Chapter 15: Distance and Realizations
These days, everything felt normal.
But at the same time…
nothing felt right.
Swati and Abhi
The distance between them was no longer hidden.
It was visible now.
Clear.
Real.
"Swati," Abhi called as she was leaving the class.
She stopped.
Turned.
"Yes?"
That same tone again.
Calm.
Distant.
"I need to talk to you," Abhi said.
"About what?" she replied.
About what?
That question itself hurt.
"Just… talk," he said.
Swati looked at him for a moment.
Then said, "Not now. I'm busy."
And she left.
Just like that.
No argument.
No emotion.
Nothing.
Abhi stood there.
Not angry.
Just confused.
Because this silence…
was worse than a fight.
Abhi Alone
Later, Abhi sat alone.
Same place.
Same bench.
But it didn't feel the same anymore.
He took out his phone.
Opened Swati's chat.
Typed—
"Are you okay?"
Stopped.
Deleted.
Typed again—
"Did I do something wrong?"
Deleted again.
He threw his phone aside.
Frustrated.
"I don't understand…"
He ran his hand through his hair.
Why was this affecting him so much?
Why did her silence hurt?
And then—
a thought came.
Simple.
Clear.
"I care."
And that scared him.
Because maybe—
he cared more than he ever admitted.
Priyanka and Aditya
On the terrace, the wind was calm.
Priyanka stood quietly.
Aditya came and stood beside her.
"You're thinking again," he said.
She smiled a little.
"You always notice."
"I notice what matters."
She looked at him.
And for a moment—
everything felt still.
"You confuse me," she said softly.
"Good," he replied.
"That means I'm on your mind."
She looked down, smiling.
But her heart was beating faster.
There was something real now.
Something deeper.
Not just attraction.
Something she couldn't ignore anymore.
Aditi and Lavesh
In the corridor—
"Tum kabhi serious ho sakte ho?" Aditi asked.
Lavesh smiled.
"Main hoon."
"Proof?"
He stepped a little closer.
"I like you."
Aditi froze.
"Stop joking."
"I'm not joking."
For once—
he didn't laugh.
Didn't smile.
Just looked at her.
And that made her nervous.
Because this time…
it felt real.
Poonam, Ayush and Upendra
In class, Poonam and Upendra were talking again.
Comfortable as always.
Ayush watched from behind.
His expression serious now.
No jokes.
No teasing.
Just silence.
Something was building inside him.
Something he couldn't ignore anymore.
Ending Scene
Evening.
The campus was quiet.
Swati stood near the gate.
Alone.
She took a deep breath.
Tried to stay strong.
"No expectations…" she whispered.
But her eyes filled up.
At the same time—
Abhi saw her from a distance.
He wanted to go to her.
Say something.
Anything.
But he didn't move.
Because sometimes—
the distance between two people…
is not physical.
It's emotional.
And that distance…
is the hardest to cross.