She was sixteen when she first told him.

The words had trembled on her lips, half-formed and reckless. This was the first time she was too nervous and scared of something.

Dhruv, two years older and already carrying the weight of his own ambitions, had looked at her with something between surprise and sorrow.

"No, Janvi," he had said. "Not now. Not like this."

She lowered her gaze and tears started forming in her eyes. Then she quietly asked "Why?"

Unable to find a proper reason he absent-mindedly stated "You are too bold and reckless Janvi" Realising the next moment that it sounded rude. He quickly tried to change it "I-I mean Yyou are young and......" he paused took a breath and then said "You'll find someone better Janvi."

But the damage was already done. She just shook her head and whispered "It's alright" and ran away from there.

Years passed. Cities changed. So did they.

Janvi learned to wear her silence like armour and focused on her dreams. Dhruv buried himself in his ambitions of becoming a great cardiac surgeon. They moved on with their lives, focusing on their careers.

They weren't supposed to meet again. Not like this.

But fate had other plans. An unexpected alliance. A name she hadn't heard in years suddenly echoed in her ears again.

Dhruv.

No, this time it was Dr. Dhruv Sinha.

And when they finally stood face to face again, older, sharper, and definitely more guarded, they couldn't comprehend the situation at all.

Was it shock? Surprise? Or something heavier?

Even they didn't know.