The palace gardens had never looked more beautiful. The flowers were in full bloom, filling the air with a heady fragrance, and the gentle rustling of the leaves in the breeze created a serene melody. Meera walked along the stone path, her heart heavy with the knowledge of what she had to do. It had been two years since she had arrived in this time, and in those years, she had forged bonds she never imagined possible. But deep down, she knew her time here was coming to an end.

The past two years had been a whirlwind of discoveries, adventures, and emotions. Together, Meera and Shivaan had uncovered the lost treasures of the ancient dynasty and solidified their bond through countless shared experiences. They had become close—closer than Meera had ever expected. Yet, despite the connection she felt with him, she could not shake the sense that she didn’t belong in this time.

As Meera walked, her mind drifted to the memories of her life in the 1700s—her family, her home, the responsibilities she had left behind. She had always known that this journey was temporary, a brief sojourn in a different time, and now the pull to return was growing stronger each day.

Shivaan had asked to meet her in the gardens at dusk, and she had a sinking feeling about what was to come. She didn’t want to break his heart, but she couldn’t deny her own.

As she reached the fountain in the center of the garden, she saw Shivaan standing there, waiting for her. His expression was tender, yet there was a nervousness in his eyes that Meera hadn’t seen before.

“Meera,” Shivaan began as she approached, his voice soft yet steady. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you for a while now. There’s something important I want to ask you.”

Meera felt her heart tighten. She could see the hope in his eyes, the love that had grown between them over the past two years. But she also felt the weight of her own reality pressing down on her.

Shivaan reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, intricately designed box. He opened it to reveal a ring—a beautiful piece of jewelry, adorned with a gemstone that caught the last rays of the setting sun. It was a symbol of everything they had shared, everything he wanted their future to be.

“Meera,” Shivaan said, his voice filled with emotion, “I love you. These past two years with you have been the most wonderful time of my life. I can’t imagine a future without you. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

Meera’s breath caught in her throat. She looked at the ring, at Shivaan’s hopeful expression, and felt a deep sorrow wash over her. She cared for him deeply, but she knew she couldn’t stay. Her heart belonged to another time, another life.

“Shivaan,” Meera whispered, her voice trembling, “I… I can’t. I can’t marry you.”

Shivaan’s face fell, confusion and hurt flickering in his eyes. “Why? Is it something I’ve done? Meera, we can face anything together. We’ve been through so much already.”

Meera shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. “It’s not you, Shivaan. You’ve been nothing but kind, loving, and supportive. But I don’t belong here. I came from another time, another life. And now… it’s time for me to go back.”

Shivaan stared at her, the reality of her words sinking in. “Go back? But… you can’t just leave. We’ve built a life together here.”

Meera took his hand, her touch gentle but firm. “I know this is hard to understand, but my heart belongs to my own time. I was never meant to stay here. My journey here was always temporary. I’ve known that since the beginning.”

Shivaan’s eyes were filled with pain. “But what about us? What about everything we’ve been through? Doesn’t that mean anything?”

Meera’s tears spilled over as she nodded. “It means everything, Shivaan. You’ve shown me love and kindness in ways I never imagined. But I can’t stay. My family, my responsibilities—they’re waiting for me in the 1700s. I need to go back to them.”

Shivaan looked down at the ring, then back at Meera, his voice breaking. “I don’t want to lose you.”

Meera squeezed his hand, her heart breaking as she spoke. “You won’t lose me, Shivaan. I’ll carry our memories with me always. But I can’t change who I am, or where I’m meant to be.”

For a moment, they stood there in silence, the weight of the decision hanging between them. Finally, Shivaan nodded, his eyes filled with a deep sadness. “I understand, Meera. I won’t hold you back. I want you to be happy, even if that means letting you go.”

Meera threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly as tears streamed down her face. “Thank you, Shivaan. Thank you for everything.”

They stayed like that for a while, holding onto each other, knowing that this was their goodbye. When they finally pulled apart, Meera placed a gentle kiss on his cheek, a silent farewell that spoke of the love and respect they shared.

With one last look, Meera turned and walked away, her heart heavy but resolute. She knew she was making the right decision, but that didn’t make it any easier. As she walked back to her chambers, she felt the pull of her own time growing stronger, and she knew that soon, she would return to where she belonged.

The palace gardens, once a place of blossoming love and joy, now felt like a place of bittersweet memories. But Meera knew that this was the path she had to take—the path that would lead her back to her true self, back to the life she was destined to live.