June 5 2025

~~~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~

The rain fell on the cloudy sky of Delhi, People were roaming outside with umbrellas while some were rushing to find a place to dry themselves and others just stood outside, enjoying the rainfall. Meanwhile, somewhere down the street, there were two men relaxing by the bench, holding their umbrellas while sipping a cup of tea.

It was Charlie's best friend, Aman. Both of them have been good friends for a while and always help each other when they can.

Aman: Bhai, tujhe pata hai, tu roz yeh chai pilata hai lekin kabhi bill nahi deta (Brother, you know, you make me drink chai every day but never pay the bill)

Charlie: *Chuckles* Kyun du? Tera chehra dekh kar toh chaiwalla khush ho jata hai. Mujhse paisa nahi leta (Why should I? The tea vendor's already happy just seeing your face. He never takes money from me.)

Aman: Haan haan, khush toh hoga hi, tujhe dekh kar lagta hai filmon ka hero aa gaya! (Of course he's happy, when he sees you, he thinks a movie hero just walked in!)

Charlie: *Pats his shoulder* Aur tujhe dekh kar lagta hai villain aa gaya (And when he sees you, he thinks the villain just showed up.)

Aman rolled his eyes, glaring at his best friend as Charlie laughed, taking another sip of his tea. Suddenly, a rickshaw passed by, splashing muddy water near them. Aman's eyes were widened and got up from his seat while Charlie watched him.

Aman: Bas yahi kami thi, Naye shoes kharab kar diye (That's all that was missing, My new shoes ruined.)

Charlie: Shoes pe mat ro, dost. Yeh Delhi hai, yahan sab kuch dhool mein milta hai (Don't cry over your shoes, my friend. This is Delhi, Everything turns to dust here eventually.)

Aman: *Smiles* Phir tumhe bill dehto. (Then you pay the bill for it)

Charlie laughed and was about to say something until they heard a familiar woman's voice, telling Chandramohan's name as they turned around and saw who it was.

It was Nandini, She is Charlie's older sister. She's twenty three years old.

Nandini: Bhai! Phir se idhar chillane aaye ho (Brother! You're here shouting again?)

Charlie: *Chuckles* Main toh sirf aman ka dukh sun raha tha (I was just listening to Aman's endless complaints.)

Nandini: *Smiles* Haan haan, main jaanti hoon. Tum dono milte ho toh puri gali sun leti hai (Oh, I know. When you two meet, the whole street hears about it.)

Aman: *Laughs* Bhabhi, aapke bhai ko control karna mushkil hai (Sister, your brother's impossible to control.)

Nandini: Main bhabhi nahi hoon, Aman! (I'm not your sister-in-law, Aman!)

The trio shared a laugh together as Nandini asked Charlie to buy some groceries from the supermarket and Charlie agreed and said he'll buy them as soon as he can, The trio continued cracking jokes together until Charlie heard water splattering, He looked around for a moment, wondering who was in a rush.

That's when he saw a woman and looked at her until he realised it was. . . Anne who was running around, His eyes lit up and stared at her, forgetting about the conversation with his sister and best friend, Winters continued running until she accidentally bumped into him and almost slipped but Charlie quickly grabbed her arm, pulling her gently towards him while Aman and Nandini looked with surprise.

Anne: Oh my god! I'm so sorry- *Eyes widen* Charlie?

Charlie: Uhhh. . . Are you okay?

They both looked at each other, She was under his umbrella as droplets of water fell from her head, Her dress was wet. Charlie continued staring at her, waiting for a response.

Anne: I'm fine *Smiles* Didn't expect it to rain heavily.

Charlie: *Smiles* Yeah, Delhi's weather is like a heart, Anne. You never know when it'll change

Anne: *Laughs* You're so dramatic.

Charlie: *Smiles shyly* Maybe. . . Only when I meet someone from next door in the middle of a storm.

Anne's eyes lit up and couldn't help but laugh while Nandini giggled at their interaction and Aman was holding his laughter.

Aman: *Smiles* Bhai ne toh filmy line maar di (Brother just dropped a movie line)

Nandini: *Smiles* Bas ab background music bajna baaki hai (All that's missing is background music now)

Anne: *Smiles* You always have something cheesy to say, don't you?

Charlie: Maybe. but this time it worked. You laughed

She laughed again, shaking her head as Charlie gave a cheeky smile to her while Anne moved a strand of her wet hair aside.

