🏙️ “Long-Distance Love, Close-Distance Pain” - Chapter 1

 

Chapter 1: The Airport Goodbye

"Some goodbyes are whispered, not because they’re light… but because the heart is too heavy to speak."

The airport buzzed around her—families reuniting, lovers clinging to moments, tears silently tucked into scarves and sleeves. But for Aditi, everything was a blur except the boy in front of her—the boy she had loved for three years, and who was now about to leave her behind.

Aditya.
Her Aditya.
And yet, not hers anymore. Not fully. Not after today.

Aditi stood with her arms wrapped tightly around herself, as if bracing against the windstorm brewing inside. Her hair fluttered in the AC breeze, but her world stood still.

Aditya adjusted the strap of his backpack, eyes scanning her face like he was trying to memorize her every freckle, every worry line, every smile she wasn't showing today.

"Say something," he finally said, voice low, nervous.

Aditi exhaled, blinking up at him. “What should I say? That I’m proud of you? That I’m happy? That I’ll be fine?”

“Aditi…” His hand reached for hers.

She let him hold it, but didn’t squeeze back.

"London is just a few hours away by flight," he tried to say lightly.

"But a million miles away in emotions," she muttered under her breath.

He heard it. Of course he did.

Aditya sighed, stepping closer. "This is just a phase, okay? Just one year. We’ve survived worse."

"Yeah," she said quietly. "But we were in the same city then. Same library. Same chai stall. Same breath."

He looked away, guilt written in the tightness of his jaw. “I have to do this, Aditi. For us.”

Us.

Such a fragile word.

She looked at him for a long moment—this boy with dreams in his eyes and restlessness in his soul. She loved him. She still did. That wasn’t the problem. The problem was… love wasn’t always enough.

“I’ll wait,” she said finally, voice breaking a little. “But please don’t make me beg for attention later. If you ever feel I’m just an obligation, just let me go.”

He grabbed her hands tighter this time, his voice urgent. “Don’t say that. I’d never—”

“Promise me, Aditya. Promise me you won’t disappear.”

He hesitated for a split second too long. Just one beat of silence—but it echoed like an earthquake in her chest.

Then he nodded. “I promise.”

The final boarding call was announced.

She leaned up on her toes and kissed his cheek, lingering for a second. “Fly high,” she whispered. “But don’t forget who stayed grounded for you.”

He looked like he wanted to say more. But the words never came.

And just like that, Aditya walked away.

And Aditi stood still, holding a goodbye that didn’t feel like an end—just a pause she hadn’t agreed to.

Her phone buzzed.
Boarding completed. Flight to London departs in 10 minutes.

She stared at the screen, then at the gate. Then finally let herself cry.

Little did she know… the real goodbye wasn’t at the airport. It would come a year later—without words, without closure, without answers.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unspoken Sparks - Chapter 6 (Last Episode)

  Chapter 6: The Confession & The New Beginning The tension in Raychand Industries had reached its limit. Rumors swirled. Whispers about Aditya and Aditi grew louder. Some speculated. Some envied. But Aditi stayed focused, as always—poised, distant, dedicated. Except now, her heart wasn't as quiet as her face. And neither was Aditya’s. He saw her in everything. In every decision. Every plan. Every moment of silence. Her absence made the air feel heavier. Her presence? Like calm fire. He had denied it for weeks. But now… he couldn’t anymore. That Friday Evening – Office Rooftop Aditi had just wrapped up late-night reporting. The office was nearly empty, and the city lights sparkled in the distance. She stepped out to the rooftop for a breath of air. What she didn’t expect… was him. Aditya stood there, sleeves rolled up, no phone in hand—for once. Just… waiting. He turned as she approached. “You’re still here?” she asked. “I was waiting for you,” he said softly....
Read more

đź–¤ The Monster Inside Me đź–¤ - Chapter 5 (Second Last) [“He thought he was a monster—until she looked into his darkness and chose to stay.”]

  Chapter 5: The Monster’s Voice Silence. That’s what Aditi chose after walking out of Aditya’s penthouse. Not the dramatic kind. The real kind — the kind that hurts more than any scream could. No calls. No messages. No replies. Nothing. And Aditya… he let her go. Not because he didn’t want her. But because he wasn’t sure he deserved her. It had been four days. Four long, echoing, manuscript-free days. Aditya sat in his study, the room heavy with memories and ghosts that had grown louder since Aditi left. Her absence was not quiet — it thundered in every corner she used to sit, in every coffee cup that remained untouched. So he did what he had always done with pain. He wrote. But this time, it wasn’t a book. It was a letter. A manuscript with no chapters, no structure, no edits. Just a title: “The Girl Who Dared to Touch the Monster” đź““ Excerpts from the letter: “I never told you, Aditi, but your voice made the screaming inside me quieter.” “You didn’t...
Read more

đź–¤ The Monster Inside Me đź–¤ - Chapter 6 (Last) [“He thought he was a monster—until she looked into his darkness and chose to stay.”]

  Chapter 6: Our Monsters Can Coexist Final Chapter Healing isn’t a sunrise. It’s a dim lightbulb that flickers. A hallway that echoes with memories. A slow dance with shadows that sometimes lead, sometimes follow. But when Aditi and Aditya began again — this time, it wasn’t about fixing each other. It was about accepting that maybe... they were never broken to begin with. Just bruised . And still beautiful. 🌅 One Month Later: Aditi moved into Aditya’s penthouse — not because she needed a place, but because he needed her in his. It wasn’t romance that brought her there. It was presence . Some mornings were silent — both typing, heads down, coffee cups clinking now and then. Other days were stormy — Aditya still woke up drenched in nightmares, still sat at the piano with eyes closed, fingers trembling. But now, when he broke... She was there to hold him. Not to fix. Just to hold. 🛋️ Their Therapist Asked Once: “How do you define your relationship?” Aditi...
Read more