The Distance Between Us

Chapter 1: The Call Across the Miles

The soft glow of the Parisian night reflected off the window pane, casting a cool, silvery hue across Riya Rathore's tiny studio apartment. She sipped her espresso, the rich aroma filling the air as she gazed out at the sprawling city. The Eiffel Tower twinkled in the distance, its lights flickering like a thousand stars, a constant reminder of how far she had come from the girl she once was in Bombay.

Six years. Six years since she'd left, chased her dreams, and built a career as one of the most sought-after photographers in the world. Paris, New York, Tokyo—each city had offered its own unique charm and story. But still, her heart remained tethered to her roots in Bombay, where the people she loved remained, just beyond her reach.

Her phone buzzed, snapping her out of her reverie. The screen lit up with a picture of Aditi Kapoor, her best friend since childhood. Riya's face, beaming with excitement, always had a way of lighting up Riya's day.

"Aditiiii!" Riya answered quickly, her voice a mixture of affection and amusement. "How are you, you mad woman?"

Aditi's face popped up on the screen, her messy bun slightly askew, as if she had been running around all day. "I'm good, you?!" Aditi replied, her tone immediately brightening at the sight of Riya.

"I'm surviving," Riya smiled, trying to keep things light. "The usual—Paris is beautiful, but you know, not quite Bombay."

"Ugh, stop it. You had to make it sound like that," Aditi pouted, even though Aditi could hear the teasing in her voice. "Okay, let's get down to business. The wedding! You have to come, it's a destination wedding, in UDAIPUR Riya! It's in 2 weeks, you cannot miss it and I swear I'll die if you're not here!"

Riya sighed, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. She loved Aditi—always had, always would but this was a tough one. Riya had always been the spontaneous one, the dreamer, the one who ran away to follow her passions. Aditi, on the other hand, was grounded, steady, and now she was embarking on this new chapter of her life, marrying the love of her life, Rahul.

"I know, Aditi, I know," Riya said, trying to sound as convincing as possible.

It had been too long since they had been together, and Aditi was trying everything she could to get Riya to Udaipur for her wedding.

"You better come!" Aditi nearly shouted. "I swear, if you bail on me this time—"

"I'm not bailing," Riya interrupted, her tone teasing. "But, you know... I've got a lot going on here, babe. Paris isn't exactly a place you leave at the drop of a hat."

"Stop making excuses," Aditi said with a mock sternness. "I know you, Riya Rathore. You're always about the next big thing, but this is my wedding! You've been there for me through everything else. I'm getting married, and I need you there."

Riya smiled softly, biting her lip. She knew how important this day was for Aditi. She paused, gathering her thoughts before speaking.

"Aditi, I've been thinking a lot about it, and I'm so sorry, but I can't come to the wedding," she said gently.

Aditi's face immediately fell, the excitement in her eyes replaced with confusion and hurt. "What? Riya, you promised! You have to be there."

Riya's voice softened, tinged with regret. "I know, I know. I really wanted to be there, but things here are just... more complicated than I thought. There are a lot of commitments I can't get out of, and I just can't make it work."

Aditi's brow furrowed, a hint of suspicion creeping into her voice. "Wait a minute, is this because of Veer? Are you avoiding the wedding because of him? Is that it?"

Riya blinked, taken aback. "What? No, no, Aditi, not at all!" She shook her head, laughing softly to herself. "Veer never even crossed my mind. This is all about the agreements I signed, the projects I'm committed to... they're all happening at the same time, and I just can't break them."

Aditi stared at her, still not convinced. "But Riya, we both know how important this day is. This wedding means everything to me, and we've been through so much together. I can't imagine it without you there."

Riya sighed, feeling a lump in her throat. She knew the weight of Aditi's words, but she had to stay firm. "I know, Aditi. And I wish I could be there for you. It hurts me just as much as it hurts you. But my schedule here... it's just too packed. There's no way to make it work."

For a moment, Aditi was quiet, her gaze steady, but then a new thought seemed to surface. "So it's really not about Veer? After all these years?" she asked quietly, her voice tinged with something Riya couldn't quite place.

Riya's chest tightened. Veer. The name alone brought back memories she wasn't ready to face. She hadn't seen Veer in years—not since the breakup that had shattered everything they once shared. Veer had never been the one to leave the city, the one to chase dreams like Aditi had. He had stayed behind, taken over the family business, and built an empire of his own. The irony? It was their different choices—their different paths—that had ultimately led to their separation. Riya hadn't thought about him much lately, and she certainly wasn't going to let him become a factor in this conversation.

"No, Aditi," she said, her voice steady but carrying a weight of unspoken history. "Veer's not the reason. Honestly, he hasn't crossed my mind in a long time. This is really about the commitments I've already made. I just can't back out now."

Aditi's face softened slightly, but the hurt lingered. "I know. I guess I just... I just wanted to make sure you weren't running away from something."

Riya felt the sting of that comment. "I'm not running from anything, Aditi. I swear. I just... I can't come to the wedding, but I'll be thinking of you every second of the day."

Aditi nodded slowly, the pain in her eyes still evident. "I understand. I guess I just wish... I wish you were here."

"I wish I could be," Riya whispered, her heart aching as she watched her best friend's face fall once again.

There was a long pause before Aditi spoke again, her voice barely audible. "Okay. If that's how it is... I guess I'll see you when I see you."

"I love you, Aditi," Riya said softly, the pain in her voice clear.

"I love you too," Aditi whispered back, her eyes glistening as the call ended, leaving Riya staring at her phone, heart heavy with guilt.

Writer's Note:

Hey there! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. It's always fun to dive into Riya and Aditi's world, but as you can see, sometimes life gets in the way of plans—no matter how much we wish we could be there for the people we love. It's these little moments of conflict that make their bond so special.

If you liked this chapter, don't forget to vote and comment below! I'd love to hear your thoughts on the story, and feel free to share any predictions you have for what's coming next. Thanks for reading, and I'll see you in the next chapter!