The weekend after the wedding blurred into soft mornings, shared breakfasts, and quiet walks along the store.
Aarav and Anaya slipped into each other's lives again like no time had passed~~like their hearts had simply paused and were now learning to beat in sync again.
She laughed more now. He listened more now.
They were older, a little bruised by life, but still made sense together in a way no one else ever had.
~~ On their last night in Goa, they sat under the stars, barefoot in the sand, a shawl wrapped around both their shoulders.
"I missed you," he said, not looking at her. "Even when I hated how much I did."
Anaya rested her head on his shoulder. "I missed you too."
His fingers laced through hers. "We could make this work now. I mean... I know we're not kids anymore. I know real life is messy. But this~~" he looked at her then, "~~you and me. We were never over."
She closed her eyes. "I want to believe that."
"Then do."
"I'll try."
~~
Back in the city, they stayed in touch. No more silence, no more guessing. They called, messaged, visited on weekends. It was different this time~~calmer, steadier, built on the ache of what they'd already lost once.
And this time, it felt like forever might actually be possible.
Until it wasn't.
~~ Three months after their reunion, Anaya called him.
Her voice was tight.
"My parents... they've arranged my marriage."
The words hit like cold water.
"What?" he said, too fast, already said yes. He's from a good family. It's all... happening."
"Anaya," his voice cracked, we just got each other back."
"I know."
"Then say no."
"I tried. They won't listen. And I can't do this without them."
A heavy silence settled between them, filled with all the things they wanted to scream and couldn't.
"I'm sorry, Aarav," she whispered.
"Don't apologize. Just... don't marry someone else. Please."
"I have to."
And just like that, the second chapter of their love story collapsed~~quieter, but more painful than the first.
~~
That night, Aarav sat alone in his apartment, staring at the last photo they took in Goa. Her eyes were shining in the sun. His arm was around her waist.
She looked like his future.
And now, she'd be someone else's.
Almost again.
Almost forever.