I didn't cry when I woke up.
Not this time.
Instead—
I felt calm.
The kind of calm that comes…
After you finally understand everything.
Aarav didn't leave me.
He saved me.
And all this time—
I was holding him back.
That evening, I went back to the lakeside.
The sky was soft pink.
The water still.
The air peaceful.
I sat on the wooden bench.
Right where the carving was.
"A + R"
I traced it gently.
"I remember now," I whispered.
The pendant rested in my hand.
Quiet.
No warmth.
But I knew—
He would come tonight.
One last time.
That night, I slept without fear.
And the dream came again.
But everything looked different.
No darkness.
No shaking.
No storm.
Only the lakeside.
He was standing near the water.
Aarav.
He looked… peaceful.
"You came," I said softly.
"I always do," he replied.
But his voice sounded distant.
Like he was already fading.
I walked closer.
"I remember everything," I told him.
He smiled.
"I know."
Silence filled the space between us.
The kind of silence that says too much.
"You saved me," I whispered.
"And you lived," he replied.
Tears filled my eyes.
"I'm sorry…" I said.
"For forgetting."
"For leaving."
"For everything."
He shook his head gently.
"You don't need to apologize."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because you came back," he said.
The wind moved softly around us.
I looked at him.
Really looked.
"You're going, aren't you?" I asked quietly.
He didn't answer.
But his smile faded.
"That's why the dreams are calmer," I continued.
"That's why the pendant is cold."
He nodded slowly.
My chest tightened.
"I don't want you to disappear," I said.
He stepped closer.
"I'm not disappearing," he replied.
"Then what?" I asked.
"I'm just… not trapped anymore."
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
"You don't need me in your dreams now."
"But I do," I whispered.
He shook his head.
"You need to live."
Silence.
The lake shimmered softly.
"I never said goodbye," I said.
"You can now," he replied gently.
My voice trembled.
"Thank you… for saving me."
He smiled.
"I would do it again."
"I know," I whispered.
"And… I won't hold you anymore."
The wind grew lighter.
His figure started fading.
My heart raced.
"Aarav…" I called softly.
"Yes?"
"I won't forget you this time."
He smiled warmly.
"I know."
"And Ritu…"
"Yes?"
"Don't be afraid of your dreams."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because now… they belong to you."
His figure turned into soft light.
And slowly—
He disappeared.
The lake became empty.
The dream faded.
I woke up.
The morning sunlight entered my room.
The pendant lay beside me.
Cold.
Still.
But my heart…
Was finally free.
I smiled softly.
"Goodbye, Aarav."
And for the first time—
The silence didn't feel empty.
It felt peaceful.