🏙️ “Long-Distance Love, Close-Distance Pain” - Chapter 14
Chapter 14: Storms Don’t Ask Permission
“When you lock your heart, the universe often picks the worst moment to break the door.”
Two days had passed since Aditya walked out of Aditi’s apartment.
The truth still echoed inside her—about her brother, about Aditya’s silence, about the past she thought she’d buried.
But life doesn’t pause for heartbreak.
Monday morning arrived with the chaos of emails, calls, and caffeine.
And a bombshell from her boss.
“Aditi, you’re flying to Mumbai. Immediately. Aditya’s campaign needs real-time restructuring—launch prep starts tomorrow.”
She stared. “Wait—me?”
“Yes. You’re the lead. And he personally requested you.”
Mumbai. 5:10 PM.
The office’s Mumbai branch had a swanky glass structure with open views of the Arabian Sea. But Aditi had no time for the scenery.
Because inside Conference Room 5C stood the man she’d hoped not to see for months—Aditya, in a crisp black shirt, sleeves rolled, looking exactly how she didn’t want him to look: composed and familiar.
He didn’t say anything at first. Just nodded politely as the team poured in.
But once the briefing ended, the real twist came.
Her assistant whispered, “Ma’am, your return flight got canceled. Weather issues. And they say the whole next day’s flights might be grounded.”
Aditya looked up. “The city’s bracing for a cyclone. Nothing’s moving till Wednesday.”
Her eyes widened. “What?!”
The assistant added sheepishly, “The hotel’s overbooked too. Only one premium suite left. We reserved it under your name.”
Aditi blinked.
Aditya cleared his throat. “I already have a suite booked at the same hotel. I can… switch if you want.”
“No need,” she said coldly. “I’m fine.”
But inside, she was anything but fine.
8:20 PM – The Hotel Suite.
It was massive. Plush couches, floor-to-ceiling windows, and one bedroom. Aditi dropped her laptop bag and sighed.
Aditya was nowhere yet. Good.
But fate, of course, wasn’t done messing with her.
Her phone buzzed.
Aditya: Conference call with investors in 15 mins. Need to do it from here—Wi-Fi’s dead in my room.
She stared at the message.
Of course.
When he entered, he looked exhausted but calm. No tension. As if this was just another boardroom emergency.
She, on the other hand, felt like she was sitting on live wires.
10:00 PM
The call ended. Silence fell again.
Aditya leaned against the counter, sipping water. “This city… still smells like sea salt and secrets.”
She didn’t reply.
He finally turned to her. “I know you’re furious. You have every right to be. But this… whatever is between us—it isn’t done, Aditi.”
She kept typing, not looking up. “It was done the day you chose silence over honesty.”
Aditya stepped closer. “No. It was paused. You never stopped loving me either.”
She looked up sharply. “Don’t assume that. Don’t dare.”
He didn’t flinch. “I’m not assuming. I saw it in your eyes that night I left your apartment.”
A pause.
Aditi stood up, heart pounding, and walked to the balcony.
The wind outside was wild—cyclone on its way. Waves crashed below, glass trembling faintly.
She whispered, “What do you even want from me now?”
Aditya stood behind her, his voice low. “A second chance. Not out of guilt. Not for closure. But because I still choose you—even after all this time.”
She turned, tears barely held back.
“And what if I don’t want to be chosen anymore?”
His eyes didn’t move away.
“Then I’ll stay… until you believe I’m worth being chosen too.”
The storm outside was fierce.
But the one inside their suite—between truth, betrayal, and buried feelings—was just beginning.
Comments
Post a Comment