Love Across Borders

**Chapter 20: Distance and Doubts**

Chand sat on his balcony, the night sky of Dubai stretching out above him, the city's lights glittering like a sea of stars. He held his phone tightly, waiting for Shenna to pick up. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind, with the threat from Rajiv still looming large and the emotional toll of Shenna’s ex-husband’s visit weighing on his mind. Despite the strength of their connection, the physical distance between them felt like an insurmountable barrier at times.

Finally, the call connected, and Shenna’s voice came through, soft and soothing. “Hey, Chand. How are you?”

Chand sighed, a mix of relief and exhaustion in his voice. “I’m okay, Shenna. Just missing you more than usual tonight.”

“I miss you too,” Shenna replied. “It’s been a tough day here as well. Work has been overwhelming, and I’ve been thinking about you constantly.”

Shenna leaned back, closing her eyes as she tried to find the right words to express the growing doubts that had been gnawing at her. “Chand, sometimes I wonder if we can make this work. The distance, the challenges… it all seems so daunting.”

There was a brief silence on the other end, and Shenna worried she had said too much. But then Chand spoke, his voice filled with determination. “We have to believe in us, Love. I know it’s hard, but we’ve come so far already. We can’t let the distance defeat us. I know you’re right. It’s just… there are days when everything feels so overwhelming. I want to be there for you, to support you in person, not just over the phone.””

Shenna nodded, though he couldn’t see her.

Shenna’s voice softened, filled with empathy. “I feel the same way. There are times when I wish you were here, holding my hand, sharing these moments with me. But we have to remember why we’re doing this. Our love is worth fighting for, even if it means enduring the distance for now.”

Chand smiled, her words bringing a sense of calm to his restless mind. “You always know how to put things in perspective, Shenna. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

“And you always know how to make me feel cherished, Chand,” she replied. “We have to keep focusing on the future we’re building together. This distance is just a temporary obstacle.”

As they continued to talk, they shared stories from their day, laughing over little anecdotes and finding comfort in each other’s voices. Chand told her about a particularly challenging meeting he had at work, and Shenna recounted a funny incident that happened with one of her colleagues. These moments of normalcy, of shared lives despite the miles between them, helped to ease the weight of their separation.

“Do you remember our first video call?” Shenna asked suddenly, a smile evident in her tone.

Chand chuckled, the memory bringing a warmth to his heart. “Of course, I do. I was so nervous, but seeing your face for the first time… it felt like everything clicked into place.”

“Me too,” Shenna said softly. “I knew then that you were someone special. And every day since has only confirmed that for me. We’re strong, Chand. We can handle this.”

Her unwavering faith in their relationship buoyed Chand’s spirits. “You’re right, Shenna. We can handle this. We just need to remind ourselves of that when things get tough.”

“We both do,” Shenna agreed. “And we need to keep communicating, keep supporting each other. That’s how we’ll get through this.”

Their conversation stretched late into the night, each word, each laugh, each moment shared reinforcing the bond between them. They discussed plans for their next visit, daydreaming about the places they would explore together, the meals they would share, and the simple joys of being in each other’s presence. These dreams gave them both something to look forward to, a beacon of hope amid the challenges of their long-distance relationship.

As the call neared its end, Chand felt a renewed sense of hope and determination. “Thank you, Shenna. For everything. For believing in us.”

“Always, Chand,” she replied. “We’ll make this work. I love you.”

“I love you so much,” Chand said, his voice filled with emotion. “Goodnight, Shenna. Talk to you tomorrow.”

“Goodnight, Chand. Sweet dreams.”Shenna echoed, her heart full as she placed her phone on the nightstand. She lay back on her pillow, feeling a profound sense of happiness and anticipation for the future they were building together.

After hanging up, Chand sat for a moment, staring at the city lights. The doubts that had plagued him earlier seemed distant now, overshadowed by the love and support Shenna had shown him. He knew the road ahead wouldn’t be easy, but he felt ready to face it, secure in the knowledge that their love was worth every challenge.

In Manila, Shenna lay in bed, her phone still warm from their call. She felt a deep sense of peace, knowing that despite the distance, they were united in their determination to make their relationship work. As she drifted off to sleep, dreams of a future together filled her mind, a future where the miles between them were no longer a barrier but a testament to the strength of their love.

The next morning, both Chand and Shenna awoke with a renewed sense of purpose. They knew the distance and challenges were real, but so was their love. And that, they both believed, was more than enough to see them through.