🏙️ “Long-Distance Love, Close-Distance Pain” - Chapter 17

 

Chapter 17: Morning After Silence

“Some mornings don’t just bring sun… they bring clarity, and sometimes, more chaos.”

7:12 AM – Hotel Suite, Mumbai

The storm had passed. The world outside looked washed and quiet, like someone had pressed reset on the sky.

Inside the suite, sunlight filtered softly through the curtains. Aditi stirred awake, her arm slightly draped across the edge of the bed… only to find the other side empty.

For a second, panic.
Then—a smell.

Coffee.

And something else—toast.

She sat up groggily, wrapping the shawl around her shoulders, stepping toward the kitchen area.

There he was.

Aditya.
Hair slightly messy. T-shirt wrinkled.
Holding a mug in one hand, using a spatula with the other.

The smell of perfectly golden toast and scrambled eggs filled the air.

“You cook now?” she asked, her voice still laced with sleep.

He turned, a smile crawling to his lips.

“Only when I want someone to forgive me.”

Aditi raised an eyebrow. “That would take more than eggs.”

“I figured,” he said, sliding a plate onto the counter. “But it’s a start.”

7:38 AM – Breakfast at the counter

They sat across each other, silently chewing.

It wasn’t awkward anymore.

Not warm, either.

Just… known.

“How did you sleep?” he asked.

“Better than I expected.”

“Me too.”

She paused mid-bite. “Don’t read into it.”

“I’m not,” he replied, without defense.

“I still don’t know what I’m doing here… with you… in this story again.”

“I didn’t plan it either, Aditi. I just want to do the right thing, even if it’s too late.”

She looked at him. “And what does that look like?”

He shrugged, eyes sincere. “Listening. Waiting. And being honest this time.”

Before she could respond—

KNOCK. KNOCK.

Both looked toward the door.

7:42 AM – Hotel Door

Aditya walked over and opened it.

A sharply dressed man stood there. Mid-40s. Expensive watch. Familiar smirk.

“Aditya Mehra,” he said. “We finally meet again.”

Aditya’s expression turned cold. “Samar.”

Aditi froze at the name.

Samar Deshmukh.
Head of a rival firm.
Her company’s biggest threat.
Aditya’s ex-business partner… and someone who once proposed to her.

“Interesting,” Samar said, glancing past Aditya into the room. His eyes fell on Aditi.

“Oh,” he smiled, “didn’t expect a reunion breakfast here. Still mixing business with personal, I see?”

Aditi’s lips parted, but words failed.

Samar stepped in without invitation.

“I assume this account is still in Aditi’s hands, right? Or should I speak to someone who hasn’t been in your bed?”

“Enough,” Aditya snapped, stepping in front of him.

Samar laughed.

“I’m just here to warn you, Aditya. You’re playing with fire. And unlike you, I don’t lose what I want. Especially not twice.”

He threw a business card on the table and turned to leave.

“I’ll see you both… soon.”

The door clicked shut.

7:53 AM – Aftermath

Aditi stood still, her coffee mug trembling in her hands.

Aditya stared at the card.
It simply said:
“Deshmukh Corp. – Acquiring Hearts & Contracts Since 2012.”

“Why is he back?” Aditi whispered.

“Because he never left,” Aditya said grimly.

She turned to him. “What have you dragged me into, Aditya?”

He looked at her—not with guilt, but with urgency.

“This time… I’m not running.”

Some storms come from outside.
But the real ones… start with people who know exactly where to strike.

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