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Coming back from a function always feels like a different kind of exhaustion.
Getting ready? Fun.
Dealing with people? Annoying as hell.
But returning home after all that? Absolutely draining.
Right now, we’ve just walked in, and Bua Ji has already started her post-event lecture-complaining about how things could have been better.
And guess what, No one is paying attention.
Dad is busy giving Dadu his medicines, and Mom quietly escapes to her room. Taking that as a sign, Bhai and I slip away too.
The moment I step into my room, I kick off my heels and slide into my slippers, breathing in relief. But as I turn on the lights-
“You are late, Ruh.”
A deep voice rumbles through the room, making my heart nearly jump out of my chest.
I turn around, eyes wide.
And there he is sitting on my bed like he owns the place, his both hand resting beside him, legs stretched out lazily, and that damn signature smirk on his face. His dark eyes lock onto mine, amusement flickering in them as if he is been waiting for this exact reaction.
I try to calm my heartbeat.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I whisper-yell.
He tilts his head, completely unfazed.
“I was missing you.” His voice is low, smooth-like he just said the most obvious thing in the world.
“Are you insane? Do you even realize what time it is?” I muttered in anger.
Instead of answering, he pushes himself off the bed and starts walking toward me. Slow. Deliberate.
I instinctively take a step back. What is this idiot Chimpanzee planning now?
Before I can process, my back hits the door. Great.
Then-click.
My eyes widen.
Did he just lock the door?
My pulse went crazy. Vihaan leans in, his fingers grazing my wrist before trailing down my arm in a teasing touch.
His breath is warm against my skin as he whispers, “You really think I would let you go after the stunt you pulled a few hours ago?”
A rush of nervousness and excitement shoot through me.
I blink up at him, faking my innocence, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
His smirk deepens. He knows I am playing dumb.
The next thing I feel is his fingers grazing my bare waist. A sharp breath escapes me as a shiver runs down my spine. His touch is light, almost testing. I stiffen slightly, and he pauses. His gaze meets mine, silently asking if I’m uncomfortable. I shake my head.
And that’s all the confirmation he needs. His arms wrap fully around my waist, pulling me flush against him.
My heart? Yeah, it’s barely keeping up.
“The kind of stunt that always makes me lose control,” His voice is dark, teasing, yet something about it makes my stomach twist.
“So, why don’t you think we should continue this stunt?” Vihaan asked, tucking a stray strand of my hair behind my ear.
His gaze held something, he is just enjoying testing my patience. I could see the way his lips twitched, barely holding back a laugh.
Stupid Chimpanzee.
I don’t know what got into me, from where this confidence came into me.
I stood on my toes, I tried to match his height-which was impossible because the man was built like a damn pole.
Why did I take off my heels? Bad decision.
“Really? We should definitely try it then,” I smirked, wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling him just a little closer.
Vihaan blinked. Once. Twice. Clearly not expecting me to say something like this.
His hands instinctively tightened around my waist, as I slowly started moving leading him to take step backward, but in the process, we lost balance-and like in true dramatic bollywood style, we fall onto the bed.
He looked at me with amusement as I landed half on top of him.
I was ready to roll off, but then our eyes met. His warm, dark gaze locked onto mine, and for a second, everything stilled.
I could hear my heartbeat hammering.
“Ruh,” he whispered, his voice a little breathless, his hands still resting against my waist.
“Hmm?” I murmured, fingers unconsciously clutching his shirt.
His thumb brushed against my waist in slow circles, sending a shiver up my spine.
“Why do you always say things that leave me completely speechless?” he mused, tilting his head as if genuinely curious.
‘Even she also doesn‘t know where this vocabulary is, her tongue is uttering it,’ my brain mocked me but I tried to ignore it.
I smirked.
“Why? Are you scared, Mr. Raichand?” I teased, my fingers trailing from his forehead down to his jaw, just to see my effects on him.
It’s actually fun to see his reaction.
He scoffed, eyes twinkling with mischief, “Scared? Me? Ruh, please. I have much better ways to make you scared.”
His fingers suddenly tightened on my waist, tracing light patterns across my skin.
My breath hitched.
His lips curved into a slow, knowing smirk.
