Standing on the rooftop of that old house, as Akash looked toward the horizon, a flash of sunlight suddenly made the street shimmer. He had returned to this city after exactly five years. Many things had changed in these five years, but the only things that remained the same were the moss-covered walls of the house and the lingering resentment gathered inside Akash's heart.
Akash was thinking of Nilu. Nilu, who had the sky in her eyes and a smile as bright as the morning dew. They had spent so many afternoons on this very rooftop, weaving countless dreams. Back then, Akash was an ambitious artist, and Nilu was his inspiration. But life doesn't always go according to dreams. Due to the pressures of time and circumstance, Akash had to move abroad, while Nilu stayed behind in this city with her incompleteness.
Every single day abroad, Akash thought about returning. However, he became so entangled in the pressures of work and the struggle of life that communication gradually faded away. Nilu probably waited, but for how long? Akash felt that waiting is more painful than love itself. He returned today, but he could no longer find Nilu at the old address. The windows of the old house are closed now, but the windows of Akash's memories have swung wide open.
He walked downstairs and stepped outside. The old bookstore at the corner of the street was still there. As Akash entered, he saw a woman with her back turned, organizing books. She was wearing a blue saree. Akash's heart skipped a beat. Was it Nilu? He called out softly, "Nilu?"
The woman turned around. No, she wasn't Nilu, but there was a familiar look in her eyes. She said, "Are you Akash? Nilu-di said you would definitely return one day." Akash looked at her in surprise. The woman handed him an old diary and said, "Nilu-di left this diary with me. She lives in another city now, but she believed you would visit this shop at least once."
Akash opened the diary. On the first page, it was written: "No one can hold back time, but one can hold onto memories. I know you will return, but perhaps I won't be there then. You remain my sky, and I will remain your world."
A tear rolled down the corner of Akash's eye. He realized that love doesn't always mean staying by someone's side; love means keeping someone well and keeping their dreams alive. Akash pressed the diary to his chest. He felt as if Nilu was standing right beside him, just like before, with a radiant smile.
This city, these streets, and the smell of old books—everything felt new to Akash again. It was as if he had found his lost world. Nilu might not be there in person, but every word of her love lived on the pages of that diary. Akash walked out into the afternoon sun; there was no more resentment in his heart, only a vast, sky-like memory.