The breakup happened at an airport. Zoe was flying to Berlin for "an indefinite project." Shilpa stood at the departures gate, her composure finally cracking. "I can't chase you forever," she said.

But Zoe was a nomad, allergic to plans. When Shilpa asked, "Where is this going?" Zoe flinched. "Why does it have to go anywhere?" The fights started small—over a forgotten birthday, an unanswered text—and grew into canyons.

Zoe kissed her forehead. "You were never chasing me. You were chasing the version of yourself that you let out when you're with me." Then she was gone, leaving Shilpa holding a cup of cold coffee and a heart that ached in a new, confusing way.

They met for coffee at his insistence. He was back in town to film a documentary on urban loneliness. "You're my case study," he joked. Shilpa laughed—a real, rusty laugh.