“As a matter of fact,” he leaned in, voice a teasing whisper, “your waist is incredibly tempting.”
This Chimpanzee has no filter.
I glared at him as I rolled my eyes at him, “Nasty homo sapien.”
He chuckled, clearly enjoying my flustered state.
Alright, if he wants to play this game, let’s play.
“Really?” I asked, lowering my voice into something softer, something sultry. I leaned in, my lips near his ear, feeling his breath hitch.
“How many versions of you are there, Ruh?” he murmured, his grip loosening slightly.
I smirked, brushing my lips just past his jaw without touching, “There are so many versions of me Mr. Raichand. Exclusively for you. Why don’t you try unraveling them…..one by one?”
Vihaan inhaled sharply.
Good Job. Ruhanika.
Making him speechless is my new favourite hobby.
I pulled back just enough to enjoy the sight of him slightly dazed. My new favorite hobby was making Vihaan speechless.
To seal my victory, I leaned in and pressed a quick, teasing kiss on his cheek.
“Okay. Now, you should go before anyone-“
Before I could finish, he flipped us over.
I barely had time to react before I found myself beneath him, my wrists pinned lightly by his hands.
My heart nearly leapt out of my chest.
He hovered over me, eyes dark with amusement, that signature smirk stretching across his face.
“You’re actually right,” he murmured, voice dropping lower.
I swallowed looking at him, “Right about what?”
“Why don’t i unravel one of your versions right now.”
Breathe. Ruhanika. Breathe.
He leaned in, lips just a breath away from mine. My stomach twisted in knots. This was not how I planned this to go. But am i complaining? Naah.
“So…” his voice was slow, teasing, his breath warm against my lips. “Where do we start?”
My breathing grew unevenly. My body tensed. For a second I stopped breathing.
I know I have messed up.
His fingers trail along my arm, his lips barely a whisper away from mine. My heart hammers so loud, I’m sure he can hear it.
And then-he suddenly pauses.
His gaze shifts slightly to the side, as he looked there carefully and then he smiles.
Before I can react, he leans down and presses a soft, lingering kiss to my forehead.
I freeze.
His lips stay there for a second longer than necessary, leaving warmth in their wake. Every nerve in my body melts.
A gentle hand tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear, pulling me out of my thoughts.
My heart skipped a beat as a soft whisper brushed against my skin.
“Happy Birthday, Ruh.”
My eyes fluttered open, meeting Vihaan’s warm gaze. His lips curled into a smile, and for a second, I just stared at him, feeling my chest tighten. Confused, I turned my head toward the clock on my bedside table.
12:00 AM.
Realization hits me-it’s my birthday. And I had completely forgotten in the middle of all the wedding chaos.
I let out a soft chuckle, shaking my head at myself.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
Before I could process anything more, he leaned in and pressed a lingering kiss on my forehead.
Did he remember? I had only mentioned my birthday to him once.
“I thought you didn’t remember,” I said.
Vihaan smirked, his voice dropping into a gentle murmur, “I remember everything that involves you, Ruh.”
Okay. That’s it. My heart is officially doing somersaults.
His deep, emotion-filled eyes locked onto mine, carrying a depth I couldn’t quite decipher-care, love, something more.
He leaned in, our noses almost brushing, our breaths mingling. My heartbeat pounded so loudly, I was sure he could hear it. We are so close.
And then-
“Ruhii!”
Bhai’s voice boomed from the other side of the door.
I am doomed.
Vihaan and I both snapped out of our moment, eyes widening in horror. We scrambled apart so fast that Vihaan lost his balance, stumbled, and-
Thud!
“Lag gayi yaar,” he groaned, clutching his arm.
I rushed to him in panic.
“Are you okay?” Then, realizing the real crisis, I hissed, “Forget that-get up. You need to go before Bhai finds you.”
“Yes, before your Khadus brother decides to perform surgery on me,” he grumbled, standing up.
He made a quick dash toward the balcony but suddenly froze.
I frowned, “What now?”
He scratched the back of his head sheepishly, “Umm… Veena Aunty didn’t put the ladder today, so I climbed up using the pipe but…”
“But…?”
“But I don’t know how to climb down using the pipe.”
I stared at him, blinking.
