The next few weeks were a flurry of activity as the house renovations neared completion. The sound of hammers, drills, and excited voices filled the air, and the families grew even closer as they navigated through the chaos of construction. Aditi and Rohit had slipped into an easy rhythm, balancing the project and their relationship with a sense of growing affection that neither of them could deny anymore.
One evening, Aditi found herself sitting on the newly finished porch of her house, admiring how the renovations had transformed both homes. From the outside, they now appeared as one seamless structure—blending modern design elements with the warmth of their shared memories.
Rohit stepped out from his house, spotting her sitting alone. "Admiring our masterpiece?" he asked, walking over and taking a seat next to her.
Aditi smiled. "Yeah. It's hard to believe we pulled it off. The houses look so connected, like they belong together."
Rohit chuckled softly, looking at her with a hint of amusement. "Kind of like us, don't you think?"
Aditi felt a flutter in her chest at his words. "Yeah," she said quietly, meeting his eyes. "Kind of like us."
They sat in silence for a moment, the comfortable kind of silence that only comes from knowing someone for years. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow across the streets of Panipat, and in that quiet moment, everything felt right.
"I've been thinking about something," Rohit said, his voice breaking the silence. "About how we should tell our parents."
Aditi tensed slightly, her mind racing. They'd grown closer every day, and while they both knew where their relationship was heading, neither had taken the step to officially inform their families. "How do you think they'll take it?" she asked, her voice soft.
Rohit leaned back against the porch railing, his expression thoughtful. "Honestly? I think they'll be thrilled. Our families have been close for as long as we can remember. I wouldn't be surprised if they've been hoping for something like this for years."
Aditi sighed, a smile tugging at her lips. "You're probably right. They'll probably throw a huge party the second we tell them."
Rohit laughed. "Knowing our mothers? Absolutely." His laughter faded into a more serious expression as he turned to her. "But I don't want to wait much longer. I'm ready for the next step, Aditi. I don't want to keep this a secret anymore."
Aditi looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity there. She had been nervous about how quickly their relationship had progressed, but at the same time, it felt so right. After all these years, after the distance and growth, they had found their way back to each other.
"I'm ready too, Rohit," she admitted, her voice steady. "I want to take this step with you."
Just as the words left her mouth, they heard footsteps behind them. Both of their mothers appeared at the door, carrying trays of tea and snacks.
"There you two are!" Mrs. Kapoor said, beaming. "We thought we'd come out and enjoy the sunset with you."
Aditi and Rohit exchanged a look, realizing that their moment of truth had arrived sooner than expected.
"Actually, Ma, Aunty," Rohit began, standing up and clearing his throat, "there's something we wanted to tell you."
Both mothers paused, glancing at each other before turning back to their children, curiosity clear in their expressions.
Aditi stood beside Rohit, her heart racing. She could feel her palms growing sweaty, but she took a deep breath, squeezing Rohit's hand for support.
"Rohit and I…" she started, her voice trembling slightly. "We've realized that we're more than just friends."
Mrs. Kapoor's eyes widened, and Kavita Sharma gasped softly, her hand flying to her mouth.
"You mean…" Mrs. Kapoor began, her voice laced with excitement.
"Yes," Rohit finished for her. "We're together now. We've decided to give our relationship a real chance."
For a moment, there was silence, as both mothers processed the news. Then, in a burst of joy, they enveloped their children in tight hugs, laughing and crying at the same time.
"Oh, this is the best news!" Kavita exclaimed, wiping her tears. "I've been hoping for this for years!"
Mrs. Kapoor nodded vigorously, beaming at Aditi and Rohit. "You two were always meant to be! I knew it from the day you were kids, playing in the backyard together."
Aditi and Rohit exchanged relieved smiles, feeling a weight lift off their shoulders. Their mothers' joy was contagious, and soon the whole family was gathered, celebrating the news.
That evening, as the families chatted excitedly about the future, Aditi found herself feeling more at peace than she had in a long time. She and Rohit had crossed the threshold into something deeper, something real, and now that their families knew, it felt like they were on the cusp of something even greater.
Later that night, after everyone had gone to bed, Aditi found herself back on the terrace, staring up at the stars. Rohit joined her a few minutes later, as he always seemed to, as if he could sense when she needed him.
"I can't believe how well that went," Aditi said with a chuckle. "I thought they might be shocked."
Rohit smiled, leaning against the railing. "Our mothers have been planning this for years. We're just catching up to them."
Aditi laughed, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "I guess we've always been meant to be, huh?"
Rohit turned to her, his expression serious yet filled with tenderness. "I've always believed that, Aditi. Even when we were apart, something in me knew we'd find our way back to each other."
Aditi's heart fluttered, and she leaned into him, resting her head on his shoulder. "I'm so glad we did."
As they sat together under the stars, their hands entwined, Aditi felt a deep sense of contentment wash over her. The future stretched out before them, full of possibilities, and for the first time in a long time, she wasn't afraid of what lay ahead.
Because no matter what came next, she knew one thing for sure: they would face it together.