The distance between us
Author Pov:??????
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Five years had passed.
He studied at one of the most prestigious university and yes it's Oxford already complete his graduation now he was pursuing CA demanding.
His days were filled with lectures, numbers, pressure, and expectations. He was building the future everyone wanted from him.
And today was Christmas.Aarav looked genuinely happy .Because he was going out with his love . With his girl.
Aarav Oberoi stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of his coat for the third time.
He looked different now.Taller. Sharper. More mature.And being grown up he became more handsome that girls are want to throw themselves on him even it's for one night.
But he was loyal with his girl.
A real smile curved his lips as he checked his watch.
"She's late," he muttered but there was no irritation in his voice. He grabbed his keys and stepped outside, leaning casually against the wall near his door.
Minutes passed.Then the elevator doors slid open.
And she stepped out. It's not Meera , it's Aditi Sharma.
She looked beautiful in a soft red coat, white scarf wrapped loosely around her neck, cheeks pink from the cold. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw him.
"Aarav!" she exclaimed.She didn't walk , she ran.
He barely had time to react before she jumped into his arms. He caught her easily, laughing as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Merry Christmas," she said breathlessly.
"Merry Christmas," he replied, smiling back at her.
She pulled his face down and kissed him quick, playful. He kissed her back, familiar, easy.
"You took forever and look so hot or can sexy" he teased.
She raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me? I was choosing between freezing to death and looking pretty for you."
He chuckled. "Clearly, you chose wisely."
She rolled her eyes, looping her arm through his. "Come on, Mr. Oxford topper. Let's go before I change my mind."
She grabbed his arm and walk in snow.Aarav and Aditi walked side by side.
"Look at this one!" Aditi suddenly exclaimed, pulling him toward a small shop overflowing with ornaments.
Before he could protest, she was already inside.
"Aditi ...wait," he sighed, following her anyway.
She picked up a tiny glass snow globe and shook it gently. White flakes swirled inside."It's beautiful," she said softly. "Don't you think?"
Aarav glanced at it. "It'll break in your bag."
She frowned. "You ruin everything."
He smirked. "I'm practical."
"You're boring," she declared, placing it back dramatically.
They stepped outside again, the cold brushing their cheeks. Aditi stopped suddenly, eyes sparkling.He followed her gaze and immediately groaned.
"Oh my God. Aditi . No."
A stand selling Santa hats, elf caps, and reindeer headbands stood proudly in the middle of the street.
"Absolutely not," he said before she could speak.
She gasped. "You didn't even let me ask! "
"I already know."
She grabbed a reindeer headband and held it up. "Just for one minute."
"No."he said
"Thirty seconds?" she ask
"No." he said .
"Five seconds?" she again asked while making sad face.
He sighed. "You're impossible."
She placed the headband on his head. "Perfect."
He tried to pull it off. "I look ridiculous."
"You look cute," she corrected.
He raised an eyebrow. "Cute?"
She took out her phone. "Smile."
"No." he said while is rejected her Click.
"Too late," she said happily, showing him the photo.
Aarav stared at the screen. "Delete it."
"Never, This is going to my favorites."" she said, already typing.
A group of kids nearby laughed, pointing at him. Aarav shot Aditi a look.
"You're enjoying this too much."
She laughed freely. "You never let go. This is progress."
They continued walking, stopping near a street performer playing a soft violin melody. The music wrapped around them gently.
"Do you hear that?" she whispered.
"I hear it," he said.
She turned to him. "Dance with me."
He stiffened. "Here?"
"Yes. Now."said said while excited.
He glanced around. People were watching smiling, couples holding hands, children spinning in circles.
"I don't dance," he said firmly.
She stepped closer, placing her hands on his chest. "You don't have to dance. Just... move."
He hesitated.
He placed his hands on her waist.
She smiled softly. "See? Not so hard."
They moved gently, barely dancing, just swaying in place. Her head rested against his chest.
"You're tense," she murmured.
"I'm not." he said.
"You are ." she said, tapping his chest
He exhaled. "I'm not used to this."
"To being happy?" she teased.
He didn't answer immediately. But grabbed her waist more tightly and make closer to his chest.
Aditi looked up at him. "Do you ever miss being carefree?"
He swallowed. "I don't have time for that."
She studied his face. "You're allowed to enjoy things, Aarav."
He nodded but his eyes drifted somewhere far away or say someone who is not here.
Aditi noticed.
She squeezed his hand gently. "Hey. You're here. With me."
He looked down at her and forced a smile. "Yeah."
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They walked again, fingers intertwined now. Snowflakes landed on Aditi's hair. She laughed, trying to catch them.
"London feels magical today," she said.
"It does," he agreed.
She leaned closer. "Thank you for today."
"For what?"
