Echoes of Love Lost [COMPLETED]

Chapter 5: "A Glimpse of Us"

Ditya's heart was broken. She had just ended her relationship with Rifan and felt lost and alone. 

But then she met Aldi, a medical student whom she encountered while volunteering for the Red Cross. At first, Ditya was hesitant to open up to Aldi, but he was persistent in his caring and supportive attitude towards her.

💖~🍵🍵🍵~💖

As she was about to sit down at an empty table, Aldi appeared out of nowhere, holding a cup of coffee and some pastries. "I thought you could use a little pick-me-up," he said with a smile.

Ditya couldn't help but feel touched by Aldi's thoughtfulness. "Thank you so much, Aldi," she said gratefully, taking the coffee and pastry from him. "You really didn't have to do this."

Aldi just shrugged. "I wanted to. Plus, I heard from one of the other volunteers that you've been going through a tough time lately. I wanted to do something to help."

Ditya felt a lump form in her throat at his words. She had been struggling to move on from her past relationship with Rifan, and the pain had been almost unbearable at times. But Aldi had always been there for her, offering a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on.

"Thank you for being there for me, Aldi," she said softly, looking into his kind eyes.

As they sat together, enjoying their coffee and pastries, they talked about everything and nothing. Aldi made her laugh, and for the first time in a long time, Ditya felt like she could breathe again.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. Aldi and Ditya grew closer with each passing day, and Ditya found herself falling more and more in love with him.

As the days went on, Aldi continued to be a constant presence in Ditya's life, always checking in on her and making her feel heard and understood. They talked about everything from their shared love of music to their dreams for the future.

Slowly but surely, Ditya began to realize that she was starting to develop feelings for Aldi. She couldn't help but compare his caring and supportive nature to Rifan's lack of empathy and understanding.

---

One evening, Aldi had planned a surprise dinner to celebrate Ditya's birthday. They were seated at a cozy table with a beautiful view of the city skyline. The soft glow of the candles on the table and the gentle music in the background created a romantic ambiance.

As they enjoyed their meal, Aldi took Ditya's hand in his and said, "Ditya, I've been wanting to tell you something for a long time. I hope this dinner will be the perfect opportunity." Ditya looked at him with curiosity and anticipation.

"I know we've been friends for a long time, and I treasure our friendship," Aldi continued. "But lately, I've realized that my feelings for you are more than just friendship. I'm in love with you, Ditya."

Ditya's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a warmth spread through her body. She had always felt a deep connection with Aldi, but she had never dared to imagine that he felt the same way about her.

"I don't want to pressure you or make you feel uncomfortable," Aldi added. "I just wanted to be honest with you and let you know how I feel."

Ditya looked into Aldi's eyes and saw the sincerity and affection in them. She felt a surge of happiness and gratitude for having such a caring and loving friend.

"Thank you, Aldi," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "You have no idea how much this means to me. I need some time to process my feelings, but I want you to know that I care about you deeply, too."

"I do love you, Ditya"

As Ditya gazed into Aldi's eyes, she felt a sudden pang of guilt. She couldn't help but remember the good times she had shared with Rifan, and how he had been the one to make her heart skip a beat. Despite her feelings for Aldi, she couldn't shake off the memories of Rifan.

"I lo..." she began to say, but as she looked into Aldi's eyes, she saw a reflection of Rifan staring back at her. The moment felt bittersweet, and she found herself unable to say the words.

Sensing her hesitation, Aldi gently embraced her, pulling her close. "It's okay," he whispered, "you don't have to say anything. I understand."

Ditya felt a rush of gratitude towards Aldi for his understanding and kindness. Even though she couldn't reciprocate his feelings in the way he wanted her to, she knew that their friendship was strong enough to weather any storm.

As they sat together in comfortable silence, Ditya couldn't help but wonder if she would ever be able to fully move on from her feelings for Rifan. But for now, she was content to enjoy the moment and cherish the bond she shared with Aldi.