Chereads / From Friends to Forever: Aditi & ROHIT / Chapter 16 - Chapter 16: New Beginnings and Unexpected Challenges

Chapter 16 - Chapter 16: New Beginnings and Unexpected Challenges

 

The day Rohit left for Delhi was etched in Aditi's memory. It felt surreal, as if a part of her was missing. She stood on her porch, watching him drive away, the sunlight glinting off his car.

 

"Keep in touch!" Karan called from behind her, trying to lift the somber mood. But Aditi could only muster a weak smile, her heart heavy with uncertainty.

 

**Weeks passed, and the initial excitement of Rohit's new job began to fade.** Aditi threw herself into her work and the ongoing house renovation project, but every moment felt incomplete without him. Their daily phone calls became a lifeline, but it wasn't the same as being together.

 

One evening, as Aditi sat on her bed scrolling through her phone, she stumbled upon a video of Rohit attending a work event. He looked confident and happy, surrounded by colleagues. A pang of jealousy shot through her.

 

Just then, her phone buzzed with a message from him: *"Had a great day at the office! Wish you were here to celebrate."*

 

Aditi typed a quick response, masking her insecurities. *"I'm proud of you! Can't wait to hear all about it."* But deep down, she felt the chasm of distance growing between them.

 

---

 

**As the days turned into weeks, Aditi tried to maintain a routine.** She met up with Ananya often, who was adjusting to married life. One afternoon, they sat in a cozy café, sipping coffee and sharing stories.

 

"How's Rohit doing?" Ananya asked, glancing at Aditi with concern.

 

Aditi sighed, stirring her coffee. "He's busy with work. I'm proud of him, but I miss him so much. I worry about us."

 

Ananya reached across the table, squeezing Aditi's hand. "It's normal to feel that way. Long-distance relationships are tough, but if you both want it to work, you'll find a way."

 

"I know, but I can't shake off this feeling of insecurity. What if he meets someone new?" Aditi confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.

 

"Trust him, Aditi. If he's truly committed to you, nothing will come between you," Ananya reassured her.

 

Aditi nodded, though the worry lingered in the back of her mind.

 

---

 

**Meanwhile, Rohit was adjusting to life in Delhi.** His work kept him busy, but he couldn't shake the feeling of homesickness. He missed his family, his friends, and, most of all, Aditi. Despite his initial excitement, he found himself feeling lonely in the bustling city.

 

One night, after a particularly exhausting day, he video-called Aditi. Her face lit up his screen, and he felt an instant rush of warmth.

 

"Hey, you!" he greeted, his heart lifting at the sight of her.

 

"Hey! How's Delhi treating you?" Aditi asked, her eyes sparkling.

 

"It's good, but I miss home. I miss you," he admitted, feeling vulnerable.

 

"I miss you too," she replied softly, her expression mirroring his feelings. "How's work going?"

 

Rohit shared stories of his new colleagues and projects, but Aditi could sense the fatigue in his voice. "Are you taking care of yourself?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

 

"I am, I promise. Just a lot of late nights," he replied, forcing a smile.

 

As their conversation deepened, they reminisced about their childhood, their shared laughter bridging the gap between them. But when the call ended, Aditi felt the weight of loneliness settle back in.

 

---

 

**As the weeks continued to unfold, both Aditi and Rohit faced their own challenges.** Aditi's renovation project hit a snag when they discovered structural issues that would require more time and money. Frustrated, she turned to Karan for support.

 

"Why can't we just hire a professional? This is too much for us to handle," Karan suggested, leaning against the kitchen counter.

 

"I don't want to spend more money than we have to," Aditi replied, running a hand through her hair. "But I don't know how to fix this."

 

"Let's just get it done, Aditi. You're taking on too much. I'll help you with whatever you need," Karan encouraged.

 

His support gave Aditi a boost, and together they worked tirelessly to solve the renovation issues. However, the stress began to take a toll on her, leaving little time for her to communicate with Rohit.

 

---

 

**One evening, as Aditi was buried in work, her phone buzzed with a message from Rohit:** *"Can we talk? Something important."*

 

Her heart raced as she typed back, *"Sure, is everything okay?"*

 

The response came quickly: *"Let's video chat."*

 

When Aditi joined the call, Rohit's expression was serious, causing her stomach to twist in knots. "What's wrong?" she asked, her heart racing.

 

"Nothing's wrong, but I've been offered a permanent position in Delhi. They want me to commit long-term," he said, looking directly into her eyes.

 

Aditi felt a mix of emotions. "That's amazing, Rohit! But…what does that mean for us?"

 

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I want to take the job, but I don't want to lose what we have. I need to know where we stand."

