The wedding festivities continued late into the night, the air buzzing with excitement and joy. Aditi felt a sense of elation as she and Rohit mingled with family and friends. Each interaction brought a renewed sense of belonging, but it was the time spent with Rohit that lingered most in her heart.
The next morning, Aditi woke to the sound of laughter echoing from the living room. Stretching and yawning, she got out of bed, her mind replaying the beautiful moments from the wedding. She could still feel the warmth of Rohit's hand in hers, the way their bodies moved in sync on the dance floor.
As she joined her family, she found her parents, Vikram and Kavita, chatting animatedly about the wedding.
"Good morning, sweetheart! Did you sleep well?" her mother asked, pouring herself a cup of tea.
"I did, thanks! The wedding was amazing!" Aditi replied, her eyes lighting up at the memory.
"It truly was," Vikram agreed, a proud smile on his face. "Ananya looked beautiful, and everything went off without a hitch."
Aditi nodded, taking a seat at the dining table. Her brother, Karan, was already digging into breakfast, and she could see the remnants of last night's celebration scattered around the room—balloons, flower arrangements, and the faint scent of jasmine lingering in the air.
"Did you and Rohit have fun last night?" Karan teased, a knowing grin spreading across his face.
Aditi felt a blush creep up her cheeks. "It was fun, Karan. Just dancing and celebrating with friends," she replied, trying to sound casual.
Her parents exchanged glances, clearly intrigued.
"You two seemed to be enjoying each other's company," Kavita noted, raising an eyebrow. "It's nice to see you both getting along so well."
"Yeah, we go way back. We were childhood friends," Aditi said, attempting to keep the mood light. But inside, her heart raced at the thought of how much more they were becoming.
After breakfast, Aditi decided to call Rohit. She was excited to hear his voice and wanted to see him again. As the phone rang, she felt a flutter of nerves.
"Hey, Aditi! How's it going?" Rohit's cheerful voice greeted her.
"Good! Just enjoying some family time after the wedding. How about you?" she asked, unable to suppress her smile.
"Same here. My parents are already talking about what's next for me, as usual. You know how it goes," he replied with a hint of amusement.
Aditi chuckled. "Yep! I get it. My mom is the same."
"Want to meet up later? Maybe go for a walk or grab a coffee?" Rohit suggested.
"I'd love that! Let's do it!" Aditi replied, her heart racing at the prospect.
Later that afternoon, Aditi met Rohit at a cozy café in Panipat, a favorite spot from their childhood. The familiar atmosphere felt comforting, and she couldn't help but reminisce about the times they used to hang out there.
As they settled into a corner table, Aditi felt the excitement bubbling within her. "It's so good to be back here," she said, glancing around. "I can't believe how much has changed and yet stayed the same."
"I know! It feels like no time has passed at all," Rohit replied, his eyes twinkling with nostalgia.
They spent hours talking, sharing stories of their lives over the past decade. Aditi loved hearing about Rohit's experiences in Delhi, his job, and how he had grown. It was a different side of him, and she found herself admiring him even more.
As the conversation flowed, they discussed their hopes and dreams. Aditi felt a connection growing between them, the unspoken bond of friendship blossoming into something deeper.
"What about you, Aditi? What do you want for your future?" Rohit asked, leaning forward, his expression serious.
Aditi hesitated, her heart pounding. "I want to make a difference, maybe start my own design firm someday. But mostly, I want to be happy and find someone to share my life with."
"That's great! You deserve that," Rohit replied, his eyes softening. "And I can definitely see you achieving it."
They exchanged shy smiles, the air between them thick with unspoken words. Aditi felt a rush of courage and decided to take the leap.
"Rohit, can I ask you something? About us?" she said, her voice steady.
"Of course. What's on your mind?" he replied, his expression serious yet encouraging.
"I know we're reconnecting and it's still new, but I can't help but feel this spark between us. I want to explore it further," Aditi confessed, her heart racing.
Rohit's eyes lit up with surprise and excitement. "I feel it too, Aditi. I've been wanting to talk about it but wasn't sure if you felt the same."
Aditi smiled, relief flooding through her. "So, what do we do now?"
"Let's take it step by step. We can explore this together, see where it leads," he suggested, his tone hopeful.
"I'd like that," Aditi replied, feeling a sense of joy wash over her.
After finishing their coffee, they decided to take a walk through the nearby park. The gentle breeze and the beauty of the blooming flowers created a perfect backdrop for their budding romance.
As they strolled, Aditi couldn't help but feel hopeful. Each step brought them closer together, and she could see a future filled with possibilities.
Just as they were about to leave the park, Rohit suddenly paused, turning to face her.
"Aditi, can I ask you something?" he said, his voice serious.
"Sure, what is it?" she asked, her heart racing.
"What if, one day, we both want the same things? Would you consider being together? As more than friends?" Rohit asked, his eyes searching hers.
Aditi felt a rush of emotions at his words. "If that day comes, I would be ready," she replied honestly, her heart pounding with excitement and fear.
Rohit smiled, a spark of hope in his eyes. "Then let's make that day happen."
As they left the park hand in hand, Aditi felt a thrill of anticipation. The journey ahead was unknown, but she was ready to embrace it with Rohit by her side.