles to himself and carries on with his day.

But one day, Naina realizes she doesn't just miss home. She misses the feeling of the home she had with him.

She misses telling him about every little thing. Whenever she travels somewhere new, she wishes he was there.

Naina plans a visit home.

She texts Abhimanyu: "Abhi, I'm coming home!"

Abhimanyu smiles as he reads the message.

He is happy to know she is coming back.

When they finally see each other, it feels as though time has paused and nothing has changed.

As they walk together, Naina slows her pace, looks at him, and says,

"I've been feeling something for a while."

"A year ago, I took a chance when we decided to meet. And now, a year later, I want to take another chance."

His heart feels full.

Abhi hands her a small gift.

"You mentioned this once," he says with a smile.

Some feelings don't arrive all at once.

They quietly find their way home.