Sita stood at the threshold of her house, the note clutched tightly in her hand, her eyes swollen from a night of suppressed emotions.
The echoes of Ram's words haunted her: "I'll wait. If you don't come… I'll never return."
She didn't go.
But her heart did.
It ran down those station steps.
It sat beside him on that bench. It left with him when he turned away. And now… it refused to return.
Her father called from inside, "Noor Jahan, come.
The boy's family is arriving today."
She nodded. But her soul screamed.
The house was decorated, elders discussing dowries and horoscopes. But Sita sat still, like a ghost watching her own funeral.
Her mother entered, placing bangles in front of her. "These are your grandmother's. For your engagement."
Sita touched them gently — then pushed them away.
"I can't do this, Amma."
Her mother froze. "What do you mean?"
"I… love someone else."
Her father overheard and stepped in. "What foolishness are you speaking, Noor Jahan?"
Tears fell freely now. "He taught me how to feel… how to believe. I didn't even know I was allowed to want something for myself."
Her father's face tightened. "You are a princess. We don't fall in love. We fulfill duties."
Sita stood, her voice trembling yet fierce.
"If I am truly a princess, then I have the power to choose what I want. And I choose Ram."
The silence that followed was deafening. Her mother cried quietly.
Her father left the room without a word. But Sita didn't stop.
She packed nothing. Took no jewelry. Just her heart raw and unadorned and ran.
To the station.
But he wasn't there.
She searched the platform, the waiting benches, even the tea stalls.
But all she found was the wind cold and accusing.
She sat down and wept. For being late. For hesitating. For possibly losing him forever.
Just then, a hand touched her shoulder. "Looking for someone?" a voice asked. She turned it was Ram's friend.
"He… he left?" she asked, barely able to speak.
The friend nodded. "He thought you wouldn't come."
Sita wiped her tears and looked up. "Where is he now?"
The next moment cut like a blade and stitched her back whole she saw Ram standing across the platform, suitcase in hand, eyes locked on hers.
He didn't move. Neither did she.
Then slowly, she walked. He stepped forward. The gap between them melted.
"I didn't think you'd come," he whispered.
"I almost didn't," she said, her voice breaking.
"But then… I remembered how it felt to be loved by you."
They hugged not in a romantic flourish, but like two souls finally finding home.
That night, no dreams came.
Because reality, finally, was enough.