A Love Rewritten

A Love Rewritten

Present Day - Indore

Jodha Sharma sat at her desk, absentmindedly tapping her pen against the edge of the table. The past few months had been a whirlwind of work, and just when she thought she had finally settled into a routine, she was hit with news that she hadn’t expected - a transfer to Bangalore.

The notification had come in late yesterday evening. Her HR department had informed her that she would be transferred to the Bangalore headquarters of her company for a new project. At first, she’d been excited about the opportunity. Bangalore was a city buzzing with life and energy, a place full of potential. But as the initial excitement wore off, uncertainty began to creep in.

Her phone buzzed with a new message. It was from Aditya, one of her colleagues who had been working with her for some time now.

"Jodha, I wanted to talk to you before you leave for Bangalore," the message read. "Can we meet after work?"

Jodha furrowed her brow but shrugged it off. Rajat was a decent guy ... they’d gotten to know each other over the past year, working closely on several projects. She never considered him more than a colleague, but it was always nice to catch up with people before a big change like a transfer.

She put her phone down, her mind wandering. She had been in Indore for almost three years now, and the idea of leaving felt strange. It wasn’t that she had particularly strong ties to the city, but the thought of uprooting herself again made her feel uneasy.

The day passed quickly. Meetings, emails, and phone calls consumed her time. As the evening drew near, Aditya sent her a text asking if they could meet for coffee. Jodha agreed, thinking it was a casual conversation.

~~

The evening had settled into a soft, golden hue as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a gentle glow over the cafe. It was one of Jodha’s favorite spots, cozy and warm, with a comforting air of familiarity. She’d been there countless times, but today, there was a knot in her stomach she couldn’t shake off.

Aditya, a colleague she had worked with for over a year, had messaged her earlier, asking to meet. He was easygoing, thoughtful, and had become a good friend over time. But this felt different. Jodha could feel the unease in his texts, his words carefully phrased. Something was about to change.

She arrived early, as usual, and ordered her usual coffee while she waited. The place buzzed with soft chatter, the clink of mugs, and the faint hum of a song playing in the background. Jodha stared at the swirling patterns in her coffee, her mind already racing through the potential reasons for Aditya’s sudden request.

A few minutes later, Aditya walked in, his usual confident stride slightly slower today. He scanned the cafe, eyes landing on her immediately. He smiled and walked over, his expression warm but a little tense.

“Hey, Jodha,” he greeted, sitting down across from her. His tone was casual, but there was a slight nervousness behind it, something that wasn’t typical for him.

“Hey, Aditya,” Jodha replied, offering a smile. She noticed how he was trying to mask his discomfort but failing. “What’s going on? You’ve been acting a little... off today.”

He exhaled, shifting in his seat. “Yeah... well, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something. And honestly, I wasn’t sure how to say it, but I guess it’s now or never.”

Jodha raised an eyebrow, a curious smile tugging at her lips. “Aditya, what’s up? You’re scaring me.”

Aditya chuckled softly, though his eyes were filled with a mixture of hesitation and something deeper. “I don’t mean to scare you, but I’ve been thinking a lot about this... and I just need to be honest with you.”

Jodha’s heart skipped a beat. This was unlike him. Aditya was straightforward, sure, but this nervousness was unusual. She leaned in slightly, her attention fully on him now. “Okay, just say it.”

Aditya paused, clearly gathering his thoughts. The silence between them felt heavier than it should have. He was usually so easy to talk to, yet now, every word seemed to weigh him down.

“Jodha...” he started, his voice quiet. “I’ve been meaning to tell you this for a while now. I... I like you. More than just a colleague, more than just a friend.” He finally met her gaze, his eyes sincere. “I’ve liked you for a long time.”

Jodha blinked, the words taking a moment to sink in. She wasn’t sure how to respond, her mind racing as she processed what he had just confessed. Aditya had been there for her, a constant presence through many long hours of work, but she had never considered him in that way. They were friends, close colleagues, but the thought of him as anything more...

Her fingers tightened around her coffee cup, and she forced a small smile. “Aditya... I don’t know what to say. I had no idea. You’ve always been such a good friend to me, but I never looked at you like that.”

Aditya’s expression faltered slightly, but he quickly masked it with a small nod. “I get it,” he said, the words coming out softer than before. “I didn’t expect you to feel the same way. I guess... I just couldn’t ... I don't know what to say...”

