Lag Jaa Galey

The promise of youth

**Chapter Twenty two: The Promise of Youth**

Twelve or thirteen years ago, when Riya and Kabir were still in school together, life was simpler, filled with the boundless optimism and carefree joy of youth. Riya wasn’t the same person she was today—she was a fun-loving, charming girl who thrived on laughter and the thrill of friendship. Back then, everything seemed possible. The weight of time hadn’t yet pressed on her heart, and her days were filled with the easy comfort of Kabir’s companionship.

At first, their connection felt effortless. They were two kids discovering the world together, laughing about homework, sharing secrets, and confiding in each other about the little dramas of school life. What neither of them realized at the time was how pivotal they would become in each other's lives. They never spoke of love directly, but the undercurrent of their emotions was unmistakable. For Riya, being near Kabir made her days infinitely brighter, and she relished every moment they spent together, even in the simple act of walking home after school.

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**Chapter Twenty Three: Confessions and Consequences**

Riya often found herself lost in thoughts about him, smiling to herself during late-night conversations with her brother, Shekhar.

“I really fancy Kabir,” she would say with a shy grin. “He’s different. He understands me, you know? I’m just so happy to have him in my life, even if we’re only friends.”

Yet, despite all her bubbling excitement, she was afraid—afraid that if she pushed for something more, if she revealed the deeper feelings she had for him, she might lose him altogether. The thought of risking their precious friendship filled her with dread. So, she kept quiet, convincing herself that being friends was enough, that Kabir’s mere presence was sufficient to fill her heart.

But deep down, Riya knew she couldn’t keep her feelings hidden forever. She wanted more. She wanted Kabir to know the truth. In a moment of youthful impulsiveness, she made a plan—one she believed would change everything.

Before confessing her feelings to Kabir, Riya thought it best to tell her parents first. She loved and trusted them, and in her young, idealistic heart, she believed they would understand, that they would see Kabir the way she did—kind, caring, perfect.

One evening, after dinner, she gathered her courage and sat down with her parents in the living room. Her palms were sweaty, her heart raced, but she smiled to herself, thinking about the possibility of a future with Kabir.

“Mom, Dad,” she began, her voice trembling slightly but filled with hope, “I have something to tell you.”

Her mother looked up from her knitting with a curious smile, while her father lowered his newspaper, giving her his full attention. “Go ahead, sweetheart,” her mother said, her tone light and encouraging.

Riya took a deep breath and spoke with the enthusiasm only a young heart in love could muster. “I know you both love me a lot, and... well, I think you’ll love him too.”

Her mother raised an eyebrow, still smiling. “Who’s he?” she asked playfully.

“There’s a boy in my class,” Riya began, her cheeks flushing with excitement. “You’ve met him before. He’s really sweet—caring, thoughtful, always there when I need him. He understands me in a way no one else does.”

Her parents exchanged glances, uncertainty flickering between them.

“And who is this young man?” her mother asked gently.

Riya’s heart soared as she finally spoke the name that had been on her lips for months. “Kabir. His name is Kabir. I love him, and I think... I think he likes me too. I just want to be with him.”

In an instant, her mother’s smile vanished. Her father, who had been silent until then, set his newspaper down completely, his face hardening. “What nonsense are you talking about?” he snapped, his tone suddenly cold.

Riya blinked, the warmth she’d felt moments ago chilling into despair. “Dad, I’m not talking nonsense. Kabir is a really nice guy. He’s different, and I think we—”

Her father cut her off sharply. “You’re too young to be thinking about these things! Your only focus should be on your studies. What you’re saying is foolishness, and I won’t tolerate it.”

Tears welled up in Riya’s eyes, but she forced herself to continue. “But Dad, I’m serious. He’s a good person. I really think—”

“I said enough!” her father’s voice boomed, echoing through the room. “You don’t understand what love is. From now on, I don’t want to hear another word about this Kabir.”

Riya’s chest tightened, her dreams crumbling before her eyes. “But, Dad—”

“No!” he said, his final word slicing through the air like a blade. “You’re not even going back to that school. You’ll be transferred. I’m not letting you waste your future on some childish infatuation.”

In that moment, Riya’s world shattered. All her plans, her hopes, her love—they dissolved into nothing under the weight of her father’s anger. She looked at her mother, desperately searching for support, but her mother remained silent, her face blank.

That night, Riya cried herself to sleep, heavy with the knowledge that she might never get the chance to tell Kabir how she truly felt. Her father’s decision was final. She wouldn’t see Kabir again.

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**Chapter Twenty Four: A World Apart**

In the days that followed, Riya’s life changed dramatically. She was pulled out of school and transferred to another one far away from Kabir. Slowly, their friendship faded, the connection they once shared lost to time and distance. She couldn’t reach out to him; she couldn’t explain why she had disappeared so suddenly. Kabir, left in the dark, never knew what had happened.

Years passed, and life continued on, but the memory of Kabir lingered in the corners of her mind, a ghost of a love never realized.

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