To the Moon & Back

The plane touched down in Miami under a soft pink dawn. The sunlight danced across the Atlantic, reflecting off the water like tiny fragments of glass. For Anaya, it was both exhilarating and terrifying—new city, new life, endless possibilities, but a heart still tethered to memories she couldn’t escape.
 She took a deep breath, feeling the humid air wrap around her. Her suitcase rolled behind her as she stepped out of the airport, her phone buzzing silently in her pocket. The messages from her friends back home had already slowed to a trickle, leaving a quiet that made her feel… lighter, but also a little hollow.
 The last six months had been a whirlwind. She had finally convinced herself that leaving India was the only way to forget Karthik—or at least the version of him she thought she loved but never got the chance to confess.
 Yet even in Miami, every little thing reminded her of him: the way sunlight glinted on water, the smell of fresh coffee, the laugh she heard from a passing stranger. She shook her head, trying to push away the memories. “Focus on work, Anaya,” she whispered to herself. “Start fresh. No looking back.”

Back in India, Karthik sat at his desk staring at his phone, the screen dim in the fading sunlight. He had waited, he had hoped, and now he knew. Anaya had loved him all along. All those small glances in high school, the way she would linger near him in class, the subtle smiles she’d try to hide—they weren’t just memories now; they were truths he hadn’t allowed himself to see.
 And he? He had felt the same, had always felt the same, but fear had kept him silent. He had built walls so high that even his own heart had gotten lost inside them. He picked up his phone, thumb hovering over her contact.
The words he had wanted to say for years formed in his mind: “I know. I love you too.” But he didn’t send it. Not yet. First, he had to figure out how to bridge the distance, how to reach across oceans without frightening her away. 

 Anaya’s apartment overlooked Biscayne Bay, and at night, the city lights shimmered like stars fallen to earth. She had started her job at a small publishing house, and the routine kept her mind occupied. Yet, some nights, she couldn’t sleep. One evening, scrolling absentmindedly through her email, she found a message in her inbox with the subject line: “Do you remember us?” Her heart froze.
The sender: Karthik Rao. She clicked it, fingers trembling. Hey Anaya, I know you’re far away, and I know I messed up. But I can’t stay silent anymore. I need you to know… I’ve always felt the same way you did. Her breath caught. She stared at the words, tears forming without warning.
Every memory, every stolen glance, every laugh from years ago came rushing back. I can’t promise I’ll make it easy, but I want to try… if you’ll let me. And just like that, the past and present collided in her chest, leaving her lightheaded and stunned.

It took her three days to reply. She reread the email countless times, hesitant to expose her vulnerability. Finally, one quiet evening, she typed back: I never stopped loving you either. Within minutes, her phone rang. It was him. “Karthik?”
Her voice wavered. “Anaya…” His voice was low, hesitant, almost shaking. “I… I don’t know where to start.” “You can start anywhere,” she whispered.
 They spoke for hours, recounting memories, laughing at old jokes, sharing what had happened in the years apart. But beneath the joy was a quiet ache—distance, uncertainty, and the fear of missteps.

Over the next month, Karthik tried everything to get to her. Flights booked, canceled, rescheduled—work, family obligations, and money made the logistics messy, but he didn’t give up.
Every morning, he woke thinking of her smile, her laugh, her soft-spoken words. Anaya, meanwhile, wrestled with her own emotions.
She loved him still, but the idea of letting someone from her past back into her life after all these months was terrifying. She had built a life, a routine, a safe space for herself. Could she let him in without risking heartbreak again? 

 Finally, after weeks of planning, Karthik landed in Miami. The sun was just rising as he walked out of the airport, the sky painted in shades of pink and gold. He clutched a small bouquet of jasmine, their scent instantly reminding him of her.
 Anaya was waiting by the bay, the water glimmering behind her. She turned at the sound of his voice: “Anaya.” Her eyes widened, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop.
She ran into his arms, and the years of silence, the distance, the unspoken words—they all dissolved in that embrace. “I was so afraid,” she whispered. “Me too,” he admitted. “But I couldn’t stay away.”

Over the next few days, they walked the city streets hand in hand, sharing stories and secrets. They laughed at the small absurdities of life and cried over what they had missed. One evening, sitting on the balcony of her apartment, Anaya said, “I almost didn’t respond to your email.”
 Karthik held her hand, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “I’m glad you did. I couldn’t have lived with not knowing.” She smiled softly. “Do you think… we can really make this work? Across continents?” He kissed her forehead. “If it’s us, it will work. We’ll find a way. One step at a time.” 

 The days turned into weeks, and their love deepened—not through grand gestures, but in small, everyday moments: Cooking dinner together and burning the rice while laughing.
 Walking along the beach at sunset, sharing childhood stories. Late-night calls where one would fall asleep listening to the other’s breathing. Each moment cemented their bond, slowly erasing the doubts and fears that had kept them apart.

One evening, Karthik led Anaya to a quiet park near the bay. The air smelled of salt and jasmine. “Anaya,” he said, holding her hands. “I don’t want to waste another day. I can’t imagine life without you. Will you… stay with me? Not just now, but always?” Her eyes shimmered with tears. “Yes… yes, Karthik. I want that too.”
 And under the Miami sky, with the city lights reflecting on the water and the gentle waves whispering at their feet, they shared their first kiss as more than just high-school friends or secret admirers. They were together—finally, truly together.

They often joked that their love had traveled halfway across the world. They had missed years, endured separation, and faced uncertainty—but in the end, it had been worth every second. Life wasn’t perfect—there were challenges, cultural differences, and homesick moments—but it was theirs. And every night, when they looked at the sky, they would smile. Because some loves weren’t meant to be forgotten.
Some hearts, no matter how long apart, always found their way back. And theirs? It was a love that spanned oceans, time, and doubt. A love that truly went to the moon and back.