Jodha felt a pang of guilt. She knew how much Aditya meant to her as a friend, and she didn’t want to hurt him. But the truth was, she wasn’t in a place to be in a relationship. Her heart still carried remnants of something ... or rather, someone .... from her past. She had always tried to bury it deep, but in moments like this, it came rushing back.

She placed her coffee cup down slowly, meeting his gaze with a soft, understanding look. “Aditya, I’m really flattered. You’re a great person, and I’m lucky to have you as a friend. But right now... I’m just not ready for anything more. My focus is on my career, and I can’t let myself get distracted. I’ve been through some stuff in the past, and I’m still figuring it all out.”

Aditya nodded, his eyes filled with a mixture of disappointment and understanding. “I figured that. I didn’t expect you to jump into anything, Jodha. But I had to be honest. I couldn’t keep it inside anymore. I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you, and if we can still be friends, I’d be grateful.”

Jodha smiled, reaching across the table to place a hand on his. “Of course, Aditya. I value our friendship a lot. And I hope we can continue to work together.”

The moment hung between them, the air still thick with the weight of the unspoken. Aditya, though visibly disappointed, seemed to accept her words. He gave a small, rueful smile, nodding.

“Yeah, I hope so too.”

As the conversation shifted back to their usual light topics, Jodha couldn’t help but feel a heaviness settle in her chest. She had rejected someone she cared about ... someone who had been by her side in ways she hadn’t even realized. But her mind wasn’t on Aditya’s confession; it was on someone else entirely.

She could feel it now, as it had been so long buried beneath the distractions of her daily life - the memory of Jalal Mohammad, the boy who had once been everything to her. The boy who had taught her what it meant to love, to be cared for in a way she had never experienced before.

~~

Flashback: Shimla Boarding School - 9th Grade

The distant hum of the city faded as Jodha’s mind wandered back to her time in Shimla. She remembered the day she had arrived at the boarding school, a shy, quiet girl from Delhi, unsure of what to expect. The tall, majestic buildings of the school, nestled in the hills of Shimla, had both intimidated and fascinated her.

The first time she saw Jalal Mohammad was a week after she arrived. She was running late for her first class and had gotten lost in the maze of the sprawling campus. Frustrated and anxious, she’d been walking around aimlessly when she accidentally bumped into someone.

“Careful,” a voice said, warm and amused.

Jodha looked up to see a boy with dark, penetrating eyes and a wide grin on his face. He was taller than her, his presence commanding, and yet there was an easy charm about him. He looked like someone who had always belonged, while Jodha had yet to find her place.

“Are you lost?” he asked, clearly amused by her disoriented look.

Jodha felt her face flush. “Yes, actually. I’m new here.”

“I figured,” he said, looking at her with an understanding smile. “You don’t look like you belong to this place just yet. But don’t worry, I’ll show you around.”

Jodha had laughed nervously. “Thank you, but I can manage.”

“No, you can’t,” he said confidently, “but I’ll be happy to show you anyway.”

From that moment, Jalal had become her guide - both in Shimla and in her own heart. He was someone who never let her feel like she was alone. He was there, offering help without being asked, offering a smile when she needed it most.

Soon, they were inseparable, spending countless hours together, talking about everything ...their dreams, their fears, and their lives beyond school. Jalal had a carefree, bold nature, always pushing Jodha out of her comfort zone, while she grounded him with her more cautious and thoughtful approach to life.

By the time they reached the 10th grade, their bond had grown from simple friendship to something much deeper. They weren’t just friends anymore; they were each other’s safe place, the one person they could always rely on. But there was also an undeniable attraction between them, something neither of them could ignore, no matter how hard they tried.

~~

Present Day

The memories hit her like a tidal wave.

Jalal.

His voice, his smile, his mischievous laughter ... it was all so vivid in her mind. The way he had looked at her the first time they met, his confidence somehow making her feel more secure in the chaos of the new school year. It was undeniable. From that moment, something had clicked between them. She could still remember the way his eyes had lit up when he first talked to her ... the gentle teasing, the way he would always protect her without saying a word.

She remembered their first serious conversation, sitting under the old oak tree, a quiet afternoon with nothing but the rustling leaves to keep them company.

“Jodha, you’re different,” Jalal had said, leaning back against the tree, his gaze focused on the horizon. “You think too much. You need to let go. Life’s too short to keep second-guessing everything.”

Jodha had laughed softly, though there had been a part of her that didn’t quite understand what he meant. But Jalal, with his boundless confidence and carefree attitude, had made her see things differently.