“Are you serious?!” I narrowed my eyes at him, as i slightly yelled at him.
“Shh! Not my fault! Gravity works differently when you are trying to climb down,” he defended, looking everywhere except at me.
He is making me angry, right now.
Before I could strangle him, my dad’s voice came from the hallway.
“Ruhanika, you’re still up?”
Panic. Full-blown panic.
Vihaan looked at me, panicked, “Ruh, ab main kya karu?”
And I got so much panicked, that in a hasty moment I blurted out, “Ek kaam karo….balcony se kood jao.”
“Haan, sahi bola-“ he muttered, ready to actually jump before realization smacked him in the face. “Ruh! Kya bol rhi ho? Tumhare eklaute boyfriend ki haddiyan tut jaayegi?”
“Don’t worry, my family is full of doctors, my mama is the best orthopedic surgeon you don’t……wait what the hell am I saying” I mumbled as he looked at me in horror giving me a look ‘are you serious?’
“You know what? Hide in the bathroom.”
He made a move toward the bathroom but I grabbed his wrist.
“Wait. No! You can’t go in there!” I stammered, remembering that my bathroom lock was loose. And i know how my brother is-his without reason detective skills definitely lead us in trouble.
“Then where should I go?!” he whisper, looking like a lost puppy about to get scolded.
I scanned the room frantically, “Under the bed!”
Vihaan looked at the small gap and then back at me, “Are you sure?”
“You want to have a nice talk with my brother and dad? Get under!”
The knocking got louder.
“Ruhii, why are you not opening the door, if something happened, I swear I am coming in,” Bhai’s concerned voice made me gulp.
I quickly fixed my hair and adjusted my expression before opening the door.
Bhai stepped in, his eyes scanning my face, “Are you okay, baccha? You weren’t answering.”
I forced a smile, “I’m fine, Bhai. I was in the washroom.”
He seemed relieved before his face softened.
“You forgot your medicine,” he said as he gave me my meds and I nodded.
Then he softly smiled at me as he leaned in and kissed my forehead gently, “Happy 18th Birthday, baccha.”
Before I could respond, Dadu’s chirpy voice came, “Happy Birthday, Ruhii!”
I turned to see my grandfather walking in slowly, his arms wide open. I hugged him tightly, smiling.
Mumma and Dad followed, wishing me warm smiles. Mumma side-hugged me.
But Dad…..he just caressed my head and wished me, standing at a distance. I thought he will say something. I waited, hoping he’d say something more. But he didn’t. I just put a smile.
Dadu gently placed a small cake on the table, his expression filled with warmth. I picked up the knife and carefully cut a piece, the rich scent of chocolate filling the air.
Before I could take a bite, Bhai took a small piece and held it up to my mouth with a soft smile. I leaned forward, tasting the moist cake as it melted on my tongue, leaving behind a lingering sweetness.
Mumma, standing nearby, took a piece and brought it to my lips. Her eyes held a tenderness that made my heart swell. I took a bite, savoring both the taste and the love in her gesture. Without a second thought, I picked up another piece and fed her in return.
Turning to Dad, I hesitated for a second before picking up a piece and holding it out for him. He looked at me, a flicker of surprise in his eyes before he leaned forward and took a small bite and made me eat.
“Ruhii, you didn’t change the dress yet?” Mumma asked me as I am still in lehnga.
“Ahh, I was just trying to click some pictures! I didn’t get a good one earlier because the crowd was too much,” i explained giving my all time favourite excuse and she nodded.
“You’ll get your gift in the morning,” Bhai said with a smirk.
Curiosity got the best of me,”Tell me now!”
“That would ruin the surprise,” he teased.
I rolled my eyes, “then you shouldn’t tell me! I swear, my stomach is twisting with curiosity.”
Just then-
Crash!
The vase near my desk shattered.
Oh. No.
Bhai’s eyes snapped to the vase on the floor. Oh no. He bent down to pick them up, his hand reaching out-
I lunged forward, grabbing the vase.
Nice escape.
He looked at me in confusion but didn’t say anything for which I am very thankful.
My heart pounded as I forced a yawn, “I am really sleepy, we should all go to bed!”
Bhai eyed me suspiciously, “Ruh, why is your balcony door open?”
