Love Beyond Time

The rain came down in heavy sheets, drumming against the city streets like a thousand tiny heartbeats. Mumbai was alive, chaotic yet beautiful, as people rushed to escape the unexpected downpour. Aarav pulled his jacket tighter around him, weaving through the crowd, searching for shelter. That’s when he spotted it—a small, tucked-away bookstore with golden lights glowing warmly against the gray evening. He ducked inside, shaking off droplets from his hair. The scent of old paper and freshly brewed coffee welcomed him, and for a moment, the world outside faded. And then he saw her. She stood near the poetry section, her fingers delicately tracing the spine of a worn-out book. Loose strands of her dark hair framed her face, and her eyes—deep and contemplative—were lost in the words before her. Aarav wasn’t the kind of man who believed in love at first sight, but something about her made him pause. He hesitated before walking closer, pretending to browse the books. But his eyes kept drifting back to her, as if drawn by an invisible force. She suddenly looked up, catching his gaze. Instead of looking away, she smiled—a small, knowing smile, as if she had been expecting him all along. “You like Rumi?” he asked, nodding at the book in her hands. Her smile deepened. “Love him. His words feel like whispers of the universe.” Aarav chuckled. “That’s poetic.” “Would be a shame if it wasn’t,” she teased, tapping the book. “You?” He shrugged, glancing at the collection of poems in her hands. “I usually stick to novels, but poetry… poetry lingers. It stays with you.” She studied him for a moment, then extended the book toward him. “Try this one.” Aarav took it, their fingers brushing for the briefest second. It was just a touch, fleeting and innocent, but it sent a strange warmth coursing through him. “I’m Maya, by the way,” she said. “Aarav.” The rain outside continued to pour, but inside, time felt different—slower, softer. They moved toward the small reading area, where they sat across from each other, lost in conversation. They spoke about books, about the city, about little things that shouldn’t have mattered but somehow did. Hours passed unnoticed. The rain had long stopped, but neither of them made a move to leave. It felt as if they had been here before, as if this moment was always meant to happen. Finally, as the bookstore owner began shutting down the lights, Maya glanced at her phone and sighed. “I should probably go before I lose track of time completely.” Aarav hesitated, not wanting this to end. “Can I—” He stopped, clearing his throat. “Can I see you again?” Maya tilted her head, as if amused by his nervousness. “What do you think?” He grinned. “I think… I’d really like that.” She took his phone and typed in her number. “Then let’s not leave it to fate alone.” As she walked out into the night, Aarav watched her go, feeling something stir deep inside him. He didn’t know what it was yet, but one thing was certain—this was just the beginning.