~~

Flashback: 10th Grade

One winter afternoon, Jodha and Jalal were walking through the school grounds after class. The chilly wind swept through the trees, rustling the leaves, and the distant mountains were covered in a thick layer of snow. They had been talking about their dreams for the future when Jodha suddenly stopped.

“Jalal, do you ever think about what happens after school? After we leave this place?” Her voice was quiet, but there was an edge of concern in it.

Jalal turned to face her, his expression thoughtful. “I think about it all the time. But you know, I can’t stay here forever. I want more ... something bigger. Something beyond Shimla.”

Jodha’s heart sank, and she found herself unable to speak for a moment. She knew Jalal had always dreamed of big things. But the thought of him leaving, of them parting ways, was something she wasn’t ready to face.

“What about us?” she finally asked, her voice small. “What about... everything we’ve built here?”

Jalal smiled, his gaze softening. “Jodha, don’t you see? What we have here - this bond ... is special. But we both have to find our own paths. You’ll be amazing at whatever you choose to do, and so will I. We don’t have to tie ourselves to one place. What we have, it’s in here,” he said, tapping his chest. “And no matter where I go, that will never change.”

Jodha looked at him, her chest tight. She wanted to believe him. She wanted to hold onto this connection, this feeling of belonging. But deep down, she knew they were drifting in different directions. Jalal’s dreams were calling him, and she had her own path to follow.

~~

Present Day - Bangalore

Jodha took a deep breath, shaking the memories from her mind, and focused back on the present. She glanced at Aditya, who was now talking about their upcoming work projects. She nodded along, but her mind was elsewhere, her heart still caught in a memory that refused to fade.

When Aditya had confessed his feelings, it wasn’t just a shock to her; it had forced her to confront the emotions she had buried for years. Jalal, the person she had once given her heart to, the person she had believed she would build a future with, was still present in every corner of her mind. And now, with this sudden transfer to Bangalore, she couldn’t help but wonder ... was it fate, or just a cruel twist of time?

She stared at the empty coffee cup in front of her, trying to silence the whirlwind of thoughts that had suddenly filled her mind.

The cafe had grown quieter as evening fell, the hum of conversation around them slowly fading into the background. Jodha pushed her empty coffee cup aside, the last remnants of warmth slipping through her fingers.

Aditya looked at her, his smile subdued but sincere. “So, I guess this is it then. You’ll be off to Bangalore tomorrow,” he said, his voice quieter than usual.

Jodha nodded, trying to mask the conflicting emotions swirling inside her. She had always appreciated Aditya’s honesty and support, but now, as she prepared for the transfer, it was hard to shake off the weight of their conversation. She felt guilty about rejecting him, yet there was nothing she could do. Her heart belonged to someone else - a person she hadn’t seen in years.

“I’ll miss you, Jodha. But I’m sure you’ll do great in Bangalore,” Aditya continued, his words kind but tinged with a sadness Jodha couldn’t ignore.

Jodha smiled softly. “Thank you, Aditya. I’ll miss you too. I hope we’ll still stay in touch. You know, as friends.”

“Of course,” Aditya said, his expression lightening. “That’s what matters, right? We’ll always be friends. Take care of yourself.”

Jodha stood up, feeling the weight of the moment. She had already said goodbye to many people in her life, but this one felt different. “I’ll take care. And you too, Aditya. I hope everything goes the way you want.”

With a final smile, she turned and walked out of the cafe, her thoughts swirling. As she walked down the street, she couldn’t help but glance back. Aditya was still sitting there, watching her leave. She waved one last time, then disappeared into the crowd.

~~

Present

The next day, Jodha boarded the flight to Bangalore. Her seat was by the window, and as the plane ascended into the clouds, she stared out at the sky. The endless expanse of blue seemed to mirror the uncertainty she felt inside. It was a fresh start, a new city, and a new project, but something was off. Her mind kept wandering back to Aditya’s confession ... and the flood of emotions it had stirred.

She leaned her head back against the seat, closing her eyes, and the quiet hum of the plane seemed to lull her into a trance. But as soon as her eyelids closed, memories she had tried to bury came rushing back.

~~

Flashback: 12th Grade

It was the last day of school. The sun was setting over the majestic hills of Shimla, casting a golden hue over the campus. Jodha had been sitting on the stone steps of the school courtyard, feeling a strange mix of excitement and sadness. This was the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. It was hard to believe how much had changed since she first arrived at the boarding school.

