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The dance felt like something out of a dream. I never expected it to feel so natural, but somehow, our rhythms matched perfectly.
And then there was her touch. It lingered on my body, like a warm, comforting flame that sent shivers down my spine. Every time her fingers brushed against my skin, it felt like time slowed down. I could feel the warmth of her touch spreading through me, making every inch of my body come alive. The intensity of the moment was overwhelming. It was as if the world outside didn’t exist, just the two of us, dancing in perfect harmony.
Her hands felt so soft, so gentle, when I held them.
And her eyes, those hazel-brown eyes that seemed to sparkle at every glance. I could lose myself in them for hours and never want to look away.
When I held her waist, I did it hesitantly at first, unsure of how she might react. I was afraid that maybe she will feel uncomfortable, but when I looked into her eyes, I saw nothing but calmness and comfort. She didn’t pull away or flinch, so I allowed myself to hold her a little closer.
My hands rested on her waist, feeling the heat of her body even through the thin barrier of fabric. But that heat….it wasn’t physical. It was something emotional and deeper, something that seemed to ignite inside me with every small touch.
I could feel my heart racing as I tried to form words, but they came out in a gibberish.
“Ruh…I…you know…I…” My voice stuttered as I struggled to say.
I had no idea what I was trying to say, but I wanted her to know. I wanted her to understand that she meant so much to me, more than words could express. My heart was screaming to say something, anything, to let her know how precious she was to me, but the right words just weren’t coming.
My chest felt tight, and I was overwhelmed with emotion. But before I could gather my thoughts, the sound of a door opening broke through the silence. My breath caught in my throat, and my whole body froze.
I saw Varun coming out from the back of the stage room.
What was he doing there?
We had definitely pulled apart, but something inside me felt restless, so I moved toward Ruh and stood beside her.
He noticed me as I moved a little closer to her.
Then, Ruh looked at him and asked, “What are you doing here?”
“Well, I bunked my maths class,” he said sheepishly scratching the back of his neck.
“I thought no one would come to the auditorium, so I came here to sleep. But then I heard some music, and…. yeah.” he said this, but his eyes kept flicking between me and Ruh.
Did he notice something?
But how could he? We had already pulled apart before the door
opened.
I sighed in relief.
Maybe he didn’t see anything.
But I want him to see everything.
I decided to push away all negative thoughts.
He looked at me again, but this time his gaze wasn’t very friendly.
“Ruhii, you’re here?” he asked.
“The teacher asked us to stay because we’re performing in the upcoming function,” she replied, sitting back in her chair.
I closed my eyes, really not enjoying his presence.
A couple of minutes later, the teacher arrived and started taking Ruh’s audition.
Ruh wasn’t nervous now, but before going to the teacher, she walked around the whole auditorium, and Varun was trying to calm her down. I stayed quiet because I wasn’t liking his presence.
I didn’t want to participate, but I couldn’t leave Ruh alone, so I decided to join in.
By the time the audition ended, school was over, and my mood was even worse.
Tanya and Vani showed up next, bombarding us with questions.
When Ruh told them she was selected, they couldn’t help but crash her in a hug.
Tanya, Vani, and Ruh kept dragging Varun into their silly conversations.
I noticed Yash and Sid walking in with their bags.
As Yash approached, he threw my bag at me, but his focus was completely on Varun, who was talking to Ruh and Tanya.
He closed his eyes, clearly frustrated.
After what felt like an eternity, his conversation ended with my Ruh, and we went after him because the sports teacher had called both of us after school.
We discussed a few things, and then Varun left.
“Vihaan, I need the syllabus sheet. I lost mine,” Siddharth said.
I was sitting in the ground floor classroom, with almost everyone already gone.
“It’s in my bag. Take it yourself,” I replied.
I shrugged and leaned back, lost in thought about Ruh.
The way she perfectly fit in my arms, the way her eyes expressed all those unsaid emotions, it was hard to control myself around her.
I wanted to confess my feelings, but I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
Why? Because I’m scared.
I’m scared of telling her. What if she doesn’t feel the same way?
I don’t know if I could handle it, but the thought of her rejecting me is horrible.
I realized that my feelings for her are more than just a simple crush. My growing affection for her is proof of that. She’s always had the power to pull me toward her, and I never realized that she had made such an irreplaceable place for herself in my heart.
“Who puts trash paper in their bag?” Sid suddenly said, holding up a crumpled paper he’d pulled from my bag.
I shook my head, but then I realized what I had written on that paper.
