The destination had been a small, peaceful town nestled among hills, with serene lakes and quiet lanes. They had talked about visiting it for years but never found the time. Now, as they left behind the city's noise, Meera felt a mix of anticipation and relief. This trip felt like the perfect way to close the door on high school and open the one to college.
The air was crisp when they arrived, and the beauty of the place instantly put them at ease. After unpacking quickly, they set off for a walk around the lake. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm glow across the calm water. It was peaceful—just birdsong, rustling leaves, and the sound of their soft footsteps.
Meera felt a sense of calm as they strolled along the shore. Her world was about to change, but today, everything felt still. Everything felt right.
But Kabir was unusually quiet.
At first, Meera didn't say anything, assuming he was just lost in the moment. But as they sat on a bench overlooking the lake, his expression shifted.
"Meera," he had said, voice low, "there's something I should've told you earlier."
She turned to him, curious. "What is it?"
He took a deep breath.
"I applied to another college. A top one. The best in the country. I didn't tell you because I wasn't sure I'd get in. I didn't want to worry you or disappoint you if it didn't work out. But… I got in."
Meera blinked, trying to process his words. "You… applied to a top college?" she asked, the surprise clear in her voice.
Kabir nodded. "Yeah. I wasn't sure at first. It's one of the toughest to get into. I didn't want to get your hopes up. So I kept it to myself. But when I got accepted, I knew I had to tell you."
Meera sat still. Her heart swelled with pride, but at the same time, a pit opened in her stomach.
"But Kabir…" she began, her voice trembling slightly. "You didn't tell me? You kept it from me all this time?"
He looked at her with regret in his eyes. "I didn't want to stress you out. We had so much going on. I thought if I didn't get in, it wouldn't matter. But now that I have… I couldn't hide it any longer."
Meera's thoughts raced. She had always trusted Kabir. They had planned everything together. College. Their future. And now, this changed everything.
"Do you… want to go?" she asked, barely above a whisper.
Kabir hesitated. "I don't know. I love you, Meera. And I want to be with you. But this is a huge opportunity. It's not an easy decision."
Meera nodded, feeling a tight knot form in her chest. He deserved it. Of course he did. But it didn't stop the ache in her heart.
Kabir reached for her hand, but she pulled away.
"I'm sorry," he said softly. "I should've told you sooner…"
Meera stood abruptly, pacing near the lake. Her voice cracked as she spoke.
"You should have been honest with me from the start, Kabir. We talked about going to college together. That was our plan. And now you're just… going to leave me behind?"
He stood too, guilt flooding his face. "Meera, please. It's not like that. I'm not trying to leave you. I just—this is everything I worked for."
Meera's eyes welled with tears. "And I'm happy for you. I really am. But you made this choice without me. You say I'm a priority, but where was I when you made this decision? How are we supposed to make this work when we'll be living in different cities?"
Kabir's voice broke with desperation. "I thought I was protecting you. I didn't want to get your hopes up… I didn't want to lose you."
She shook her head. "But you still might. Because you didn't trust me with the truth."
Silence settled over them, heavy and painful.
Finally, Meera's voice came again, soft but fractured. "So what now? Are we just pretending everything's fine? You're leaving, Kabir. And you know it."
Kabir's heart shattered. "Meera, I don't want to lose you. I don't want this to end. But this… this means everything to me."
Meera's chest heaved with emotion. "I know it does. But we had dreams too. And now it feels like I'm not part of yours anymore."
Before Kabir could respond, Meera turned away and walked briskly toward their cabin, leaving him standing alone by the lake, the cold wind cutting through the space between them.