The once vibrant courtyard now felt distant and silent. Mani walked alone through a bustling town in another city, the joyous echoes of their wedding and springtime celebrations replaced by the quiet hum of memories. Every street, every corner, reminded him of Laya — her laughter, her smile, the spark in her eyes.
"Laya, farewell my love,
I can't forget the moments we shared."
Even amidst the crowd, he felt the emptiness of her absence. Krishna and Gajanan tried to lighten his mood, teasing him about finding someone new, but Mani's gaze hardened — no one could ever replace Laya. Every laugh, every jest only reminded him of the void she left behind.
"Your smile lingers in my mind,
Your eyes speak what words cannot.
Even if I turn away,
I see your shadow everywhere."
At night, under the soft glow of lanterns, Mani would close his eyes and feel her presence — as if Laya's aura had followed him across miles. Memories of their shared dances, playful chaos, and tender moments came flooding back, and he realized that love, once true, cannot be diminished by distance.
"The memories of you haunt me,
Every heartbeat calls your name.
Distance may separate us,
But love remains eternal."
Even as others — friends, acquaintances, or new admirers — tried to draw him into fleeting distractions, Mani's heart remained anchored to Laya. Monal and Sunitha, who had traveled with him for work, noticed his longing and respected the depth of his devotion.
"Laya, farewell my love,
Until we meet again, I will wait."
Every morning, he walked by the river, hoping the winds would carry a message to her, or that fate might guide their paths back together. He clung to the belief that true love transcends time, space, and misunderstandings.
"Laya, farewell my love,
I can't forget the moments we shared."
In quiet moments, he whispered her name to the stars, letting the night sky carry his love across the distance. Despite the separation, despite the pain, Mani's heart remained pure, unwavering, and devoted. He would wait for Laya — no other could replace her in his life.