Jalal had sat down beside her, his usual easygoing smile in place, but today there was something more to it. His eyes were softer, his gaze more serious than she was used to.

“Jodha,” he said, his voice low. “It’s almost over, isn’t it?”

She nodded, her heart heavy. “Yeah. Feels like we just got here, and now it’s all ending. What are we supposed to do now?”

Jalal smiled, his hand brushing against hers. “We move forward. But before we do, there’s something I’ve been meaning to say.”

Jodha turned her head toward him, confusion and curiosity in her eyes. “What is it?”

His expression softened as he took a deep breath. “I don’t know how to say this, but... I want to be honest with you. All these years... I’ve had feelings for you, Jodha. A major crush. I don’t think I could leave this place without telling you. I don’t want to keep pretending it’s nothing.”

Jodha’s breath caught in her throat. The confession felt like it had come out of nowhere, though in hindsight, she realized it had always been there .... lingering in the space between them, in every smile, every glance.

She didn’t know how to respond at first. Her heart raced as she processed his words. “Jalal, I... I don’t know what to say. I feel the same way, but... but everything is changing. After school, we’ll be far apart. We’ll be going down different paths. I don’t want to make it harder than it already is.”

Jalal looked at her, his eyes full of understanding. “I get it, Jodha. I do. But what we have is real, and I don’t want to leave without knowing that you knew how I felt.”

She met his gaze, her heart swelling with emotion. “I’ll never forget this moment, Jalal. Never.”

And then, as if to seal that moment, Jalal had taken her hand and squeezed it gently. In the quiet stillness of that afternoon, with the school bells ringing in the distance and the world slowly changing around them, they shared their first kiss. A kiss full of promises and unspoken fears, one that neither of them would ever forget.

~~

Back to Present: In Bangalore

Jodha opened her eyes with a soft sigh, the distant hum of the airplane's engines grounding her back in the present. The memories of that day, the day they had confessed their love to each other, played like a film in her mind. She could still feel the warmth of Jalal’s hand in hers, still taste the sweetness of their kiss. She hadn't expected to think about him so much, but it seemed like he was always there, in the back of her mind.

The flight was smooth, and before she knew it, the plane began its descent into Bangalore. As the city skyline came into view, Jodha felt a mixture of anticipation and unease settle in her chest. It was a new chapter, but something felt off, like she was standing on the edge of a precipice, unsure of what awaited her.

Her taxi ride from the airport to her hotel was quick. The city was bustling, the streets filled with life, and yet, her mind was still stuck in Shimla, with memories of Jalal. After checking into her hotel, she dropped her bags by the bed and sank down, exhausted.

She pulled the blanket over her and stared at the ceiling, her thoughts heavy with memories. It had been years since they had said goodbye. After graduation, they had both gone their separate ways, and despite the promises they made to each other, life had pulled them apart. She hadn’t heard from him since. But somehow, in her heart, she always carried a piece of him ... the boy who had meant everything to her.

Her phone buzzed on the bedside table, interrupting her thoughts. It was a message from Aditya

“Good luck in Bangalore, Jodha. You’ve got this. I hope everything works out for you.”

She smiled softly, typing a quick response. “Thank you, Aditya. I’ll miss you. Let’s catch up soon.”

She put her phone down, but her mind was still occupied with a single thought -

What would happen if she met Jalal again? Was fate about to bring him back into her life?

She remembered something suddenly that made her smile.

~~

Flashback: 12th Grade

Jodha had never been the type to break the rules. She liked things to be in order, neat and precise, but there was something about Jalal that always pulled her into the whirlwind of spontaneity. The final year at boarding school had been filled with moments of late-night talks, stolen glances between classes, and adventures they didn’t quite think through. It was a time of defying logic, of testing the boundaries of what was allowed, and of finding freedom in the small moments.

One particular evening, when the weather in Shimla turned unexpectedly stormy, Jalal had pulled Jodha out of the comfort of her dormitory and into the unpredictable adventure that awaited. It had started as a simple dare ... or rather, a challenge. It was nearing the end of their last year, and with exams looming, everyone had been stressed, the pressure mounting on all sides. To break the tension, Jalal had come up with an idea, a plan that was equal parts absurd and thrilling.

“Let’s sneak out to the old haveli,” he’d suggested, a mischievous gleam in his eyes.