“Give me that paper,” I said, reaching out for it. Sid backed away.
“Now I’m curious. What’s in this?” he said, teasing me while walking around the class.
I chased him.
Damn it, I had written Ruh’s name on that paper when I was feeling uneasy that day, and every emotion I was feeling at that time.
No way could he find out. If he does, Vihaan Raichand, you’re doomed.
He ran out of the classroom, and I followed him, ending up in the medical room.
“Sid, just give me the paper. It’s useless,” I pleaded, trying to grab it as he circled the room’s couch.
“Useless? If it was useless, Vihuuu baby wouldn’t be this much anxious,” he smirked, unfolding it, as I rolled my eyes at his cringe nickname.
I jumped on him, and somehow, we both ended up falling onto the couch, with him on top of me.
I tried to grab the paper, but he held it just out of reach.
“Siddharth, just give it to me,” I gritted my teeth, already annoyed.
I didn’t want to explain anything to him, but my stupid best friend was being impossible.
“As if I’ll listen to you,” he said, rolling his eyes like he was the CEO of not-giving-a-damn.
As he sighed dramatically, still lying on top of me, he looked at me with that mischievous grin and said, “I always know you secretly have a thing for me, but I am sorry for breaking your heart….I’m straight”
I blinked, completely shocked, then without missing a beat, I shot back, “Tu, apne saste nashe kam kar, even I am not interested in you”
(Just stood doing cheap drugs)
I tried to yank the paper back and grabbed his collar, but then I heard a loud thud.
Sid and I froze and looked at the door.
Ruh was standing there, holding Tanya, who was limping slightly.
I was done for. Yash was also standing beside them, a devilish grin plastered on his face.
Ruh looked at me, confusion crossing her face as she saw me in this compromising position-me on the bottom, Sid on top of me.
‘Great. Just great. What a perfect scene to encounter without buying a romantic movie ticket,’ my brain woke up after its hibernation.
This was the most embarrassing moment of my life. Now, what was she going to think about me?
I wanted to be swallowed by the ground and disappear right then and there.
“I thought we three of us are best friends. I didn’t realise you both are that much close,” Yash said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
I cursed under my breath.
“Ruhanika, close your eyes. You shouldn’t watch adult content live,” Yash joked, pretending to shield her eyes with his hands.
“Ye dekhne se pehle me meri kidney, lungs, liver behosh kyu nhi ho gye,” Vani covered her mouth in shock as she barged into the room.
(Before seeing this, why my kidney, lungs, liver not fainted)
Drama Queen.
The shock of her entrance made me fall off the couch, and Sid landed well, right back on top of me.
“Siddharth, are you okay?” Vani asked, pushing me aside like I was some major inconvenience in her life and checking if he was hurt.
I shook my head, standing up quickly.
I looked at Ruh, whose expression was still full of confusion.
“I….it’s not like this that you all are wondering….its…just…I just fell…no we both just fell,” I said, shrugging casually, trying to act like this was no big deal.
“Aisa bhi kya kar rahe the tum dono, ki ek saath gir gaye aur woh bhi itna kareeb ek dusre ke,” Tanya asked with an innocent face yet mischievous tone.
(What were you both doing that you fell together, and that was so close to each other?)
As my gaze went to Ruh to analyse her expression. But Ruh? She burst out laughing, like she had just heard the funniest joke of her life.
I looked at Sid, who was red with embarrassment, the color of a ripe tomato.
“You know you two are practically cuddling, like couples in a movie having an intense eye contact” Tanya teased us with a wicked grin.
“Tch tch….the plot twist we never knew we needed”, she smirked while holding Yash’s hands as she walked towards the couch.
“Dekho jaisa tum sab soch rahe ho waisa kuch nhi hai, aur agar aisa hota bhi toh, toh….Vihaan is not my type” Sid said, shrugging his shoulders and putting his hands in his pockets.
(Look, what you all are thinking isn’t true. And even if it were, Vihaan is not my type)
I looked at him, offended, and blurted out, “Excuse me, can you tell me which part of me is not your type?”
“Ahh, every part. Should I give a speech in front of everyone?” he said, smirking at me.
“Okay, you both should stop, otherwise mera nazuk sa dil rib cage se baahar aakr suicide kar lega,” Vani dramatically sighed, pulling Siddharth toward her.
(Okay, you both should stop, otherwise my delicate heart will jump out of my rib cage and commit suicide)
Vani, still trying to process the situation as her eyes glaring at me as she will bury me 10 ft deep in the ground alive.
