"Beyond The Boundary "

Scene: 9:15 AM - Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Departure Terminal

Security announcements echoed overhead. The smell of coffee, perfume, and tired goodbyes hung in the air.

Rihi stood near the Indigo baggage counter, arms folded, her duffel slung over one shoulder. Aashna was two feet away, grumbling about having to remove her metallic bangles during security.

Behind them, Abhishek and Shubman stood in silence.

They weren't flying.

Just dropping them off.

Aashna turned to Abhishek, her tone dramatically mournful. "Tum log bhi chalte na! Akele jaana sad lag raha hai mujhe."

Abhishek laughed. "Tum jaa toh rahi ho. Thoda udaas bhi hona chahiye. It'll make our reunion cuter."

Aashna pouted but blushed. "Tum bohot cheesy ho, Sharma ji."

Rihi didn't join the banter. Her eyes remained on her boarding pass, reading the words over and over like they'd change if she looked hard enough.

Kolkata.

Home.

Safety.

Judgement.

Shubman walked over slowly. "Tumhare bag check ho gaye?"

She nodded, not looking up. "Haan."

"Hmm," he murmured.

That's all he said. No small talk. No inside joke. Not even a smile.

Just a hum.

And it hurt more than it should've.

Abhishek cleared his throat. "Aashna, ek selfie lete hain? Before you fly off and forget us land log."

"Yes! Come here, everyone!" she beamed, dragging everyone close.

They huddled in. Aashna in the front, grinning wide. Abhishek leaning slightly toward her. Rihi on the side, stiff, arms half-visible. Shubman stood behind her, his hand ghosting over her back-not touching, just hovering-before falling back to his pocket.

Click.

"Yeh Goa wala group photo frame-worthy hai," Aashna declared, already typing a caption.

Rihi stepped back. Her throat felt dry.

"Gate open ho gaya," she said quietly. "We should go."

Aashna hugged Abhishek tightly. "Main miss karungi tujhe."

He chuckled. "Pata hai. Main bhi."

Then came Shubman. Aashna gave him a side hug. "Take care, Gill saab. Don't be boring in Delhi."

He nodded. "Tum bhi. Behave mat karna."

Aashna laughed and turned toward the gate.

That left Rihi.

Facing him.

Their eyes met. Hers wide and uncertain. His, guarded.

She opened her mouth. Closed it.

Then said, barely audible, "Bye."

He didn't hug her. Didn't even reach out.

Just nodded once. "Take care."

She nodded too. And turned before the sting in her eyes gave her away.

Flashback: 2:45 AM - Hotel Corridor