The old haveli on the outskirts of the town had been off-limits for years, known to be dangerous due to its crumbling steps and a history of storms. But the storm that night had made the air thick with electricity, and Jalal’s words had been the spark Jodha needed to throw caution to the wind.

“Are you crazy?” Jodha had laughed, her eyes wide with disbelief. “It’s a storm out there!”

“Exactly!” Jalal had said, his grin widening. “That’s what makes it exciting.”

Jodha hesitated, but only for a moment. There was something about the way Jalal made the impossible seem so possible. His confidence was contagious, and before she knew it, she found herself sneaking out with him, the sound of their laughter muffled by the roar of the storm.

They ran through the rain-soaked streets, drenched but exhilarated, the storm so wild that it almost seemed like the world was conspiring against them. The air smelled fresh, like the earth had come alive, and they were the only two people in the world to experience it.

When they reached the haveli, the wind howled fiercely, pushing them back, but neither of them hesitated. They climbed the slippery stairs together, their hands gripping the weather-worn railings as they made their way to the terrace. Jodha felt her heart race - partly from the climb, partly from the electric energy between them. As they reached the terrace, the view was breathtaking. The rain had started to subside, and the moonlight pierced through the clouds, casting a soft glow over the valley below. The vastness of it all was humbling. It was not a long building ... But the forest view from haveli had it's own magic.

“I told you,” Jalal whispered, his voice barely audible against the wind. “Worth it, right?”

Jodha smiled, her hair plastered against her face from the rain, her cheeks flushed with excitement. “Tum pagal ho, you know that?”

“But you love it,” Jalal teased, his eyes glinting with affection.

She glanced over at him, and for a moment, their eyes locked in a gaze that said everything without the need for words. The storm around them seemed to pause, and in that instant, it was just the two of them.

“I’m going to regret this tomorrow,” she said, trying to sound exasperated, but the joy in her voice was undeniable.

Jalal laughed, throwing an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s just enjoy it tonight. Who cares about tomorrow?”

They stayed up there for what felt like hours, talking about everything and nothing. The sound of the rain, the distant thunder, and the occasional flash of lightning created a rhythm that made it feel like time had stopped. Jodha had never felt so alive, so free. In Jalal’s company, the world seemed less complicated, less serious. She could forget about the exams, the future, and just be in the moment with him.

When they finally descended the stairs of haveli, they were soaked through and laughing so hard they could barely catch their breath. The walk back was quiet but comfortable, their wet clothes clinging to their skin, their hands brushing occasionally, an unspoken connection between them.

As they approached the school gates, Jodha stopped, looking up at Jalal. “You know,” she began softly, “I’m really glad I did this. I’m glad I did this with you.”

Jalal stopped too, turning to face her with a soft smile. “You’ll never regret it, Jodha. Not this.”

And in that moment, despite the rain and the rules they’d broken, Jodha felt like they were exactly where they were meant to be ... together, sharing something pure and adventurous. It wasn’t just about the storm or the thrill of breaking the rules; it was about the bond they shared, one that couldn’t be put into words but was felt deeply in every shared glance and quiet smile.

~~

Back to Present - Hotel Room

Jodha stirred slightly in her sleep, her body wrapped in the warmth of the blanket, but her mind still carried the echo of that night with Jalal. She had drifted off into the kind of sleep that comes after a long, tiring journey, but it wasn’t the comfort of her bed that lingered in her mind. It was the memory of that night - the feeling of excitement, the joy of breaking free, and the warmth of Jalal’s presence beside her.

As her eyes fluttered open, she exhaled softly, a small smile tugging at her lips. The stormy night on the terrace of haveli felt like a lifetime ago, yet in some ways, it felt like it had happened only yesterday.

Despite all the time that had passed, despite everything that had changed since then, she still remembered that feeling, that joy - and a part of her wondered if she would ever feel that same way again.

But now, as she prepared for a new chapter in Bangalore, something else stirred within her ... a faint sense of hope, of anticipation. And that thought followed her as she drifted back to sleep, with Jalal still lingering in the quiet spaces of her heart.

~~

The morning sun streamed through the hotel window as Jodha awoke with a start, her heart fluttering in anticipation. She had barely slept, but the memories of that night ... that wild, unforgettable adventure with Jalal .... had kept her awake long enough for her to fall into a peaceful slumber just before dawn.

