Rainy night.
Anaya balcony me khadi thi. Phone screen baar-baar light ho rahi thi…
par jis naam ka wait tha — woh nahi.
Aarav ne 17 baar message type kiya.
"Can we talk?"
"I'm sorry."
"You deserve to know the truth."
Har baar delete.
Usne last me sirf ek voice note record kiya…
par send nahi kiya.
Next morning Anaya ko ek email mila —
"Congratulations! London Design Fellowship – Selected."
Ye wahi dream tha jiske liye woh 3 saal se fight kar rahi thi.
Par problem?
Fellowship 6 months ke liye London shift karne wali thi.
Anaya ne Aarav ko call kiya.
"Tum free ho?"
Aarav ne cold tone me kaha, "Meeting me hoon. Later."
Call cut.
Anaya ka decision wahi freeze ho gaya.
Usne London acceptance mail bhej diya.
Us raat Aarav ko pata chala —
Anaya ja rahi hai.
Aur usne finally woh unsent voice note play kiya…
"Anaya, maine job Mumbai me isliye accept ki thi kyunki main tumhare sapne ke raste me nahi aana chahta tha… par shayad main galat ho gaya."
Par ab der ho chuki thi.