Aditya

The room was dark with only presence being  Zoya’s sleeping form.

It was barely 4 AM, the world outside still lost in slumber, and here I was, torn between my duty and the irresistible comfort of her presence.

Zoya was nestled in my arms, her breath even and warm against my chest, her delicate fingers resting over my heart.

Leaving her like this felt like tearing a part of myself away, but I had to go—my flight awaited, and I had responsibilities to meet.

I moved carefully, inch by inch, trying not to disturb her.

As I finally slid out of bed, Zoya let out a soft sigh, turning slightly as if reaching out for me.

I paused, watching her with a mix of guilt and tenderness before heading to the shower.

My pilot uniform lay neatly on the chair, and as I slipped it on, I caught glimpses of her reflection in the mirror, her soft curls splayed out on the pillow like a halo.

She looked peaceful, almost ethereal—like a dreamy angel, and for a moment, I wished I could freeze time, just to stay by her side a little longer.

Once dressed, I returned to the room, my shoes barely making a sound on the carpet.

She shifted again, her arms stretching towards my side of the bed, searching, her fingers finding only the cool emptiness of the sheets.

"Adiii...." Her sleepy mumnle calling for me reached my heart.

A pang shot through me.

She clutched the pillow I had been using, pulling it close as if hoping to draw comfort from it in my absence.

My heart swelled at the sight—there was something so innocent, so vulnerably sweet about the way she sought me even in her sleep.

"Adii?" she murmured, her voice soft and slurred with sleep, a hint of worry lacing her tone as she continued to search for me.

The sound of my name on her lips was a melody I never grew tired of.

She couldn't bear sleeping without me—I knew it, felt it in every soft breath she took.

I couldn't even begin to imagine how she might have been sleeping and feeling in my absence whenever I went out for duty.

The thought haunted me, creeping into my mind during quiet moments in the cockpit, or in the stillness of a hotel room far from home. It was a strange contradiction—being a pilot meant I was always on the move....every departure felt like a piece of me stayed behind with her.

The way she held onto me, even in her sleep, told me all I needed to know about how deeply she felt my absence.

I often wondered how many times she’d woken up in the middle of the night, reaching out for me only to find an empty bed and the lingering scent of me on the sheets.

Did she lie there, staring at the ceiling, counting the minutes until I returned?

Did she clutch my pillow close, breathing in the faint traces of my cologne, hoping it would be enough to lull her back to sleep?

I knew she hated sleeping alone—she’d told me as much on nights when I was around to hold her, her voice barely above a whisper as she confessed her fears of waking up without me beside her.

Sometimes, when I called her from layovers, I could hear it in her voice—the unspoken longing, the quiet frustration masked by her usual cheer. She never said it outright, but I knew the nights were hardest for her. She wasn’t the type to complain; she was too strong for that, too resilient. But I knew. I could see it in the way she looked at me when I came back, the mix of relief and reproach in her eyes, as if she was both glad and slightly wounded that I had to leave at all.

I imagined her tossing and turning, unable to settle without the familiar weight of my arm around her.

Maybe she’d hug the blankets tighter, curling into a ball, trying to find warmth in the emptiness I left behind.

I thought of her waking up in the early hours, the bed cold on one side, the silence of the room amplifying the loneliness that my absence created.

Sometimes, when I called her from layovers, I could hear it in her voice—the unspoken longing, the quiet frustration masked by her usual cheer.

She never said it outright, but I knew the nights were hardest for her. She wasn’t the type to complain; she was too strong for that, too resilient.

But I knew.

I could see it in the way she looked at me when I came back, the mix of relief and reproach in her eyes, as if she was both glad and slightly wounded that I had to leave at all.

Every time I left, I promised her I’d be back soon, but I knew it wasn’t enough. I knew that no matter how often I reassured her, my words couldn’t fill the space beside her in those dark hours.

She was brave, my Zoya.

"Zoya?... Shortcake... I'm here..." I whispered, unable to resist any longer.

I knelt beside the bed and gently cupped her face, brushing my thumb over her cheek.

Her skin was warm and soft, and she leaned into my touch instinctively, like a sunflower turning towards the sun. Her eyelids fluttered, and she squinted up at me, still caught in the haze of her dreams.