She quickly got ready for her first day at the new office, her thoughts still scattered, the flashbacks of her time with Jalal playing on an endless loop in her mind. How could she not think about him after all these years? The moments they shared felt like they were still alive inside her, like they had never truly left.

Jodha stood before the mirror, smoothing down her blouse, her mind racing with questions. What was he doing now? Had he moved on? Or was she the only one carrying the weight of those memories? Is he married? Kids?

Trying to shake off the lingering thoughts, she grabbed her bag, slung it over her shoulder, and made her way downstairs to the lobby. Her taxi was waiting, and the drive through the busy streets of Bangalore felt surreal, as if she was walking into an entirely new world. Yet her heart still beat with a sense of unease ... what if this day turned out to be a complete disaster? What if she wasn’t able to fit in?

~~

Jodha walked into the sleek office building, her heart racing with a mixture of excitement and nervousness. The high-rise building in Bangalore was a world apart from the serene, historic charm of Shimla, where she had spent her youth. The hum of activity around her was overwhelming, and it took her a moment to adjust to the modernity of everything. She was led by the receptionist through the bright, open lobby to her desk.

"Welcome to the team, Ms. Sharma," the receptionist said, giving her a warm, professional smile. "You’ll be working closely with several departments, but for today, you can familiarize yourself with the basics. Your direct supervisor, Mr. Mohammad - The Vice President, will be meeting with you shortly."

Jodha nodded, taking her seat and glancing through the neatly arranged papers on her desk. Her mind was still buzzing with the memories from the night before ... the excitement of her new role, mixed with the odd weight of the memories of Jalal. She tried to focus on the tasks ahead. She’d left the past behind, or so she thought.

An hour passed. The steady buzz of the office around her barely registered. She had begun to settle into her space when the receptionist came back.

"Ms. Sharma," she called, her tone slightly more formal now. "Mr. Mohammad is ready to meet with you now. His office is just down the hall on the right. Please knock before entering."

Jodha’s breath hitched as the receptionist led her toward the corridor. She tried to push down the sudden flutter of nerves in her stomach, convinced that her body was simply reacting to the first big meeting in her new job. She straightened her back, her fingers slightly trembling, but she couldn’t quite pinpoint why.

Jodha reached the door, her heart beginning to thud louder in her chest. She knocked softly, and before she could hear a response, the door opened slightly, inviting her in.

“Come in,” a voice called from the other side.

As she stepped into the office, the world seemed to slow down. The first thing she noticed was the high-end, modern furnishings....the polished wood desk, the glass windows framing a view of the city, and the ambient lighting that gave the room a sense of calm. But all of that seemed secondary.

The moment her gaze lifted, her breath caught in her throat.

There, standing behind the desk, was Jalal Mohammad.

Jodha froze, her heart seeming to stop entirely. Time itself seemed to come to a standstill. She could feel the air thickening around her, every breath she took heavy, labored. She blinked, hoping she was imagining things, that this was some cruel twist of fate. But no. The man before her was the same Jalal she had once known - the same Jalal she had loved so deeply, who had been a part of her heart for years.

He looked at her with equal shock, his mouth slightly open, his eyes wide as they scanned her face, as though confirming that the woman standing in front of him was truly her. The years apart hadn’t dulled the recognition; in fact, it felt as though the distance, the time, had made the moment all the more intense.

Jodha's heart began to race, and her voice faltered. "J... Jalal?" The name left her lips as if it were a question she wasn’t sure she had the right to ask anymore. It felt surreal.

Jalal didn’t immediately respond. For a long, heavy moment, he just stared at her, as if he too were searching for words. His eyes softened, almost with disbelief, before a small, tentative smile began to form at the corner of his lips. It was the same smile that used to make her heart race in the corridors of school - the one that told her he was both surprised and happy to see her, despite the circumstances.

He stood up, a bit slowly, as though to steady himself, and walked toward her. Every step he took seemed to bring back a flood of memories - those late-night conversations, the first time he held her hand, the stolen moments they had shared in Shimla when they were both young and uncertain about everything but each other.

“Jodha...” His voice was softer now, tinged with the emotion he didn’t need to express in words. “It’s really you.”

Jodha’s breath hitched as she struggled to keep her composure. She didn’t know what to say. She had spent years building a life, burying the past, moving forward, but standing in front of him, it felt like none of that mattered. She had wanted to move on, but seeing him here....so unexpectedly....made everything inside her stir once again.

Her voice was shaky. “How... How are you here?”