Anne: You did, Anyways, I need to get back home. . . Thank you for catching me.

Charlie: *Smiles* It's okay. . . Uhh here, Take my umbrella.

Anne: Wait, No it's okay, You'll need it.

Charlie: Arrey nahi, I insist. You'll get sick, Anne. I can manage, See?

He gave the umbrella to her and stepped back as the water droplets fell to his bed but it didn't bother him at all, He smiled at her as Anne's face softened and stared at him before giggling.

Anne: Okay, But then you'll get sick.

Charlie: *Smiles* I'm strong, Don't worry.

Aman: Arrey, Phir se Hero hogaya (Again, He's a hero)

Nandini: Anne! Don't listen to his dramatic lines, If something happens to him, He'll run to our mom.

Charlie: *Scoffs* Arey, tum toh ka mujhe koi bharosa hi nahi hai! (Wow, you really don't trust me at all!)

Anne laughed as Nandini and Charlie continued playfully arguing with each other while Aman watched with intrigue while laughing a little, That's when Nandini wrapped her arm around Winters's shoulder, smiling a little.

Nandini: Come on, Anne. Let's go home together.

Anne: *Smiles* Ummm sure.

Charlie: Take care, Both of you, okay?

Anne: *Smiles* Again, Thank you, Charlie.

He smiled and nodded as Winters smiled at him again before walking away with Nandini, The rainfall continued on before Charlie said something.

Charlie: Anne!

Anne and Nandini turned around, She was confused about what he wanted to say while Nandini's eyes narrowed, expecting him to say another cheesy quote.

Charlie: Next time. . . Try not to bump into me. My heart's not that strong.

A smile instantly grew on Anne's face as she giggled at his words while Nandini rolled her eyes, laughing a little and patted Anne's back.

Nandini: He's always been like this! Don't fall for his filmi dialogues.

She laughed harder as Winters looked at Charlie again before waving at him and walked away, Charlie continued watching her with a smile on his face. . . He didn't understand what made him smile so much whenever he sees her, That's when Aman playfully smacked his back as Singh immediately looked at him.

Aman: *Chuckling* Lagta hai Chandramohan ko baarish se pyaar ho gaya. (Looks like Chandramohan has fallen in love. . With the rain)

Charlie: *Smiles* Nahi, Aman. . . Baarish se nahi. (No, Aman. . . not with the rain.)

That was the moment when something sparked in his heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback End~~~~~~~~~~~

Memories. . . Was all he could think of for the last few days, He didn't realise he was lost in a sweet memory. Charlie continued walking by the street, looking at the pedestrians. Everyone had something going on their days.

( Funny thing about memories. . . They don't age with us. They stay the same, even when everything else changes)

Cars honked, conversation and laughter were heard, life kept moving, But for him, the world still paused years ago, He let out sigh and adjusted his shirt as the cold wind breezed.

Charlie: Some people. . . They walk out of your life, but never really leave your heart.

Meanwhile Anne was seen at the bouquet shop as she was humming a song while adjusting a ribbon, The air smelled of lilies and jasmine as Winters continued humming the song, smiling to herself. That's when Benjamin and Janhvi left the storage room, grabbing some flowers pots and noticed Anne as Janhvi's eyes lit up, smiling.

Janhvi: Wow, Anne. I never knew you listened to that song.

Anne looked up at her, confused for a moment.

Anne: Ummm. . What song?

Janhvi: Mere rashke qamar, That's the exact same tone!

Her eyes lit up and was quiet for a moment, Anne knew about the song, She's been listening to it for a long time. But this time, She didn't realise she was humming to it.

Anne: Oh well uhh, I like the song.

Benjamin: *Grins* You like it? Or someone made you like it?

Anne: *Laughs* Oh please, It's a song. You know I like listening to romantic songs.

Janhvi: *Chuckles* You like listening to romantic songs but you didn't find a man to properly romance with.

Anne has a faint smile on her face and shook her head as Janhvi giggled while Benjamin continued smiling, placing a pot of roses on the table as Winters was looking at him and picked it up.

Benjamin: You looked like you were in another world for a second

Anne: *Rolls her eyes* You two think too much, I was just working.

Benjamin: That's what happens when you work with flowers all day. We notice emotions, not customers.

