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The one thing that has always made me happy is my academic performance. I have always poured my heart and soul into studying, striving for top marks.
Why? Because I want my parents to be proud of me and say, “You’ve done a great job.”
The past few months have been a full rollercoaster ride—board exams, results, and my entrance exam.
Damn it was such a tiring phase. But I did achieve a good marks.
And the happiness I felt when I secured admission into a decent medical college was indescribable.
I worked tirelessly for this moment, sacrificing sleep, no extra talks, i dod even meet Vihaan that much, we just had small talks during our study breaks kr sometime to fresh our mind we have a long night walk together, and isolating myself just to focus on my studies. Only I know how difficult those months were—locked in my room, revising and practicing endlessly.
But when my relatives congratulated me, their words stung, “It must have been easy for you,” they said.
Easy? If only they knew about the sleepless nights, the constant stress, and the anxiety attacks. I don’t know why I take so much stress over exams, but sometimes, I feel weak for not being able to handle it better. I don’t why my anxiety attacks become frequent during my exams, I took a lot of stress that sometimes it becomes too much and I had to take medicines to control my anxiety issues.
The only person who truly understood what I was going through was my bhai. My parents still don’t know about this and i think i won’t be able to tell them.
He was my pillar of strength, the one who handled everything when I couldn’t. He always reassured me, saying, “You are not weak. You’ve handled so much. You’re stronger than you think.”
Even Vihaan seemed to sense that something was wrong, though I never told him. He could tell just by the way I responded to his messages.
At that time, I was in Mumbai. My parents and Kunal bhai had to leave for a medical camp after an accident occurred, and I was left alone.
Usually, I could manage, but that day, my anxiety hit hard. I didn’t want to be around anyone or let Vihaan see me in such a vulnerable state. So, I convinced my father to let me go to Mumbai early for my entrance exam preparation, hoping that being with Dadu and breathing in the fresh air would help calm my mind.
My bhai did constant check ups, the stress was too much and it was too sudden for me. I didn’t call Vihaan for a whole day, only sending him a brief text. I knew that if I heard his voice, I would break down. But Vihaan, being Vihaan, saw right through me.
How does he always know?
He insisted that I call him, even threatening to come over if I didn’t. And knowing how crazy my chimpanzee is, I had no choice but to call—because I knew he would actually come over here.
The moment I heard his voice, I couldn’t hold back my emotions. He comforted me, made me feel lighter, and for that, I’ll always be grateful. That night, I poured my heart out to him, sharing all my fears, What if I do badly? What if I mess up? I just want my parents to be happy with me. For at least one time.
He listened to me calmly, letting me speak while he just…listened.
When I finally confirmed my admission, Vihaan celebrated as if he was the one getting into medical college.
He even sent me an appreciation letter, just because I once mentioned how romantic it would be if we wrote letters to each other. That’s just how much he understands me.
It wasn’t the top college my father wanted, but I was happy.
But, when I told my father, his reaction was actually dull, “Ruhanika, I expected you to at least get into the top 10 colleges in India. Never mind, if you had worked harder, you would have gotten in,” that’s what he said.
I feel hurt. Although mumma seems okay. At least she is happy maybe a little bit.
I thought he would be happy. I had made it into a top 30 college, and yet….it still wasn’t enough.
But my bhai? He literally threw a party in the hospital.
He sent me gifts, new dresses, and Dadu made my favorite cheesecake.
And the best part? Vihaan finally got accepted into his dream university—the University of California. I prayed for him every day, knowing how much he wanted this. His passion for game development was his motivation, and when he got in, I was beyond happy for him.
Prisha di was the one who informed me about his acceptance letter.
That’s when I decided—I had to fly to Delhi and surprise Vihaan. He had no idea I was coming. I simply messaged him congratulations, and although he sulked a little because I had been distant, he didn’t say much. He just obediently accepted it, as he always does.
During a conference call with my friends, Vani sighed in frustration.
“Did you receive your admission letter yet?” I asked.
“Not yet,” she sighed.
“Don’t worry, you’ll get it soon. I know how hard you worked for this,” Tanya said, patting the mobile screen as if comforting her.
“Yes, and I know you will ace it,” I reassured her.
“Guys, remember, my bhai’s engagement is in a week. You all better be there. No drama!” I reminded them.
“Yep, no drama, pakka!” Vani chirped.
Tanya sighed dramatically, “Ruhi, when are you coming? I miss you!”
Vani smirked, “I bet your boyfriend has turned into Devdas, sulking every day because uski Ruh uske paas nhi hai.”
