The paper felt warm in my hand.
Not hot.
Just… comforting.
I kept reading the address again and again.
"Lakeside…"
The word echoed in my mind like a forgotten memory trying to return.
I didn't wait.
That same evening, I left.
The sky was turning orange.
Sun slowly sinking.
The air quiet.
It took longer than I expected.
But eventually—
I reached it.
The lakeside.
I stopped walking.
My breath caught.
The place felt… familiar.
Too familiar.
The calm water.
The old wooden bench.
The narrow path lined with trees.
"I've been here before…" I whispered.
But I couldn't remember when.
I walked slowly toward the bench.
Each step felt heavier.
Like I was walking into a memory.
And then—
I saw something carved into the wood.
Two initials.
"A + R"
My heart started pounding.
"That's…" I whispered.
My fingers traced the carving gently.
The moment I touched it—
A faint flash crossed my mind.
Laughter.
Wind.
A voice saying—
"This way, we won't forget."
Tears filled my eyes.
"This was us…" I said softly.
"You remembered."
The voice came from behind me.
I turned quickly.
An old man stood a few steps away.
Holding a small bag.
Watching me calmly.
"You…" I said, confused.
He smiled faintly.
"You used to come here often," he said.
My heart skipped.
"With… him?" I asked.
He nodded slowly.
"Aarav."
Hearing his name out loud again hurt.
But also felt right.
"You know him?" I asked.
"I knew both of you," he replied.
I stepped closer.
"What happened that night?" I asked quietly.
He looked at the lake.
Silent for a moment.
"You don't remember?" he asked.
I shook my head.
"Only pieces."
He sighed softly.
"You two sat on that bench every evening," he said.
"Talking. Laughing. Planning."
My chest tightened.
"Planning what?" I whispered.
He looked at me.
"Your future."
Tears blurred my vision.
"And then…?" I asked.
"That night," he continued,
"You argued."
My heart stopped.
"Argued…?"
He nodded.
"You wanted to leave town."
I froze.
"And Aarav didn't."
Something inside me shifted.
"I… I don't remember this," I whispered.
"You were upset," he said gently.
"You walked away first."
Guilt rushed back.
"But he followed you," the old man added quickly.
"Calling your name."
My hands trembled.
"And then…" I asked.
His expression grew sad.
"The rain started."
My heart raced.
"And everything happened too fast."
Silence fell between us.
The lake water moved gently.
I looked down at the carving again.
"We came back here after?" I asked softly.
He shook his head.
"No."
"Why?"
He hesitated.
"Because after that night… you never returned."
A heavy feeling settled in my chest.
"But he did," the old man added quietly.
My eyes widened.
"What?"
He pointed toward the far end of the lake.
"Every year."
I followed his direction.
There—
Near the water—
Was a small stone.
With fresh flowers placed beside it.
My heart pounded.
"That's…" I whispered.
"A place he liked," the old man said.
My steps moved on their own.
Closer.
Closer.
I knelt near the stone.
And then—
I saw it.
A small metal pendant.
Resting beside the flowers.
My breath caught.
It looked familiar.
Too familiar.
I picked it up slowly.
The moment I touched it—
A voice echoed in my mind.
"If you ever forget… this will remind you."
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
"I gave this to him…" I whispered.
The old man nodded.
"He never took it off."
My hands shook.
"But… how is it here?" I asked.
The old man looked at me quietly.
"I found it near the road… the night of the accident."
My heart broke.
I held the pendant tightly.
And suddenly—
A soft breeze passed.
The lake water rippled.
And for a brief moment—
I felt it again.
That warmth.
Like someone standing beside me.
I closed my eyes.
"Aarav…?" I whispered.
No answer.
But the pendant in my hand—
Felt warm.