The next morning felt unusually long for Riya. She kept checking her phone again and again, reading Aryan's message as if the words might change.
Classes started, but Riya could hardly focus. Her mind was filled with questions.
What did Aryan want to say?
Why had he suddenly become distant?
After the last lecture ended, Riya slowly walked toward the college garden where Aryan had asked to meet her.
Aryan was already there, standing near the old tree where they often talked.
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Aryan broke the silence.
"Riya… thank you for coming."
Riya tried to smile, but she looked nervous.
"You said you wanted to talk."
Aryan nodded slowly.
"There's something I should have told you earlier."
He looked at the ground for a moment before continuing.
"My father got another job offer."
Riya's heart sank.
"Does that mean… you're leaving?"
Aryan sighed.
"I'm not sure yet. My parents want to move again."
The words felt heavy between them.
Riya tried to stay calm, but inside she felt the same fear she had felt before.
"Why didn't you tell me?" she asked softly.
Aryan looked at her.
"Because I didn't want to hurt you."
Riya's eyes widened slightly.
"Hurt me?"
Aryan nodded.
"I know what happened the last time we talked about leaving. I saw how upset you were."
He paused for a moment.
"So I thought it would be easier if I slowly created some distance."
Riya stared at him in disbelief.
"You thought ignoring me would make it easier?"
Aryan looked ashamed.
"I guess… I handled it badly."
For a moment, Riya didn't know whether to be angry or relieved.
Finally she said quietly,
"You should have trusted me enough to tell me the truth."
Aryan nodded.
"You're right."
There was a long silence between them.
Then Aryan said something that surprised her.
"But there's something else."
Riya looked at him.
"I told my parents that I don't want to leave this time."
Riya's eyes widened.
"You did?"
Aryan smiled slightly.
"Yes."
"And do you know why?"
Riya shook her head slowly.
Aryan looked directly into her eyes.
"Because of you."
Riya felt her heart beat faster.
For the first time in many days, the heavy feeling inside her chest slowly disappeared.
But even though Aryan had made his decision, neither of them knew what the future would bring.
Because sometimes life had its own plans.
And their story was far from over.