“I  think I love him.” Muskan shared with Kareena as they sat on a bench in front of their school yard.

“Don't you think it's too early to fall in love with someone?” Kareena, who had always been at odds with Jay, asked to ensure her friend was still thinking rationally.

“I still and always love her.” Jay shared with Ted as they sat at a seat in front of the university playground after a refreshing basketball match.

“Jay bhai, don't you think the time you spent with your 'I love her' lady was extremely short to dedicate your entire life?” Ted commented on his statement to ensure he was thinking reasonably.

“I'm sure. She is the only light that has brightened my dark life.” Jay tossed the water bottle to him as he spoke.

Both Jay and Muskan had a point in their lives when they loved each other intensely, ready to dedicate their lives to each other.

However, things had changed over these 10 years. What was once someone's past had now become the other's present.

The past emotions began to resurface from the moment Muskan saw Jay in his car near the reunion spot. She didn't express anything outwardly, but the emotions that had been on pause all these years were starting to play again in her mind, haunting and shaking her.

“Muskan! Muskan! I'm sorry!” Jay ran after her, calling out along the way. Unaware of the turmoil within her, Jay, who was chasing her from behind, couldn't see the pain she was holding so tightly.

Jay sped up, overtook her, and positioned himself in front of her, preventing her from going any further.

“I'm sorry, Muskan. I won't say anything rash again. Please don't leave me in anger. The truth is, I got impatient. I waited for 10 years to meet you again and…” He kept his head facing the ground, expressing his remorse.

“I know I messed up. Please forgive me, I-” The moment he raised his head to look at her, he noticed that Muskan's eyes, which used to contain the joy of life, were dry and red like a desert, with little tears in them, yet none of them fell.

It seemed as if she had controlled her tears and commanded them not to fall. Soon, they dried up, and she walked away, hailed a taxi, and left the area.

Jay couldn't comprehend the meaning and reason behind the pain and silence reflected on her face. He knew that she had a lot buried within her, but nothing came out.

“Shit!” He punched the air in frustration to release his pent-up emotions and regret his actions.

"I like this," came out of Riya's mouth while Ted was trying to cool down his burn from the molten hot cheese.

"Huh?" Ted stopped where he was.

"I mean, I like how I'm feeling now. It feels better now, was what I meant," she covered up for her words.

"Oh, okay. Be careful." Ted pulled his hands back and they continued eating.