"Adii, where are you going?" she mumbled, her voice laced with sleep and a touch of confusion.

Her eyes searched mine, and I could see the glimmer of concern, even in her half-asleep state.

"I have a flight, Zoya," I said softly, my thumb continuing its soothing path along her cheek. "I have to go, but I'll be back before you know it."

She frowned, her brows knitting together in that adorable way she did when something bothered her.

"It's so early... can't you stay a little longer?" Her fingers reached for my tie, tugging on it lightly as if that alone could keep me from leaving.

"Believe me, I wish I could," I chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "But you know how it is…"

She let out a small huff, her lips forming a pout that was both endearing and heart-wrenching. "I don't like it when you leave."

"I know," I whispered, brushing a stray curl away from her face. "I don't like leaving you either."

"But...why so early?..."

I kissed the top of her head, trying to soothe her. "I know, and I’m going to try my best to not have irregular flights scheduled for me," I assured her.

As a captain, I had some control over my schedule, but there were always a few exceptions.

"I'll be back soon, shortcake, I promise."

To my surprise, Zoya pulled me into a tight hug, catching me off guard. Her grip was desperate, almost frantic.

She buried her face in my chest, her breath warm against my shirt, and I could feel the faint tremors running through her.

It wasn’t like her clinging so tightly before I left—she was practically unraveling in my arms.

I tightened my hold around her, cradling her as close as I could, my heart aching at the realization that this wasn’t just a normal goodbye for her.

This was different, more intense. I could feel it in the way her fingers curled into my back, clinging to the fabric of my uniform as if it was the only thing tethering her to the ground.

She was trembling slightly, her usually steady breaths turning into uneven, shaky inhales.

"Zoya, it's okay," I murmured into her hair, pressing my lips softly against the top of her head.

My voice sounded steadier than I felt, each word a quiet plea for her to believe that I’d always come back.

But as I held her, I could sense an unusual tenderness in the way she leaned into me, like she was trying to absorb every ounce of comfort I could give.

She pulled back slightly, just enough for me to see her face, and the sight nearly broke me.

Her eyes were glossy, brimming with unshed tears, and her lower lip quivered as she tried to force a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.

It was the kind of smile that said, “I’m okay,” even when everything about her said otherwise.

Her vulnerability was raw, unmasked, and for the first time, I realized just how much my absences had been affecting her.

“Adii,” she whispered, her voice barely above a breath, and there was a crack in it that I’d never heard before. She swallowed hard, her gaze darting away as if she was ashamed of the tears that threatened to spill over. But she couldn’t hide from me.

Not like this.

Not when every part of her was screaming out for the reassurance she so desperately needed.

"Hey cutie… what if I was in the Air Force? I'd be away even longer," I tried to lighten her mood, throwing in a playful wink, hoping it might coax a smile out of her.

But instead of laughing, her grip on me tightened, and to my dismay, her tears flowed faster.

Her shoulders shook as she started to cry, her soft, hiccupping sobs muffled against my chest.

She looked up at me, her eyes glistening with tears, her cheeks flushed and damp.

It wasn’t the reaction I’d hoped for, but in that moment, she looked so incredibly vulnerable, like a cute baby crying over something that seemed so much bigger than she could handle.

Seeing her like this—so open, so raw—it broke something in me.

She tried to speak, but the words came out in choked sobs, her voice trembling as she tried to explain.

"I just… I hate the thought of you being so far away," she managed between breaths, her tears soaking into my uniform. "I don't care if you're flying a plane or a spaceship, Adii. I just want you here with me."

She was probably getting too emotional but I somehow hated and loved the fact that she really missed me alot when I wasn't around.

I cupped her face, wiping away her tears with my thumbs, and leaned down to kiss her forehead, lingering there for a moment.

“I’m sorry, Shortcake,” I murmured, my voice soft, soothing. “I didn’t mean to make you cry. I’m not going anywhere, okay? I’m right here..baby, and I’ll always come back to you.”

She nodded, sniffling as she buried her face against my neck, her tears slowing but her grip on me still firm. I held her close, rocking her gently in my arms, letting the silence fill with the unspoken promises between us.