Tanya and Vani laughed teasing me, and i just blushed.
Tanya added, “Yeah, you guys live right across from each other. You’re used to seeing each other 24/7. What will you do when you have to live apart from each other?”
Technically, we were already living apart from each other, but only for a short while. But for years? I never really thought about it.
My hands started tapping against my thighs as my mind ran through different scenarios. We hadn’t talked much because of our studies—what if it stayed like this? What if things will change?
Vani must have noticed my shift in mood, so she asked to change the topic “So, when are you coming?”
I shook off the negative thoughts. I need to stop thinking unnecessarily.
“Tonight, We also need to discuss wedding preparations for Prisha di and bhai,” I replied.
I sighed, knowing the relatives and drama were coming, “I will stay in my room all day—no interactions, no relatives, no stress, no drama.”
We all laughed.
“I swear, those relatives…..if there were a device to mute people, I would mute them all,” Tanya huffed.
“I would just vanish them. Na rahega baans, na bajegi baansuri,” Vani said, blowing on her freshly painted nails.
And just like that, I momentarily forgot my worries, laughing along with my friends.
But somewhere, in the back of my mind, the thought of staying apart from each other still making me tense.
Would things really stay the same?
Or would they change?
•••••
That night, I boarded my flight to Delhi. I didn’t tell Vihaan because I wanted to surprise him.
After reaching home, I waited for everyone to fall asleep. Then, late at night, I sneaked into the kitchen to make chocolate cake.
Tanya helped me over a video call, guiding me through baking a small cake for my chimpanzee. I even wrote “Congratulations” on it.
At 3 a.m., I carefully sneaked out of my house, carrying the cake.
Now the main problem is—how the hell I would get into Vihaan’s room?
That’s when I spotted the ladder in Veena Aunty’s yard.
Thank You Veena aunty.
She still doesn’t know we use it for our late-night adventures. I grabbed it, even though I was scared of climbing. Balancing the cake in one hand, I struggled for a good seven attempts before finally gathering the courage to climb up to his balcony. My heart pounded with every step, afraid I might fall.
Thankfully, I had the spare key he had given me, since he always loses his key while sneaking out at night, so he did one for me. Slowly, I slid open the door and stepped inside.
His room was a mess as usual. Clothes were scattered everywhere, wires tangled near his PC, which was still on, looks like he had been playing games. The dim light from the lamp beside his bed was the only source of light.
I placed the cake on his table and leaned in to look at him. He was lying on his stomach, the duvet half covering him. His face was turned to the side, his hair falling over his forehead, his breathing slow and steady. I shook my head and gently pulled the blanket over him.
This guy can never sleep like male species. That’s why he is a unique species of Chimpanzee.
Just as I was about to move back, he turned in his sleep and mumbled, “Ruh… you know you are pretty…”
I froze.
Wait. Did he just say my name? Was he dreaming about me?
I leaned in closer to hear his muffled voices.
He murmured again, turning and hugging his pillow tightly, “And you know, your skin is so soft, I just want to—”
What the actual hell?
“You freaking Vihaan Raichand,” I whisper-yelled and smacked him with a pillow.
He jolted awake, looking around in shock. When he saw me, his eyes widened in horror. I continued hitting him.
“Ruh?! How—what—are you real, or am I dreaming? You are my Ruh right?,” he murmured still in his half sleepy trying to wake up completely.
I crossed my arms and smirked, “Yes, I am your Ruh. And I am here to take your Ruh (soul) for that shameless dream of yours, you nasty chimpanzee, what kind of dream you were dreaming about?”
Before I could say more, he grabbed me and started tickling me. I burst into laughter, trying to push him away.
“Vihaan, stop! Otherwise, I will—” I tried to threaten him, but my words were lost in my laughter.
He quickly flipped us over, pinning my hands above my head. My heart skipped a beat as I found myself trapped beneath him. His face was just inches away from mine, his eyes intense.
My mind stops working as i could only feel electric current over all inside my body.
“Are you really here?” he whispered.
I could feel his breath on my skin, my own heart racing. His deep gaze made me feel nervous, but I composed myself. Smirking, I leaned in and lightly kissed his neck.
His grip on my hands tightened, his heartbeat quickening. I could feel it, hear it. The tension between us grew, and my chest rose and fell rapidly.
“You’re real,” he breathed out, looking at me with his intense gaze.
I nodded. A soft smile appeared on his face, and he leaned down to kiss my forehead. His lips lingered there for more than a second, and I closed my eyes, savoring the moment.
