If Our Stars Collide | ?

~ Author ~

All four of them were aboard the sleek private jet, cruising through the cotton-like clouds on their way to Shillong. Years had quietly slipped by, painting their once uncertain lives with soft hues of love, laughter, and little chaos. Aanish, now a curious and adventurous six-year-old, sat beside the window, while three-and-a-half-year-old Inaya clung to her soft toy, her doe-like eyes brimming with wonder.

As the jet began its descent, the serene hills of Shillong slowly emerged through thick layers of mist. The moment they stepped off the aircraft, a cool breeze welcomed them, carrying with it the scent of wet earth and pine. The air was dense with fog, so heavy that the world beyond a couple of meters dissolved into a dreamy blur.

Inaya’s tiny fingers tugged at Aanya’s kurti. “Maa,” she chirped, her voice soft and laced with awe.

Aanya turned to her daughter, her heart swelling with warmth. “Yes, baby?”

Inaya’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at the dreamy haze. “The weatherh is so gwood,” she whispered, stretching her arms like she could hug the clouds.

Aanya chuckled, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. “Hainaa?” she replied, breathing in the earthy scent of the hills. The moment was quiet, yet filled with life.

Just then, Ishaan came up from behind, lifting Inaya into his arms with practiced ease. She squealed, wrapping her tiny arms around his neck. Aanish, already holding his father’s other hand, leaned closer into him.

Ishaan balanced their daughter on his hip, his other hand pulling their luggage with ease. Aanya reached out instinctively, her fingers intertwining with Aanish’s.

Caressing his soft, wind-ruffled hair, she smiled down at him. “Did you enjoy the raid?”

Aanish’s face lit up. “It was so fun! Me and Papa were playing,” he said, his words tumbling out with excitement.

Aanya bent slightly to his level, her eyes twinkling with curiosity. “Really? Tell me everything about it.”

Aanish grinned, puffing up his little chest proudly. “Okay! So there were so many pillows in the room, and Papa said it’s our secret base. We were hiding from Inaya, but then she found us!”

Ishaan laughed from beside them. “She’s smarter than she looks,” he said, tickling Inaya’s belly, making her giggle.

Aanya laughed too, her eyes drifting to the cloudy skies above. For a fleeting moment, she thought about how far they had come — from forced circumstances and heartbreak to this… this simple, chaotic, beautiful normalcy.

As they walked through the mist, hand in hand, heart with heart, Aanya felt it deep in her soul — this wasn’t just a trip. It was a memory in the making, one that would live in laughter, mist, and stories retold over warm cups of cocoa.