Ayaan sat in his dimly lit apartment, the old wooden box resting on the table before him. The weight of time itself seemed to press against his chest as he reached inside, pulling out the first letter.
The envelope was delicate, its edges worn with age. With a deep breath, he carefully unsealed it and unfolded the yellowed paper.
The ink was faded, but the words were clear.
---
"To my dearest Ayaan,
If you are reading this, it means time has brought us together once more.
You may not remember me, but we have met before—many times, in many lives. Every time, fate separates us before we can find our forever. And every time, I wait… hoping you will find me again.
But time is cruel, Ayaan. This world does not allow us to be together.
I don't know how much longer I have before I disappear from this era. The shadows of time are closing in, trying to erase me from existence. I can feel it happening, just like before.
Promise me one thing. If you ever receive this letter, follow your heart. Search for me, even if the world tells you I do not exist. Because I will always be waiting for you… somewhere in time.
With all my love,
Zoya"
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Ayaan's hands shook as he finished reading. This wasn't just a letter—it was a cry from the past, a message from a love he had somehow forgotten.
His mind raced with questions.
How could Zoya have known about him? If she wrote this in 1974, how did she know he would exist in the future? And more importantly… why did he not remember her?
His eyes fell upon the remaining letters in the box. There were dozens—each one sealed, waiting to reveal the story buried in time.
With a pounding heart, he picked up the next one and tore it open.
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"Ayaan,
I don't have much time. I can feel the past shifting, trying to rewrite itself.
Do you believe in destiny? Because I do. I believe we were meant to be, even if the universe tries to keep us apart.
If you are reading this, then it means my plan has worked. It means my love has reached you across time.
Find me before it's too late. Before time erases me forever."**
---
Ayaan's breath hitched.
She knew. She knew she was disappearing from time itself.
And she had left these letters behind… for him to find.
But why was he the only one who remembered her? And how was he supposed to find someone who had been erased from history?
There was only one way to find out.
He had to go back.
Back to 1974.
And this time, he would not let time take her away again.