Then, I pushed him away playfully, “Now let go of me before I actually kill you for that nasty dream.”
He grinned mischievously, “It wasn’t that bad. If you want i could tell you in detail how beautiful and romantic the dream was.”
“Oh, as if I believe you. Your thoughts always go in one direction,” I rolled my eyes.
“It’s not my fault,” he chuckled.
“You make me lose control—whether in dreams or reality, like right now,” he leaned in and whispered huskily into my ear.
Smirking, he sat up on the bed and pulled me close by my waist. I pinched his arm.
“Ouch Ruh!” he whispered, making me giggle.
He sighed, “When did you arrive?”
“A few hours ago,” I replied, adjusting the duvet that had fallen to the floor.
“What?! And you didn’t tell me?” He looked at me, confused.
“I wanted to surprise you,” I said casually.
He smiled, but then his expression turned serious, “Ruh, you should be resting. I know how tired you get after traveling. Are you feeling somehow sick and wait—how the hell did you even get here?”
I shrugged, “i used Veena Aunty’s ladder and the spare key you gave.”
His eyes widened, but he just sighed in defeat, “You shouldn’t do this alone at night. I could have come to you.”
“Yeah, but where’s the fun in surprising you—especially in finding out what kind of dreams you’re having?” I narrowed my eyes at him, to which he coughed awkwardly.
I grinned and picked up the cake,”Anyway, congratulations!”
He blinked, then chuckled, “You really climbed a ladder just to bring me a cake?”
“Yep! But…I forgot the knife,” I pouted.
We both burst into laughter.
“Now stop laughing and go get a knife,” I nudged him.
He frowned, “Ah, when did you start ordering like this?”
“Learning from the best,” I winked.
Narrowing his eyes, he got up and went downstairs.
When he returned, we sat on his balcony, sharing the cake under the moonlight. I made him cut it, and he ate the first bite.
“Damn, Ruh, you should open a bakery,” he said, genuinely impressed.
Mission successfully passed.
He made me take a bite, and together we finished the cake.
Well, mostly me. He doesn’t like sweets much, and I love them to the core.
Then, he looked at me and asked softly, “Can I hug you?”
“You don’t need to ask me,” i smiled as I looked at him.
He chuckled and pulled me into a warm hug, wrapping his arms around my waist and burying his face into my neck.
I sucked in a breath as his lips slightly brushed against my skin. My heart was racing again.
“I missed you so much,” he whispered. “It felt so empty without you. Every morning at 5 a.m., I looked out at your balcony, but you weren’t there. It was weird. I can’t even go three months without seeing you. What will I do when we have to live apart?”
His grip tightened around me.
My mind started running with different thoughts, but I pushed them aside.
“We’ll think about that later. Right now, let’s just enjoy this moment,” I whispered, running my fingers through his hair.
He sighed but didn’t let go. We sat there like that for a while, just holding each other. Then, he pulled away slightly and asked me to feed him another bite of cake.
The night passed with us talking—well, mostly him talking and me listening.
By morning, I snuck back home. Vihaan helped me exit through the main gate this time, making it an adventure of its own. The fear that his family members could show up at any moment sent my heart racing. Damn, I never thought I would be doing this kind of adventure someday.
I sighed in relief as I stepped inside, ready to crash on my bed.
As soon as I stepped inside, my heart stopped.
Kunal bhai sat on the couch, arms crossed, staring at me with a blank but knowing expression.
I am doomed.
This guy never sleeps! He should sleep and have Prisha Di’s dreams. Anti-romantic.
“May I know where you are coming from?” he asked, his voice calm yet firm.
I cleared my throat, trying to act natural, “Uh…just a casual morning walk?” I offered with a forced smile.
Bhai raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp, “A casual morning walk that ended in our neighbor’s balcony?”
I coughed awkwardly, rubbing my hands together, “Bhai, trust me, it’s not what you are thinking. I just….baked a cake for Vihaan and went to congratulate him.”
His eyes didn’t waver as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, “You never did this before for anyone.”
I met his gaze, my voice firm yet soft, “Because he is not just anyone.”
For a second, his expression flickered—maybe amusement, maybe disbelief, maybe a relief—but then he sighed, rubbing his temples.
“Ruhii….” he tried to speak but i cut him off before he starts his lecture.
“And can’t I wish him? At least I wasn’t kissing in a freaking parking lot,” I blurted out, trying to defend myself.
Bhai coughed, his eyes widened slightly, “Oh gosh, am I going to hear this for the rest of my life?” he muttered, clearly irritated.
Huh. I got the best weapon.
