The news spread like wildfire: NASA had confirmed an apocalyptic event. A massive meteorite, the size of Mount Everest, was hurtling toward Earth. The impact was inevitable, and the countdown to annihilation had begun. The world had seven days.
Amid the chaos, there was Rahul, an ordinary college student. For months, he had nursed a secret affection for Aisha, the girl with the brightest smile in his class. He had rehearsed countless scenarios in his head to confess his feelings, but fear always held him back. Now, as the world teetered on the brink of destruction, he was haunted by a question: If not now, when?
The days passed in a surreal haze. People abandoned routines, chasing dreams they'd deferred or seeking solace with loved ones. Aisha, ever the optimist, organized a "last memories" event on campus, encouraging everyone to share their most cherished moments and regrets. Rahul watched her from afar, captivated by her courage and kindness, yet unable to step forward.
On the penultimate day, as the fiery streak of the meteor became visible in the sky, the college gathered for one final farewell. Bonfires lit up the night, and laughter mingled with tears. Rahul stood at the edge of the crowd, clutching a small, hastily written letter. His heart pounded as he saw Aisha sitting under a tree, gazing at the stars.
"This is it," he whispered to himself.
He walked up to her, every step feeling like an eternity. Aisha turned, her serene expression making his words catch in his throat.
"Hey, Rahul," she said, smiling. "Beautiful night, isn't it? Hard to believe it's all ending."
He nodded, sitting beside her. "Aisha, there's something I've wanted to tell you for a long time."
She looked at him, her eyes curious but gentle. The weight of the moment pressed down on him. Should he hand her the letter? Should he speak his heart?
But before he could decide, Aisha reached out and placed her hand on his. "Whatever it is, just say it. No regrets, right?"
The roar of a distant explosion cut through the night, signaling the meteor's approach. Rahul's words hung on the edge of his lips. The world around them blurred, leaving only the two of them under the vast, doomed sky.
Did he confess? Or did he let the moment slip away, just like all the others?
The story ends with the question lingering, leaving readers to imagine Rahul's choice in the face of the ultimate deadline.
