The painful good bye
Anyone watching them would think they were asleep two bodies lying side by side, facing opposite directions, breathing evenly.
But neither of them slept.
Meera lay on her side, facing Aarav's back. Her eyes were open, fixed on the faint outline of his shoulder in the dim light. Tomorrow morning. Maybe there was not 4 hours With him.The thought throbbed in her chest.
He'll leave.
Abroad. Studies. Business. Responsibilities.The only son of the Oberoi family. The future.
Her fingers curled into the bedsheet. How can he leave like this? How can I let him go. But she have to ?
Her throat tightened, but she stayed silent.
Behind her, Aarav hadn't moved either. Every few seconds, his mind drifted back to the same thing her face, her tears, the way she clung to him like she was afraid he'd disappear.
How do I leave her?How do I breathe without her here?He'd never said those things out loud. He didn't even know how.
Minutes stretched.Finally, Meera turned slowly, carefully, until she was facing him.
"Aarav," she whispered.
He closed his eyes for a split second, then opened them. "Why aren't you still sleeping?"
She hesitated, then lied softly. "I... slept too much earlier."
He gave a faint huff of a laugh. "Liar."
She blinked. "You're not sleeping either."
"Just thinking," he replied casually. Too casually.
She studied his face in the half-dark. "About leaving tomorrow?"
His breath paused.He didn't answer.
They lay there, facing each other now, silence heavy but intimate.
"You won't say it," Meera said suddenly.
"Say what?"
"That you'll miss me."
He looked away.Her lips pressed together. She knew he wouldn't say it. He never did.
Her voice trembled just a little when she asked the question that had been clawing at her chest.
"Aarav.....Will you marry me... when we're old enough?"
The words hung between them.His breathing stopped.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Meera's eyes searched his face desperately.
"Can't you even answer?" she asked, hurt creeping into her tone. "Say something."
Still nothing.Her face fell.
She turned away sharply, her back to him now. Tears welled up, hot and stubborn. She bit her lip, refusing to cry aloud.
Behind her, Aarav felt panic surge.
He hurt her.
Without thinking, he moved closer and wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her gently but firmly against his chest.
She gasped in surprise.
"Aarav.... " she tried to push his arm away, startled. "What are you..."
"Wait," he murmured, tightening his hold just enough so she couldn't pull free. Not rough. Protective.
She froze.
"Will you wait for me?" he asked quietly, his voice suddenly serious.
"Will you stay loyal... and wait for me to come back?"Her heart pounded.
"Yes," she said instantly. "I'll wait. Even if you don't want me . Even if you become someone else."
That last sentence snapped something in him.
He turned her to face him, eyes flashing. "What do you mean someone else?"
She swallowed. "You'll meet better women. Beautiful. Educated. Rich. Someone who fits your world."
Anger flared hot in his chest.
"No," he said sharply. "I won't."
She shook her head weakly. "You say that for now."
He cupped her face firmly. "Listen to me. I don't have space for anyone else here." He tapped his chest. "Only you. There's no replacing that."
She still looked unconvinced.
Frustrated, he leaned down and kissed her short."Shut up Stop talking nonsense."he muttered against her lips.
She let out a small sound and clutched his shirt, hugging him tightly now, burying her face against his chest.
He smiled, arms wrapping fully around her.
"Then I'll wait . And when you come back... I'll kiss you a lot. And then we'll get married."she whispered.
He laughed softly, a real laugh this time.
She pulled back, pouting. "Why are you laughing? Don't laugh. Did i said something wrong?"
"I'm laughing because you're cute," he teased.
Her cheeks burned instantly. "Stop."
He chuckled more. "You're blushing like a teenager."
"Because iam still a teenage and you are also teenage" she said while hid her face in his chest. "Don't look."
He laughed.
After a moment, she peeked up again. "When will you come back?"
His smile faded slightly. "I don't know. Five... or...maybe seven years. I need to finish my studies. Learn the business."
Her face fell immediately.Seeing that broke him.
"Hey . I'll call you. Every day if I can. Video calls. Messages. I won't disappear."he said gently.
She looked up. "Promise?"
"Promise, madam."
A small smile returned to her lips.
Then she frowned. "Why didn't you say all this earlier when i asked you that day??"
He exhaled slowly. "Because I didn't know... how much you meant to me that time."
She studied him. "When did you realize?"
He hesitated, then spoke honestly.
"When you left the mansion. The house felt empty.And when I saw that drunk man trying to force you..." his jaw tightened.
"I realized I'd lose my mind if anything happened to you. And when you looked at someone else , even that staff I knew I couldn't stand that. Even in my dreams."He pulled her into his chest tightly.
Meera froze, then flushed deeply. Because she was happy that he wants her and care her.
He noticed and smirked. "Why are you blushing now?"
She hid again. "Stop."
He laughed.
Then his tone softened. "I want to tell you something else."
