19. The distance between us

The bell rang loudly, signaling the end of the school day, but the weight in Riya's chest felt heavier than any final bell. Summer holidays were only a day away, a full 1.5 months stretching out ahead of her like an endless road. The thought made her nervous in a way she couldn't shake.

Riya glanced at Vishal, who was talking to Aman across the classroom, his usual carefree smile plastered across his face. He wore the bracelet she had given him, the one she had chosen with so much care. But today, the sight of it on his wrist made her stomach churn in a way she didn't want to acknowledge.

"Are you coming over to my place tomorrow?" Vishal's voice cut through her thoughts. He was already walking toward her, but there was something different about the way he said it. The usual casualness, the usual teasing tone, was missing.

Riya swallowed. "Uh, I don't know. I might just... I don't know, catch up with family stuff. You know, summer plans."

Vishal raised an eyebrow, but his eyes didn't quite meet hers. "Right." His voice was flat, like it wasn't the answer he expected.

She watched him turn away, a knot forming in her stomach. She didn't want to be distant, but the more she thought about the upcoming summer break, the more she felt like they were standing at the edge of something uncertain.

For the past few weeks, their relationship had felt almost... too easy. But now, with the long holiday ahead, Riya wondered if the absence of school would make the distance between them wider. Would they fall apart in the months without the constant flow of classes, friends, and the normal routine? Or would the time apart bring them closer?

She reached for her phone, staring at the screen without really seeing it. Her fingers hovered over the message she had drafted to send to Vishal: Are we okay?

The question felt too heavy, too vulnerable. Instead, she deleted the message, turned off the screen, and stuffed her phone back into her bag.

The noise of her classmates filing out of the room seemed distant, like it was happening in another world. She didn't hear the way Aman had nudged Vishal, whispering something that made both of them laugh. She didn't even hear the way Vishal called out to her before leaving, his voice a bit softer than usual.

She only heard the silence that followed, thick and suffocating, as she stood alone in the classroom, feeling the weight of the bracelet—his bracelet—pressing down on her chest.

The first day of the holidays came and went. Riya spent it in a haze, caught between the freedom of the break and the tension that seemed to hang in the air between her and Vishal. They hadn't spoken much in person since the last day of school, but the constant ping of her phone made sure she didn't forget about him.

It was around 9:30 PM when she finally saw the message notification from Vishal light up her screen.

Vishal: Hey, you up?

Riya stared at the message for a moment. She wasn't sure how to respond. Things were different now. The bracelet she had given him, the one he wore every day—it made things real, but it also made things... complicated. They had both been acting like everything was fine, but Riya couldn't shake the feeling that there was something unsaid between them.

Riya: Yeah, just got done with dinner. You?

She hesitated for a moment, unsure if she should dive into the conversation. But Vishal's reply came quickly.

Vishal: Same. Just thought about you, that's all.

Riya: Oh?

There was a pause. The dots on her screen signaled he was typing, but the words didn't come. Riya felt her heart race. She wasn't sure what she expected, but it wasn't this.

Vishal: I don't know. It's weird, right? How everything feels like it's going so well, but now we're on this long break and... I don't know what to do with all this time.

Riya stared at the message. She had been feeling the same way but hadn't wanted to say it out loud.

Riya: Yeah, I feel that too. Like, we're not going to have school anymore to keep everything... normal, you know? It feels like we're just supposed to wait and... see what happens.

Vishal: Exactly. But I don't want to just "wait" around. I want to make it work, you know? But it's hard when we're not seeing each other every day.

Riya: I know. I don't want it to just be "waiting," either. She felt her fingers shaking a little as she typed. But maybe we need to give ourselves some space. I mean, we've been... kinda constant for a while. Maybe a little space isn't a bad thing?

There was a longer pause this time, and Riya held her breath. Had she said too much? Had she made things awkward?

Vishal: Space? Are you saying you need space from me? His reply was quick, almost as if he was testing her response.

Riya: Not like that. Just... time to figure things out. We don't have to talk all the time to know we care about each other, right?

The message felt like it was hanging between them. She wasn't sure what she was expecting from him, but it wasn't the sudden silence that followed.

Finally, Vishal typed.

Vishal: Yeah, you're right. I just... I don't know, sometimes I feel like things are changing and I don't know how to stop it.

Riya's heart thudded. The tension was so thick now, and she didn't know how to untangle it.

Riya: What do you mean?