He turned away, exhaling sharply before saying, “Next time, make sure to turn off the kitchen light. This time, it was me who saw you. Next time, if it’s Dad, both families will be having a long night conversation again.”
Oh, I forgot about the kitchen light.
It’s not my fault, he clouded my mind with his thoughts.
I pressed my lips together, sighing. Thank God it was bhai and not Dad.
I sighed in relief and quickly rushed towards my room.
To hell with you, Ruhanika Oberoi.
Wait.
I was even thinking like Vihaan now.
I groaned internally—this guy had officially taken over not just my heart but my mind, vocabulary too. Every single thought of mine somehow included him.
I really needed sleep before I completely lost my senses.
•••••
With just a week left until my brother’s engagement, our house was filled with excitement and chaos. Decorations were almost done, fairy lights sparkled in the hallways, and the kitchen smelled of sweets and delicious dishes. Piles of neatly wrapped gifts sat in a corner, waiting for a final check—which I still needed to do.
My brother and Dad were still in the hospital, but he would be taking leave from tomorrow. In the meantime, Mumma was handling everything alone. She had taken time off work, but I could see how exhausted she was—her face lined with worry, barely sitting for a moment.
“Ruhi, can you check if Prisha’s dress is ready? The boutique told us that it will deliver within a week, and it’s still not here,” Mumma said, rubbing her forehead.
I quickly grabbed my phone and dialed the boutique, tapping my fingers against the table as I waited for someone to answer.
“They said it’s ready, Mumma. They will deliver it in three hours,” I told her.
She nodded absentmindedly, still lost in thought.
Just then, the doorbell rang.
I got up to open it, but as soon as I saw who it was, my mood instantly dropped.
Oh no. Not her.
Taking a deep breath, I forced a polite smile and half-opened the door.
“Arey, darwaza bhi kholo! Kab se khade hain hum!” Bua Ji’s loud voice rang out as she stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.
I moved aside and greeted her politely, but she barely acknowledged me.
“Aaj kal ke bacche bado ka bilkul lihaaz nahi rakhte,” she muttered, settling onto the couch.
She was always like this—never missing a chance to taunt me or my brother. That’s why I don’t like her.
Before I could even recover from her negativity, a cheerful voice called out my name.
“Ruhiiiiii!”
I turned, and my face instantly lit up.
“Aashiiii!”
I rushed forward, and we hugged tightly, giggling like little kids.
Weddings meant fun, food, and family—but most importantly, it is cousins reunion.
“I missed you so much!” Aashi squealed, squeezing me tighter.
“I missed you too” I laughed, warmth spreading through me.
Pulling back slightly, I asked, “Did your grandmother say anything when you left?” I knew how strict her mom—my Bua Ji—is, and I had a feeling it wasn’t easy for her to come.
Aashi smirked, “Nope! Kunal Bhaiya handled it. The way he spoke, even Dadi didn’t dare argue. You should’ve seen her face—it was a sight to watch”
We burst into laughter.
“Come on, let’s go inside! Show me your outfit for the engagement! And we have so much to gossip about!” she said excitedly.
Just then, Mumma called out, “Ruhi, let Aashika sit and have some breakfast. She must be tired.”
I nodded, knowing she had traveled a long way.
Aashi turned to greet Mumma and waved dismissively, “No, Mami! Bilkul bhi bhook nahi hai. We’ll eat later. Ruhi, let’s go!”
Grabbing my wrist, she dragged me to my room.
Aashi was a year older than me, but we had always been inseparable. We understood each other perfectly. The moment we entered my room, we flopped onto my bed and started gossiping—well, mostly her talking and me listening.
Hours passed like minutes as she filled me in on everything—family drama, college stress, and, of course, her love life.
After a while, she decided to take a shower. Just as she stepped into the bathroom, her phone rang. I glanced at the screen. Varun.
A teasing grin spread across my face as I cleared my throat. She came back, saw her phone, and snatched it up. The moment she answered, her voice softened, turning playful.
I leaned back, amused. Aashi could talk for hours, and Varun listened with endless patience. Sometimes I wondered how he managed, but then again, love had a way of making everything seem effortless. The way he listened to her, never getting tired or annoyed, showed how much he cared.
I smiled to myself. I hoped they always stayed this happy. It had been a long time since I had seen my sister this cheerful, and I wanted it to last.
Later, I went downstairs, trying my best to move quietly—I had no interest in running into Bua Ji again. But luck wasn’t on my side.
We were about to leave for shopping when she started her usual complaints.