"For choosing me. For being here." she answered.
His steps slowed just a little.
"You don't have to thank me," he said quietly.
She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder as they disappeared into the glowing crowd and walk for go to Club.
At Pub:??????
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The pub glowed warmly, fairy lights hanging low, soft Christmas music humming in the background.
Aditi lifted her glass, took a small sip, then scrunched her nose."Ugh. This is stronger than I expected."
Aarav smirked. "You ordered it confidently."
"I didn't know you'd judge me like this."
"I always judge," he said lazily.
She pointed a finger at him. "You're the one who told the bartender to surprise me."
"I trusted his judgment," he said innocently.
She took another sip anyway and immediately grimaced. "yes ...huh!"
He laughed openly now. "You keep drinking it."
"Because I don't like wasting things," she said stubbornly.
"That's my responsible girlfriend," he teased.
She pushed his glass toward him. "Drink."
He took a slow sip, eyes never leaving hers. "Satisfied?"
She smiled sweetly. "A little."
She rested her chin on her hand, watching him. "Next year I'll graduate. You'll finally stop calling me 'junior.'"
He raised an eyebrow. "Don't be so sure."
She laughed. "You're impossible."
"You like that," he replied smoothly.
Her smile softened. "You're proud of me, right?"
He nodded without hesitation. "Of course. Aditi".
"Say it properly," she insisted.
He sighed dramatically. "Yes, Aditi Sharma. I'm proud of you."
Her cheeks flushed. "That wasn't so hard."
She kicked his leg lightly under the table. "You never say sweet things unless I force you."
"I show.I don't announce." he said quietly.
She leaned in, voice teasing. "Then show me right now."
He reached out, brushing his thumb over her knuckles slowly. "Like this?"
Her breath hitched. "That's cheating."
He smiled. "You started it."
"Aarav, stop" she warned quietly, eyes darting around.
He tilted his head, completely innocent. "Stop what?"
"You know exactly what."His fingers moved slow, teasing, just enough to make her breath hitch. He watched her reaction closely, clearly enjoying every second.
She slapped his hand away. "We are in public!"
"And?" he murmured, leaning forward slightly. "You're the one blushing."
"I am not.." she stopped, realizing he was right. "You're doing this on purpose."
"Yes," he admitted without shame.
"You're impossible."She crossed her arms, annoyed.
He leaned closer, voice low. "You like me impossible."
She scoffed, grabbing her glass and taking a long drink. "You're so annoying."
His hand slipped back this time resting lightly at her waist,"You're drinking too fast," he said quietly.
She glared at him. "You started it."
He smiled. "True."
She tried to pull away, but he kept his hand there firm, possessive, teasing her with how close he was.
"Aarav,People can see." she whispered sharply.
His lips curved. "Let them."Her anger flared.
"You're enjoying making me annoying."she said.
"I'm enjoying making you react," he corrected.
She about to stand up suddenly, swaying just a little. "I'm going to the washroom."
But a group nearby burst into laughter, someone bumping the table. Aditi jumped, spilling a drop on her sleeve.
"Hey ..." she frowned.Without thinking, Aarav leaned closer, wiping it gently with a napkin.
"Careful."he said that boy.
She looked at him, eyes warm. "You're very attentive today."
"Christmas mood," he said.
"Or... boyfriend mood?" she teased.
He tilted his head. "Maybe."
She smiled, satisfied, then whispered, "I like you like this."
"Like what?"he ask.
"Relaxed. Smiling and only for Me."
He leaned back slightly. "Careful or you'll get used to it."
She leaned closer instead. "Maybe I want to."
Aditi swayed slightly in her seat for going to bathroom.He stood instantly, hand gripping her waist to steady her.
"You're tipsy." he said.
"I'm fine," she insisted, though she leaned into him without realizing.
He bent down, lips brushing her ear. "You're not."
Her breath caught. "You're impossible,"
"And you're still holding onto me," he whispered back.
She pushed him lightly. "Let go."
Instead, he pulled her closer and kissed her.Just firm enough to silence her anger.
When he pulled back, her glare was gone replaced with soft, stunned warmth.
"That's unfair," she whispered.
He smiled against her forehead. "Works every time."
She sighed, defeated, resting her head briefly against his chest."I hate you."
"Me too." he said softly.
After going back to bathroom they both went out from pub.The cold air hit her hard as they stepped outside.
Aditi shivered immediately. "Why is it freezing?"Aarav shrugged off his coat and wrapped it around her shoulders without asking.
"You're drunk," he said again.
"I'm festive," she replied lazily, stumbling slightly.
He caught her easily, arm firm around her waist."Careful."
She looked up at him, smiling slowly. "Take me your home."
His eyes darkened just a little. "You sure?"