Vishal: I don't know. It's just... I feel like I'm drifting away from you, and I don't want that. But at the same time, it's like we've only known each other in this school routine. I don't want to lose what we have, but maybe we've built something that's just too tied up in... well, school.

Riya read his message over and over. She didn't know how to respond. She didn't want to lose him, but maybe... maybe things had gotten too comfortable, too predictable. And now that they had to be apart, it was like they were both forced to face the uncertainty.

Riya: Vishal, we've been fine until now, right? Just... let's not overthink it. We'll figure it out, okay?

It felt like a simple response, but the weight behind her words hung in the air. She didn't want to overthink, but the doubt was creeping in. She just couldn't shake the feeling that maybe, just maybe, this summer was going to change everything between them.

Vishal: Okay, yeah. I just... I don't want to lose you, Riya.

Her heart skipped a beat. She wanted to say the same thing, but the uncertainty still gnawed at her.

Riya: You won't.

The chat lingered in the silence that followed. Neither of them had the right words to say next, and they both knew it.

The next day, Riya woke up to a message from Vishal.

Vishal: Hey, Riya. I have something to tell you.

Riya: What's up?

There was a long pause before his reply came through.

Vishal: I'm going on a trip with my family. We're leaving tomorrow morning and won't be back for a week or so.

Riya read the message, her heart sinking a little. She hadn't expected him to leave so soon. The distance, even though it was just a trip, felt... real now. She didn't know how to respond.

Riya: Oh, wow. A trip? That's cool. Where are you going?

Vishal: It's just a family trip. We're going to the hills. Nothing too fancy, but I'll be out of reach for a bit. I'm not sure how often I'll be able to check my phone.

Riya felt a knot in her stomach. The thought of not hearing from him for a week made her uneasy. They had only just started navigating this uncertain space between them, and now there was going to be more distance.

Riya: I get it. That sounds nice, though. I'm sure you'll have fun. Just don't forget about me, alright?

She tried to sound casual, but there was an edge of vulnerability in her words that she didn't intend to show. She couldn't help it.

Vishal: How could I forget about you? I've been thinking about you all morning, actually.

Riya stared at his message, feeling her heart flutter a little. She tried to ignore the unease gnawing at her, but it was hard. She wanted to be happy for him, to be supportive, but the silence that would follow his trip felt like it would stretch too long.

Riya: Well, if you do get a chance to talk, I'd love to hear about your trip. You know, details and stuff. She smiled at her phone, but it didn't feel like it reached her eyes.

Vishal: I will. You'll probably get a ton of photos too. Just... make sure you don't miss me too much while I'm gone, alright?

Riya couldn't help but laugh, even though it was a little forced.

Riya: I'll try. No promises though.

There was a short pause, and then his message appeared.

Vishal: I'll miss you. I'm not going to lie about that. But I hope this time apart will give us both a little clarity. I don't want things to get... weird, you know?

Riya's heart sank again. Clarity—what did he mean by that? Was he implying that they were too caught up in each other?

Riya: Yeah, I get that. I don't want things to get weird either.

Her fingers hovered over the keyboard, unsure of what else to say. She didn't want to push him, but she also didn't want to lose him in the process.

Vishal: I'm serious, Riya. I really like you. This trip... it'll help me clear my head. We'll talk when I'm back, okay?

The finality in his message made her stomach churn. She knew he was right. Maybe this break would be good for both of them. But a week felt like too long.

Riya: Alright, Vishal. Take care of yourself. Have fun with your family.

Vishal: I will. Take care too. I'll miss you.

Riya: Miss you too.

The message ended there, leaving a void between them. Riya set her phone down, feeling the silence of the conversation settle around her. The space between them was growing, and she wasn't sure whether it was a chance to breathe or a step towards something they couldn't come back from.

Here's an expanded version of the chapter with more humor and romance in their chat:

A few days later, Vishal was back from his trip. Riya's phone buzzed, and she smiled when she saw it was him. She was sitting in a cozy café with Aanya, enjoying a casual lunch.

She quickly picked up the phone.

Riya: Hey, Vishal! You're back!

Vishal: Hey, Riya! Missed you so much! How have you been?

Riya: Good, good. Just hanging out with Aanya. We're at this café, eating and gossiping. I think I've already eaten enough food for the week. [laughs]

Vishal: Ah, that sounds fun. Wish I could join!

Riya: Oh, so now you want to join me? How typical! You always act like you're starving when you can't be here.

