Chapter:3 Before He Leave

Leona wasn’t sure why her heart was racing. It wasn’t like it was their first time meeting — okay, technically it was their second, but still. She shouldn’t be this nervous.

It had been a few days since they started texting again. Leon’s messages were casual but warm — the kind that made her smile at her phone like an idiot.

He was still in Itanagar for a few more days before heading back to Bomdila for rehearsals. So when he texted,

“I’m free today. You around?”

Leona froze.

Was he asking to meet?

“Yeah… why?” she replied, trying to sound chill while internally panicking.

“Let’s meet at the park near college before I leave,” he suggested.

Her heart did a backflip.

She hurried to get ready, trying not to look like she tried too hard. Hoodie, jeans, sneakers — simple, safe, Leona.

When she arrived, Leon was sitting on a bench under a big tree, headphones around his neck, casually scrolling on his phone. When he saw her, his expression softened.

“You actually came,” he said, with that easy smile.

“You keep saying that like I always ditch plans,” she replied, rolling her eyes but smiling anyway.

They sat together on the bench. Around them, the park was peaceful — the breeze carried the faint sound of distant traffic and laughter from students nearby.

They talked for hours. First, about small things — their upcoming college schedules, music preferences, and funny incidents from the week. Leon shared his excitement about his upcoming performance in Dimapur on the 17th.

“You should come,” he said suddenly. “Dimapur’s a big stage. I’d appreciate having at least one familiar face there.”

She smiled faintly. “That far?”

“Yeah. But I’ll be there with Sono Lem and some others. It’s going to be big.”

Her fingers fiddled with the hem of her hoodie. “Maybe… I’ll think about it.”

They grew quieter after that, sitting side by side. The silence wasn’t awkward — it was comfortable. Leon glanced at her from time to time, as if wanting to say something but holding back.

Finally, as the evening sky turned soft orange, Leon stood up.

“I guess I should head back and pack,” he said softly.

Leona nodded, standing too. For a moment, they just looked at each other.

Without thinking, she stepped closer. “Will you… come back safe?”

He smiled, and for a second, he looked almost shy. “Yeah… I will.”

Then, without warning, he pulled her into a warm hug.

Leona froze, but the warmth of it made her relax. It was quiet and soft — not a dramatic goodbye, but something real.

When they pulled apart, Leon looked at her with a faint smile. “See you soon, Leona.”

She smiled back, her cheeks tinged with pink. “Yeah… see you.”

They walked away in different directions, but for Leona, it didn’t feel like an ending — just the start of something quietly beautiful.

That night, before going to sleep, Leona picked up her phone.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard before she finally typed:

“Safe journey, Leon ”

She sent it without expecting a reply. But moments later, a message appeared:

“Thanks, Leona. Means a lot.”

She smiled softly, placing her phone aside. Lying in bed, she thought of him — of that park, his smile, and the strange warmth she felt when he hugged her.

Some journeys never end with a goodbye.

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