Love :That needs no permission

Do you ever wish you could relive certain moments with people you once loved… people you can no longer have because they chose to leave, believing it would bring peace to the ones they cared about? And sometimes, do you just want to disappear into your own little world because being alone feels safer than feeling everything at once? “Aly! Get yourself up, you’re late for work!” Her mother’s voice echoed from the kitchen, pulling Aly out of her thoughts. Thoughts of the one person she tried hardest not to remember. Saif. Aly had recently graduated as an architect and now worked at a well-known firm in the city. Independent and determined, she loved her family deeply. She had two brothers — Rehan, the elder one, and Ahaan, the youngest. Rehan lived in Dubai with their father for work, while Aly stayed back in India with her mother and Ahaan. Every morning, she travelled to work by public transport. Her life revolved around deadlines, family, and the few people she truly cared about. One of them was Sameer. Her best friend. Her safe place. A brother from another mother. Sameer was also dating Aly’s childhood best friend, Romana. The three of them had grown up together since kindergarten, but after high school, Romana moved to Australia to pursue her studies. Since then, she and Sameer had been surviving on a long-distance relationship. Aly and Sameer graduated together as architects. Sameer joined his father’s company, while Aly chose to work elsewhere to build her own identity. Like every other day, Aly reached her office after a long commute. But today was different. Standing near the entrance was Sameer, casually leaning against his car as if he had all the time in the world. “What are you doing here?” Aly asked, confused. “That,” he grinned, “is a surprise.” Before she could question him further, he walked beside her into the building. Minutes later, Aly discovered the surprise. Sameer’s firm was collaborating with her company on a new project — and both of them would be handling it together. During lunch, they stepped out to eat at a small café nearby. Sameer seemed distracted, like something was sitting heavily on his mind. “So… how’s everyone at home, Al?” he asked casually. Aly narrowed her eyes. “Everyone’s fine. Now ask what you actually want to ask.” Sameer let out a small laugh. “Nothing like that.” But Aly knew him too well. A few moments later, he finally asked the question he never seemed to stop asking. “Have you moved on yet?” For a second, Aly froze. Then, just as quickly, she forced herself to relax. “Yes,” she replied softly. “It’s been four years, Sam.” Sameer looked at her quietly. Because he knew she was lying. Not just to him. But to herself. The silence that followed became unbearable. Aly got up and walked out of the café. Sameer quickly followed behind her, apologizing until she finally stopped being angry enough to ignore him. The drive back to the office was quiet. Aly sat near the window, staring outside as memories slowly began pulling her back to the day everything changed. The day Saif returned… Only to tell her he was leaving forever.