The house was buzzing with excitement. It was Asthika’s roka day, and the evening function was about to begin. Decorations, laughter, final touches—everything was moving in rhythm, except me. I was still in the kitchen, not even ready yet. My hands were busy, but my mind? It was running elsewhere.

When I woke up this morning, he wasn’t in the room. No note. No message. No call.

Suyansh had left early—without a word.

That wasn’t him.

He always let me know where he was going, even if it was a simple morning walk. He texted me randomly in the day, sent those little heart emojis when I least expected. But today… nothing. My eyes kept scanning every corner of the house like they were searching for oxygen. And maybe they were. I just wanted one look at him. One word. One moment.