Ram's POV
The walkway to Max's house hadn't changed.
Same small curve along the gate. Same faded nameplate. Same jasmine pot near the stairs—her mom's favorite.
But the air? It felt heavier.
Mom and Dad were talking animatedly beside me, holding the invitation box wrapped with a red ribbon. We were here to invite them to our housewarming ceremony. Finally, after all these years, we'd completed our dream home.
But I wasn't sure if this walk was about bricks and walls. It felt like walking toward something I thought I'd buried long ago.
Mom rang the bell. A moment later, Max's mom opened the door. Her smile was there, but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Still, she welcomed us warmly.
"Oh, Ram's parents! Come in, come in!"
I stepped in after them, eyes scanning instinctively for her. Max.
She didn't appear right away. Maybe she was avoiding me? Maybe she sensed this would be harder than it looked.
"We're having the housewarming ceremony this weekend," my dad said cheerfully, placing the invitation in her hands. "You must come. It won't be the same without you all."
Her mom smiled, accepting the invite with polite grace. "Of course, we'll try our best. Congratulations, really. It's been a long journey for you."
I stood quietly, my hands behind my back, stealing glances toward the hallway. That's when I heard faint footsteps.
Max appeared. Hair slightly damp like she had just washed her face. She looked at me—and then looked away just as quickly.
Something stung inside me.
She greeted my parents politely, like she was meeting old family friends, not the boy she used to call Mike in secret. Not the guy who once walked her halfway home just to make sure her shoelaces were tied right.
Her mom was talking again. I nodded vaguely. My attention was glued to the way Max was standing—guarded, careful, distant.
She was different.
And yet… not.
"I'll see you this weekend," I finally said, directing it toward her, though I didn't expect a response.
Max nodded slightly. Just once.
As we left, I glanced back—she was still standing there, half-hidden behind her mom, looking like she wasn't sure whether to step forward or stay rooted.
I realized something then.
She wasn't the only one struggling with what had returned from the past.
So was I.