Jalal smiled faintly, as if he hadn’t expected her to ask that at all. “I work here. Vice President of Horizon Bank,” he said, his eyes still locked on hers. He didn’t mention how much had changed - how he had risen to a position of such prominence. He didn’t need to. They both knew that wasn’t the important part right now.

For a moment, the office seemed to close in around them, as if the world outside had fallen away. Jodha felt the space between them stretch and contract. All the questions, all the confusion that had existed between them over the years, surged to the surface.

What had happened? Why had they drifted apart?

But neither of them spoke. The silence was thick with the weight of those unasked questions.

Jalal broke the silence softly. “I didn’t know you’d be here. I didn’t know I’d see you again.” His voice trembled slightly as he spoke the words, betraying the calm, professional exterior he had built over the years. His voice trembled slightly, as though the reality of this unexpected meeting was as much a shock to him as it was to her.

But Jodha felt the floodgates inside her open with his words. All the years of pent-up frustration, confusion, and heartache she had buried deep inside her rushed to the surface. Her breath became shallow, her heart thudding painfully in her chest. Her vision blurred as tears welled up in her eyes. She tried to hold them back, but the dam inside her broke, and before she could stop it, tears spilled down her cheeks, falling silently onto the floor.

“Jalal…” Her voice quivered, the word a soft whisper, but it was enough to carry the weight of everything she had kept inside. “You left me ... without a word ... without a reason.”

Her hands trembled at her sides as she struggled to find the strength to speak, the hurt rising up in her chest like a choking wave. “I waited, Jalal. For so long. I waited for you to come back. I thought… I thought you would, but you didn’t. You just disappeared from my life, and I had no idea why. You didn’t even say goodbye. You ... ” She stopped herself, her breath coming in ragged gasps, trying to steady herself.

The tears kept coming, more relentless than she could have imagined. Jodha took a step back, her body trembling with emotion. “You don’t know what it did to me, Jalal. I was lost. I couldn’t… I couldn’t understand how you could just leave and never look back.”

Her hands clasped tightly in front of her as she struggled to control the sobs that escaped her chest. “How could you do that? How could you not care enough to tell me why?” She gasped for breath, feeling the weight of the years pulling her down. The office seemed to spin around her, the walls closing in as everything she had bottled up for so long came rushing out.

Jalal stood frozen, unable to say anything, his heart breaking as he saw the woman he once loved, the woman he had once promised everything to, standing in front of him, broken and raw. He had never meant for any of this to happen. The way he had left, the silence he had created .... he hadn’t realized how deeply it had affected her, how much it had crushed her spirit.

“I thought I meant something to you,” Jodha whispered through her tears, her voice breaking with every word. “But you just… left me behind. And now… now you’re here, acting like everything is fine. Like we can just pick up where we left off. But it’s not that easy, Jalal.”

Her sobs grew louder, her chest heaving with the emotional release. She didn’t care that he was standing there, looking at her. She didn’t care that they were in a professional setting. This was years of pain, betrayal, and unanswered questions pouring out all at once.

Jalal’s heart ached as he watched her, his own eyes burning with unshed tears. He had always thought of her, even after everything. But seeing her like this, seeing the depth of her pain, made him feel like the worst kind of person. He had never intended to hurt her, but he had. And now, standing in front of her, he realized just how deeply.

“Jodha,” he said softly, taking a tentative step forward, his voice thick with regret. “I never wanted to hurt you. I… I don’t know what happened. I was stupid. I thought it would be easier to walk away, because I wasn't sure ... we were young ... but the truth is, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. About us. About what we had. I know I made the wrong choice. And I’ve regretted it every single day since.”

Jodha wiped at her eyes furiously, but the tears kept coming, blurring her vision. “You didn’t even say goodbye, Jalal. Not even a letter, not a single word. Nothing.” Her voice cracked with the weight of the years, of the unanswered questions that had haunted her. “You just left, and I had to live with it. I had to move on, pretending it didn’t hurt. But it did. Every single day.”

Jalal’s hands clenched into fists at his sides, his heart heavy with guilt. He had always known that walking away from her had been a mistake, but hearing her say it so plainly, hearing the pain in her voice, made it worse than he had ever imagined.

“I’m sorry, Jodha,” he whispered, his voice breaking slightly. “I never meant for you to suffer. I never wanted to be the one to hurt you. I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I hope one day, you’ll understand.”