“I-I was feeling suffocated,” i tried to give a best excuse.
He narrowed his eyes, then walked over and shut the door himself. He stood there for a second, staring outside.
My soul left my body. Did he….know?
After an eternity, he turned back. “Goodnight, Ruhii.”
Mumma, Dad, and Dadu left, but Bhai lingered.
I swallowed nervously, “Aapko nahi jaana?”
He exhaled, shaking his head, “Just saying-next time, if you have to open that balcony door, make sure you lock it properly.”
His eyes flickered to my bed for half a second before he ruffled my hair and walked out.
I stood frozen.
Did he know?
I turned around and met Vihaan’s horrified gaze, “Ruh, your brother is acting weird. Did he-“
I sighed, walking toward him. “Maybe….but i don’t think so”
“Looks like your brother has some personal enmity with me-meri toh saans hi atak gyi thi,” he muttered in irritation as I laughed.
Vihaan groaned, flopping onto my bed, “Your brother is the brand ambassador of khadoos prani.”
I glared at him, “He is not khadoos!”
Vihaan mimicked my voice, “He is khadoos!”
I smacked his arm, laughing, and he rolled his eyes but softened instantly.
“Ruh, for you,” He stood up, handed me a small package which was resting on my table
I opened it to find a cute little cupcake decorated with sprinkles.
Cute.
My heart melted.
“Sorry, it’s late, and this is all I could arrange,” he muttered, scratching his head.
I beamed, “It’s perfect!”
“Cut it,” he urged.
I picked up the tiny knife, but instead of cutting it alone, I took his hand in mine. He tried to pull away, but I held on, and together, we cut the little cupcake.
I took a small piece and fed him, then he did the same for me.
For a while, we just sat there in comfortable silence. I noticed his eyelids drooping.
“You should go,” I whispered.
He nodded, stretching, “Be free by night.”
“Why?”
“It’s a surprise, so stop taking my viva,” he said.
Why is everyone so obsessed with surprises? I mean, I love them too, but the curiosity literally eats me alive trying to figure out what it could be.
He walked toward the balcony. But then, realization hit him.
“Wait. First, let me change. This dress is suffocating,” I said, grabbing my night suit and rushing to the washroom.
When I came back, I saw him standing by my bookshelf, scanning through my books.
“You really do read a lot,” he whispered, clearly impressed. I nodded.
But before he could dig any further-especially into that section I really didn’t want him to see-I quickly pulled him away.
“Let’s go before anyone finds out you’re here,” I said, shoving a book back onto the shelf and dragging him downstairs.
I made sure he left without any problem.
Mission Accomplished!
After that, I had a video call with Vani and Tanya and added Yash and Sid as they wished me. After chatting for a while, I finally wrapped up the day.
β’β’β’β’β’
The morning passed in a blur, and now I sat eagerly, waiting for my birthday gifts to be revealed. Aashi, as impatient as ever, kept nudging me, signaling for me to hurry up and open them. This girl has no patience.
Dadu handed me a small box with a warm smile. As I unwrapped it, I found a beautiful pair of earrings inside. I beamed at him, thanking him for the gift.
Next, Dad passed me his gift, and excitement bubbled inside me. But the moment I saw the cover, my smile faltered slightly. A medical book.
“This will help you in your first year, Ruhii. Read it thoroughly and solve the questions,” he said in his usual serious tone. I nodded, forcing a smile. Of course, a book related to studies.
Then, Bhai handed me his gift with a smirk. I quickly tore the wrapping, and my eyes widened in excitement. A mystery thriller! The exact one always had been wanting me to add to my collection.
“Finally. I have this book in my collection,” I cheered, hugging the book close.
Just then, Bua Ji’s sharp voice cut through the moment, “You looked so disappointed with the study book, but honestly, that’s more useful than all these silly novels. If you read real books instead of wasting time, maybe you would have gotten into a better college.”
Her words stung. I stood frozen, gripping the book tightly, feeling a lump form in my throat.
Before I could say anything, Bhai spoke up casually, his voice laced with sarcasm, “You know, Bua Ji, you should be proud. Not everyone has the talent to give career advice and unwanted opinions at the same time. It’s a rare skill.”
