Unfinished (Some love stories don’t end. They just wait to be written right) - Chapter 6

 

Chapter 6: A City of Echoes

The train sliced through fields of mustard and gold as the morning sun bathed the world in warm hues. Jaipur loomed ahead — the city of palaces, pink walls, and secrets that whispered through ancient stone.

Inside the executive train coach, Aditi sat near the window, her tablet in hand, pretending to review vendor notes. But her mind wasn’t cooperating.

Aditya sat opposite her. Silent. Reading.

He looked the same, but older somehow. Not in age — but in weight. The way he carried himself. Like he bore something heavy inside.

She hated that she noticed.

She hated that she still felt anything.

Aditi kept her eyes fixed on the passing scenery.

“I booked a suite at Raj Vilas,” Aditya said suddenly, not looking up. “Separate rooms, of course.”

“I didn’t ask,” she replied coolly.

His lips twitched — not a smile, not quite. Just something unspoken.

The silence returned.

But it wasn’t comfortable.

Later – Raj Vilas Heritage Hotel, Jaipur

The palace hotel was draped in elegance — ivory pillars, golden domes, and perfumed air heavy with jasmine.

The moment they entered the lobby, the staff greeted them with flowers and welcome drinks. Aditi accepted the bouquet with a tight smile.

“This way, Mr. and Mrs. Khanna,” the concierge said brightly.

Aditya stiffened. Aditi’s fingers tightened on the bouquet.

“We’re not—” she started, but Aditya cut in smoothly.

“We’ll handle the rooms ourselves. Thank you.”

They walked ahead in silence, her heels clicking on marble. Finally, in the corridor outside their suites, Aditi turned.

“You could’ve corrected him.”

His voice was calm. “Does it matter?”

She scoffed. “Of course not. We’ve never been more strangers.”

He held her gaze for a second longer than necessary. “Then let’s keep it that way.”

Evening – Supplier’s Office

They sat through hours of fabric sampling and production discussions. Aditi spoke with clarity and precision, winning over the regional vendors. Aditya mostly watched.

She was no longer the soft, unsure woman he’d once married.

She was sharper now. Detached. Effortless in her authority.

And yet… when she reached across the table for a bolt of fabric and her bangles made that soft, familiar sound — it hit him.

Memories. Like ghosts.

The kitchen laughs. Her humming in the morning. The way she used to adjust her dupatta nervously when he entered the room.

He swallowed hard. Looked away.

Night – Raj Vilas Courtyard

The supplier dinner was held outdoors, under a canopy of fairy lights and lanterns swaying in the warm Jaipur breeze. Laughter echoed around the table.

Aditi excused herself after the meal and walked into the garden, needing air. Distance.

But it followed her.

“Running away?” came his voice from behind.

She turned slowly. “From you? I thought that was your specialty.”

He winced — barely.

“Why did you agree to this trip?” she asked.

He shrugged. “Business.”

“Don’t give me that. You could’ve sent anyone else.”

“I wanted you.”

The words came out too fast. Too bare.

Her breath caught.

He corrected himself quickly. “I meant, I wanted your work. Your skill.”

“Of course,” she said, voice trembling now. “That’s all I am to you, right? A functional asset. Professional. Predictable.”

“No,” he said quietly. “You were never predictable.”

Silence.

The wind carried the distant sound of temple bells.

Aditi looked at him — truly looked.

“Why did you leave me, Aditya?”

His eyes darkened.

But again… no answer.

She shook her head, stepping back.

“I deserved the truth.”

“I know,” he whispered.

“You ruined me,” she said, voice breaking for the first time. “And now you sit here like nothing happened. Like we’re just two professionals making polite conversation—”

“I didn’t want to hurt you,” he said, cutting in.

“You destroyed me,” she said, voice low. “What could be worse?”

He didn’t answer.

And for the first time, she saw it — a flicker in his eyes.

Guilt. Real. Raw.

But it wasn’t enough.

Aditi turned and walked away.

And Aditya let her.

Midnight

Aditi sat alone on her balcony. Her laptop was open, unread emails glowing on screen. But her mind was back in Delhi, in their old house. In the moments they never talked about.

Why did he come back?

Why now?

She didn’t know whether she wanted revenge, closure… or just the truth.

All she knew was — no matter how far she’d come, how strong she’d become…

He still had the power to shake her.

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