Lag Jaa Galey

A Ghost from the past

**Chapter Eighteen: A Ghost from the Past**

Four years had passed since Kabir had taken his first steps back into the world. After countless therapy sessions and hard-fought battles with his own mind, he was finally able to walk again, each step a testament to his resilience. He had learned to busy himself with work, burying the memories of Riya deep within the confines of his heart. Each day was a distraction, a way to push the shadows of the past aside.

But life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it.

One afternoon, as Kabir rushed through the crowded metro station, his mind focused on the tasks ahead, a flicker of familiarity caught his eye. He paused, squinting through the crowd. There she was. **Riya**. After all this time, he couldn’t believe it. She looked just as beautiful as he remembered, her laughter echoing through the air like a sweet melody. For a moment, time stood still.

Without thinking, Kabir's legs moved, carrying him closer to her. But just as he was about to reach out, a small child, perhaps four or five years old, darted toward Riya and leapt into her arms. The sight stopped him dead in his tracks, the reality crashing over him like a tidal wave.

Riya wasn’t alone. His gaze shifted, landing on the man beside her—the same man who had been with her in the hospital all those years ago. Kabir’s heart sank as he pieced it all together. Riya had built a life without him, a life he could never intrude upon.

He took a step back, feeling the weight of the moment settle heavily on his chest. This was not the reunion he had fantasized about in his dreams. This was a family, a happy little unit, and he was an outsider. With one last glance at Riya, he turned and exited the metro at the next station, the doors sliding shut behind him like a final curtain.

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**Chapter Nineteen: Unexpected Encounters**

Months rolled on, and Kabir tried to move forward, though Riya lingered in the corners of his mind. Then, one sunny afternoon, Seema suggested a trip to a local fun fair. It was meant to be a day of laughter and lightness, a way to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Little did Kabir know that fate had other plans.

As they strolled through the vibrant stalls, Kabir caught a glimpse of laughter that sent a familiar chill down his spine. It was Riya. There she was, radiant and carefree, surrounded by her family. She was playing with her child, a little boy whose laughter was contagious. Kabir’s heart ached at the sight.

Seema noticed the shift in him, the way his breath caught. “You okay?” she asked, concern etched across her features.

Before he could answer, a commotion broke the spell. The little boy had climbed onto a swing but was now stuck, struggling to free himself. Kabir's instincts kicked in. Without thinking, he moved toward the boy, instinctively helping the father rescue him.

As the child was freed, Riya’s gaze met Kabir's. Recognition flickered in her eyes, followed by a rush of emotion. “Thank you, Kabir,” she said, her voice trembling slightly.

“You know my name?” he asked, stunned.

Riya nodded. “Yes, your girlfriend just said it when we arrived. Thank you.” Her words were light, yet the weight of their shared history hung in the air.

Before Kabir could respond, Seema gently pulled him away, but not before Riya picked up her child and moved on, taking the man’s hand as they continued to play.

Kabir’s heart sank. This was supposed to be a moment of closure, a chance to speak the words he had held onto for so long. But instead, it felt like a cruel twist of fate. He had thought he’d moved on, but seeing her again unearthed feelings he thought he had buried.

As they walked away from the scene, Kabir felt a familiar ache. Riya was back in his life, but the reunion was bittersweet. He had forgotten how much he had loved her, how deeply she had impacted his life, and now, with her pulled back into his existence by destiny, he realized that forgetting was never truly possible.