Some hours to go..

Before the excitement of the wedding day unfolded, a quiet evening allowed Maya and Avin some time to reflect. They found themselves sifting through old photo albums and keepsakes Maya's mother had saved over the years, leading them on a nostalgic journey through their families' histories.

As they turned each page, the photographs and handwritten notes told stories of their ancestors, revealing the depth of their familial bonds and the rich tapestry of their heritage. Maya paused at a series of black and white photos showing her father, Arjun Dev, in his younger days as a pilot. Beside him were his fellow pilots and crew, all beaming at the camera, exuding a spirit of adventure and camaraderie.

Avin, curious, pointed to a particularly faded photo. "Who's this with your dad? They seem close."

Maya studied the image, a smile playing on her lips. "That's Uncle Raj. He wasn't really my uncle by blood, but Dad always said he was the brother he chose. They trained together, flew their first commercial flights together. He used to tell me stories about their misadventures whenever he visited."

"Do you know where he is now?" Avin asked, intrigued by the bond evident in the photos.

"Not really," Maya sighed. "After Dad passed away, we lost touch. He moved abroad, and with everything that happened, we just didn't keep up."

Motivated by Avin's interest and her own growing curiosity about the past, Maya decided to search online for Uncle Raj, using the bits of information her father had mentioned and the details from the photo. To her surprise, a recent article popped up about a retired pilot who had started a small aviation school in Dubai — Rajan Menon, the man from her father's photos.

Feeling a surge of connection to her father, Maya reached out to the school via email, briefly explaining her relationship to Arjun Dev and asking if Mr. Menon might remember him.

The next morning, just as the wedding preparations were kicking into high gear, Maya received a response. Rajan Menon, indeed the very same 'Uncle Raj' from her father's adventures, was overjoyed to reconnect. He shared anecdotes about Arjun and expressed his heartfelt regrets for losing contact.

"Arjun was more than a friend; he was a pioneer who inspired me to pursue a life above the clouds. I am deeply sorry to hear of his passing. Please know he spoke of you often, with so much pride," the email read.

Touched by the newfound connection to her father's past, Maya shared the email with Avin, who listened intently, moved by the depth of the legacy Maya's father had left behind. They decided to invite Rajan to the wedding, hoping he could attend despite the short notice.

"Even if he can't make it, just knowing that part of Dad's life is still out there, remembering him, means everything," Maya shared, feeling a link to her father stronger than ever.

That evening, as Maya and Avin looked out over the city from their balcony, they reflected on how the past had seamlessly woven itself into the fabric of their present, enriching their lives and deepening their appreciation for where they came from.

"This journey into the past has brought us even closer, not just to each other but to our roots," Avin noted, wrapping an arm around Maya.

"Yes," Maya agreed, leaning into his embrace. "It's like we've rediscovered pieces of a puzzle we didn't even know were missing. Tomorrow, as we promise to build a future together, we'll also be honoring everything that brought us here."