As Priya settled into the backseat of the cab,In the midst of her bustling day, Priya's phone chimed, signaling an incoming call from her mom. With nimble fingers, she swiftly answered, her voice laced with concern and warmth, "Mom, how are you? I was just about to call you."

Her mother's voice, a mix of anticipation and worry, cut through the line, "Just tell me, you're on your way to the fight, right?" Priya chuckled softly, a sense of duty evident in her response, "Of course, Mom. I promised I'd attend Lisa's wedding. By the way, what about Krish? Is he with you?"

"Yes, let me tell you," her mother began, her tone shifting to one of pride, "He's become so responsible after his fourth breakup." Priya couldn't help but laugh, her brother's journey to maturity always a source of amusement, "Mom, don't tease him. He's my brother."

A hint of nostalgia tinged her mother's words as she replied, "Both of you are the troublemakers of my life. You both didn't got married yet; I can't even die in peace." Priya rolled her eyes playfully, "Oh, stop it, Mom. Take care of yourself. We still have time for all of that."

Just as she was about to bid her mother farewell, another call beeped through. It was lisa. With a quick goodbye to her mom, Priya ended the call, the echoes of familial banter lingering in the air like a familiar melody. her phone buzzed once more. It was Lisa, her niece, calling for what seemed like the umpteenth time. With a resigned sigh, Priya decided to answer, knowing that avoiding Lisa's calls was futile.

Where are you, Masi? You're coming, right? You can't miss my wedding!" Lisa's voice crackled with a hint of urgency and excitement.

But before Lisa could finish her sentence, Priya interjected, her voice calm but firm. "Lisa, I've already assured you that I'll be there. I'm currently en route to the airport, so rest assured, I won't miss your big day."

There was a momentary pause on the other end of the line, followed by Lisa's voice, still tinged with concern. "But are you sure? It's such an important day for me. I need you there."

Priya couldn't help but smile at her cousin's earnestness. "Absolutely, Lisa. You have my word. We'll catch up tomorrow morning, and then we can go over all the wedding plans together. Sound good?"

There was a hint of relief in Lisa's response as she said, "Okay, masi I trust you. Just hurry up, okay?"

"I will, Lisa. I promise," Priya reassured her before bidding her cousin farewell and ending the call.

As the cab continued its journey towards the airport, Priya couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation. Despite the flurry of phone calls and last-minute preparations, she knew that being there for Lisa's wedding was non-negotiable. After all, family bonds were unbreakable, and Priya was determined to be there to celebrate this special occasion with her beloved cousin.

After ending the call with Lisa, Priya found herself engulfed in a whirlwind of emotions. The realization that Lisa, her cousin, was all grown up and on the brink of marriage stirred a bittersweet sentiment within her heart. She couldn't help but marvel at how quickly time had passed, and how life had taken them on such different paths.

Lisa, a bright-eyed girl with a heart full of dreams, had faced more than her fair share of challenges from a tender age. Losing both her parents in a cruel twist of fate had shattered her world, leaving her adrift in a sea of grief and uncertainty. But what hurt Priya the most was her own inability to shield her cousin from the storm that ravaged her young life.

Priya's heart ached as she recalled the missed opportunities, the words left unspoken, and the moments of companionship she had failed to offer her cousin in her time of need.She wished she could turn back the hands of time, to rewrite the narrative of their shared past, to be the pillar of strength that Lisa had so desperately needed.

But as the cab rattled along the familiar streets, Priya resolved to make amends—to be there for Lisa now, in this moment of joy and celebration. She vowed to cherish every precious second they had together, to laugh, to love, and to create new memories that would eclipse the shadows of the past.

Lost in the labyrinth of her thoughts, Priya was unaware of the passing time until a sharp honk from the cab's driver snapped her back to reality. Startled, she blinked, momentarily disoriented, before realizing that they had arrived at her destination.

With a quick nod of gratitude to the driver, Priya gathered her belongings and stepped out onto the bustling pavement. As she closed the door behind her, the cacophony of the city enveloped her—the blaring horns, the hurried footsteps, the distant chatter—all merging into a symphony of urban life.

But amidst the chaos, there was a sense of urgency gnawing at Priya's conscience. She glanced around, her eyes landing on the towering facade of the airport terminal looming before her. The realization hit her like a bolt of lightning—she was running late for her flight to Bali.

As if on cue, the airport speakers crackled to life, announcing the imminent departure of her flight. Priya's heart skipped a beat as she checked the time on her phone, confirming her worst fears—the boarding process was about to begin, and she was still outside the terminal.

With a surge of determination, Priya squared her shoulders and quickened her pace, weaving through the throngs of travelers with single-minded focus. The terminal doors loomed closer, beckoning her with the promise of escape, of adventure, of a journey waiting to unfold.

As she reached the entrance, Priya's breath caught in her throat at the sight of the bustling terminal—a whirlwind of activity, with travelers scurrying to and fro, their faces a blur of anticipation and excitement.

Without pausing to catch her breath, Priya plunged into the fray, her eyes scanning the sea of faces for the telltale signs of the boarding pass counter. With each step, her heart pounded in her chest, the ticking clock of time urging her onwards.

And then, like a beacon in the chaos, she spotted it—the row of counters, bathed in the soft glow of fluorescent lights. With renewed determination, Priya pressed forward, her strides purposeful as she closed the distance between herself and her destination.

As Priya hurriedly navigated through the bustling airport her mind consumed by the urgency of catching her flight .Suddenly she was jolted by an unexpected force from behind. With a gasp, she stumbled forward, her heart racing as her grip on her belongings tightened instinctively.

In the chaos of the moment, Priya felt her phone slip from her fingers, the device clattering to the ground with an audible thud. An exclamation of frustration escaped her lips as she whirled around to confront the source of the disruption.

"Cant you see how disgusting—" she began, her voice laced with irritation and disbelief. But before she could finish her sentence,that stranger who had pushed past her saying just a sorry.

For a fleeting moment, time seemed to stand still as Priya heard the stranger's voice, her breath caught in her throat at the familiarity . Memories flooded her mind like a torrential downpour, whisking her away to a time long past.

And then, as quickly as he had appeared, the stranger melted into the crowd, his figure disappearing amidst the throngs of travelers bustling about the terminal. Priya stood rooted to the spot, her heart pounding in her chest as she struggled to comprehend the surreal encounter.

With a sense of bewilderment lingering in the air, Priya knelt down to retrieve her fallen phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she brushed off the dust and debris. But even as she resumed her hurried pace towards the boarding gate, her mind remained haunted by the enigmatic stranger who had crossed her path—a fleeting apparition from her past, leaving behind more questions than answers.

As Priya resumed her hurried stride towards the boarding gate, her mind buzzed with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. She couldn't shake off the eerie feeling that had settled over her since the encounter with the mysterious stranger. "No, no, it can't be him," she murmured to herself, attempting to quell the rising tide of doubt and uncertainty.

With a deep breath, Priya sought to compose herself, her steps measured as she carefully inspected her phone for any signs of damage. Yet, despite her efforts to focus on the task at hand, her mind remained ensnared by the haunting echo of that familiar voice—an echo that reverberated through the corridors of her memory with unsettling clarity.

As Priya reached the front of the line and presented her boarding pass to the attendant, she forced herself to focus on the task at hand, pushing aside the lingering doubts that threatened to consume her. Yet, deep down, she knew that the encounter with the stranger had left an indelible mark on her mind—one that would continue to haunt her long after she boarded her flight to Bali.