On the somber day of Ram's father's last rites, amidst the heavy air of grief and solemnity, Ram's eyes caught sight of Priya. Little did he know, this encounter marked the final chapter of their relationship. From the outset, Priya had been adept at sidestepping any potential confrontations with Ram. She busied herself with attending to guests and various tasks, skillfully avoiding any direct interactions with him. In the midst of mourning and remembrance, their paths diverged silently, like ships passing in the night, leaving behind only the echoes of what once was.

As the sun began its descent over the bustling streets of Delhi, Ram's plane touched down after an extended absence. Stepping onto the tarmac, he inhaled deeply, the familiar scents of his homeland enveloping him in a cloak of nostalgia. Despite the pull of memories tugging at his heartstrings, he harbored no desire to return. With each tentative step forward, he resolved to fulfill his duties and swiftly depart this city, forever severing ties that bound him to its indifferent embrace. With hesitant strides, he made his way towards the taxi stand, a silent determination guiding his movements as he embarked on the first leg of his journey towards liberation.

As Ram's taxi navigated the labyrinthine streets of Delhi, a familiar lane beckoned to him, leading towards Priya's house. His heart skipped a beat, emotions swirling like a tempest within him. Unable to resist the pull, he instructed the cab driver to halt, the urgency palpable in his voice. Stepping out onto the pavement, he bid the driver to wait, his steps guided by an unseen force towards the lane of memories.

Each footfall echoed with the resonance of bygone days, each corner a repository of shared moments and whispered promises. And then, as if drawn by an invisible thread, he stood before the very spot where he and Priya had shared their first kiss. Time seemed to stand still as the memory unfolded before him, vivid and untarnished by the passage of years.

The warmth of her touch lingered in the air, the sweetness of her lips still palpable against his own. Unbidden, tears welled in his eyes, a solitary teardrop escaping the confines of his restraint. In that poignant moment, amidst the cacophony of the city, he stood alone, a silent witness to the fragments of a love lost but never forgotten.

As Priya meandered through the familiar lane, her attention was drawn to a distant silhouette, a figure that seemed oddly familiar from behind. Curiosity sparked within her, igniting a flurry of thoughts and memories that she dared not entertain. Could it be...?

Pushing aside the tantalizing possibility, she continued on her way, her steps light and unhurried. Each footfall echoed with the rhythm of her heartbeat, a steady cadence against the backdrop of the bustling city. Though her mind buzzed with unanswered questions, she chose to embrace the mundane familiarity of her surroundings, unwilling to indulge in fantasies that seemed too improbable to be true.

With measured grace, she approached her house, the facade offering solace amidst the whirlwind of emotions that threatened to engulf her.

As footsteps echoed through the quiet lane, a sense of anticipation hung heavy in the air. And then, as if summoned by fate itself, he felt an inexplicable urge to turn around. With a hesitant twist of his frame, he found himself face to face with Priya, standing just inches away.

Time seemed to freeze in that moment, the air thick with the weight of unspoken words and forgotten promises. For a heartbeat, neither dared to speak, their gazes locked in a silent exchange that spoke volumes. In the depths of their eyes, a tumultuous tide of emotions churned, threatening to engulf them in its tumultuous embrace.

Ram's breath caught in his throat, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against his chest. Priya stood before him, a vision from a distant past, her presence a bittersweet reminder of what once was and what could never be. And yet, despite the silence that enveloped them, the unspoken bond between them remained, a fragile thread that tethered their souls across the expanse of time and distance.

In that timeless moment, as their worlds collided once more, Ram and Priya found themselves suspended in a liminal space between past and present, their words lost amidst the echoes of a love that refused to be forgotten.

Priya: Ram...(whispers)

Ram: takes a step closer, uncertain "Yes?"

Priya: softly How have you been?

Ram: chuckles nervously "I'm... I'm doing fine. And you?"

Priya: Fine.

awkward pause

Ram: shifts uncomfortably I think I should go. I just arrived today and was passing by...

Priya: nods understandingly, then hesitates

Would you like to come inside for a coffee?

Ram: turns, surprised "What?"

