The next day dawned with a renewed sense of purpose. The house updates were in their final stages, but the excitement from the previous night lingered in the air. Now that Aditi and Rohit's relationship was out in the open, everything seemed to flow more smoothly.
The families gathered for breakfast, the aroma of parathas and chai filling the room. Conversations were lively, filled with wedding preparations and the final touches for the house renovations. But there was an unspoken understanding that something much bigger had shifted.
"What are your plans for the day, Aditi beta?" Vikram Sharma asked, pouring himself a second cup of chai.
Aditi smiled, glancing at Rohit. "Rohit and I are going to check out the last bits of the renovation, make sure everything's on track. And I think we'll stop by Ananya's later to help with some wedding stuff."
"Sounds like a busy day," Arvind Kapoor remarked, giving a knowing smile. "Don't work too hard. You two should also take some time for yourselves, you know?"
Aditi blushed, but Rohit just grinned. "Don't worry, Uncle. We'll manage."
As the day unfolded, Aditi and Rohit found themselves working closely with the contractors, overseeing the final painting and the installation of new furnishings. Every decision felt important, not just because of the houses but because of what they symbolized—how their lives had intertwined once more, creating something entirely new.
"It's funny, isn't it?" Aditi said, as they walked through what used to be the wall that separated their homes, now a shared space. "These houses feel like they're reflecting us—two separate lives becoming one."
Rohit looked at her thoughtfully, nodding in agreement. "Yeah. It's almost like fate planned this whole renovation to bring us back together." He paused, taking her hand in his. "And I'm glad it did."
Aditi squeezed his hand, her heart swelling. "Me too. It feels…right."
They spent the afternoon in comfortable companionship, teasing each other over paint colors and furniture arrangements, and sneaking in quiet moments of affection whenever they could. Every touch, every smile, made their bond grow stronger.
Later that evening, they found themselves at Ananya's house, helping her finalize last-minute wedding details. Ananya and Arjun were a whirlwind of excitement, their own love story in full bloom, and Aditi couldn't help but smile at how different their lives had turned out compared to when they were kids.
"Look at you two," Ananya teased, nudging Aditi as they sorted through the wedding invitations. "It's like you're already a couple planning your own wedding!"
Aditi blushed but shot her friend a playful glare. "One step at a time, Ananya. We've just gotten together."
Arjun joined in the teasing, grinning at Rohit. "Well, considering your families' reactions, I'd say a wedding might not be too far off."
Rohit laughed, shaking his head. "We'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, we're just focusing on your big day."
As the evening wore on, Aditi and Rohit found themselves sitting in a quiet corner of the garden, the wedding preparations momentarily forgotten. The cool evening breeze swept through the trees, carrying with it the scent of jasmine.
"Being here, helping Ananya and Arjun," Aditi began, looking up at the stars, "it makes me think about the future."
Rohit tilted his head, watching her carefully. "What do you mean?"
Aditi turned to him, her eyes soft but serious. "I mean us, Rohit. Where are we heading? I know we've just started, but…I can't help but think about what's next."
Rohit's expression softened, and he took her hand in his. "I've been thinking about it too. We've spent years apart, and now that we're back together, everything feels like it's falling into place. I don't want to rush things, but at the same time, I can't imagine my life without you in it."
Aditi smiled, her heart racing. "I feel the same way. It's like everything we went through—the time apart, the distance—it was all leading us back to this moment."
Rohit leaned in, resting his forehead against hers. "I don't want to waste any more time, Aditi. We have six months of leave. Let's make the most of it. Let's figure out what the future holds, together."
Aditi closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his words wash over her. "Together," she whispered.
As they sat there, wrapped in each other's presence, Aditi couldn't help but feel that the future they were talking about wasn't some far-off possibility—it was already unfolding right before them.