Three days later
They met on neutral ground.
A quiet rooftop café overlooking the city.
No guards. No assistants. No power.
Just two women who had lived each other's lives.
Ishita arrived first.
She stood near the railing, hair moving with the wind. She looked different.
Not weak.
Not overwhelmed.
Just… aware.
Avy stepped forward.
For a moment, they simply looked at each other.
No anger.
No blame.
Only recognition.
"You built too much," Ishita said finally.
"You fixed too much," Avy replied.
A small smile appeared between them.
They sat.
No dramatic confrontation.
Just conversation.
"I didn't touch anything personal," Ishita said quietly. "I didn't want to disrespect you."
"I know."
"I gave your company to your brother."
"I know."
They both paused.
"I didn't know why I wanted to protect you," Avy admitted. "But I did."
Ishita looked at her steadily.
"I think," she said softly, "we weren't meant to switch to ruin each other."
"No."
"To understand."
The wind grew stronger.
Below them, the city moved unaware.
"I don't want the empire," Ishita said suddenly.
Avy's eyes sharpened — not defensive. Just listening.
"I don't need twenty companies. Or ten hotels. You gave me freedom. That was enough."
"What do you want then?" Avy asked calmly.
Ishita smiled faintly.
"To write."
Silence.
Then Avy leaned back.
"Keep the villa. Sell what you don't need. Appoint professionals. I built it stable. It won't collapse."
"You're not taking it back?"
Avy shook her head.
"I built it for you."
There was no pride in her voice. Just certainty.
Ishita's eyes softened.
"And your family?"
"They are… trying."
A gentle understanding passed between them.
They did not hug.
They did not cry dramatically.
They simply stood up at the same time.
Two women.
Opposites.
Yet connected by a year no one else would ever understand.
"If midnight ever tries again," Ishita said lightly, "I hope it fails."
Avy almost smiled.
"It won't dare."
They walked in opposite directions.
Not strangers.
Not best friends.
Something quieter.
Something deeper.
They had worn each other's lives.
And when the clock struck twelve again…
They did not return to who they were before.
They returned stronger.
After We Lived Each Other
was not about the year they swapped.
It was about who they became when they came back.