THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US

Arjun Rao had never believed in love. At twenty-four, he had only one goal: to become a successful filmmaker. Relationships were distractions, and distractions were things he couldn't afford. Then, one rainy night, he met Maya Iyer. She was standing outside the university gates, fighting with a broken umbrella. "You're useless!" she yelled at it. Arjun laughed from inside his car. Maya immediately turned toward him. "You think this is funny?" "No." "You were laughing." "Maybe." She walked toward his car. "Then maybe you can help me." "With the umbrella?" "With my dignity." That was how it started. A broken umbrella. A rainy night. Two strangers. And a conversation neither would ever forget. Over the next few weeks, Maya somehow appeared everywhere. The library. The cafeteria. The photography studio. The coffee shop. Arjun began looking for her without realizing it. She stole food from his plate. He complained about her terrible movie recommendations. She called his filmmaking obsession ridiculous. He called her photography "taking expensive pictures of random things." She hated him for saying it. Or at least pretended to. One evening, Maya showed him her photographs. There were hundreds. Sunsets. Buildings. People. Rain. And then Arjun saw one photograph that made him stop. It was him. "What is this?" "You." "When did you take this?" "Last week." "You photograph people without asking?" "Only interesting people." He looked at her. "And I'm interesting?" She smiled. "Sometimes." Something changed between them that night. Their jokes became quieter. Their conversations became longer. Their eyes began staying on each other a little too long. Then came the night neither would forget. They were walking home beneath a streetlight when Maya suddenly stopped. "You have something on your face." "What?" She stepped closer. "Chocolate." She gently wiped it away. Neither of them moved. They stood inches apart. Arjun looked into her eyes. Maya didn't look away. He leaned closer. She stayed. Their lips were almost touching when a car horn shattered the moment. Maya jumped back. "Wow." Arjun laughed. "Very romantic." "Shut up." She walked away. But she was smiling. Days later, they sat together on the university rooftop. Maya looked up at the stars. "Do you ever think about leaving?" "Leaving what?" "Everything." Arjun thought for a moment. "Sometimes." "Would you?" "If I had someone worth staying for." She turned toward him. "And if you already did?" Arjun smiled. "Then I'd be an i***t to leave." Maya stared at him. "You're talking about me?" "I'm trying to." She laughed nervously. "You're terrible at this." "I know." He reached for her hand. "I like you, Maya." She squeezed his fingers. "I know." "That's all?" "I like you too, idiot." She leaned toward him. Their first kiss was soft and uncertain. But when they pulled apart, neither wanted it to be their last. Their relationship became the happiest part of their lives. They explored the city together. They watched movies until sunrise. Maya stole Arjun's hoodies. Arjun stole her fries. They fought over stupid things. They apologized. They learned each other's weaknesses. And eventually, "I like you" became "I love you." For a while, everything was perfect. Until Arjun received the email. A major production company in Mumbai wanted him. It was the opportunity he'd dreamed about. Six months. Possibly longer. He was terrified to tell Maya. But when he finally did, she smiled. "You have to go." "What about us?" "We'll figure it out." The night before his departure, they sat together on the balcony. Maya rested her head on his shoulder. "Promise me something." "What?" "Don't become a stranger." "I won't." "And don't make me regret supporting you." "I won't." She kissed him. "Then go." The next morning, Arjun left. Neither of them knew that the distance between them would become the greatest test of their love.