I rolled my eyes, feeling the blood rush to my face.
“Tanya, sit on the couch,” Ruh said, and I noticed Tanya had a small cut on her foot.
Ruh was about to apply a bandage, but Yash stepped in.
He took the bandage from her and started applying it himself.
As he knelt down to tend to Tanya’s foot, I could see how focused he was. Tanya looked at him with soft eyes, and I could tell she was touched by how gently he was treating her.
Every time she winced in pain, he would stop, then continue with a lighter touch.
I tried to distract her.
“How did you get hurt?” I asked.
“Ankh band kar ke koi chalega to aisa hi hoga,” Yash said, rolling his eyes at Tanya.
(If someone walks with their eyes close then this will definitely happened)
“It’s your fault for not looking where you were going.”
“It’s not my fault. I slipped because I was admiring you….I mean the colourful lights of the auditorium. I didn’t realize when my foot slipped off the stage,” Tanya looked away as she said.
“Can you stand?” Yash asked as he helped her up.
“Yeah,” she said, but she wasn’t able to stand properly.
Ruh and Vani helped Tanya, and Yash said, “Let me walk you home”
“No, it’s alright,” Tanya replied.
“Ruhii and Vani will help me, and Kaki is coming to pick me up.”
Yash still insisted, “No, I will go with you”
“It’s just a normal wound it’s not like I can’t walk,” she said shrugging her shoulders.
“Yeah that’s why you were flying a few seconds ago,” Yash spoke rolling his eyes.
“I just need to walk a half of a corridor so no need to help me byee,” tanya said as she dragged Ruhii and Vani with her.
“Make sure to walk slowly and don’t put too much pressure on your foot,” Yash yelled to her.
As they all left, I overheard Yash muttering, “I don’t understand why she doesn’t let me help her. She never listens to me.”
“As if you listen to her,” I said.
“What happened between you two?” Sid asked, walking over to us.
“I don’t know. It feels like there’s an invisible barrier between us. She’s acting differently, and I don’t know what to do,” Yash confessed, as concern dripping from his tone.
“Why don’t you try to figure out that invisible barrier?” I suggested.
He looked at me, confused.
“How do I figure out an invisible barrier?”
“To understand what’s wrong, you need to pay attention and figure out where the issue is. Just pick up your screwdriver and fix everything. You need to resolve it to make things better before it gets worse.”
“You know what? I don’t know how to use a screwdriver,” Yash said, rolling his eyes, but I just shook my head.
“What the actual heck is this?” I heard Sid gasp as he read the paper.
Damn it.
‘Vihu, be ready with a good speech’, my subconscious mind remind me.
Yash stood up, looking at the paper, and the two of them exchanged a glance.
“Is this true?” Yash asked.
If I said no, they would definitely make me vomit the truth out of me.
So I just nodded and they both gasped covering their mouth.
“No way, I won the bet. Sid, I’ll send you all my files today at your house,” Yash said, smirking and patting Sid’s shoulder.
Sid was shocked.
“Mere haath likhte likhte likhna bhool jaayenge,” Sid complained as he slumped on the couch.
(My hands will forget to write after writing this much)
Meanwhile, Yash started doing a bhangra dance.
“What the hell is going on?” I said, completely confused.
“I won the bet!” Yash said, continuing to dance.
“What bet?” I asked.
“That your crush is Ruhanika,” he said, but then quickly bit his tongue as he realised what he spit out.
“To hell with you both kamine insaan,” I yelled.
“Okay, fine, but I was right, Ruhanika is your crush. Vihu baby just start the details” Yash grinned, and Sid straightened his glasses.
“Yeah, every little detail,” Sid added, standing up straight.
At that point, I knew I couldn’t avoid it, so I sighed.
“How did you get a crush on her?” Yash asked.
“What do you like about her?” Sid added.
“When did you realize she’s your crush?”
“Do you really like her that much?”
“What are your feelings for her?”
“Does she know you have a huge crush on her?”
“When are you going to tell her? Or have you already?”
“STOPPP!” I yelled as they started their Viva session.
They immediately went quiet, putting their fingers to their lips.
I sighed, and a smile appeared on my face.
“I… I’m not sure when it started,” I admitted with a little chuckle. “It just kind of happened. I didn’t like her at first, mainly since she replaced me as the top ranker. I suppose that stung a little, but I never disliked her.”
