The next few days felt… different.
For the first time in years, Aarav found himself checking the clock—not because he was bored, but because he was waiting.
Waiting for her.
Meera.
She had become a quiet habit in his life.
Not loud, not overwhelming… just there, like a soft melody you don't notice at first, but can't forget once you hear it.
That evening, the café smelled of fresh coffee and rain-soaked earth again.
Aarav sat at the same corner table.
Same chair.
Same view.
But his heart wasn't the same.
It was restless.
His eyes kept moving to the door every few seconds.
What if she doesn't come today?
That thought made him uncomfortable.
He didn't like how much it mattered.
But before his mind could spiral further—
The bell at the café door rang.
And there she was.
Meera.
Wearing a simple white dress, her hair slightly messy, her smile… still the same.
But something was different.
She looked weaker.
Not visibly to others.
But Aarav noticed.
He always did.
"You're late," he said, trying to sound casual.
Meera tilted her head. "You were counting?"
"No," he replied quickly. "I just noticed."
She smiled. "Liar."
They sat down.
Today, Meera didn't talk much.
She kept stirring her tea, again and again, even after the sugar had dissolved.
Her fingers looked pale.
Her eyes… tired.
More than before.
Aarav leaned forward slightly. "You don't look okay."
"I'm fine," she said immediately.
Too immediately.
That's when he knew—
She wasn't.
"Meera," he said softly, "you don't have to pretend with me."
She froze for a second.
Her hand stopped moving.
The spoon made a small clinking sound as it rested against the cup.
Silence filled the space between them.
Then she whispered—
"What if I don't know how to stop pretending?"
That sentence broke something inside Aarav.
Because he understood it too well.
"Then… you can start small," he said gently.
Meera looked up at him.
Confused.
"How?"
Aarav thought for a moment.
Then he said, "Tell me one truth. Just one. Something you've been hiding."
Meera's eyes searched his face.
As if trying to decide whether he was safe.
Whether he would stay.
Or leave like everyone else.
"You won't run away?" she asked quietly.
Aarav shook his head. "Not this time."
Meera took a deep breath.
Her fingers tightened around the cup.
And then she said it.
"I'm sick."
The words were simple.
But heavy.
Aarav felt his chest tighten. "What do you mean… sick?"
She didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she pulled her sleeve slightly up.
Revealing a thin hospital band on her wrist.
Aarav's heart dropped.
"I didn't want you to see this," she said, trying to smile. "It ruins the 'mysterious girl in the rain' image, right?"
Aarav didn't smile.
Not this time.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice serious.
Meera looked away.
Her eyes fixed on the window.
On the falling rain.
And then—
"It's a heart condition," she said softly. "Not the romantic kind."
Aarav felt like the world paused.
"A… heart condition?"
She nodded. "It's been getting worse. Doctors say…" she stopped.
"Say what?"
Meera swallowed.
"They don't know how long I have."
The words hit like a storm.
Aarav couldn't process them.
Not fully.
Not yet.
"You're joking," he said, almost hoping she would laugh and say yes.
But she didn't.
"I wish I was," she whispered.
Silence.
Heavy.
Unbearable.
Aarav looked at her—really looked at her this time.
The pale skin.
The tired eyes.
The hidden pain behind every smile.
And suddenly, everything made sense.
The rain.
The sadness.
The strange question she asked before.
"If I disappear someday…"
"Why didn't you tell me?" Aarav asked, his voice softer now.
Meera gave a small laugh. "We just met."
"That doesn't matter."
"It does," she said gently. "People don't stay when things get difficult."
Aarav leaned closer. "I'm not 'people.'"
Meera looked at him.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then she said something that scared him.
"That's what everyone says in the beginning."
Aarav clenched his fists slightly.
"I'm not leaving," he said firmly.
"You don't know that," she replied.
"I do."
"How?" she challenged.
Aarav didn't hesitate this time.
"Because… I already care about you."
The moment those words left his mouth—
Everything changed.
Meera's eyes widened slightly.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
She wasn't expecting that.
Neither was Aarav.
But it was true.
And they both knew it.
"Don't," Meera said suddenly, shaking her head.
Aarav frowned. "Don't what?"
"Don't start something you can't finish."
"I'm not—"
"You are," she interrupted softly. "You're getting attached."
"And you're not?" he asked.
Meera didn't answer.
Because she couldn't.
Tears filled her eyes—but she blinked them away quickly.
"I don't want to hurt you," she whispered.
Aarav's voice softened. "You won't."
"I will," she said, almost certain. "Everyone who stays close to me… gets hurt."
"Then let me decide if it's worth it," Aarav replied.
That silence again.
But this time, it wasn't peaceful.
It was emotional.
Fragile.
Like one wrong word could break everything.
Finally, Meera stood up.
"I should go."
Aarav stood too. "I'll walk you."
"No," she said gently. "Not today."
"Why?"
She smiled.
That same sad smile.
"Because if I stay longer… I might not want to leave."
Aarav didn't stop her this time.
He just watched as she walked away.
Slowly.
Like every step was heavy.
Like time itself was pulling her back.
At the door, she paused.
But she didn't turn around.
She just said—
"Aarav… don't fall in love with me."
And then she left.
That night, the rain didn't stop.
And neither did Aarav's thoughts.
Because deep down…
It was already too late.
🌧️ End of Chapter 2