 

"Rohit, I want you to succeed. But I can't pretend that I'm not scared," Aditi confessed, her voice trembling. "What if we can't make this work?"

 

"I believe we can. But we have to be honest with each other," he replied earnestly. "I want you to be my partner in this, no matter where we are."

 

Aditi's heart swelled at his words, but doubts still lingered. "I just want to make sure we're on the same page."

 

"We need to have a plan," Rohit suggested. "Let's set goals for our relationship. Regular visits, honest communication, and making time for each other, no matter what."

 

"Okay, that sounds good," Aditi replied, feeling a glimmer of hope. "We can do this."

 

As they talked late into the night, Aditi felt a renewed sense of determination. Despite the challenges, she realized their love was worth fighting for.

 

---

 

**However, the reality of their situation was not lost on Aditi.** The pressure of the renovation project and the uncertainty of Rohit's new job weighed heavily on her heart. As the days passed, she struggled to find a balance between her responsibilities and her feelings for Rohit.

 

One afternoon, she sat with Ananya at their favorite café, feeling overwhelmed. "I feel like I'm drowning in everything—work, the house, and the distance from Rohit."

 

Ananya reached across the table, placing her hand on Aditi's. "You don't have to do this alone. It's okay to ask for help."

 

"I know, but I don't want to burden anyone," Aditi replied, fighting back tears.

 

"Let's make a plan. You can lean on me and Karan," Ananya suggested. "We can help you with the renovation. You need to take care of yourself too."

 

Aditi nodded, grateful for her friend's support. "Thank you, Ananya. I don't know what I'd do without you."

 

---

 

**As the weeks turned into months, Aditi and Rohit continued to navigate their long-distance relationship, facing both challenges and triumphs.** They found joy in small moments—sending each other care packages, sharing late-night video calls, and planning future visits.

 

But as they learned to communicate better, unexpected conflicts arose. Aditi struggled with feelings of inadequacy when she saw Rohit thriving in his new job while she felt bogged down by the renovation challenges. On the other hand, Rohit faced pressure at work, leading to moments of frustration and fatigue that he sometimes unintentionally projected onto Aditi during their calls.

 

One evening, during a particularly tense conversation, Aditi snapped. "You don't understand how hard this is for me! I'm trying to keep everything together here while you're off living your dream!"

 

Rohit's eyes widened in surprise. "Aditi, I never meant to make you feel that way! I'm proud of you and everything you're doing."

 

"Then why does it feel like you're too busy for me?" Aditi countered, her voice shaking.

 

"Because I am busy! I'm trying to make a life for us!" Rohit exclaimed, his frustration bubbling over. "I thought you'd be supportive of my career!"

 

Aditi took a deep breath, realizing they were both feeling the pressure. "I am supportive, but it's hard for me too. I miss you, and sometimes it feels like you're moving on without me."

 

There was a heavy silence on the other end of the call as they both processed the tension. Rohit finally spoke, his tone softer. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel that way. I want us to succeed, but we need to communicate better."

 

"I agree," Aditi said, her heart aching. "Let's try to be more understanding of each other's struggles. We're in this together, right?"

 

"Always," Rohit replied, relief flooding his voice. "Let's keep working on it."

 

---

 

**As they continued to face challenges together, Aditi felt a renewed sense of determination.** She focused on the renovation project, seeking help

 

 from Karan and Ananya. They transformed the house, and with each completed room, Aditi felt a sense of accomplishment.

 

One weekend, as Aditi and Karan worked on painting the living room, they laughed and shared memories. It reminded Aditi of her childhood, bringing a sense of joy amidst the chaos.

 

That evening, after a long day of work, Aditi received a surprise message from Rohit: *"Can I come home for the weekend? I miss you."*

 

Her heart raced with excitement. *"Yes! I can't wait to see you!"*

 

As the weekend approached, Aditi prepared for Rohit's visit, her heart filled with anticipation. When he arrived, she felt a rush of joy as he stepped through the door, wrapping her in a warm embrace.

 

"I missed you so much," he murmured, burying his face in her hair.

 

"I missed you too," Aditi replied, feeling the weight of the world lift off her shoulders.

 

---

 

**That weekend was filled with laughter, late-night talks, and stolen moments.** They explored their hometown, revisiting old memories and creating new ones. As they lay under the stars one night, Aditi felt a sense of peace wash over her.

 

"Do you think we can really make this work?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

 

"I believe we can," Rohit replied, intertwining his fingers with hers. "We just have to keep being honest and supporting each other. I want you in my life, Aditi."

 

"I want that too," she said, her heart swelling with love.

 

As they gazed at the stars, Aditi felt a renewed sense of hope. Despite the challenges ahead, she knew they could face anything together.