After finishing office, Yalini comes straight home.
The journey back feels unusually long to her, as if every minute is stretching endlessly. Even the familiar roads seem different today, because her mind is not present there. The noise of the city, the passing vehicles, the people walking by—everything feels distant, like she is moving through it without really being there.
She sits on her bed and keeps thinking about the words her boss said.
Those words repeat in her mind again and again, like an echo that refuses to fade. No matter how much she tries to think of something else, her mind keeps going back to that one moment.
Thinking like this, evening turns into night, yet Yalini is still sitting there in the same position on the bed.
Time passes silently around her, but she doesn't notice it at all. The fading light of the evening slowly turns into the darkness of night, yet she remains unmoved.
She hasn't even changed her dress.
Her bag still lies beside her, untouched, as if she forgot everything the moment she entered the room. Even her phone remains silent beside her, ignored.
After some time, her mother comes to call her for dinner.
She enters the room and sees Yalini still sitting quietly on the bed in her office clothes.
The room is dim, and the silence inside makes everything feel even more strange. It almost feels like time has stopped inside that room.
Seeing her like this, her mother gets worried.
A sudden fear crosses her mind, as she has never seen Yalini like this before. Her heart starts racing with concern.
She quickly rushes to her daughter.
"Yalini, what happened to you?"
Yalini doesn't respond. She doesn't even notice that her mother has entered the room.
Her eyes seem distant, as if she is lost somewhere far away. It feels like she is physically present, but mentally somewhere else.
Her mother touches her and shakes her gently.
"Yalini! Yalini!
What happened?"
Finally, Yalini comes back to her senses.
It takes her a moment to realize where she is, as if she has just returned from somewhere else. Her eyes blink a few times, adjusting to reality.
She looks at her mother, startled.
"What happened, Mom? When did you come?"
"I'm the one asking you that.
Why are you sitting like this? You haven't even changed your clothes yet.
What happened to you?
Is everything alright?"
"Uff, Mom, everything is fine. Don't worry so much.
In fact, there's good news—" Yalini says, trying to calm her mother.
A faint smile appears on her face, though her eyes still carry a trace of confusion. She tries to sound normal, even though her heart is still restless.
"Good news?
What good news?" her mother asks.
Her voice now carries a mix of curiosity and relief.
"Mom, three people from our office will be sent to Japan to cover the Sakura Festival.
And all the expenses will be covered by the company."
While saying this, a spark of excitement slowly returns to her eyes. Her voice becomes slightly brighter.
"Wow, that's such great news!
Are you among those three?" Yalini's mother asks.
Her face lights up with happiness and hope.
Suddenly, Yalini's happiness seems to fade.
The excitement in her eyes softens, replaced by uncertainty.
"I don't know, Mom.
They haven't announced yet who those lucky three are.
But you pray for me, so that I can be one of them."
There is a quiet hope in her voice, mixed with a hint of fear. She doesn't want to get her hopes too high, yet she cannot stop dreaming.
Yalini's mother holds her hand and takes her to the balcony.
Her touch feels warm and reassuring, as if she is silently telling her everything will be okay. That simple gesture brings a sense of comfort to Yalini.
Then she says, "Look at the sky—see how beautiful the moon is."
The night sky is calm, and the moon shines softly, spreading a gentle light everywhere. The cool breeze of the night adds to the peacefulness of the moment.
Yalini looks at the moon.
For a moment, she forgets everything again, lost in its quiet beauty. The world feels still once more.
Her mother says,
"The fact that you're standing here now and seeing this moon—this is your destiny."
"Destiny?" Yalini asks.
Her voice is soft, filled with curiosity.
"Yes, destiny.
If it wasn't in your destiny, you would never have had the chance to stand here and see this beautiful sight.
And if seeing Sakura is in your destiny, then no obstacle will be able to stop you. Remember that."
Her words are calm, yet powerful, slowly settling into Yalini's heart. They feel simple, yet deeply meaningful.
"Mom, do you believe in destiny?" Yalini asks.
"Yes, I do.
And because I believe in it, today I am an Indian wife.
Otherwise, I might have been living in an American home today.
Don't think so much about all this.
Come and eat."
After saying this, Yalini's mother leaves.
Her footsteps fade away, leaving behind a quiet silence once again.
Yalini remains standing there, looking at the moon.
The soft light reflects in her eyes, making them shine gently. The calmness of the night slowly fills her heart.
But now there is no sadness in her heart—only a gentle smile on her lips.
Her mother's words seem to have given her a new kind of strength. A quiet belief starts forming inside her.
After a while, Yalini also goes to have dinner.
The warm food and familiar environment slowly bring her back to reality. The smell of food and the comfort of home make her feel grounded again.
While eating, she notices how happy her parents are in their life.
They talk, laugh, and share small moments that feel simple yet meaningful. Their happiness feels genuine and peaceful.
Then her mother's words come to her mind—
"Destiny."
Truly, how beautiful her parents' destiny is.
A story of love, choices, and unexpected paths.
Without realizing it, a soft smile appears on her lips.
For the first time today, her heart feels a little lighter. The tension inside her slowly eases.
After finishing dinner, Yalini goes to sleep.
She lies down, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts still restless. The quiet of the night surrounds her.
But she cannot fall asleep at all, thinking about what will happen tomorrow.
Her mind keeps creating different possibilities again and again.
Will the boss announce the names tomorrow?
Will her name be among them?
Or will everything remain just a dream again?
She keeps thinking about all these things.
Each thought brings a new wave of excitement and fear. Her heart feels heavy and light at the same time.
And while thinking, she doesn't even realize when she falls asleep.
Sleep comes quietly, like a gentle escape from her thoughts.
Today, Yalini wakes up very early.
Even before the alarm rings, her eyes open on their own. There is a strange anticipation inside her.
She quickly gets ready and has her breakfast.
Her movements are faster than usual, filled with a strange kind of energy. She doesn't want to waste even a single moment.
"What's this? You woke up so early today?
Is it some special day?" her mother asks.
"Something like that,"
Yalini replies with a smile and leaves for the office.
There is a brightness in her face that wasn't there before.
When she reaches the office, she sees that Reha hasn't arrived yet.
The office feels quieter than usual, almost empty. The silence makes her thoughts even louder.
After waiting for some time, Reha also comes.
She walks in casually, unaware of the storm inside Yalini.
Seeing Yalini arrive early today, Reha feels a bit surprised and curiously asks,
"What's the matter? You're here before me today?
And your mood also looks so cheerful.
What's going on?"
Yalini smiles and replies,
"Nothing."
Her smile hides a thousand thoughts she doesn't say out loud.
Reha doesn't say anything more, just smiles softly and focuses on her work.
But she keeps a quiet eye on Yalini, sensing something different.
Today, Yalini finds it hard to concentrate on her work.
Her fingers move, but her mind is somewhere else. The screen in front of her feels blurred at times.
She is just waiting for that moment to arrive in her life.
Every passing second feels heavier than usual. Time seems to move both too fast and too slow at the same time.
Finally, that moment comes.
It arrives quietly, yet it changes everything.
After lunch break, the boss arrives again and says,
"Today, I will announce the names of those three people who will go to Japan."
The moment she hears this, it feels like all sounds have stopped.
The air around her feels still, almost suffocating.
Nothing can be heard—
except Yalini's heartbeat.
Loud, fast, and uncontrollable, as if her entire world now depends on what comes next.
Yalini suddenly froze.