With one last lingering glance, I stood up and turned toward the door, my footsteps light but my heart heavy. Every step away from her felt like leaving behind a piece of myself, but duty called, and I had no choice but to answer.

As I reached the door, I paused for a moment, taking in the sight of her snuggling up under the covers, her hand clutching my pillow as if it was a stand-in for me.

It was a small comfort.

But as I stepped into the hallway, the sound of soft, hurried footsteps made me stop in my tracks.

I turned back, surprised to see Zoya padding towards me, her hair tousled from sleep, eyes still heavy with drowsiness but determined to follow me to the door.

She gave me a small, sleepy smile as she reached the door, her hand brushing against mine as she took over, ready to lock up behind me.

“You didn’t have to get up,” I murmured, my voice low to match the quiet stillness of the moment.

But she just shook her head, her eyes meeting mine with that familiar, unwavering gaze that always seemed to hold me in place.

“Be safe, okay?” I said, my voice gentler now, as I leaned in to press a quick kiss to her cheek.

I hesitated, feeling the pull of her presence, the magnetic draw that always made leaving so damn hard. My eyes lingered on her face, on the way she looked up at me with that sleepy, affectionate gaze, and I couldn’t resist. With a soft sigh, I leaned in and pressed my lips to her forehead, letting the moment stretch just a little longer, savoring the warmth of her skin under my touch.

"Take care..." I murmured.

“I’ll miss you,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, but the words sank deep, resonating in the quiet space between us.

“I’ll miss you too, Shortcake,” I replied, my voice a soft promise.

I gave her one last lingering look, memorizing the way she stood there in the early morning light, wrapped in one of my shirts, looking every bit like the reason I wanted to come home as quickly as possible.

I finally turned, forcing myself to leave before it got too difficult, and as the door clicked shut behind me, I felt the familiar tug of longing that always accompanied our goodbyes.

The drive to the airport was routine, the streets mostly empty at this early hour, but my mind was still back at home, with Zoya.

As I went through the motions of the day—briefings, pre-flight checks, all the familiar rhythms of my job—I couldn’t help but steal glances at my phone, half hoping for a text or call from her, even though I knew she’d be getting ready for work.

I shook my head, trying to refocus, but she was never far from my thoughts.

Even at 30,000 feet in the air, with the world spread out beneath me, my mind wandered back to her.

When I finally landed, I couldn’t wait any longer. As soon as I had a free moment, I pulled out my phone and dialed her number. It rang twice before she picked up, her voice bright and cheerful, though I could hear the familiar bustle of her office in the background.

“Hey baby.."

Gosh.
She's so cute.

“Hey, Shortcake,” I replied, a smile tugging at my lips. “How’s your day going?”

“Busy as usual,” she said with a soft laugh, but there was a warmth in her tone that told me she was happy to hear from me. “Just wrapping up a meeting. How about you? How was the flight?”

“Smooth,” I said, leaning against the wall as I glanced out at the bustling airport around me. “Just landed and couldn’t wait to hear your voice.”

She chuckled softly, the sound like music to my ears. “Miss me already, Captain?” she teased, but there was a softness beneath her words that told me she felt the same.

“Always,” I admitted, my voice dropping to a more sincere tone.

There was a brief pause, and I could almost picture her smiling on the other end of the line. “Me too, Adii. Just… hurry back, okay?”

I couldn’t resist. The way she’d clung to me this morning, tears streaming down her cheeks, was etched vividly in my mind.

It was rare to see her so unguarded, so emotional. I could still feel the warmth of her small frame pressed against mine, her breath hitching as she tried to hold back the sobs.

And as much as my heart ached seeing her like that, a part of me couldn’t help but find it endearingly adorable.

“Hey, remember this morning?” I started, my voice taking on a playful lilt as I leaned casually against the wall, glancing at my watch. “You were crying like a baby, Zoya. Clinging onto me like I was going off to war.”

There was a pause on the other end of the line, and I could almost picture her reaction—eyes widening, a light flush creeping up her cheeks as she processed my teasing.

“Adii…” she whined softly, and I could hear the faintest rustle, as if she was covering her face with her hands. “Don’t remind me. It was… I just… I couldn’t help it, okay?”