She looked up. "What?"
" Why iam insults you. Why i ignore you. Why i hate you that time." He said
"I ignored you. Insulted you. Because my friends used to bully me for playing with you when we were kids.I wanted to look cool. And with them . So ,I pretended I didn't care. I hurt you on purpose you Infront of them."
Her eyes widened.
"I was wrong," he whispered. "I'm sorry."
She nodded slowly. "I understand. How it's feeling being bullied. I was bullied too."
He hugged her again. "I'll never do that again. I'll make you feel special. Always."
She smiled.
"And when I come back .we'll get married."he added lightly.Her face turned red instantly.
He kissed her forehead. "If this makes you blush now, imagine after marriage . What will happen."
She hit his chest. "Shut up."
He laughed. "Okay, okay... future Mrs. Meera Oberoi."
"Shut up!"
He pulled her closer, arms snug around her.
"Sleep . Goodnight," he whispered.And this time, wrapped in each other, they finally slept.
In morning:?? ?? ??
_____________________
Aarav woke before sunrise.
For a few seconds, he forgot everything until he turned his head and saw Meera sleeping beside him.
Her hair was spread messily across the pillow, lashes resting softly on her cheeks, lips slightly parted. She looked peaceful. Innocent. Unaware that this morning would tear something away from both of them.
His chest tightened.
This is the last time, he thought again. The last time I'll see her like this before I leave.
"I'm sorry," he whispered, so softly even he could barely hear it.
Carefully, he slipped out of bed and went to the bathroom. The cold water on his face didn't help. His eyes were already burning.
When he came out, he dressed slowly, every button feeling heavier than the last. He glanced back at the bed again and again, tempted desperately tempted to wake her, to pull her into his arms.
But he knew.If she cried, he wouldn't leave.
So he sat at the table instead, picked up a pen, and stared at the blank paper for a long time.
Finally, he wrote.
Meera,....
I didn't wake you up because I'm weak when it comes to you.
If I saw you cry, I'd stay. And I can't do that.
.. not yet.
Please forgive me for leaving like this.
This goodbye would have broken us both.
Take the money.
Go back to the mansion safely.
Wait for me. I'll come back. For you.
Your Aarav
His hand shook as he placed the note on the table, sliding some money beneath it.
He walked back to the bed one last time.
He bent down, kissed her lips softly slowly like he was sealing a promise. Then he kissed her forehead and rested his own there for a second.
Tears slipped down his face.He smiled anyway.
"Take care of yourself," he whispered.
Then he turned away before he could change his mind and walked out of the hotel room.He come his house by bike.
The airport: ??????
_____________________
Suitcases, instructions, staff lining up respectfully.
Aarav stood tall, but his heart wasn't there.At the airport, he hugged his father first.
"Be strong," his father said, voice heavy. "Learn everything. Come back wiser."
"I will," Aarav replied, swallowing hard.
Janvi broke down the moment she hugged him. "My son...take care yourself there. Don't forget to eat timely. And don't forget your mom."
He held her tightly. "How could I?"
Radhika clung to him, sobbing openly. "Bhaiya,(brother )come back soon."
He kissed her head. "I promise."
As boarding was announced, Aarav stepped back.
He turned one last time.His eyes searched the crowd instinctively.
Meera...
For a moment just one he thought he saw her.
His heart jumped violently.But when he blinked, she was gone.
He shook his head slowly. "You're losing it," he muttered.
With a final wave, he turned and walked toward his flight.
The hotel room:??????
_______________________
Meera had woken up the moment his lips touched hers.
She stayed still, eyes closed, heart pounding. she just knew if she opened her eyes, he wouldn't leave.
When the door closed, the silence crushed her.She sat up slowly.
The note.Her hands trembled as she read it.
"No..." she whispered, tears falling freely now. "You wouldn't leave without me."
She cried quietly, clutching the paper to her chest.But then she wiped her face.
"I won't let you go like this."She changed quickly and ran.
She reached the airport just in time to see him hugging his family.
She stood at a distance, breathless, watching him her Aarav.
Then he turned.Their eyes met.This time, it wasn't imagination.
He froze.
For a second, his body leaned toward her without permission.
Meera.
She smiled through her tears and lifted her hand slightlynot waving. Just... showing him she was there.
His throat closed.But the announcement echoed again.
He turned away.
______________________
back at the mansion, Janvi found Meera in the kitchen, quietly cooking breakfast like nothing had happened.
"Meera?" she asked gently. "When did you come home?"
Meera turned and smiled softly. "Just now, Madam."
Janvi nodded, not noticing the redness in her eyes.
Meera completed the work work and go to her room.When Meera went to her room, she sat on the bed and unfolded the note again.
"I'll wait," she whispered. "However long it takes."
Outside, a plane cut through the sky.
And somewhere far above the clouds, Aarav closed his eyes still carrying her with him.