She nodded. "Yes."
In Aarav's apartment:??????
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The apartment was quiet, warm, glowing under soft lights. London sparkled outside the tall windows.
Aditi kicked off her shoes and collapsed onto the couch.
"This place is too fancy for me."
He walked over, standing in front of her. "You fit just fine."
She looked up at him, eyes heavy, playful."You teased me all night."
"Yes . And you enjoyed it." he said honestly.
"Yes."She smiled, reaching for his shirt and pulling him closer.
"Then don't stop now."He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her lips .
Aditi sat up on the couch, her fingers still curled in Aarav's shirt. She didn't pull him down this time.
For a moment, neither of them moved."You're looking at me like that again," she said softly.
He didn't deny it. His voice was low. "You started it."
She stepped closer, close enough that he could feel her warmth. "I don't want to stop."
His hand came up, resting at her waist ,"Neither do I."
Her fingers slid to the buttons of his shirt, slow on purpose, eyes never leaving his.One button.Then another.
"You're very confident for someone who was dizzy an hour ago," he murmured.
She smiled, dangerous and soft at the same time. "You're very distracting."
She shrugged the shirt off his shoulders. He let her.Aarav's hands followed her movement, brushing her arms, her backtouches .
He leaned in, forehead touching hers.
"This is what you want?" he asked quietly.
She nodded. "Yes."
That was all he needed.He cupped her face and kissed herslow, deep. Not to tease. Not to provoke.
When they broke apart, her breath was uneven. His wasn't much better.
They remove each other clothes. Both are feeling eachother warm.
They moved together toward the bedroom, steps unsteady, smiles soft, hands never letting go.
The door closed behind them.Aarav and Aditi sank onto the bed together, bodies close, heat radiating between them.
After some time :??????
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After both of them come. Aditi go back to sleep because she have so energy left.
Because he was so hard on her this time or say always.He was kissing her shoulder and smiling then he suddenly felt guilty. Because he knew something he shouldn't do, he always do .. but then he removed the thought from his head and also go back to sleep.
In Oberoi mansion:??????
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Meera stood in front of the tall mirror, brushing her hair slowly.She had grown up like a woman, more mature, independent.
Meera still lived in the Oberoi mansion.Mrs. Oberoi Janvi had been a constant support, helping her with her studies .
she stayed mostly in the maid's quarters, quietly tending to her routines, keeping herself occupied, keeping hope in future her Aarav would one day return and accept her love.
But reality was cruel. Aarav hadn't called her in months. In the first year after he left, he used to call, to check on her, to show her care and affection but now, nothing.
He didn't reply to her calls or messages. She had tried calling from other numbers, hoping he wouldn't recognize her voice but the moment he did, he cut the call.
"Look at you," she whispered to herself, tilting her head. "Strong... but still waiting for him."
Rani softly and peeked in. "Meera, do you make the cake? It's for Christmas."
She smiled faintly, keeping her voice steady. "Yes, Rani . It's in the kitchen."
"Okay "Rani said.
Rani and Meera are like close friend. They become close eachother in those years.
Five years... she thought. The first year, yes... every day. But now... nothing. Two long years, and he hasn't called.
After two years, one day he had sent her a message, telling her to forget him, to move on, to abandon the promises they had made together.
She whispered softly, almost to herself, "How can he just forget me like that? How... how can I forget him. I always loved him, and i would move on?"
Her fingers trembled slightly as she brushed through the knots. "I'll never forget you, Aarav. Never. I don't care what he says... I don't care if he blocks me. I'll wait."
Brushing her hair, she felt the tears prick her eyes. Today was Christmas, the same day they had celebrated as children.
A soft sigh escaped her lips. "It's Christmas... I wonder if he's celebrating at all. I hope... I hope he's happy."
She put down the brush and climbed into bed, hugging the pillow tightly. she picked her phone up. Her thumb hovered over the screen, then typed slowly:
"Happy Christmas, Aarav... please come back for me. I'll always wait." She whispered to the empty room.
"Even if you don't answer... I know you'll see this one day." Tears welled up, but she wiped them quickly.
"I can't cry anymore. Not for him. Not for anyone. But... I love him. I always will."she said.
"Goodnight, Aarav... wherever you are. Be happy... even if it's not with me."She set the phone down, curling up under the blankets.
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Hope you like the chapter..
Don't forget to comment your thoughts.
Give this chapter 50 votes. Then i will upload the next chapter..
And i want to say something. Maybe some of you will disappointed. But i want it's story from Meera. Not Aarav or even Aditi.
And i want to the thought the male lead is Aarav and female lead is Meera.
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If you want to read more pf my story then then you can go to my Scrollstack idd. All my stories are for free follower.
My Scrollstack idd name is..
""""Taposhree"""""