Airport.
Crowded terminal.
Anaya simple blue kurti me… aankhon me mixed emotions.
Usne expect nahi kiya tha ki Aarav aayega.
Par last call pe usne sirf itna suna—
"Safe flight."
Boarding announce hua.
Tabhi…
"ANAYA!"
Woh mudhi.
Aarav running… breathless.
"Tum bina bataye kaise chali jaogi?"
Anaya ki aankhon me aansu aa gaye.
"Bataya tha… tum busy the."
Aarav ne uska haath pakda.
"Main selfish tha. Mujhe laga agar tum London jaogi to hum… distant ho jayenge."
"Hum already ho chuke hain," Anaya ne dheere se kaha.
Silence.
Aarav ne kaha,
"Long distance try karte hain?"
Anaya ne aankhon me dekha.
"Try sirf tab hota hai jab dono equally fight karein."
Announcement again.
Anaya ne haath chhuda liya.
"Take care, Aarav."
Woh chali gayi.
Aarav wahi khada reh gaya…
pehli baar sach me alone.