“So, Ankita, what does the girl do? I mean, the girl Kunal is marrying. She’s a doctor, right?” Bua Ji asked Mumma, referring to Prisha di.
Mumma smiled proudly, “She’s a software engineer. She’s brilliant at her job.”
Bua Ji’s face twisted in disapproval, “What? I thought she was in the medical field. That way, they’d understand each other better. What if she argues with him for not giving her enough time? Kunal is always busy… I don’t know how this marriage is going to work.”
It wasn’t her place to comment on Kunal bhai and Prisha di’s relationship. I wanted to say something, but before I could, Mumma spoke in a calm yet firm voice.
“Prisha is an understanding girl, and most importantly, Kunal loves her. That’s what matters. Maybe you should focus on shopping instead of worrying about things that aren’t your concern. They are adults, and I trust my son—he knows how to balance his profession and marriage.”
For a second, Bua Ji looked stunned but quickly shrugged, pretending not to care.
“Besides, you retired years ago. Times have changed, Bua Ji,” I blurted out suddenly.
She never missed a chance to taunt my brother, and I knew exactly why.
She turned to me, her sharp eyes narrowing.
“Ankita, look at your daughter. She’s started answering back to elders now,” she said, shaking her head in fake disappointment.
I took a deep breath, forcing myself to stay calm. I knew what she was trying to do.
I met her gaze without flinching.
I knew she was taking out her frustration on us. She had to give up her career because of mother in law, and even though Dad tried his best to support her, but she got into an argument. Maybe that’s why she was always so bitter. Well she becomes like Aashi’s grandmother’s second version.
Thankfully, Aashika is not like her.
Vihaan’s family was also arriving soon.
Because of my brother’s hospital schedule, we hadn’t been able to start shopping earlier, but most of the important things were done. Today was all about the finishing touches.
And hopefully, avoiding unnecessary drama.
We started with local stores before heading to the mall, where the patience of the men in our family was already wearing thin. The women, on the other hand, were in their full element—running their hands over fabrics, debating between shades of pink that, to me, all looked the same.
As I absentmindedly ran my fingers over a pastel lehenga, my brother’s familiar voice broke through the noise.
“Are you guys done with shopping yet?”
I turned to see him approaching, looking slightly exhausted but as composed as ever after his hospital shift. Dad was walking beside him, deep in conversation with Vihaan’s father.
My heart skipped a beat. My eyes instinctively scanned the area, searching for one particular face.
Before I could spot him, Aashi’s teasing voice cut through my thoughts.
“Kisiko dhoondh rahi hai?” she whispered, nudging me playfully.
“Me? Looking for someone? Absolutely not. Just searching for some lehenga designs,” I tried to sound nonchalant.
She smirked but didn’t push further. I cleared my throat and pretended to focus on the rack of lehengas, hoping to hide the growing warmth in my cheeks.
Then, I heard Prisha Di’s voice and instinctively turned—
And there he was.
Vihaan stood a few feet away, dressed in a crisp white shirt and jeans, deep in conversation with Prisha Di. His expression was serious, eyebrows slightly furrowed as if in the middle of an argument.
For a second, my brain short-circuited.
What is it about men in white shirts? Damn. I always lose my senses when he wears white.
Has anyone scientifically proven that men look more attractive in White? Because if not, I’d be willing to write a whole research paper on it—about him.
A warm flush crept up my neck, and my mind spiraled into thoughts that were definitely not holy.
Aashi, who had been silently observing me, suddenly smirked.
“Hmm…your choice is nice,” she whispered, eyeing Vihaan with amusement.
The heat in my cheeks intensified.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I muttered, turning away.
We both burst into laughter.
Before I could recover, Bua Ji’s sharp voice rang out.
“Aashika, behave like a disciplined girl. Is this a way to laugh?”
Aashi visibly stiffened, the playful glint in her eyes vanishing.
Something inside me twisted. I knew that reaction.
“Aashi, is everything okay?” I whispered, leaning toward her.
She forced a small smile—one I could see right through.
Before I could question her further, she grabbed a pastel pink and green lehenga, changing the topic.
“Ruhii, this will look good on me, right?” she asked, holding it up.
I narrowed my eyes. She was trying to distract me.
Before I could respond, she rushed into the trial room.
I sighed, mentally noting to talk to her later.
Meanwhile, the rest of the family was busy selecting outfits for Prisha Di’s other functions. My brother and the other men sat nearby with the same resigned expressions—because, let’s be honest, watching women shop for hours was practically a form of torture for them.
As I scanned through the outfits, my eyes landed on a black lehenga.