I chuckled softly, her embarrassment only making me want to tease her more. “Oh, come on. It was cute,” I said, grinning to myself. “You were all sniffles and hiccups, like a little kid.”

“Stop it!” she protested, her voice a mix of laughter and mortification. “I was just… I was half asleep, and you were leaving so early, and—ugh, I wasn’t prepared, okay? It just hit me.”

“Yeah, it hit you alright,” I teased, lowering my voice to a mock-serious tone. “Right in the feels. Next thing I know, you’re clutching onto me like I’m your last lifeline.”

She groaned, and I could practically hear her burying her face in her hands again. “Aditya, seriously! I’m at work! Do you have any idea how hard it is to keep a straight face when you’re saying stuff like that?”

“Good,” I said, leaning my head back against the wall, closing my eyes for a moment as I soaked in the comfort of her presence, even through the phone. “Now go kick some butt at work, okay? And maybe try not to cry too much when you think about me.”

“Ugh, I hate you,” she grumbled, but the lightness in her tone told me otherwise.

Zoya

Sitting at my desk, I tried to focus on the spreadsheet open on my laptop, but my eyes kept drifting back to the tiny window at the top corner of the screen showing the weather.

I could practically feel the sun beating down on the city outside, and I found myself longing to step out into the warmth while the air conditioning ran at full blast in the office.

My fingers hovered over the keyboard as another shiver ran through me. I pulled my cardigan tighter around my shoulders, frowning slightly.

It wasn’t that cold in here, was it?

I have spent years in mussoorie..I couldn't fathom Mumbai being this cold.

I glanced at the thermostat across the room; it read a comfortable temprature, but I felt like I was sitting in a freezer.

A strange chill had settled over me, one that seemed to seep into my bones no matter how many layers I tried to bundle myself in.

"Why is it so cold in here?" I muttered under my breath, rubbing my arms as if that would somehow make the goosebumps disappear.

I reached for the mug of herbal tea I’d been nursing for the past hour, hoping the warmth would help, but even that wasn’t enough.

I’d never been the type to feel cold easily; in fact, I usually ran warm, preferring lighter clothes even when others were pulling out their sweaters.

But lately, it was like my body had flipped a switch.

I couldn’t get comfortable no matter how many times I adjusted the temperature in my office or how often I drank hot tea.

"Hey, Zoya, you okay?" Sana, my colleague, poked her head into my office, her brow furrowing as she looked at me huddled in my cardigan.

She looked around, blinking at me in surprise. "Not really. It feels fine to me." She shrugged, then glanced at my mug. "Maybe you’re coming down with something....I had a cold last week; could be going around."

"Yeah, maybe," I said, nodding absently as she walked away, but I didn’t really believe it.

I didn’t have any other symptoms—no sore throat, no sneezing.

Just this constant chill that seemed to come out of nowhere, leaving me feeling off balance and uncomfortable.

I’d been feeling unusually tired lately, like I could fall asleep standing up if I let myself.

And there were the random waves of dizziness that would hit at the most inconvenient times, making me pause and steady myself against the nearest surface.

I sighed, leaning back in my chair. I’d been brushing it all off as stress—after all, work had been hectic, and I hadn’t exactly been taking the best care of myself with all the late nights and skipped meals.

But now, sitting here shivering under my cardigan, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

I hadn’t told Aditya about any of this—not the dizziness.. the chills.

Part of me wanted to, just to hear his voice and let him talk me through it like he always did.

But another part of me held back, not wanting to worry him when he was already dealing with his own busy schedule.

He had enough on his plate with flights, meetings, and everything. The last thing I wanted was to add to his stress with my own uncertainties.

By the time I finally made it back home, exhaustion clung to me like a second skin. I dropped my bag by the door, kicking off my heels and sinking onto the couch with a groan.

I closed my eyes, letting my head rest against the cushions as I took a deep breath, the familiar scent of our home easing some of the tension from my shoulders.

I hadn’t even realized how tightly wound I’d been all day, my nerves strung so tight I thought I might snap.

I couldn’t shake the heaviness that settled over me. The house was quiet, save for the occasional sound of Neelima moving around in the kitchen, the clinking of pots and the hum of the stove offering a soothing background noise.

