You and Nehal had been in a long-distance relationship for what felt like forever. He was in Punjab, chasing his dreams, and you were in Mumbai, surrounded by your parents and endless to-do lists. The late-night calls, the shared playlists, the silent moments on video calls where neither of you spoke but felt each other’s presence — it kept you going. Barely.

You missed him more than words could say. Sometimes, you’d wake up already exhausted, your heart heavy with the ache of not having him around. He missed you too. Maybe even more, because he had a way of hiding it in his voice — but it slipped out in the quiet.

What you didn’t know was that he had to visit Mumbai for work. And when it wrapped earlier than expected, he didn’t think twice — he called your mom. She adored him. Ever since she’d first seen the way he looked at you, she’d taken to him like her own. So when he said, “Aunty, I want to surprise her… Can I come over?” She didn’t just say yes. She opened the door herself, with a wide smile and a knowing glint in her eyes.

They let you be — lost in your work in your room upstairs, unaware of the moment about to unfold.

And then… you heard it.

Click.

Your room’s door opened slowly. You didn’t expect anyone — everyone knocked. Always. But before you could even ask who it was, you saw him.

Nehal.

Standing there like a dream you’d half-forgotten how to touch. Your heart stopped for a beat. You blinked, unsure if your mind was playing tricks.