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The next morning, Anirudh stood in front of the mirror, buttoning his shirt with a heavy sigh. His reflection looked calm, but his mind wasn't. Something was stuck in there—something he couldn't name aloud. It was the same hollow ache he felt the day he left the UK. That quiet pull of homesickness before even leaving home.

He ran a hand through his still-damp hair, letting it fall messily. No amount of grooming could fix what was brewing inside him.

"I called Rahul's parents, Anirudh," Janaki's voice cut through his thoughts as she stood by the bed, checking through his handbag. "They'll pick you up from the airport. We'll come back the next day. And please, clean the house before you go."

Anirudh nodded faintly, watching her slip his passport and tickets inside the bag.

"Don't roam around too much... and don't drink with him," Janaki warned, her tone half serious, half weary. "Are you listening, Ani?"

"Amma, I know," he replied, exhaling sharply. "I'll cancel my leave the next day I reach and go to the hospital, happy?"

"I'm just worried—"

"Over worried, if I'm right." His voice came out sharper than he intended, irritation flashing for a moment before guilt followed it.

He zipped up his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Let's go. It's already time."

Downstairs, Sarasvati, Raghavan, and Kalyani were waiting. Madhav was outside, talking on the phone. Anirudh's eyes instinctively drifted toward the kitchen. He didn't see her, but he knew. Parvati was there. She always was.

"I'm going... Hope to see you again," he said, hugging each of them in turn. Sarasvati planted a dramatic kiss on his cheek, pretending to wipe a tear. He almost rolled his eyes but stopped himself, biting the inside of his lip to stay composed.

"I'll be back," he murmured, and then he walked toward the kitchen.

His steps slowed as he neared the doorway. There she was — standing by the sink in the back kitchen, washing rice. Her sleeves were rolled up, her hair tied in a low bun, soft strands falling against her cheek. Ordinary. Beautifully ordinary.

"Parvati?" His voice cracked halfway through.

She turned around. Her eyes met his — glassy, unsure, already glistening.

Before she could say a word, he closed the distance and pulled her into his arms. Tight. Tighter than he should have.

"I'm dirty... it'll ruin your shirt—"

"You're not dirty, Parvati. Not to me." His words cut through hers, firm and breathless, his face buried against her neck. "And I don't care about the shirt."

For a second, she didn't move. Then slowly, she hugged him back. Her hands trembled against his back, and he felt her heartbeat sync with his.

"I'll miss you," he whispered, his throat burning.

Her voice broke as she replied, "I'll miss you too."

"Anirudh! Come, it's time to leave!" Sarasvati's sharp tone echoed from the hall. They both flinched, pulling apart instantly.

He turned toward the door — she hadn't seen them. Not this time.

Anirudh looked back at Parvati, her eyes red, tears threatening to fall again. He reached out and brushed a tear from her cheek with his thumb.

"Smile," he said softly, forcing one himself.

She tried. Her lips curved, but her eyes betrayed her, glistening with everything unsaid.

He took one last look at her before turning away, and at that moment, he knew — leaving this time wasn't going to feel like leaving home. It was going to feel like leaving her.

—

After almost a day-long flight, Anirudh finally stepped into the chilly London air. His body ached, his eyes stung from sleepless hours, but what hurt more was the silence in his heart. The kind that followed goodbyes he didn't want to say.

He yawned, dragging his suitcase behind him as he walked past the airport gates. The familiar sight of Rohan waving both hands high caught his attention — and beside him stood Christine, smiling warmly.

"Long time no see, Ani!" Rohan's voice boomed as he ran up to him and pulled him into a tight hug.

Anirudh hugged him back, trying to force a smile... but the moment his arms wrapped around his old friend, something inside him cracked. His throat burned, and before he could stop it, tears slipped down his cheeks.

Rohan froze. "A-Ani?" he whispered, pulling back a little. He felt Anirudh trembling in his arms.

Christine stepped closer, concern flickering in her eyes. "Hey, what happened? Why are you crying?"

Anirudh shook his head quickly and buried his face in Rohan's shoulder again. "No, nothing... just missed you guys so much." His voice came out rough, half-choked. He wiped his eyes on Rohan's shirt, forcing a weak laugh.

Rohan didn't buy it—he could see the lie in Anirudh's eyes—but he didn't press. Some wounds didn't need words right away.

"Did you eat anything? We can grab something on the way, maybe a drive-through—"

"No, man. I just... want to rest. I'm exhausted."

Rohan nodded silently, leading him to the car. He tossed Anirudh's luggage into the boot and slipped into the driver's seat, while Christine settled in front.

Anirudh sat at the back, resting his head against the window. The city lights blurred into streaks as they drove off, and he pressed a palm over his tired eyes.

He could still see her—Parvati. The way she looked at him that last morning. The silence. The unspoken ache.

His chest tightened.
All he wanted was to see her again.
But he didn't know when—or if fate would ever let him.

So he closed his eyes and let the hum of the engine drown the noise in his head, silently hoping the universe hadn't written her out of his story yet.