I forced myself up after a while, dragging myself to the bathroom to freshen up.

The cool water on my face helped a little, washing away the fatigue that clung to my skin, but it didn’t touch the deeper exhaustion that had taken root in my bones.

I couldn’t shake the heaviness that settled over me.

The house was quiet, save for the occasional sound of Neelima moving around in the kitchen, the clinking of pots and the hum of the stove offering a soothing background noise.

I forced myself up after a while, dragging myself to the bathroom to freshen up.

The cool water on my face helped a little, washing away the fatigue that clung to my skin, but it didn’t touch the deeper exhaustion that had taken root in my bones.

As I settled back onto the couch, I caught a faint whiff of something off from the kitchen.

The aroma of the simmering soup was comforting, but there was an underlying scent—too much garlic, maybe?

My nose twitched, and without even thinking, I called out, “Neelima, did you add extra garlic this time?”

Neelima paused, turning to look at me with a curious smile. “Just a little, didi. You could tell from all the way over there?”

I nodded, a small smile tugging at my lips as I got up and walked over to the kitchen, following the trail of the familiar and comforting scent.

I glanced over her shoulder, my eyes scanning the pot. “Maybe just cut back on it a little? And add a pinch of cumin—it’ll balance it out nicely.”

Neelima chuckled, her eyes twinkling with amusement. “You’ve got quite the sharp nose, didi.”

I laughed softly, feeling the tension in my shoulders eased just a bit. “I guess it’s just one of those days,” I replied, leaning against the counter and watching her adjust the soup according to my directions.

The smell started to shift, becoming exactly what I had in mind—warmer, more balanced.

It was such a simple thing, but it felt good to have some control over something, however small.

Neelima nodded, her expression understanding. "You rest, didi. I’ll bring the soup to your room when it’s ready."

I managed a grateful smile and retreated to the bedroom, curling up under the covers with my laptop.

I found a movie to distract myself, something light and comforting, but even the familiar scenes and easy humor couldn’t fully capture my attention.

I kept glancing at the clock, counting down the minutes until Aditya would be home.

The hours ticked by, and the soup came and went, warming me briefly.

I dozed off at some point, my body giving in to the exhaustion, but I woke with a start every so often, glancing at the clock and listening for the sound of the door.

It was well past midnight when I finally heard the familiar click of the lock turning, followed by the soft creak of the front door.

My heart leapt, a rush of relief flooding through me.

I sat up, quickly pausing the movie as Aditya stepped into the room.

He looked exhausted, the long day etched in the lines of his face, but his expression softened as soon as he saw me.

“Hey, you’re still up?” His voice was gentle, but there was a hint of concern in his eyes as he crossed the room, kicking off his shoes and loosening his tie.

I shrugged, pulling the blanket tighter around myself. “Yeah, couldn’t really sleep.”

He sat on the edge of the bed, his hand reaching out to brush a strand of hair behind my ear. “You should have gone to bed, Zoya. You look tired.”

“I wanted to wait for you,” I said softly, my gaze drifting over his face, taking in the familiar contours and the weariness in his eyes. “I missed you.”

Aditya’s expression softened, and he leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. “I missed you too, shortcake,” he murmured against my skin, his lips lingering for a moment longer than usual.

He straightened up, his eyes sweeping over me as if searching for something. “Are you okay?"

I hesitated, chewing on my bottom lip. But now, sitting here with him, I couldn’t deny that something wasn’t right. “I don’t know,” I admitted quietly. “I’ve been feeling weird… tired, cold all the time, just… off.”

Aditya’s brows furrowed, and he reached out, cupping my face in his hands. “You should have told me,” he said gently, his thumb brushing over my cheek. “I don’t like the thought of you feeling like this and not saying anything.”

"I didn't want to worry you..." I whispered.

His voice was firm but tender, and he pulled me into his arms, holding me close.

The steady rhythm of his heartbeat under my cheek was comforting, grounding me in a way nothing else could.

"Do you wanna go see the doc?"

"Not really.... " I answered.

I nodded, the weight on my chest easing slightly as I clung to him, letting his warmth seep into me.

For the first time all day, the chill that had been following me finally began to fade, replaced by the familiar comfort of Aditya’s presence.

~~~

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