The days after Ananya and Arjun's wedding felt like a whirlwind of emotions for Aditi and Rohit. They had admitted their feelings to each other and had agreed to explore their relationship, but the reality of their blossoming romance was something new—something exhilarating and terrifying all at once.
One morning, Aditi found herself staring out of her bedroom window, watching the workers from the construction company arrive at both her house and Rohit's for the much anticipated renovations. There was something about the shared project, the collaboration between their families, that made her feel connected to Rohit in a way she hadn't before.
"Aditi! Can you come down and help with some of the designs?" her mother called from downstairs.
"Coming, Ma!" Aditi called back, quickly grabbing her sketchbook before heading down. She was in charge of coming up with the initial design plans for both houses—a role that she took great pride in. It allowed her to work closely with Rohit, as well as showcase her skills as a designer.
When she stepped outside, she found Rohit already there, talking with the foreman. He looked effortlessly handsome in a casual t-shirt and jeans, and Aditi's heart did a little flip when he smiled at her.
"Hey! You ready to talk about how to make our houses look like one?" Rohit asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
Aditi grinned. "Ready as ever. Let's start with the façade. I was thinking of a neutral palette, something earthy, to blend both houses together without losing their individual charm."
Rohit nodded, looking impressed. "That sounds perfect. Maybe we can add some accents with the window frames or doors? Something that reflects both families."
As they continued discussing the designs, they found themselves moving closer, leaning in to look at Aditi's sketches, their shoulders occasionally brushing. Every time their hands touched while flipping through pages, Aditi felt a jolt of warmth spread through her.
After a few hours, they decided to take a break. Aditi wiped the sweat from her brow, the late morning sun beating down on them. "Want to grab some lemonade?" she suggested, pointing toward her house.
"Absolutely," Rohit replied, flashing her a grateful smile.
Inside, as they sat in the cozy living room sipping their drinks, the conversation turned more personal. "It's funny," Rohit said after a moment of silence, "how life brought us back together like this. Ten years ago, I never would have imagined we'd be sitting here, talking about renovating our childhood homes."
Aditi smiled, her gaze softening as she looked at him. "I know. It feels surreal, but in a good way. I'm really glad we reconnected."
Rohit met her eyes, something unspoken passing between them. "Me too, Aditi. More than you know."
The moment stretched between them, heavy with meaning. Aditi's breath caught in her throat as she felt the intensity of his gaze, and for a brief second, she wondered if he might lean in and kiss her.
But just as the tension built, the doorbell rang, breaking the spell.
"That must be Karan," Aditi said, flustered as she jumped up to answer the door. Sure enough, her younger brother stood there, grinning as always.
"Hey, sis! I heard you're making lemonade—save some for me!" he teased as he bounded inside, completely oblivious to the charged atmosphere between his sister and Rohit.
Rohit chuckled, running a hand through his hair. "Looks like the break is over."
The rest of the day passed in a blur of work and laughter. Despite the constant presence of workers, family members, and Karan's interruptions, Aditi felt the connection between her and Rohit deepening. Every shared glance, every smile, every time he stood just a little too close, made her heart race.
That evening, after everyone had gone home, Aditi sat outside on the steps of her house, staring at the sunset. She couldn't stop thinking about Rohit—about the way he made her feel so comfortable, yet so alive.
As if on cue, Rohit appeared next to her, taking a seat on the steps. "Mind if I join you?" he asked softly.
"Not at all," Aditi replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, watching the sky turn shades of pink and orange. There was something about being with Rohit that made even the quiet moments feel profound.
"I've been thinking," Rohit said after a few minutes, his voice thoughtful. "About what you said at the café the other day. About us."
Aditi's heart skipped a beat. "What about it?" she asked, trying to sound calm, though her pulse was racing.
"I don't want to rush anything, but I also don't want to waste time pretending like there's nothing happening between us," he admitted, turning to look at her. "I want to see where this goes, Aditi. For real."
Aditi's breath caught. She'd been waiting for this moment, but hearing it out loud still took her by surprise.
"I feel the same way, Rohit," she whispered, her voice full of emotion. "I've never felt this way about anyone before. Not like this."
Rohit smiled, his eyes soft and full of warmth. "Then let's not waste time. Let's take this step together."
Aditi nodded, her heart swelling with happiness. "Together."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the world in a soft glow, Rohit reached over and took her hand. They sat there, hand in hand, watching the night descend, knowing that whatever the future held, they were ready to face it—together.