Vishal: What? You think I don't miss you? I'm craving food... and you. [teases]

Riya's heart skipped a beat. She had to cover it up with a playful response.

Riya: Pfft, yeah right. If you were here, you'd probably just make fun of my food choice.

Vishal: I wouldn't do that... much. But honestly, I'm still trying to figure out what you even ordered. Knowing you, it's probably something strange like a weird combo of things.

Riya: Oh, really? Do you want to know what I'm eating? Okay, get ready for this—pasta with... fries!

Vishal: Pasta AND fries? I'm in shock! You're going to kill me with your weird food choices, aren't you?

They both burst into laughter, and Riya could hear the playful teasing in his voice.

Riya: You should come over and see it for yourself!

Vishal: If only I didn't have a 10-hour flight back home... [laughs] But hey, where exactly are you? I'll come join you!

Riya: Seriously? You can't just come and join me like that. Don't make it weird, Vishal.

Vishal: Okay, okay, I'm just joking! But imagine how nice it would be, sitting across from you, eating pasta and fries together... [playful]

There was a pause, and Riya took another bite of her food. She could hear someone talking loudly in the background near her. The person on the other side of the café seemed like they were having a conversation that could've been held in a library, not a café.

Riya: Wait, Vishal, who's the person behind me? I can barely hear you because of all that noise.

Vishal: Oh, that? That's my brother. He's talking to his girlfriend. I told him to keep it down, but you know how it is...

Riya raised an eyebrow, curious about what was going on.

Riya: Your brother, huh? Sounds like someone is having a very loud conversation with his girlfriend.

Vishal: Yeah, he's the loud one in the family. Can't help it. Don't mind him.

Riya: Aapki awaaz itni nahi aa rahi, lekin unki toh... full volume par hai!

Vishal started laughing at her teasing.

Vishal: Haha, Riya! Don't get me in trouble, or I'll have to silence you too!

Riya giggled at his reaction, but then she noticed that his brother's voice got even louder. She could hear words being shouted, making it impossible to focus on the conversation.

Riya: Seriously, Vishal? Can you ask him to calm down? This isn't a competition of who can shout louder.

Vishal (grinning): I'll tell him. Hold on a sec.

For a brief moment, she heard Vishal talking to his brother.

Vishal (in the background): Bro, can you lower your volume for a sec? I'm trying to have a normal conversation here!

But the loud voice came again, and Riya couldn't stop herself from laughing.

Brother (on the phone, suddenly louder): ...Aur main keh raha tha ki tumhe yeh galat samajh aa raha hai!

Riya put the phone slightly away from her ear, not sure how to react.

Riya (laughing): Vishal, tell your brother that he's not in a debate competition!

Before Vishal could respond, his brother snatched the phone.

Brother (on the phone): Kya meri awaaz zyada uchi hai? Ya tumhe bas meri awaaz sunayi de rahi hai, Riya?

Riya blinked, startled by the sudden change in voice. She started laughing, but it was a bit awkward.

Riya: Wait, who is this?

Brother (teasing): Koi aur nahi, main hoon—Vishal ka bhai!

At that moment, Vishal quickly grabbed the phone back from his brother, his voice apologetic.

Vishal: Sorry, Riya. That was my brother being... well, himself. He's got a loud mouth sometimes. [laughs]

Riya (still laughing): Oh my god, both of your voices sound so similar! I thought it was you yelling at me!

Vishal (laughing): You couldn't tell the difference? We sound nothing alike! [teases]

Riya: Oh, please. You guys could be twins with how similar your voices are! I didn't know whether to laugh or run away from the phone.

They both burst into laughter, the lighthearted moment feeling like it had taken the tension out of everything.

Vishal: I guess we'll have to work on that. Maybe I should talk a little louder next time, just so you don't get confused.

Riya: Haha, I'll make sure I can tell who's who next time. [laughs]

They continued to chat, and after an hour, Riya checked her watch.

Riya: Okay, I really should get going now. Aanya and I are heading back to my place.

Vishal: Alright, take care. Let me know when you get home safely, okay?

Riya: I will. Talk to you later, Vishal. Miss you already.

Vishal: I miss you too. Can't wait to see you again soon. Bye for now, Riya.

As they hung up, Riya couldn't help but smile, still thinking about their conversation. The teasing, the laughter—it all felt so comfortable and right. The bond they shared had a lightness to it, but also a deeper connection that she was beginning to realize more and more.