The news came like a lightning strike: Aarav had been offered a position abroad—a chance to lead an international aerospace project. It was everything he had worked for, everything he deserved. And yet, when Kiara read his message, her heart sank.
"I leave in two weeks."
She stared at the words, her fingers trembling. Two weeks. That was all they had.
They met at the airport on a rainy evening, the glass walls streaked with silver droplets. Kiara stood near the departure gate, her shawl clutched tight, her pulse a storm. When Aarav appeared, her breath caught—his suit crisp, his eyes shadowed with conflict.
"You didn't have to come," he said softly, though his voice betrayed relief.
"I did," she whispered. "I couldn't let you leave without… without saying goodbye."
He swallowed hard, his jaw tense. "Kiara, this is the right thing. For my career. For everything I've dreamed of."
"I know," she said, forcing a smile that felt like breaking glass. "And I'm proud of you."
For a moment, silence stretched between them, heavy with words unsaid. Then Aarav stepped closer, his hand lifting to cup her cheek. His touch was warm, trembling, desperate.
"I don't want to lose you," he murmured, his forehead pressing against hers. "But I can't ask you to wait."
Her tears spilled, hot and relentless. "You don't have to ask," she whispered. "I'll wait. Even if it hurts."
His breath hitched, and then—like a man surrendering to gravity—he kissed her. Hard, fierce, aching with everything they couldn't say. The world blurred, the rain outside a distant hum as their lips clung like lifelines.
When they broke apart, breathless and shattered, Aarav pressed his lips to her hair. "I'll come back," he vowed, his voice raw. "No matter what."
Kiara clung to him, her heart screaming against the ticking clock. And then, the boarding call echoed—a cruel reminder that time was up.
He walked away without looking back, because if he did, he wouldn't be able to leave. Kiara watched him disappear through the gate, her tears falling like rain.
And in that moment, she realized: love wasn't about holding on. It was about believing—even when the sky felt empty.