Diary of Pj (4)
Article: Let’s not complicate this’ ~
A few months later, life had settled into a rhythm. I had moved to a new city for my job, made a few friends, and was finally regaining some stability. But there was a void—a quiet ache that no new city, job, or friend could fill.
Ananya and I stayed in touch, but the calls grew less frequent, the texts shorter. I told myself it was just life, that distance had a way of dulling even the brightest connections. But deep down, I knew I missed her more than I cared to admit.
One evening, while scrolling through my phone, I stumbled upon a photo we had taken on the terrace—her laughing at something stupid I’d said, and me looking at her like she was the most fascinating thing in the world.
I sighed, staring at the photo. “What are you doing, PJ?” I muttered to myself.
A week later, I got a call.
“Guess who’s in your city?”
I froze. “Ananya?”
“The one and only,” she said, her voice teasing but warm. “I’m here for a work trip. Thought I’d let you know, in case you wanted to grab coffee or something.”
“Coffee?” I repeated, dumbfounded.
“Yes, coffee,” she laughed. “Or tea, or whatever it is you drink these days. Are you free tomorrow evening?”
The next day, I stood outside the café, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. When she walked in, it felt like time had rewound. She looked the same—bright, confident, and completely at ease.
“Hey,” she said, smiling as she sat down.
“Hey,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
We talked for hours, catching up on everything we’d missed in each other’s lives. She told me about her job, her travels, her plans. I told her about my new city, my job, and how I was still figuring things out.
At one point, she leaned forward, her expression serious. “You seem different,” she said.
“Different how?”
“Less... rigid. Like you’re finally letting life surprise you.”
I smiled. “Maybe I had a good teacher.”
As the evening wore on, I couldn’t help but wonder if this was a second chance. But just as the thought crossed my mind, she said something that stopped me in my tracks.
“I’m moving to the US,” she said, her tone casual but her eyes searching mine.
“For work?” I asked, trying to keep my voice neutral.
She nodded. “It’s a big opportunity. I leave in two months.”
I felt a pang of disappointment but forced a smile. “That’s amazing, Ananya. I’m happy for you.”
“Thanks,” she said softly. “I wasn’t sure how you’d take it.”
The days that followed were bittersweet. We spent as much time together as we could, knowing it was temporary. Each moment felt heavy with unspoken words, but neither of us dared to address the elephant in the room.
On her last night in the city, we sat by the river, watching the lights reflect on the water.
“PJ,” she said, breaking the silence, “you’ve become someone I really admire. You’ve grown so much since we met.”
I looked at her, my heart pounding. “Ananya, I—”
She cut me off, placing a hand on mine. “Don’t. Let’s not complicate this.”
“But what if—”
She shook her head, her eyes glistening. “Sometimes, people come into our lives to teach us something, to help us grow. That doesn’t mean they’re meant to stay forever.”
Her words hit me like a punch to the gut, but I knew she was right.
The next morning, I saw her off at the airport. As she walked away, she turned back one last time, waving with that same radiant smile.
And just like that, she was gone.
Months passed, and life moved on. But every now and then, I’d find myself flipping through the planner she’d given me, reading her words on the first page.
“Plans are important, but so is the journey. Don’t forget to live.”
Ananya wasn’t just the girl with a plan. She was the girl who taught me to embrace life, to let go of control, and to find joy in the chaos.
And while our paths had diverged, I knew that a part of her would always stay with me—guiding me, reminding me, and making me smile.
Labels: Diary
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