From Friends to Forever: Aditi & ROHIT

Chapter 18: Navigating Distance

The next morning, Aditi awoke to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee wafting through the air. She stretched and smiled, memories of last night flooding back. The warmth of Rohit's presence beside her made her heart flutter.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Rohit said, grinning as he set a cup of coffee on the bedside table. "I thought you could use this."

Aditi sat up, her hair tousled and her eyes still heavy with sleep. "You're too good to me," she replied, accepting the cup and savoring the warmth against her palms. "What time is it?"

"Just after eight. I didn't want to wake you too early," he said, sitting on the edge of the bed. "But I figured I should make the most of our time together."

"Thank you. This is perfect," Aditi said, taking a sip and feeling the caffeine kick in. "What's the plan for today?"

"I thought we could finish up the kitchen and maybe head out for lunch at that little café we used to love," he suggested, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"That sounds amazing! Let's get to work!" Aditi replied, feeling energized by the prospect of spending the day with him.

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**They worked diligently in the kitchen, their laughter filling the space as they painted and organized.** The bond they shared was palpable, and Aditi felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for having Rohit by her side.

"Remember when we used to sneak cookies from the jar when your mom wasn't looking?" Rohit laughed, recalling their childhood antics.

"How could I forget? We got caught so many times!" Aditi replied, giggling. "Your mom was so mad!"

"Yeah, but she always forgave us. That's what made it fun," he said, a nostalgic smile on his face.

As they painted the last wall, Aditi felt a rush of accomplishment. "It looks incredible," she said, stepping back to admire their work. "I can't believe how much we've done in just a few days."

"It's definitely a team effort," Rohit replied, giving her a playful nudge. "I couldn't have done this without you."

As they stood there, their shoulders brushing against each other, Aditi felt a wave of emotion wash over her. "Rohit, I'm really glad you came. I needed this time with you."

"Me too," he said, his expression turning serious. "I know it's not easy, but I believe we can make this work."

Aditi nodded, feeling a mix of hope and fear. "I want to believe that too."

---

**After finishing the kitchen, they headed to the café, a cozy little spot filled with memories.** As they sat at a window table, sipping on cold drinks, Aditi couldn't help but feel a sense of normalcy. They were just two friends enjoying a day out, but the underlying tension of their relationship lingered.

"Do you ever worry about what happens when you go back to Delhi?" Aditi asked, her heart racing as she broached the subject.

Rohit took a sip of his drink, his brow furrowed in thought. "Yeah, I do. But I also think about how we can keep this going. It's not easy, but I'm willing to put in the effort."

"I want that too, but I don't want us to drift apart again," Aditi confessed, feeling vulnerable. "It scares me."

"It scares me too," Rohit admitted, reaching across the table to take her hand. "But we can make a plan. Let's set regular times to talk, maybe even plan visits. We need to prioritize each other."

Aditi felt a sense of relief wash over her. "That sounds good. I don't want to lose what we have."

"You won't. I promise," Rohit said, squeezing her hand. "I'm in this for the long haul."