Unfinished (Some love stories don’t end. They just wait to be written right) - Chapter 12
Chapter 12: The Way Back
Two days passed since Aditi discovered the truth.
Two days since she told Aditya to win her like a husband.
And though she hadn’t expected anything dramatic — no roses, no rooftop proposals — she did expect… something.
But Aditya didn’t bombard her with messages.
He didn’t send flowers.
He didn’t beg or chase.
Instead, he showed up.
Monday Morning – Office Canteen
It was 8:15 AM. Aditi entered the office early, her usual routine of coffee before meetings. But as she stepped into the canteen, she paused.
Her usual seat — quiet, cornered, near the window — already had something on it.
A fresh cup of her regular: two spoons of milk, no sugar, strong.
A sticky note was placed beneath the cup.
Thought I’d try earning Day 1. — A
She stared at it.
She didn’t touch the coffee.
Not yet.
But her fingers gently slid the note into her notebook before walking away.
Tuesday – Late Meeting Wrap-Up
It was nearly 8:00 PM when Aditi finally wrapped up a conference call. Everyone else had left. Her phone battery was low, and she hadn’t eaten all day.
She stepped into the hallway… and paused again.
A takeout box sat on her desk, neatly wrapped.
A sticky note was placed on top.
Paneer lababdar, tandoori roti, and extra chutney. You used to call it “my comfort combo” when deadlines sucked. — A
She didn’t eat right away.
But later that night, she opened the box in her apartment. Alone. In silence.
And ate every bite.
Wednesday – Vendor Crisis
There was a miscommunication on the supplier side — a missing batch, a delivery delay, a panic email chain.
Before Aditi could even draft a response, she got a message.
Already handled. Called personally. Crisis averted. You don’t have to do everything alone. — A
She stared at the screen.
No over-explaining. No show-off.
Just presence.
Help.
Like a teammate. Like a… husband.
For the first time, a small smile tugged at her lips.
Thursday Evening – The Call
At 10:43 PM, her phone buzzed. Not a message this time.
A call.
Aditya.
She hesitated — thumb hovering over ‘Decline’.
But then… pressed ‘Answer.’
“Hello?” she said quietly.
“Just wanted to know if you ate,” came his voice, low and tired.
She paused.
“Yes.”
“Good,” he said. A breath. “I didn’t want to disturb you. I just— I was thinking about you.”
Another pause.
“Don’t,” she said softly. “Don’t say things if you don’t mean them.”
“I’ve never meant anything more,” he replied.
“I’m still figuring this out, Aditya.”
“I know.”
“I don’t trust easily. Not anymore.”
“I don’t want it easy,” he said. “I just want it to be real.”
The line went silent.
And then she whispered, “…good night.”
He didn’t say goodbye.
He just said, “I’ll try again tomorrow.”
Friday – Family Twist
Aditi was about to step out of her building when she saw a familiar figure waiting by the main gate.
Her mother.
“Ma?” she asked, startled. “What are you doing here?”
Her mother smiled nervously. “I came with someone.”
Before Aditi could ask, another car pulled up.
Aditya stepped out.
Aditi’s jaw clenched. “What is this?”
“Just… lunch,” her mother said quickly. “We haven’t sat together as a family in two years. I thought it might—”
“This wasn’t your idea, was it?” Aditi turned to Aditya.
He didn’t flinch.
“No,” he said. “But I supported it.”
“I’m not ready for this.”
“I know,” he said gently. “That’s why it’s just lunch. No expectations. No pressure.”
Her mother touched her arm. “Beta… I know he made mistakes. But sometimes… men grow after the fall.”
Aditi looked at both of them.
Then exhaled.
“Fine. Lunch. Just that.”
At Lunch – A Strange Warmth
It was awkward at first — too many silences, too many eyes watching every bite, every sip, every sigh.
But then something strange happened.
Aditya’s father cracked an old joke about Aditi’s terrible tea-making skills from their early marriage days.
Her mother giggled.
Even Aditi smiled — just slightly.
Aditya looked at her like she was the rarest thing on earth.
That smile — he hadn’t seen it in years.
She caught him staring.
And this time, she didn’t look away.
That Night – Aditi’s Journal
She sat on her bed, pen in hand, staring at the open page.
After two minutes, she wrote:
Day 5.
He didn’t ask for forgiveness.
He’s asking for a chance.
Maybe… that’s harder.
She closed the journal.
And for the first time in two years, she slept without tears in her throat.
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