“There’s something in her eyes that draws me in, as if they contain a universe I want to explore. And her smile? It has an incredible way of brightening the dullest of days. She’s pure and innocent, with a heart so sensitive that I’m afraid I’ll hurt her without intending to. She finds joy in even the smallest of things. She’ll become cheerful over something as simple as a blooming flower, as if it were a symbol of hope.”
“And don’t even get me started on her love for reptiles and those creepy creatures. I can’t even stand them, but seeing her talk about them with so much excitement is somehow endearing.”
“She’s special in every way. I’ve come to love everything about her.”
“Gosh, you totally turned into a poet?” Sid teased.
“Stop being silly,” I muttered.
“We’ve never seen you talk like this,” Yash said, sitting next to me and putting his arm around my shoulders.
“Finally, my friend is head over heels for a girl.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever liked someone this much, heck no one before my Ruh can make me attracted towards” I whispered with a smile still on my face.
“Ruh?” Sid said, raising an eyebrow.
“When did she become Ruh from Ruhanika’?” Yash teased.
“That’s so cute”
I felt my cheeks heat up and looked down, embarrassed as they both teased me.
“Ruhhhhhh,” Sid exaggerated.
“Vihaan ki Ruh”
Yash giggled, and they both laughed. I just sat there, feeling shy.
“Stop it you both” I yelled, covering my face as I felt my neck and ears getting hot.
“Haaye, ladka sharma gaya,” Yash teased.
They both laughed, but then Sid suddenly got serious.
“I’ve got a real question,” he said.
“What?” I asked, frowning.
“You two are the topper. What would you do on your first date?” Sid asked, curious.
“Bernoulli’s theorem,” Yash joked.
“Or maybe Newton’s laws,” Sid added.
“Or Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle,” Yash continued.
“Or maybe calculus” Sid finished, and they both burst out laughing.
I looked at them and sighed, muttered a few colourful curses under my breath.
“Okay, okay, jokes aside. When are you going to tell her about your feelings?” Sid asked, getting serious again.
“I….I don’t know. I’m just scared,” I admitted.
“Scared of what?” Sid asked.
“I’m scared that she doesn’t feel the same way. What if she just thinks of me as a friend? Heck! I don’t even know if we’re friends or not. It’s all so confusing, what if things get awkward after I confessed to her and she pushed me away” I said as all my fears are frustrating me.
Yash said, “You can’t make her feel the same way, but you should tell her. She needs to know about your feelings before it gets too late.”
“You should try to apply this advice to yourself,” Sid quietly muttered to himself, but I heard him since he was sitting next to me.
Yash frowned and asked, “What did you say?”
Sid replied, “Nothing, just that your face looks like an American monkey.”
Yash smirked and said, “Get ready for the delivery of all the practical files sharp at 5 PM.”
Sid rolled his eyes.
I started thinking about what Yash said. Should I tell her how I feel? What if she doesn’t feel the same way? What if she hates me? I’m scared things will get awkward between us. What if I lose her?
β’β’β’β’β’
NEXT DAY-
The next morning, I couldn’t meet Ruh because I had to leave early. After three tiring hours of practice, our coach finally let us go to our classes.
When the third lecture ended, I washed my face, dried it with a towel, and started walking down the corridor.
That’s when Vani stuck her leg out, trying to trip me. I stumbled but managed to compose myself.
“What’s wrong with you?” I asked, annoyed.
“You! Mere sautan banne ke koshish band karo,” she snapped, stepping closer with a glare.
“Stay far….far….away from him…or else…”
“Or else what?” I asked, meeting her glare.
“Or else, I’ll break your bones, I’ll use my special punches and then kick…..,” she said smugly.
“Well, you can skip the kicking, I am fine with punches, I do love my future kids a lot,” i said with a straight face, as I remember how Sid was still traumatized for a whole week.
Her face turned red as she felt embarrassed, and she stammered, “Okay, fine. No need to bring that up. I already feel embarrassed enough”
“But remember you need to stay far from my Siddharth at least a kilometre distance,”she added, pointing a finger at me.
She gave my foot a little stomp, making me lose my balance for a second.
“Got it?” she said with a fake smile patted my shoulder.
Gosh her hands feel like a hammer. What did she eat for breakfast?
“I hope my warning sticks in your head. You definitely don’t want to mess with me.”
“I understand Miss Vani”
I sighed as she walked off. Damn she is dangerous.
Our Poor Siddharth. How will he handle her? Let’s pray that he finds the strength to deal with this dangerous troublemaker.
