Aira stepped out of the cab.
Her heart was racing.
Her hands felt slightly cold.
After ten long years—
she was finally going to see Aarohi.
Only she knew—
how these years had passed.
Missing her—
without talking.
Loving her—
without meeting.
Quietly checking on her—
without being a part of her life.
She had waited for this moment for years.
And now—
it was real.
Just a few steps away—
from seeing Aarohi face to face.
Aira walked slowly toward the shop.
And then—
she saw her.
Aarohi was standing there—
helping her mother in the shop.
Simple.
Natural.
Just like before.
Aira stopped walking.
She couldn't move anymore.
Her eyes stayed fixed on Aarohi.
She just kept looking at her—
like she wanted to remember every detail forever.
Because this was the moment—
she had imagined a thousand times.
And yet—
reality felt even more beautiful.
Everything inside Aira changed in that moment.
All those dreams—
all those memories—
all those years—
suddenly felt worth it.
Aarohi looked exactly the same.
Same face.
Same hair.
Same smile.
And those same eyes—
that once held galaxies.
But somehow—
she looked even more beautiful now.
More real.
More alive.
Aira was completely lost looking at her.
Not a single thought in her mind.
Just Aarohi.
And then—
Aarohi saw her.
For a second—
she froze.
Her eyes widened in shock.
Because she recognized her instantly.
Even after ten years.
Aira.
Without thinking—
Aarohi ran toward her.
And hugged her tightly.
As if she never wanted to let go again.
Aira stood still for a moment.
Unable to react.
Because it didn't feel real.
It felt like a dream.
A dream she had seen too many times before.
But this time—
it wasn't a dream.
It was real.
Slowly—
Aira hugged her back.
Tightly.
Like she was holding something she had lost years ago.
They stayed like that for a long time.
No words.
No distance.
Just two hearts finally meeting again.
Both of them smiling.
Both of them feeling everything at once.
Because even after ten years—
the feeling was still there.
Still the same.
Still alive.
After the hug—
Aarohi pulled back slightly.
Her eyes full of questions.
Her voice filled with excitement and disbelief.
Aarohi,
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming?"
"How are you?"
"Everything okay?"
"I missed you so much."
Aira couldn't stop looking at her.
A soft smile on her face.
Aira,
"I wanted to surprise you… that's why I didn't tell you."
A small pause.
Then softly—
Aira,
"I missed you too."
For a moment—
they both just stood there.
Looking at each other.
As if trying to understand—
how ten years disappeared in a single hug.
People passed by.
The city moved around them.
But for Aira and Aarohi—
time had stopped again.
Just like it used to—
years ago.
Aira looked at Aarohi once again—
a little more carefully this time.
Not through memories.
Not through imagination.
But in real life.
And she realized—
some feelings don't fade with time.
They just wait.
Quietly.
Until the right moment.
After a few seconds—
neither of them spoke.
They just kept looking at each other.
As if words were too small—
for what they were feeling.
Aarohi smiled softly.
The same smile.
The one Aira had remembered for years.
Aira couldn't help but smile back.
Because some things never change.
Aarohi looked at her carefully—
from head to toe.
Aarohi,
"You've changed… but still the same."
Aira let out a small laugh.
Aira,
"You didn't change at all."
Aarohi smiled again.
Aarohi,
"Liar."
But her eyes said something else.
They said—
"You still know me."
Aarohi looked at her again and said softly,
Aarohi,
"You really came…"
Aira nodded.
Aira,
"I always wanted to."
And in that moment—
neither of them said it—
But both of them knew—
this meeting wasn't just coincidence.
It was something they both had been holding onto—
for years.
There was a small silence again.
Not awkward.
Not uncomfortable.
Just full of emotions.
Like both of them were trying to process—
what just happened.
Ten years.
And now—
standing right in front of each other again.