A year ago.

Abhishek sat in his living room, staring blankly at the walls. His body ached from the constant injuries, and his mind was a whirlpool of frustration and despair. Every game felt like a mountain he couldn't climb, and every doctor's visit brought more bad news. He felt like he was trapped in a never-ending cycle of pain and disappointment.

His phone buzzed on the table, breaking the heavy silence. It was a message from Myra.

*Hey, how are you doing today?*

He sighed, feeling a pang of guilt. Myra had been his rock, always checking in on him, always supportive. He didn't want to burden her with his problems, but he also knew he couldn't keep pushing her away.

*Not great,* he replied honestly.

Almost immediately, his phone rang. It was Myra.

"Hey," she said softly when he answered. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Abhishek closed his eyes, trying to keep his emotions in check. "I don't know, Myra. Everything just feels... impossible right now."

"I understand," she said, her voice filled with empathy. "Do you want me to come over?"

He was in Mumbai for a T20 series.

He hesitated. "You don't have to. I don't want to drag you down with me."

"Abhishek, you could never drag me down," she said firmly. "I'm coming over, and we're going to get through this together."

True to her word, Myra arrived at his hotel room within the hour. She walked in, her presence immediately bringing a sense of calm. She didn't say much at first, just sat beside him, holding his hand.

"Talk to me," she said gently. "Tell me what's going on."

Abhishek took a deep breath, the floodgates opening. He told her about the injuries, the fear of not being able to play again, the mental toll it was taking. Myra listened, her eyes never leaving his, her hand a constant source of comfort.

When he finished, she squeezed his hand. "I know it's hard," she said. "But you're not alone in this. I'm here with you, every step of the way."

Abhishek looked at her, his eyes filled with gratitude and love. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Myra."

She smiled, brushing a tear from his cheek. "You don't have to worry about that, because I'm not going anywhere."

She spent the rest of the day with him, making him laugh, distracting him from his worries. They watched movies, played games, and talked about anything and everything. Myra's presence was like a balm, soothing his troubled mind and aching heart.

Later that evening, as they sat on the couch, Myra looked at him with a determined expression. "You are going to get through this, Abhishek. I know you are. And no matter what happens, I'll be right here with you."

She said after she exhaled a deep breath looking at Abhishek's face.
" You know for a star to be born, there's one thing that must happen. A gaseous nebula must collapse.
So collapse.
Crumble.

This is not your destruction, Abhay. This is your birth.

Abhishek felt a surge of hope, something he hadn't felt in a long time. "God. Tu kitna sochti hai Myra. Thank you," he whispered, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I don't know how I got so lucky to have you."

Myra hugged him back just as tightly. "We're in this together," she said softly. "Always."

In that moment, Abhishek realized just how much Myra meant to him. She was his light in the darkness, his strength when he felt weak. With her by his side, he knew he could face anything. And for the first time in weeks, he felt a glimmer of hope for the future.

That was the day he knew she was the one. The way she comforted him, stayed by his side through the worst times, and believed in him when he couldn't believe in himself—it all made him realize he couldn't imagine a future without her. He knew he was going to marry her one day.