"Galtiyaan wahi hoti hain… jo hum keh nahi paate."
"Mistakes are often the things we never say."
— Akari Fujiwara
Next morning.
School felt colder.
Not because of the weather,
but because Aryan and Akari… sat on the same bench,
but said nothing.
She had her book open.
But her eyes weren't reading.
He had his pen in hand.
But he didn't write a single word.
The unspoken tension was louder than any conversation.
Aryan looked at her.
"Akari, about last night—"
She cut him off gently.
"You don't need to explain. It's your life."
Her voice was soft. Controlled.
But inside —
a quiet crack had formed.
Aryan clenched his fist.
"I wanted to tell you everything. I just… I didn't expect her."
Akari smiled faintly, not meeting his eyes.
"It's okay. You don't owe me anything."
That line — it hurt more than a slap.
He whispered,
"But I wanted to."
She looked up.
"But you didn't."
After class, Akari left early.
Didn't wait for their usual tea.
Didn't reply to his message.
Just sent one word:
"Busy."
Aryan stared at the screen.
His heart dropped.
The next few days felt mechanical.
Aryan trained harder.
Worked on business plans.
Met Rika twice for formal briefings.
But his mind was elsewhere.
Every text he typed to Akari… he deleted.
And Akari?
She taught Haru with a smile — but the moment she was alone…
She clutched the letter he had given her.
And whispered:
"Why does it feel like you're drifting…
when I'm the one still standing here?"
One night, Aryan stood at the Tokyo Tower, looking at the city lights.
He dialed her number.
It rang.
Then voicemail.
He didn't leave a message.
But he did whisper into the wind:
"Please don't go cold on me, Akari…
Not when I'm finally learning to be warm."
Back in her room, Akari watched the screen blink.
Didn't pick up.
Because sometimes… when you're scared to break,
you distance yourself before someone else walks away.
[End of Episode 17]
📝 Next: "Rain Knows Everything" – It rains in Tokyo. And under one umbrella, emotions pour out that no one could hide anymore…