Aira was feeling something—
not right.
Something strange.
Something she couldn't understand.
But it felt important.
Like a feeling—
she was trying to ignore.
She didn't know what it was.
Maybe—
she didn't want to know.
They hadn't talked for many days—
before that last conversation.
So Aira tried—
to become normal again.
To go back—
to her routine.
To her life.
But her heart—
still held one name.
Aarohi.
Even after everything—
Aira didn't try to find someone new.
No new girl.
No new connection.
Because her heart—
still belonged to Aarohi.
Completely.
She missed her.
But she didn't want to talk.
At least—
that's what she told herself.
Because her heart—
wanted the opposite.
And when Aarohi texted—
Aira couldn't stop herself.
She replied.
Every time.
Like nothing had changed.
Like she never left.
She wanted to be with her—
without actually being with her.
And maybe—
Aarohi felt the same.
Because after that day—
she started texting more.
More often.
More naturally.
And slowly—
they started talking again.
Like before.
Interested.
Hopeful.
Calm.
But not stable.
Just living in the moment—
knowing it wouldn't last.
Aira replied every time.
Sometimes—
she texted first too.
And Aarohi always replied.
Maybe Aarohi felt something.
Or maybe—
she didn't.
Maybe she was just afraid.
Or maybe—
it was just friendship.
Aira didn't know.
And this time—
she didn't try to know.
Before all this—
something else had started.
At school.
There was a girl—
Dikshita.
Just a classmate.
Nothing special.
She used to sit near Aira's friend,
Mina.
So whenever Aira talked to Mina—
Dikshita would listen.
Not casually.
But carefully.
Like she wanted to hear Aira.
At first—
Aira ignored it.
Didn't think much about it.
But days passed.
And something felt different.
Dikshita started paying more attention.
Looking at her more.
Finding small reasons—
to talk to her.
Joining their conversations.
Staying around—
a little longer than needed.
Aira noticed it.
But she didn't react.
Because in her mind—
there was still only one person.
Aarohi.
Even when someone new—
was quietly entering her space—
Aira's heart—
refused to move.
Dikshita tried to get closer.
But Aira stayed distant.
Not because she was rude—
But because she wasn't ready.
Her heart was still somewhere else.
Still waiting.
Still attached.
And no matter who came closer—
Aira only wanted to talk to one person.
Aarohi.
One day—
during school hours—
Aira was playing cricket with her friends.
After a long time—
she picked up the bat again.
And for the first time in days—
she felt genuinely happy.
Not the quiet kind of happiness—
but something real.
Something free.
The sun was shining brightly—
summer slowly arriving.
She stood there—
like she used to.
A cap on her head.
Bat in her hand.
Ball rolling on the ground.
For a moment—
she wasn't thinking about anything.
Not Aarohi.
Not her feelings.
Just the game.
Just the moment.
And she smiled—
fully.
While playing—
in between the laughter and noise—
for a moment—
Aira remembered Aarohi.
Just for a few seconds.
She imagined—
what if Aarohi was here?
Standing beside her.
Holding the bat.
Arguing over runs.
Laughing—
the way she had only imagined before.
They would have played together.
Enjoyed the game—
more than anyone else there.
Maybe—
they would have been the happiest—
on that ground.
Aira smiled slightly—
at the thought.
And then—
the moment passed.
The game continued.
But somewhere—
that small imagination stayed.
After the game—
while she was walking back—
Dikshita passed by her.
She paused—
looked at Aira—
and said,
Dikshita,
"Hey… you look like a player."
Aira was a little surprised.
But she liked it.
Aira,
"Thank you."
Dikshita smiled—
and walked away.
Aira stood there—
thinking about that one line.
She liked the compliment.
It stayed in her mind.
But not the person who said it.
Even in that moment—
when someone noticed her—
Aira's heart didn't move.
Because it was still—
somewhere else.
With Aarohi.