After that moment—
they just kept looking at each other.
No words.
No need for words.
Just being there—
felt enough.
They were living in the moment.
A moment they had imagined for years.
Aarohi gently held Aira's hand—
and without saying anything—
took her inside her home.
Aira followed quietly.
Still trying to believe—
that all of this was real.
Inside the house—
Aarohi introduced her to her parents.
Aarohi,
"This is Aira… my friend."
Aira smiled politely.
Her heart still racing.
Because this wasn't just a simple introduction.
This was something she had unknowingly
dreamed of—
years ago.
Standing in Aarohi's home.
Being part of her world.
Even if just for a moment.
Aira felt an overwhelming happiness.
Ten years of waiting.
Ten years of missing.
Ten years of loving silently.
And now—
she was finally here.
In front of Aarohi.
In her life.
In her space.
Aarohi had always imagined meeting Aira in real life.
But somewhere—
she had stopped expecting it.
Because life moves on.
People drift away.
Dreams fade.
But Aira—
came back.
Not suddenly.
But after years of carrying that feeling quietly.
They sat together after some time.
Still stealing small glances at each other.
Still smiling without reason.
Trying to catch up—
with ten years of distance.
Aarohi,
"So… what are you doing now?"
Aira smiled a little.
Aira,
"I'm a forensic scientist."
Aarohi's eyes widened.
Aarohi,
"Wow… you know na, I always loved crime stuff."
Aira nodded softly.
Aira,
"I remember."
A small pause.
Then Aira added,
"And you… you're a famous author now."
"And your business too… it's really successful."
Aarohi smiled proudly.
Aarohi,
"Yeah… I'm proud of myself."
Aira looked at her—
with warmth in her eyes.
Aira,
"I'm proud of you too."
That sentence felt deeper than it sounded.
Because Aira had seen her journey—
even from a distance.
After a moment—
Aarohi looked at her playfully.
Aarohi,
"So… did you find a girlfriend? Or still single… or still waiting for me?"
Aira didn't laugh.
She just looked at her quietly.
Then answered honestly.
Aira,
"No. I'm still single."
A small pause.
Then softly—
"I was always yours. And still yours."
The air became silent for a second.
Because that wasn't a joke.
It was truth.
Aira looked at her again.
Aira,
"What about you? How's your relationship… with him?"
Aarohi's expression changed slightly.
Aarohi,
"Umm… we broke up three years ago."
A small pause.
"Let's not talk about it."
Aira nodded gently.
Aira,
"Okay."
She didn't ask anything more.
Because some things don't need questions.
After a moment—
Aarohi smiled again.
Trying to bring back the lightness.
Aarohi,
"So… what should we do now?"
Aira smiled a little.
Aira,
"You tell me."
Aarohi stood up.
Aarohi,
"Let's go somewhere."
Aira nodded.
Aira,
"Okay."
As they stepped out together—
walking side by side—
their hands brushed slightly.
Neither of them moved away.
Not this time.
Because after ten years—
distance didn't feel necessary anymore.