"HAVE YOU EVER felt like no matter how much time goes by, there are some things in you that stay the same forever?"

"Like the way you've been single for over almost two decades of your life?"

"Wow. Low blow."

"It's true." Adarika grins when Ishan nudges her shoulder in retaliation to her teasing. The playful screams of children fill the atmosphere as Adarika sits up from where lay down under the tree, crossing her legs. When this is all over, she knows this memory will be one to visit in the future, regardless of how much things change.

In the distance, Shubman blows bubbles for a small crowd of elated kids. He laughs, watching them run off to chase after the bubbles, before sparing Adarika a glance. They share a knowing nod, and Adarika breathes in, heart pounding in its place inside her.

"Have you ever thought about changing that?"

"What?" Ishan tilts his head, confused as he watches her move around to face him. It takes everything in her to look him in the eye, scanning over the features she's seen mature through the years. They're so grown up now that it slightly hurts to think about it.

"I like you. No, I love you." Adarika doesn't realise tears are running down her face until a hand that's not hers wipes them away. "I love you so, so much Ishan. I'm sorry I was so scared to face it this whole time. I'm so late now."

The children have run so far off into the distance that there's not much left of their laughter to listen to, hence silence embracing them.

No words are exchanged for a while, and Adarika feels the urge to run away as well. But then, Ishan's hand moves from where it stilled at her cheek down to where her hand rests on her lap.

"It's okay," is all he says. His voice is slightly hushed.

"You like Kashika, don't you? I'm too late." Ishan shakes his head, a smile growing on his face. "I've always loved you. Everything about you. I couldn't tell you because you always seem to think less of yourselt, but I want to show that there is so much of you to be loved. Even the smallest parts of you have a place in my heart, Adi. You bring joy into my whole life with everything you do. Even the things you deem to be flaws I've admired for the longest time. So, thank you. Love has no deadline, and I think I will love you for a long, long time. If you will too."

Adarika probably looks so gross right now with snot and tears running down her face.
Nonetheless, she nods and jumps into his arms. He catches her, but the force of the hug is so overpowering that they both end up laughing and crying on the grass.

Twenty-four hours and ten years of a lifetime later, Adarika Rajput gets married to her best friend, Ishan Kishan.

fin.