Aashi, standing beside me, muffled her laughter, while I tried my best to hide my smile.
“And you are right bua ji, reading useful books does shape a person’s future. That’s probably why some people still have the same old mindset-they clearly didn’t read enough books to upgrade it,” Bhai said clearly indicating his words to bua ji.
Bua Ji huffed in annoyance, muttering something under her breath before walking away.
The moment she was out of sight, Aashi, Bhai, and I burst into laughter.
Dadu gave us a warning glare, but there was a hint of amusement in his eyes as he also chuckled.
A little while later, Tanya and Vani called, excitedly announcing that they had planned an outing for my birthday. I agreed instantly.
It’s already been a long time since we three hangout together.
But when I mentioned it to Vihaan.
“I can’t come. I have to go with Prisha Di to finalize her jewelry. We can’t delay it any further,” he explained, sounding genuinely apologetic.
I sulked. “It’s okay, I understand…we are meeting in the night anyway.”
I even called Yash and Sid but they also declined saying they will join later. Something is fishy.
After getting Mumma’s permission, I started getting ready.
I picked out a white summer dress, tying my hair into a messy bun.
No way I am wearing sandals again after struggling in them the whole day before. So, I slipped on my comfortable sneakers instead.
Since Vihaan isn’t coming, I didn’t see much point in dressing up too much.
But to look at least presentable, I did a little light makeup before grabbing my sling bag and heading out.
We had planned to meet at the park before heading to our destination. But as I stepped outside the gate, my eyes landed on an unexpected sight-Vihaan.
He was helping some workers move heavy cartons inside his house. His back was turned toward me at first, but as if sensing my presence, he turned around.
The moment his eyes met mine, he smiled. A slow, soft smile that made my heart stutter.
He walked toward me, his gaze sweeping over my appearance.
“Beautiful,” he murmured, his voice deep and sincere.
I felt warmth spread across my face. “Thanks,” I mumbled shyly.
“But why aren’t you coming with us?” I asked again, still a little sulky about it, hoping he would change his mind.
Vihaan chuckled, shaking his head, “Your two Annabelle friends warned me not to. They want to spend time with you. Apparently, if I were there, I wouldn’t let you out of my sight for even a second-so, enjoy your girl’s day out.”
I could only imagine Vani threatening him with a straight face. I chuckled, nodding in understanding.
“Besides,” he continued, stepping a little closer, his voice dropping to a soft whisper. “I want to have your all time to myself later.”
His words sent a rush of heat up my neck, and I felt my face turn red. I was so flustered I nearly tripped over my own feet as he held my hand before letting me fall.
Vihaan grinned, clearly enjoying my reaction.
“Vani isn’t here yet?” he asked, glancing around.
“She told me to meet her here first. We’ll go together,” I replied.
He nodded, and we stood together, talking in hushed tones. It was peaceful-until I heard soft murmuring nearby.
I turned my head slightly, noticing my mom and a few neighborhood aunties walking together, deep in conversation.
Among them was Adhya Ma’am…i mean, Adhya Aunty. They were gossiping as they walked, completely unaware of Vihaan and me standing there.
Vihaan must have noticed them at the same time because he immediately took a small step back, putting a proper distance between us.
We exchanged a glance. This was close.
I inhaled slowly, pretending to scroll through my phone, acting as casual as possible. But inside, my heart pounded, knowing that if they saw us together what will they think.
As I stood near the gate, waiting for Vani, I overheard Veena Aunty’s voice.
“Chaliye, agar aapko koi mile jise iski zarurat ho toh zarur batana. Nahi toh ye seedhi seedha kabad me hi jaane wali hai.”
My ears perked up. Seedhi? (Ladder?) What is she talking about?
I glanced at Vihaan, who looked just as confused. But before we could make sense of it, Adhya Aunty responded.
“Ji bilkul,” she said, handing Vihaan a grocery bag.
Veena Aunty shrugged, “Haan, sahi kaha. Woh seedhi bas jagah gher rahi hai. Kisi kaam ki nahi hai, isliye hata dena hi behtar hai.”
Vihaan and I froze, eyes wide in horror. The ladder? The one we always use to sneak onto the terrace?