As the weight of their unspoken words hung heavy in the air, Priya's invitation broke the uneasy silence, shattering the barriers between them. Ram, still grappling with his emotions.

Priya: If you're not in a hurry... I mean, you must be tired from your journey.

Ram: considers for a moment That won't be a problem. I'll just tell my taxi to wait. I'll be back in a little while.

Priya: smiles softly "Sure." gestures towards her house ..Come on in.

Ram: *glances around Priya's house* "Where's aunty?"

Priya: "She went to Indore, to mamaji's place. She'll be back next week."

Ram: *nodding* "Ah, so you're managing everything on your own then?"

Priya: "Yes, I have a cook who prepares meals. I just warm them up and eat when I can."

Ram: *chuckles* "That sounds convenient."

Priya: *curiously* "How's Aliya? Hope you both are doing well together."

Ram: *sighs* "Yeah, she's doing fine. She's in Paris and going to get married soon."

Priya: *startled* "What? Getting married?"

Ram: *sips his coffee, then looks at Priya* "You remember, Priya, on the day of our divorce, you said I should stop riding two boats at the same time? Well, I did. I realized I always wanted to stay in one, and that belongs to..." *pauses* "...anyway, leave it. Actually, Aliya thought marrying me wasn't a good idea for her, so she found herself a soccer player. He's very famous."

Priya: *speechless*

After a moment of silence, Ram stands up.

Ram: "I gotta go now. It's quite late. You should get some rest."

Priya: "Ram, why didn't you try to hold Aliya back with you?"

Ram: *turns to face Priya* "Relationships don't work that way, Priya. When you love someone, you let them leave when they want. Believe me, I did. And I didn't mean Aliya here."

With those words hanging heavy in the air, Ram swiftly retrieves his bag and makes his way towards the door, leaving Priya standing there, her thoughts swirling in the wake of his departure. The weight of his revelation settles upon her like a heavy cloak, the truth of his words resonating deep within her soul.

As the door clicks shut behind him, Priya is left alone with the echoes of their conversation, grappling with the complexity of love and loss. In that fleeting moment, amidst the fragments of shattered illusions, she is reminded of the immutable truth that some bonds are destined to fray, while others endure the test of time. And as the night unfolds around her, she finds solace in the silent understanding that sometimes, love is not about holding on, but rather, learning to let go.

In the days that followed, Ram and Priya found themselves drawn together by the invisible threads of fate, their hearts yearning to mend the fractures of the past. With each passing moment, they rediscovered the depth of their connection, weaving a tapestry of shared memories and whispered promises.

8 Days later on the day of ram's departure

Priya in her office got a call from him she recived the call

Ram : Priya i am leaving in sometime but before that would you come to meet me for once i mean its a request only if you can

Priya : Why do you want me to meet you ?

Ram : Just dont want reason if you can come for once atleast then

He took a pause so priya said

Priya : When is your flight ?

Ram : In 2 Hours

So priya said

Priya : I will try

As Ram stood on the precipice of departure, ready to bid farewell to the city that held both memories of love and loss, Priya raced against time to reach him. With a heart full of courage and a soul ablaze with passion, she found him just as he was about to step into the entrance

She called

Ram...

And ram turned arround rushed to her

Ram : You came

Priya nodded her head

Priya : Ready to leave already ?

Ram : There is no reason to stay either

Priya : Are you sure ?

Ram : Nodded his to yes

"Ram," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion, "love doesn't always mean letting go. Sometimes, it means holding on with all your might."

In that moment, their eyes locked in a silent exchange that spoke volumes, the weight of unspoken words and unfulfilled dreams hanging heavy in the air. And then, without hesitation, they closed the distance between them, their lips meeting in a fervent embrace that transcended time and space.

In that fleeting moment of unity, amidst the backdrop of a city on the brink of farewell, Ram and Priya discovered the true meaning of love—a force that defies logic and reason, binding hearts together in an eternal dance of devotion.

And as they parted, their souls forever intertwined, they knew that their love was not bound by the constraints of distance or time, but rather, it was a flame that burned brightly in the darkness, guiding them home to each other, again and again.