It was different.
Most of my wardrobe consisted of soft pastels—whites, blues. Black was unexplored territory for me, especially traditional dresses.
Would it suit me?
I hesitated, then, as if drawn by instinct, my gaze flickered toward Vihaan.
He was sitting with the other men, looking absolutely bored by the chaos.
When our eyes met, he gave me a small, knowing smile.
I held up the lehenga slightly, silently asking if I should try it.
He shrugged.
Damn. Why are men so clueless?
I signaled again, and this time, understanding dawned on his face.
My phone buzzed. A message from him: “You should give it a try. Besides, you always look beautiful in whatever you wear.”
I felt warmth settle in my chest as I smiled back.
This guy and his flirting.
That was all the encouragement I needed.
I picked up the lehenga, running my fingers over the delicate stonework. It was lightweight—just the way I liked it.
With my mind made up, I walked towards the trial room.
Before stepping inside, I paused in front of the mirror, holding the lehenga against me. It didn’t look bad. In fact, if I actually wore it, it might look pretty.
Just as I opened the door to enter—
A strong hand wrapped around my wrist, pulling me into the corner trial room.
I barely had time to react before the door clicked shut behind me.
My heart leaped into my throat.
What the—
The familiar scent of his cologne wrapped around me, and I immediately exhaled.
“Vihaan!” I whisper-yelled, pressing a hand to my chest. “You scared the hell out of me!”
His lips curled into that mischievous grin—the one that made my brain stop functioning.
One day, I swear, I’ll be the one to wipe that smirk off his face.
“I missed you, Ruh,” he murmured, his voice laced with something that sent a shiver down my spine.
Before I could respond, his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
“But I just met you last night,” I managed to say, trying to sound unaffected by his touch.
“It wasn’t enough,” he whispered, his forehead pressing against mine.
My breath hitched.
The space between us vanished. Completely.
His fingers tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear before trailing down to my cheek. His touch was slow, deliberate—like he had all the time in the world.
Then, without warning, his lips brushed against my neck. A soft, feather-light kiss.
A sharp breath escaped me.
His new obsession.
Lately, he had developed this infuriating, knee-weakening habit of kissing my neck whenever he got the chance. And I—secretly—loved it.
His lips moved lower, leaving slow, lingering kisses along my skin. My fingers instinctively clutched his collar, my other hand pressed against his chest.
My heartbeat drummed in my ears.
His thumb traced small circles over my waist. The worst part? I am melting just by his touch.
This was dangerous. Very, very dangerous.
Then, like a bucket of ice-cold water, reality slapped me in the face.
We were in a freaking trial room.
My family was right outside.
If someone caught us—No way.
“Vihaan….” I whispered, my voice barely steady.
He hummed against my skin, completely unbothered.
“You need to leave before someone….”
Before I could finish, we heard voices from the next trial room.
“K-Kunal, can you please be a little gentle?”
Vihaan and I exchanged horrified looks.
“I am already trying to be gentle, Prisha,” my brother’s voice came through.
What the hell is going on?
Vihaan clamped his hands over my ears.
“You shouldn’t be hearing this,” he muttered, looking completely traumatized.
For a second, I thought my soul was leaving my body—until Prisha Di’s next words.
“Kunal this dress is my favorite! And you’re yanking at it like you are trying to rip it apart!”
Vihaan and I nearly choked.
“Are they forgetting that they are here with our family,” he whispered with a traumatic gaze.
Vihaan and I exchanged one last horrified glance before deciding to step out of the trial room. Beacuse I feel embarrassed inside the room hearing— ahhh stop Ruhanika. Don’t think like this.
I never thought I would hear my bhai in such a situation….Okay, not thinking about this. Ever.
Vihaan, however, was still frowning deeply as he glared the trial room door.
“What the hell is your brother doing in a trial room with my sister?” he asked, his voice laced with disbelief.
I narrowed my eyes at him, “They’re getting married, Vihaan. What do you think they are doing?”
His face twisted in horror.
“Stop. Don’t say it. I will be traumatized for life.”
I rolled my eyes.
“But shouldn’t he be waiting outside? What’s the point of going inside the trial room?” he added, his tone dramatic yet oddly firm.
“Technically, you did the exact same thing,” I smirked, crossing my arms.
Vihaan scratched the back of his neck, looking caught, “That’s different.”
“How exactly?”
Before he could come up with another excuse, Bhai and Prisha Di stepped out of the trial room.
Bhai was holding a dress—most likely the one Prisha Di had trouble with. He was trying to open its stuck zipper. Their appearance looked fine, which meant we must have misheard the conversation.
