By Harleen Kaur
Riya and Kabir were once madly in love. Their marriage was a beautiful chapter filled with laughter, shared dreams, and tender moments. But as time passed, life became complicated. Family pressures, constant interference, and unspoken expectations created cracks in their relationship. Slowly, their love, though strong, couldn’t withstand the weight of the tension. They parted ways, leaving behind a trail of heartbreak.
It had been three years since the divorce. Riya focused on her career as a teacher, pouring her energy into shaping young minds. Kabir had moved to another city, diving into his job as an architect. Both kept busy, hiding their pain behind the routines of everyday life. Yet, neither had truly moved on.
A Twist of Fate
One winter evening, Riya’s school held a fundraiser for a new library. The event was bustling with activity—students showcasing their art, parents mingling, and teachers managing everything. Riya was busy arranging books when a deep, familiar voice startled her.
"Still the same perfectionist, aren’t you?"
She turned around and froze. It was Kabir, standing there with his usual confident smile, though his eyes looked softer, almost hesitant.
"Kabir," she managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.
They stood awkwardly for a moment before Kabir explained. "I’m helping design the new wing for the school. I didn’t know you worked here."
Riya nodded, unsure of what to say. The emotions she thought she had buried came rushing back, making her heart race.
The Ice Begins to Melt
Throughout the evening, their paths crossed repeatedly. A polite conversation turned into laughter as they reminisced about their love for books and coffee. Kabir teased Riya about how she always carried a book in her bag, and Riya chuckled at how Kabir still couldn’t resist bad puns.
When the event ended, Kabir offered to walk Riya to her car. The night was cold, but the warmth of their conversation kept them comfortable.
"I thought I’d never see you again," Kabir admitted, breaking the silence.
"Neither did I," Riya replied softly, looking at him. "But here we are."
Rekindling the Flame
Over the next few weeks, Kabir’s visits to the school became more frequent. Official meetings about the project often ended with casual chats over coffee. Slowly, they began opening up about their lives after the divorce.
"I missed you, Riya," Kabir said one day, his voice sincere. "Even when we were apart, I always thought of you."
Riya hesitated before replying, "I missed you too. But I didn’t know if we could ever find our way back to each other."
Kabir looked at her, determination in his eyes. "We were lost, but that doesn’t mean it’s over. Maybe... we can start again?"
A Second Chance
They decided to take things slow, not rushing into decisions but cherishing the time they spent together. Old wounds began to heal as they talked openly about the past—about the mistakes, the misunderstandings, and the love that had never truly faded.
One snowy evening, Kabir surprised Riya with a small gesture that spoke volumes. He handed her a book she had once mentioned wanting but never found. Inside, he had written:
"Some stories don’t end. They just pause until the right chapter begins."
Tears welled up in Riya’s eyes as she hugged him. At that moment, she realized that their love, though tested, had survived.
Their story wasn’t about forgetting the past—it was about learning from it and choosing to write a new chapter together. Frozen hearts, once distant, were now burning with love again.
By Harleen Kaur
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