An Innocent Crush ?

The trio, still gasping for breath, rushed through the bustling airport, their eyes scanning frantically. Vikram darted to the departure boards, searching for Dhruv’s flight while Kiara and Reshmi weaved through the crowd, desperately looking for him.

Kiara's chest tightened. The thought of not seeing him one last time gnawed at her, making her eyes sting with tears. She kept searching, her heart sinking with every passing second. Just as she was about to lose hope, her gaze locked onto Dhruv’s elder brother standing near the security checkpoint.

Her breath hitched. And then... there he was.

Dhruv stood in line at the security check, his back facing her. He was moments away from leaving. Kiara's heart pounded as she bolted forward, her voice cracking as she yelled, “Dhruv sir!”

But he didn’t turn.

Vikram, hearing her, immediately spun on his heel and rushed after her. "Bhaiya!" he shouted, his voice slicing through the noise of the airport.

This time, Dhruv stopped. He slowly turned around, his brows furrowed in confusion... until he saw them. His surprise melted into a wide, dimpled grin.

Kiara, seeing him smile, broke into one of her own.

Without thinking, Dhruv dropped his luggage and sprinted toward her, arms outstretched.

Kiara, caught up in the moment, ran faster... until her foot caught the edge of a tile. Her body lurched forward.

“Careful!” Dhruv whispered, as if she could hear him.

But she caught herself just in time and kept running. When they finally reached each other, Dhruv scooped her up into a tight hug, lifting her off the ground.

“Gotcha!” he murmured, setting her down gently.

Vikram and Reshmi crashed into them next, turning the moment into a chaotic, laughing group hug.

"We almost lost you," Kiara sniffled, wiping her tears.

"Bhaiya, you were this close to escaping us!" Vikram teased, shaking his head dramatically.

Dhruv laughed, his gaze softening as he looked at Kiara, still holding her hands. “How’s your health? I was worried sick,” he asked gently.

Kiara chuckled, still teary-eyed. “I… I’m fine, sir. I’ll miss you…” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Dhruv smiled, squeezing her hand. “I’ll miss you too.”

For a moment, the world around them blurred. The airport noise faded, the rushing people became background noise... just them, standing in front of each other.

Then...

“There they are! Catch them!”

“Shit—” Vikram jolted, eyes widening. He quickly grabbed Dhruv’s arm, using him as a human shield. “Bhaiya, I swear I didn’t do anything! This is all Kiara’s fault—”

Dhruv blinked, baffled. “What the hell did you guys do?” He looked at Vikram with suspicion, then glanced at Kiara, who was just standing there, looking around everywhere but Dhruv.

The policemen stormed toward them.

Dhruv immediately stepped forward, shielding Kiara and Reshmi behind him. "Um, officers… what exactly did they do?" he asked, trying to sound as responsible as possible.

“They were recklessly speeding on a scooter and evaded a checkpoint,” one officer said sternly.

Dhruv sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. “God… I leave you guys alone for one second.”

His elder brother, watching the chaos unfold, let out a chuckle before stepping in. “I’ll handle this. You go talk to your students.”

Dhruv didn’t argue. He turned to the trio, arms crossed, shaking his head. “You know, there’s a saying... tin tigare, kaam bigare... and you three? You are that saying.” He let out a small laugh before ruffling Vikram’s hair.

Kiara, still emotional, wiped her cheeks. “When will you come back?” she asked, her voice small.

Dhruv hesitated for a second before smiling. “As soon as I become a doctor,” he promised, patting her head.

“And don’t cry over small things, okay? Forgetting answers in an exam is not serious, okay, no crying.” His voice softened. “Alright, Kiara?”

She nodded, biting her lip.

Dhruv smirked. “And stop biting your pen like it’s candy.”

Kiara giggled through her sniffles.

“Did you eat the cake I packed for you?” Dhruv asked.

Kiara shook her head.

Dhruv gasped dramatically. “Free food chhod diya?!” he teased, bursting into laughter when she glared at him.

(You left the free food?")

Then, turning to Vikram, he pointed a warning finger. “And you... stop bothering Kiara and stay out of trouble!”

“Ouch! Ouch! Okay, bhaiya!” Vikram whined as Dhruv twisted his ear.

“And Reshmi,” Dhruv said, shaking his head, “study well. Try to keep your distance from these two troublemakers.”

She laughed and nodded.

Dhruv’s gaze returned to Kiara one last time. He had thought he wouldn’t get to say goodbye, that he’d have to leave without seeing them one last time... but fate had given him this moment.

Then—

“Final call for passengers of Flight 234 to New Jersey, America.”

The announcement shattered the moment like glass.

Dhruv exhaled slowly. “I have to go.”

He pulled them into one last hug, holding them tighter than ever. “But I’ll be back before you know it.”

As he turned to leave, Kiara suddenly grabbed his wrist. He looked down, surprised.

“I’ll be a doctor too, sir,” she said, her eyes never leaving his.

For a second, Dhruv just stared at her... then, his lips curved into a proud smile.

“Then we’ll work together when I’m back.”

He pulled her into a final hug before stepping away, giving them one last wave before walking towards the terminal.

The trio stood there in the middle of the airport, watching as he walked toward his future.

Part I (season I) ends here....

Edited
Wc 920