Vihaan and I exchanged glances before realizing the obvious.
“Oh…..it was about the dress,” we whispered in unison, releasing a small breath of relief.
Just then, my brother’s sharp gaze landed on Vihaan.
“What are you both doing here?” Bhai asked, practically glaring at Vihaan.
Vihaan being Vihaan, quickly grabbed a lehenga from my hand and held it up showing to bhai.
“Aunty asked me to give this to her,” he said innocently.
Bhai didn’t look convinced but thankfully chose to ignore him.
Turning to Prisha Di, he said, “I think we should ask the sales lady to fix the zip. It’s not opening.”
She nodded, and they walked off together.
Meanwhile, I went back to the trial room and quickly tried on the black lehenga—it fit perfectly.
I called my mumma, and she entered to check the fitting.
“It looks good,” she said with a nod before leaving to find Adhya Aunty, who had called her.
When I stepped out of the trial room, Vihaan was still waiting.
“Why are you still here?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You were alone. How could I leave you?” he said smoothly.
My heart did an embarrassing little somersault.
Before I could respond, Bhai returned and looked at me, “Did you find something you liked?”
I nodded, “Yes, this lehenga fits perfectly.”
He examined it briefly, then gave a small nod of approval.
Meanwhile, Prisha Di had gone back inside to try on another lehenga.
When she stepped out a few minutes later…
Let me tell you—my brother was gone. Completely gone.
His usual grumpy demeanor vanished the second his eyes landed on her.
Prisha Di adjusted her dupatta, looking slightly shy, and cleared her throat.
But Bhai? His eyes never left her, his gaze filled with something soft and unspoken.
Then, as if in a trance, he stepped closer and whispered something to her.
I couldn’t hear what he said, but whatever it was, it turned Prisha Di’s cheeks a deep shade of pink.
She mumbled something before quickly going back inside to change.
Bhai, on the other hand, just stood there, looking way too smug.
I shook my head.
Look at him how is not taking his eyes off from my bhabhi, this was the same man who had just glared at Vihaan for standing too close to me. Double standards.
Speaking of which…
I turned to see Vihaan watching me with a teasing smirk, arms crossed.
“See? I am not the only one sneaking into trial rooms,” he whispered rolling his eyes.
And Bhai and Vihaan again started their glaring game.
I nudged Prisha Di, “Let’s go to the makeup section.”
She nodded quickly, and we both left.
Let the men stay behind and glare at each other all they wanted.
I wandered through the makeup section, scanning the rows of lipsticks like a queen choosing her next weapon. After all, the right lipstick shade could make or break a day.
But here I was—utterly torn between four gorgeous shades. I wanted them all. Needed them all. Like seriously.
Meanwhile, Prisha Di was lost in her own world, testing out foundations or whatever. And i went to the lipstick section.
“Ugh, which one should I get?” I muttered, holding up the shades.
I was so busy in my thoughts.
Suddenly I felt presence of someone and a deep voice whispering, “What are you doing?”
I flinched so hard I nearly knocked over an entire display of lipsticks.
“What the—” I spun around, glare loaded and ready to fire, only to come face-to-face with Vihaan Raichand, smirking like he had just won a jackpot.
“You!” I scowled, pressing a hand to my racing heart. “Do you have a hobby of sneaking up on me? Or is this just your new life mission—to give me mini heart attacks?”
He grinned, “It’s fun when you get all angry. Your nose flares, your cheeks puff up, and it makes me want to—” he leaned in slightly, his voice dropping with a hint of teasing, “bite them.”
I blinked. Processing. Processing. Brain not found. My heart is doing crazy dance.
I composed myself and muttered, “Shameless. Absolutely shameless.”
He shrugged, looking way too pleased with himself, “Only for my Ruh.”
Rolling my eyes, I grabbed his wrist and dragged him behind one of the shelves.
“What? Ruh, what happened to you? Are you trying to take advantage of me?” he gasped dramatically, clutching his chest like a helpless damsel.
I narrowed my eyes at him, “Yes, absolutely. Now shut up and open the first two buttons of your shirt.”
Vihaan blinked, then smirked, “Well, aapke iraade nek nhi lag rhe mujhe, Miss Ruh”
(Well, well, well. Your intentions don’t seem very pure, Ms. Ruh)
I smirked right back, stepping closer,
“Trust me, Mr. Raichand apko dekh kr mere iraade kabhi nek nhi hote.”