He grinned, shrugging as Anne smiled a little, nodding before asking him if he could wrap the bouquet up for her, Benjamin nodded and decided to help while Anne told Janhvi to check on the other flowers, making sure they weren't dying.

She stepped outside the shop, watching the world move on its own, Pedestrians were talking, cars and bikes were driving by the road. People were talking, laughing, kids were crying over something while others were playing. She took another few steps forward and continued watching while looking at the flowers from the outside of the shop.

Benjamin: Hey Janhvi, Heard the commissioner's been around lately, Things been quieter since he took over.

Janhvi: Oh yeah, The robberies and home invasions were rapidly increasing, But so far, I haven't heard anything.

Benjamin: *Chuckles* Looks like our commissioner instilled fear.

Janhvi: *Smiles* At least someone is taking action.

Anne could hear their conversation from the outside and felt her heart skip a beat when they spoke about Charlie, Winters quietly looked around and began thinking about him. . . And those past memories.

Anne: You can build new streets, fix broken laws. . . But can you ever fix what you broke in someone else?

She'd promised herself not to think about him, not to fall into those memories again, But no matter how far she'd gone and tried to forget. . . Charlie's shadow always followed her

But what she didn't know, He was already there.

Charlie stood as the cold air continued to breeze, He noticed Anne who was quietly outside the shop, lost in her thoughts. . . Just like him.

Charlie: Are we both lost into memories, Anne Winters?

He looked away for a moment, felt something heavy in his chest. . . But that's when Anne actually noticed him.

Her eyes lit up and saw him around the corner, looking at the street as Anne stared, He turned around and noticed she was already looking at him as his eyes lit up before frowning. . . Expecting the worse.

Anne didn't waste any time and began walking towards him, She looked upset, Charlie stared and felt his heart racing. . . He didn't want to make her mad.

Anne: Charlie, Stop following me.

Charlie: I wasn't. . . I didn't know you worked here.

Anne: Really? Because it sure feels like you were following me, After everything. . . . Why are you here now? Why did one simple look made you walk into my life again?

Charlie: . . . I just walked by. I didn't expect to see you. . . But I didn't want to look away.

Anne: Oh shut it, We're not eighteen anymore and I sure will not be falling for your cheesy lines.

Charlie: I was only being honest.

Anne: *Sighs* You're exhausting me, Charlie. You don't want anything from me and I don't want anything from you. So stop following me-

Charlie: You don't get to decide my heart like it's that simple. . .

Anne was quiet and stared at him, her eyes narrowing as Charlie was looking at her, fidgeting with his glasses as Winters shook her head.

Charlie: How are the girls?

Anne: They're fine.

Charlie: . . . Can I see Anya-

Anne: No.

Charlie: *Sighs* You make it sound like I'm some villain sneaking into her life. I'm her dad. . . And that's not going anywhere. . . I don't care if Maya isn't my kid, I care about her the same way-

Anne: Dad or not, I decide what's best for them. End of story.

Charlie bit his lip and frowned for a moment. . . Every talk they had, She was always so harsh to him. He tried his best to stay calm. . .

Charlie: Anne. . . Can we talk normally once? You always see me and just want to yell at me. . .

Anne: Can you blame me?

She took a step closer to him, glaring while Charlie looked at her, blinking.

Charlie: I just want to see them. . . You don't know how much that hurts.

Anne: It didn't hurt when you left? When Anya was just a baby, I literally had no idea what to do as a young mother-

Charlie: Anne. . . Stop.

Anne stared in silence and swallowed, her eyes were starting to get teary and it broke Charlie's heart for a moment. . . He didn't like seeing her sad and tearful.

Charlie: I left, I know. . . And I'll never forgive myself for the years we lost. But it wasn't just about her, Anne. It was us . . . I missed you. I've missed you every day.

Anne continued to stare at him with silence as he continued speaking.

Charlie: I'm not asking for forgiveness. . . But don't act like this. . . Like I don't care, like I never cared.

She stared at him quietly, Her eyes flickered into something before she narrowed as Charlie stared at her before shaking his head and wore his sunglasses again.

Charlie: Take care, Anne. . . Have a good day.

And of course, Every conversation had to end like this.

A/N: Thank you so much for reading and stay strong!!! :)