Facing the inevitable

Maya's hands trembled as she gripped her blanket. The image of Aarav disappearing into the water was burned into her mind.

She couldn't just ignore it.

Rushing out of bed, she knocked on Aarav's door. No answer.

"Aarav?" she called. Nothing.

Her heart pounded as she pushed the door open. The room was empty. His bed was unmade, his phone gone.

Her phone vibrated. A message from Aarav.

"Going out for a drive. Need some air."

Maya's breath hitched.

The dream had shown a bridge at night. The old bridge by the river—his favorite place to clear his head.

She grabbed her coat and keys, rushing outside. The cold air stung her face as she sped through empty streets.

When she reached the bridge, her stomach dropped.

Aarav's car was parked by the side. And there—standing at the edge—was her brother.

She jumped out of the car. "Aarav!"

He turned slightly but didn't step away. His face was pale, his eyes distant. "What are you doing here?"

"I—" Her throat was dry. "I had a bad feeling."

Aarav sighed, looking down at the water. "It's just… everything's been too much lately." His voice cracked. "I feel like I have to be strong for everyone. But I—"

Maya rushed forward, grabbing his arm. "Come back. We can talk, okay? You're not alone."

Aarav looked at her then, something unreadable in his eyes. For a moment, she thought she had reached him.

Then, just as in the dream—he took a step forward.

"No!" she screamed, pulling with all her strength. But her hands slipped, his weight shifting away from her.

And then—he was gone.

The splash echoed in the silence, just as it had in her nightmare.

Maya didn't remember running to the edge. She didn't remember screaming his name. She only remembered the water—dark, endless, swallowing everything.

Her vision blurred.

She had tried. She had seen it coming.

But she couldn't change it.

Her dreams weren't warnings.

They were fate.