It was a busy afternoon in Kolkata. The streets were filled with honking cars and rushing মানুষ, everything moving in its own restless rhythm. Amidst that crowd walked Meghla—holding a book in her hand, a hint of tiredness in her eyes, and a mind full of unanswered questions.
She had just finished college and was uncertain about her future—what to do, where to go, nothing seemed clear.
Suddenly, she bumped into someone.
— "Sorry!"
— "No, it's my fault…"
She looked up and saw a boy. He wore glasses, held a cup of coffee, and looked slightly messy—but there was a calm, warm smile on his face.
— "I'm Ayan," he said.
— "Meghla," she replied softly.
That day, they didn't talk much. But strangely, that small introduction stayed in Meghla's mind.
Over the next few days, they kept running into each other at the same places—sometimes at the bus stop, sometimes at a bookstore.
One day Ayan smiled and asked,
— "Do you come here on purpose, or is it just coincidence?"
Meghla smiled back,
— "Maybe both."
Slowly, their conversations grew longer.
They talked about books, movies, dreams…
Meghla realized something—Ayan didn't just talk, he knew how to listen. And that was rare.
One evening, they sat by the river. The sun was setting, and a soft breeze filled the air.
Ayan suddenly said,
— "You know, this is my favorite time of the day."
— "Why?" Meghla asked.
— "Because everything feels a little quieter… like right now."
Meghla didn't reply. She just kept looking at the river, wishing the moment could last forever.
Days passed.
Their friendship slowly grew deeper.
One day Meghla asked,
— "Ayan, have you ever missed someone badly?"
Ayan paused before answering,
— "Yes… but not anymore."
— "Why?"
— "Because now I feel… some people come into our lives only for a short time."
Hearing that, something inside Meghla felt heavy.
A few days later…
Ayan stopped coming.
No calls. No messages.
Every day Meghla went to the same places, but she couldn't find him.
One day, at the bookstore, she asked the shopkeeper,
— "That boy who used to come here… Ayan…"
The shopkeeper replied,
— "He left the city. Got a job somewhere else. It happened suddenly."
Meghla didn't say anything.
It felt like something had quietly ended.
A week passed.
One evening, Meghla went back to the riverside again.
The sun was setting, just like before.
Suddenly, a familiar voice from behind—
— "You still come here?"
She turned around.
Ayan.
— "You…?"
— "Yes… I left. But I forgot to say something before going."
Tears filled Meghla's eyes, but she held them back.
— "What?"
Ayan smiled softly.
— "I used to think some people come into our lives only for a short time. But you… you changed that 'short time' into something more."
Meghla stayed silent.
Ayan continued,
— "I don't know what this is… but when I'm with you, everything feels a little better."
A gentle breeze passed by.
The sun was almost gone.
Meghla finally said,
— "Then don't leave suddenly this time."
Ayan smiled,
— "I won't."