(Trust me, Mr. Raichand, my intentions are never pure when it comes to you)
His smirk faltered. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed, fingers twitching at his sides.
“You—you can’t just say things like that,” he muttered, almost as if scolding himself for reacting.
“Why not?” I whispered, my lips barely brushing his earlobe before pulling back.
Vihaan sucked in a sharp breath. His entire body stiffened, his jaw clenched. “Ruh…” His voice had dropped to that dangerously deep, serious tone.
I ignored it. Because I was on a mission.
“Now, open your first two buttons already,” I said, smirking up at him.
Still dazed, Vihaan hesitated before exhaling sharply and unbuttoning his crisp white shirt.
And that was my moment.
Grinning, I pulled out my lipstick samples and—without warning—started applying them to his neck.
Vihaan narrowed his eyes, as he blurted out, “What the hell—”
“Shhh,” I hushed him, concentrating like an artist at work.
He sighed dramatically, “You’re using me as a test subject, aren’t you?”
I grinned, “Aur aapko milte hain 7 crore.”
“Ruh!” he whined as I carefully swiped another shade across his skin.
My fingers brushed against his collarbone, and my eyes landed on a small mole on his neck. I blinked. Okay, wow. Why did that look… weirdly attractive?
I gently ran my fingers over his collarbone, tracing the small mole on his skin. The warmth beneath my touch sent a strange thrill through me. Slowly, I traced the tiny mole, my fingers moving in light, lazy circles. His breath hitched, and I felt his muscles tense slightly under my touch.
Before I could pull away, his hand suddenly caught mine, holding it against his chest. His grip was firm but not forceful, his thumb lightly brushing against my wrist. He tilted his head down, eyes dark and unreadable, his voice low and teasing.
“Ruh, you keep touching me like this, and I swear, next time, I won’t just stand still and behave. I’ll make sure you remember exactly what it feels like to test lipstick shades on me… but without the lipstick.”
My hand froze mid-air.
What? Without the lipstick—
His words sent a shiver down my spine, and I swallowed hard.
Vihaan smirked as if he could hear the mental chaos happening in my head.
I cleared my throat and quickly resumed testing shades, pretending his words didn’t just turn my brain into a scrambled mess. And he just pinched my cheeks slightly giving me his infectious laugh.
After a few more strokes of my painting, I finally found the two perfect shades—Blossom Pink and Cherry Red.
“Perfect! These shades suit your neck,” I said proudly.
Vihaan smirked, “I’m sure they would look even better if they were left there by your lips.”
I choked. Gosh he has no shame. Like seriously. How can he say something like this so bluntly.
I pointed a finger at him, “You—stop twisting my words!”
He leaned in, his smirk downright evil.
“I’ll be waiting for your artwork on my neck,” he teased with a wink.
I inhaled sharply. This man! I hit him on his foot to which he hissed in pain.
Good job, Ruhanika.
Vihaan raised an eyebrow, “Can I button up now, or do you have more masterpieces to create?”
I tapped his chest, “Yes, yes. Button up, Mr. Boyfriend.”
He scoffed.
“Yes, madam,” he said, buttoning his shirt with a dramatic eye roll.
Once he was done, I glanced around and lowered my voice.
“Vihaan, I’ll leave first. You come out after five minutes. We can’t risk being caught together.”
He chuckled, “Ah, the struggles of being in a desi family.”
I sighed.
Vihaan nodded, and with that, I turned on my heel and walked away, in order to not get caught by our family.
I blushed, quickly placing the extra lipstick samples back on the counter and asking the saleslady my chosen shades.
Now, it was time to call my personal bank—my brother.
But before I could even take my phone out, I collided with someone.
No. Way.
I looked up, and my soul nearly left my body.
Bua Ji.
Oh no.
I gulped.
I do not have the energy for another Desi Family Drama.
————————————
Finally Chapter 54….!!!!
So how was the chapter…???
Your favourite scene?
Mine was the lipstick testing 🌝
Yesterday, I was having few thoughts….This book is my comfort. Writing it makes me feel better and especially stress-free. What will I do when this book will comes to an end? 😭
The reason I didn’t add much trauma to this book is that when I started writing it, I wanted it to be a comfort book without much drama—for me. Because at that time I was having so much stress. And there was a time when I wanted to unpublish EOL, but somehow, I kept going. I don’t know what happened, but I continued writing and look here we are😭💗✨
Chalo acche se Vote and comments kr dena. I am waiting for your comments (no spam comments 🤧)
Enjoy Reading ♥️
Stay Tuned for further updates….!!!
Bye Cutiepies….!!!🍁
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