Some people leave. Some never look back. But some promises... they return when you least expect them.
---
"...Aarav?"
Aisha's voice trembled. Her eyes widened as if she had just seen a ghost from a dream she'd buried too deep.
He stood there, calm and composed — just like he used to be. A little taller, sharper… but still him.
Aarav smiled, almost teasing.
"Took you long enough."
She blinked. "You said… you said you'd come back."
"I did."
"But did you wait for me?"
She hesitated, folding her arms. "I don't know. Maybe. Who even waits for twenty years?"
"You did," he said softly. "You just won't admit it."
She rolled her eyes. "You're still full of yourself."
"And you still talk too much."
"You still argue like a five-year-old."
"You still look like one."
Their voices overlapped like echoes from the past. Somewhere in the chaos, it felt like no time had passed at all.
Just then, her mother entered the room with raised brows.
"Are you two still fighting? Aarav just got here — let him rest. Your bickering never ends."
Aisha turned. "Mom, we're not—"
"Aunty," Aarav interrupted with a smirk, "I can argue with her all day. Honestly, it feels like I never left."
Her mom laughed. "You haven't changed. Guest room is ready — go take some rest."
---
🛏️ That Night – Guest Room
Aarav lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling. The room hadn't changed much. The rain tapped on the window like an old friend. And somewhere in the silence, a part of him felt… home again.
Meanwhile, Aisha was curled under her blanket — texting.
---
Bunny:
> "Today was the BEST day of my life!!! 😭✨"
Unknown:
> "Oh really? What happened today that made you so happy? Tell me too 😏"
Bunny:
> "My childhood best friend finally came back!!! Like… literally walked into my house!!"
Unknown:
> "The same best friend who left you and moved to Korea?"
Bunny:
> "He didn't leave me. He was adopted. He made a promise… and he kept it. Today. After all these years."
Unknown:
> "Wow. So you waited for him all this time?"
Bunny:
> "I acted like I didn't. But maybe I always was."
"He's still annoying. Still teases me like we're five. Still fights. But it felt… familiar. It felt like the part of me I forgot was finally back."
Unknown:
> "That sounds… special."
Bunny:
> "It is. For once, nothing felt missing today."
---
🌞 Next Morning – Over Breakfast
Aisha sat at the table, nervously glancing at the clock.
"Mom, just a heads-up — if my door is closed today, don't come in. I have an important interview. I can't be disturbed."
Aarav looked up from his toast. "You have an interview? What for?"
"Game design team," she said casually. "And it's super competitive."
"Nice," Aarav smiled. "Good luck. You'll kill it."
"Thanks," she mumbled, sipping her juice. "Don't jinx it."
🧑💻 [INTERVIEW SCENE – Inside Her Room]
Ring light on. Camera steady. Lips glossed. Confidence on.
> Interviewer: "So Aisha, why do you want to join our creative team?"
> Aisha: "Because games are more than play. They're connection. Growing up, I found friends, stories, and even comfort inside virtual worlds. Now, I want to create those worlds for someone else."
> Interviewer: "Where do you see yourself in five years?"
> Aisha: "Designing something that doesn't just entertain — something that stays with people."
She smiled as the interview ended. The panel thanked her and said they'd be in touch.
She stood up, practically glowing. "That went so well—!"
---
Perfect! 😮💨 That makes the twist much deeper and emotional — without revealing anything directly to Aisha or the reader (yet). Here's your final, revised ending of Chapter 2, matching everything:
---
📞 [Final Ending — Aarav Gets a Shocking Call, But the Reason Is Hidden]
Aisha stood in her room, smiling ear to ear.
She had nailed the interview.
Her heart was racing — not from nerves anymore, but pure joy.
She opened the door and rushed out, phone in hand.
> "Aarav! Mom! I have something to tell you—"
But just as she stepped into the hallway…
Aarav's phone rang.
He answered it casually. "Hello?"
Suddenly —
His body stiffened.
His smile vanished.
"What…?" he whispered.
"When? Where?"
Aisha froze.
> "Aarav?" she asked gently. "What happened?"
But he didn't respond.
His eyes were locked on the floor.
His fingers loosened.
And—
CLATTER.
His phone hit the ground.
Silence.
Aisha stared, confused and slightly scared.
He looked… completely shaken.
And just like that —
the air shifted.
The moment wasn't hers anymore.
---
🔚 TO BE CONTINUED...
📞 Next: Chapter 3 – "can I come with you?