She stood there, trembling, caught in the whirlwind of emotions that had been buried for so long. Every part of her wanted to scream, to lash out, but instead, she just stood there, silently crying, letting the weight of the past wash over her.

And then, without warning, something inside her broke. It wasn’t just the hurt, the betrayal, or the silence -- it was everything. It was the longing, the memories, the love that she had never fully let go of, even when she tried to. The part of her that had once believed in him, in them, surged up like a wave.

Before she could even think about it, Jodha took a step forward, and in a sudden, overwhelming rush of emotion, she threw her arms around him, pressing her face into his chest.

The hug was fierce, desperate. She clung to him like he was the only thing anchoring her in that moment, as though his presence was the only thing that could stop the storm inside her. Her body trembled against his, and she felt his warmth, his heartbeat .... steady and real .... against her cheek.

Jalal was frozen for a split second, caught off guard by the intensity of her embrace. He hadn’t expected this, hadn’t anticipated that after everything, after the years of separation, she would still reach out to him in this way. But then, slowly, his arms came around her, holding her close, as if instinctively knowing that she needed this, that they both needed this.

Her sobs shook them both, her body wracked with the emotion she had kept hidden for so long. He could feel the tears soaking into his shirt, the sound of her quiet sobs breaking his heart over and over again. He held her tighter, whispering her name softly, as though saying it would make the pain go away.

"Jodha..." His voice was strained with emotion, but he didn’t pull away. He couldn’t. The weight of their shared past, of all the unsaid words, the years apart, hung between them in the air, but in this moment, none of it mattered. All that mattered was her ... the warmth of her in his arms, the rawness of her grief, and the deep, aching regret that filled him for what he had done.

"I’m so sorry," he whispered again, pressing his face into her hair, holding her as though she might slip away from him if he let go. "I never meant to hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you."

Her fingers curled into his shirt, clutching at him desperately. "You did," she choked out through her tears. "You hurt me, Jalal. You left me with nothing but questions... no answers... no closure."

Jalal felt his own throat tighten as he heard her words, feeling the weight of them. He had no excuses, no answers that could undo the pain he had caused. All he could do was hold her, let her cry, and hope that somehow, someway, they could find their way back to something. Maybe not the past, but something.

For a long time, neither of them spoke. Jodha’s sobs slowly quieted as she allowed herself to feel the comfort of his arms around her. The familiar scent of him, the warmth of his embrace, stirred something deep inside her .... a memory of a time when things had been simpler, when they had been happy. The rawness of their reunion overwhelmed her, but it also gave her a moment of peace.

She had spent so many years building walls around her heart, trying to move on, trying to forget. But in his arms, those walls crumbled. It felt like nothing had changed, and yet everything had.

"I... I missed you," she whispered against his chest, the words barely audible.

Jalal’s grip on her tightened slightly as if trying to make up for the years lost. "I missed you too, Jodha. More than you’ll ever know."

The silence that followed was no longer heavy with the weight of unanswered questions, but thick with something more profound....understanding, regret, and the raw, undeniable ache of lost time.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, the world outside seemed to fade away. The years, the distance, the pain....all of it melted into the quiet space between them. It was as if time itself had folded, and they were once again the carefree teenagers who had fallen in love under the same Shimla skies, dreaming of a future together.

But now, they were different. Wiser, more scarred, yet still bound by the same love that had once burned so brightly between them.

Jalal gently pulled back, lifting her chin with his fingers, his gaze soft and searching. “Maybe we were always meant to find each other again,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "But perhaps... it was never about how far we went. It was always about the journey back to each other."

Jodha’s eyes glistened with unshed tears, her heart swelling with the truth of his words. "Maybe," she whispered, her voice trembling, but her smile...fragile, yet hopeful...spoke volumes. "Maybe, it was."

In that moment, there was no need for more words, for explanations or promises. They had found each other once again, through all the years and all the pain. And somehow, in the quiet between their hearts, it felt like the beginning of something new...something that would finally allow them to heal and find peace in one another's arms.

Their past had been a story of loss and longing. But perhaps, just perhaps, their future could be one of rediscovery, of building something beautiful from the broken pieces.

And so, as they stood there, together once again, the unspoken truth was clear - sometimes, love didn’t need to be fixed. It just needed to be rediscovered, with the gentle understanding that even time couldn’t erase the beauty of what was once shared.

In the end, it wasn’t about what they had lost. It was about what they had found....each other, in the quiet surrender of a love that still, after all this time, could make them feel whole.

~~

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