β’β’β’β’β’
After school, I waited for Ruh, but she got late.
I stayed there, hoping she’d show up, but she didn’t. My chest felt heavy, and a strange uneasiness filled me. Then I saw her, and my heartbeat eased, until it sped up again when I noticed Varun walking beside her.
Why does he always sticking with her?
“What are you doing here?” she asked, confusion spreading across her face.
“Waiting for you,” I replied, but my eyes were glued to Varun.
He was looking at her with a fondness that made me churn from inside.
Just stopped looking at her, I wanted to yell, but I stayed silent.
What could I even say?
“I told you not to wait for me,” she reminded me gently. “I mentioned that I’d be going with Varun.”
Ah, right. She had mentioned that earlier in our conversation. How had I forgotten?
“Oh, I just forgot, ” I said quickly, trying to sound casual.
“No worries,” she said, brushing it off.
Then Varun spoke up, “Ruhii, shall we go?”
She nodded, but before leaving, she turned back to me, before she could say anything I forced a smile, trying to mask the ache in my chest as i asked, the question was slipping out before I could stop it “Where are you going?”
“You know the new cafe that just opened near our neighborhood? That one,” she replied.
“Let me come along,” I said. “I need to buy something from the stationery shop near the cafe.”
Without waiting for a response, I started walking beside them. As they chatted, their conversation revolved around their childhood memories. I listened quietly, learning things about Ruh I didn’t know. She had always been quiet and disciplined, never the mischievous type.
And then there was me. Mischief was my middle name.
Soon, we reached the cafe, and my heart sank. I didn’t want them to spend time together, so I decided to act, that I need to do at this moment.
Thud.
I pretended to be tripped and fell with a loud thud.
Ruh turned instantly, worried and concerned written all over her face. She turned back to me.
“Vihaan, are you okay? How did you fall? Is it hurting? Should we go to the hospital?” She bombarded me with questions, as she leaned towards me, her voice trembling slightly.
This was the most she’d ever spoken at once. I felt guilty for lying to her as I saw her eyes felt with worry and concern for me.
But wait, hospital? No way.
“No, Ruh, I’m fine. Just twisted my foot,” I said, trying to sound convincing.
“Can you stand?” Varun asked, kneeling down to check my leg. I tried to get up but made sure to stumble clumsily, looking as pitiful as possible.
“Can you both help me home?” I asked, faking a wince.
“It’s just a sprain. It’ll be fine with some ice and spray.”
“Are you sure you don’t need a hospital?…I still think we should…..,” Ruh started again, but I quickly interrupted her.
“Ruh-anika, trust me, it’s not that serious. I’ll be fine.”
She hesitated, but eventually nodded. Together, they helped me up, with Ruh supporting me from one side.
Her touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, making my heart race. It was like all the ions in my body had suddenly come alive.
As we walked, I felt a mix of guilt and relief.
“I’m sorry,” I mumbled genuinely.
“You both have to go, and i ruined it”
“It’s okay, Vihaan,” Ruh said softly.
“Let’s just get you home.”
Once we reached, Prisha Di came running, “Vihu! What happened?”
“Nothing, just a sprain,” I told her.
Ruh and Varun helped me to my room. After thanking them, I said bye, and they left.
As soon as they were out the door, I hurried to the balcony and peeked through the curtains.
I watched as Varun walked away, leaving Ruh standing there alone. A sigh of relief escaped me.
Back in my room, I flopped onto the bed. Finally, a moment to breathe.
But my mind was still restless. I started pacing around the room.
Should I take Yash’s advice and confess to her?
Yeah I should confess to her before it’s too late.
I was so lost in thought that I didn’t hear the door open until her voice broke through.
“I thought you hurt your foot.”
I froze.
Damn it, Vihaan.
You’re doomed.
————————————
Finally Chapter 37…!!!
So how was the chapter???
Tell me your favourite scene..!!
Mine was Vihaan and Sid’s cuddling moment πππ»
And his future kids π« π€π»
The couple we never knew we needed ππ€π»
Okay I understand the story is going a little slow but soon everything will be at the place where it should beπ
I wanted it to be slow because if we look at Ruhii’s character she was never with someone and always being a reserved and calm person, she needs time to understand those feelings, as it is completely new to her.
Bahut bahut saare comments krna and no spam comments ππβ¨
Stay Tuned for further updates….!!!
Enjoy Reading β₯οΈ
Bye Cutiepies…..!!!π
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