When Love Returns

Shruti sat by the window, staring at the hustle and bustle of the city outside. The noise of the busy streets, the honking cars, the laughter of people in cafés—all of it felt distant, like it wasn’t her world. Yet, the thought that had been running in her mind all day seemed louder than the outside world. She had been called by her family to return home for an important discussion. Her heart already knew what was coming, but she didn’t want to face it.

Arranged marriage.

It was a part of her culture, a tradition she had grown up with, and a reality she had long tried to avoid. At 28, Shruti had thought she had time—time to find someone on her own, to fall in love in her own way. But her parents, like many others in their community, had different plans. After years of pushing her own desires aside, Shruti had reluctantly agreed to meet the man her parents had chosen for her.

As the thought lingered in her mind, her phone buzzed with a message from her best friend, Ananya: “Just heard the name of the guy you’re meeting—Aakash Mehra! Isn’t he your high school sweetheart?”

Shruti froze. The name echoed in her ears, triggering a flood of memories she had tried to bury. Aakash. It had been years since they last spoke, since their relationship had ended so abruptly. They were once inseparable, high school sweethearts who promised to stay together forever. But their love was torn apart by family pressure, cultural expectations, and a cruel reality neither of them could control.

As Shruti arrived at the meeting, her mind raced. She hadn’t seen Aakash since that painful day when their families had insisted that they part ways, convinced that their union would bring dishonor to their respective families. Both of them had moved on, dated others, and tried to forget the past. But the memories of Aakash—the way he smiled, the warmth of his touch—never truly left her.

The door to the living room opened, and there he was. Aakash. It was as though no time had passed, yet everything felt different. The confident man standing before her looked like the boy she had once loved, but the years apart had left their mark. His eyes held the same warmth, but they seemed guarded, as if hiding something beneath the surface.

Their families exchanged pleasantries, but Shruti and Aakash only exchanged a brief, awkward glance. They were strangers now, strangers who shared a history but had no idea how to navigate the present. The years had changed them, and yet, in some ways, nothing had changed at all.

Over the next few weeks, Shruti and Aakash spent more time together, under the watchful eyes of their families. They went on dinners, visited family events, and shared polite conversations, but something was shifting. A subtle tension between them, like two magnets pulling toward each other despite their best efforts to stay apart.

One evening, after another formal dinner, they found themselves alone in a quiet corner of the house. Aakash broke the silence.

“You’ve changed, Shruti,” he said softly. “You were always so full of life, always laughing. Now... it feels like something is holding you back.”

Shruti hesitated. She hadn’t realized how much time had distanced her from the carefree girl she once was. She had become so cautious, so guarded, that she barely recognized herself. "I’ve had to grow up, Aakash," she replied, her voice heavy. "Life isn’t as simple as it was back then."

Aakash’s eyes softened. “I know. I’ve changed too. But I’m still the same person, Shruti. I—” He stopped, unsure of how to finish the sentence. The words felt too much, too soon.

They stood there for a long time, in silence, both afraid to speak the truth that was burning inside them. They had loved each other once. But could they love each other again, after all that had happened? After the years apart, the emotional scars, and the weight of their families’ expectations?

As the days passed, Shruti and Aakash began to confront their feelings. They realized that, despite the years, the bond between them hadn’t truly gone away. The old sparks began to fly, each of them secretly hoping for a second chance. But they couldn’t ignore the reality of their situation. Their families were still pushing them toward this marriage, and they had to decide whether love, old wounds, and a chance at happiness were enough to outweigh the weight of their past.

One evening, as they sat by the lake, the place where they had shared so many memories, Shruti turned to Aakash.

“Do you think we can start over?” she asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

Aakash reached for her hand, his grip firm but gentle. “I don’t know, Shruti. But I want to try. I want to know if we can make it work, despite everything. I don’t want to let the past define us. But I also can’t do it alone.”

The decision wasn’t easy. They had both been hurt, both had tried to move on with their lives. But their feelings for each other were undeniable. Love wasn’t perfect, and maybe it wasn’t easy, but it was worth fighting for.

In the end, Shruti and Aakash chose to take the leap. They couldn’t deny the love that had always been there, even though it had been buried under years of pain and disappointment. They faced their families, their fears, and their past, and they chose to create a future together—a future they both deserved.

The road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but with love as their foundation, Shruti and Aakash were ready to write a new chapter in their story—one that didn’t follow the rules of society but followed the beat of their own hearts.

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