The day came—
the day Aira had to leave.
Everything felt heavier.
Slower.
Like even time didn't want to move forward.
Aira sat quietly—
looking at her ticket.
Reading it again and again.
As if something might change.
As if it might disappear.
But it didn't.
She had to go.
And Aarohi—
She didn't come to see her.
Not because she didn't care.
But because she cared too much.
She knew—
if she saw Aira leave—
she wouldn't be able to let her go.
So she chose distance.
To protect herself.
Even if it hurt more.
Aira held her bag tightly.
"How will I survive without her?"
"Can I really go back… like nothing happened?"
"I already miss her…"
Even before leaving.
Aarohi sat in her room.
Silent.
Trying to distract herself—
but failing.
"Why am I missing her this much?"
"She hasn't even left yet…"
She closed her eyes.
"She's important to me."
"More than I wanted to accept."
Aira reached the airport.
Everything around her was loud.
People.
Announcements.
Movements.
But inside—
it was quiet.
Too quiet.
Aira smiled faintly.
Not out of happiness—
but acceptance.
She knew—
Aarohi couldn't come.
And maybe—
this was their way of saying goodbye.
Without saying it.
Aira looked around one last time.
Not for the city—
but for her.
Even though she wasn't there.
Aira whispered quietly—
more to herself than anyone—
"I love you, Aarohi."
Before boarding—
Aira stopped.
Just for a moment.
She turned back—
without thinking.
Not because someone called her.
But because her heart did.
She looked around.
At the crowd.
At the entrance.
At every face—
that wasn't hers.
For one second—
she hoped.
Maybe Aarohi would come.
But nothing happened.
Aira smiled.
Not disappointed—
just... accepting.
At the same time—
Aarohi stood near the window.
Looking at the sky.
Not moving.
Not speaking.
She held her phone tightly.
Opened Aira's chat.
Typed something—
"Don't go..."
Then stopped.
And deleted it.
Because she knew—
If she said it—
she wouldn't be able to let her go.
At the exact same moment—
two different places—
two same feelings.
One trying to leave.
One trying to stay.
But neither stopping the other.
Aira finally walked forward.
And this time—
she didn't look back.
And Aarohi—
finally put her phone down.
some love—
doesn't need last meeting—
to break your heart.
Inside the flight—
Aira sat by the window.
Her seatbelt fastened.
Her hands resting quietly—
but her fingers still holding her phone.
She opened their chat again.
Scrolled slowly.
Every message.
Every "Airu."
Every "I miss you."
A small smile appeared—
and disappeared.
She typed—
"Reached the airport… I'm leaving now."
She looked at it for a long moment.
Then pressed send.
Aarohi's phone vibrated.
She saw the message.
Her heart dropped.
She opened it.
Read it.
Again.
And again.
Her fingers moved slowly—
"Take care, Airu."
A pause.
"Text me when you land."
She wanted to write more.
So much more.
But she stopped.
Aira read the message.
Her eyes softened.
Aira typed—
"I will."
Such a small reply.
But both of them knew—
there was so much hidden inside it.
The flight started moving.
Slowly—
then faster.
Aira looked outside.
The city getting smaller.
Further away.
But one thing stayed.
Aarohi.