Before we could think, we both yelled in unison, “Hamare kaam ki hai!”
Everyone flinched, startled by our sudden outburst. All eyes turned to us in confusion.
“Hain?” Veena Aunty raised an eyebrow.
Vihaan being Vihaan, quickly jumped in, “Aunty, mera matlab tha ki woh seedhi bilkul thik hai, usko hatane ki kya zaroorat?”
I nodded frantically in agreement, backing him up, “hnn aur aisi cheeze baad me zarur kaam aati hain.”
But Veena Aunty didn’t look convinced, “Lekin iska koi khaas istemal toh nahi hai.”
And here came Vihaan’s classic no-filter moment, “Main iska istemal achhe se jaanta hoon.”
I facepalmed.
He literally has no control over his mouth.
Aunty and my mom both narrowed their eyes at him. “Hainnnnn?” they asked in unison.
Realizing his mistake, Vihaan quickly backtracked, “I mean, aunty, you can use it to clean the upper part of the terrace. You know, kabhi na kabhi toh zarurat padegi hi. Saaf-safai bohot zaroori hai.”
He gave such a dramatic yet reasonable excuse that even Veena Aunty nodded thoughtfully.
“Baat toh sahi hai…” She looked at me, silently asking for my opinion. I nodded eagerly, hoping she would drop the idea of throwing it away.
“Thik hai, nahi hatati hu,” she finally sighed.
Vihaan and I both muttered a relieved, “Thank God.”
But before we could fully relax, my mom narrowed her eyes suspiciously, “Tum dono ko kya ho gaya hai?”
Mom looked straight at me, waiting for an answer. I desperately searched for a distraction.
Somebody save me!
And just then, like an angel sent from heaven, I heard my name.
“Ruhii!”
I turned and saw Tanya and Vani approaching.
My saviors!
“Mumma, I think I should go now,” I said quickly, grabbing the excuse to escape.
I turned to Vihaan, who looked at me helplessly. I muttered a quick, “All the best,” to which he responded with a tight-lipped smile, muttering something under his breath.
Suppressing a giggle, I hurried toward my friends.
Vani and Tanya practically tackled me into a tight hug, squealing in excitement. “Happy Birthday!” they both shouted in sync.
Karan Bhaiya was already waiting in the car, ready to drive us. His bodyguard-like demeanor always made me a little nervous-he looked so serious all the time.
We spent the whole day out, shopping and enjoying a mini girl’s date. Tanya and Vani knew I absolutely suck at shopping, so after dragging me through endless stores, they planned something special-a picnic-style outing in the park.
It was perfect.
Vani surprised me with a beautiful hand-drawn sketch of me. I gasped when I saw it.
“Vani, this is amazing!” I hugged her tightly, completely in awe of her talent.
Tanya, on the other hand, had bought me a dress-one that perfectly matched my style.
“I know you wouldn’t have picked it yourself, but trust me, you will look gorgeous in this dress,” she grinned.
And she was right. It was perfect.
We spent hours laughing, gossiping, and eating. It felt so refreshing, just us girls having fun, away from all the usual chaos. Later, Yash and Sid also join us creating an extra chaotic environment.
But I am missing him.
By the time I got home, I was exhausted but happy. Instead of a big party, I wanted a quiet celebration. Bhai asked if I was sure, but I told him no one had the energy after the long day, and I honestly didn’t want anything grand.
So, it was just me, Aashi, and Bhai, sitting together watching my favourite movies. We had an early dinner and, one by one, everyone drifted off to sleep.
As soon as I pushed open the door to my room, my heart nearly jumped out of my chest.
“The hell, Vihaan? You scared the life out of me!” I yelled, pressing a hand against my chest to calm my racing heartbeat.
Vihaan, sitting comfortably on my bed, wearing a black shirt and jeans, only smirked in response-a wicked victory gleaming in his eyes, “Get ready, Ruh.”
“For what?” I asked, my brows furrowing in confusion.
He simply raised an eyebrow, and it took me a second before the realization dawned,”Ohhh… right.”
“Do we have to go outside?” I groaned, dragging my feet toward the bed and plopping down beside him.
“I am feeling way too lazy to walk. You know how exhausted I am.” I let my head rest on his shoulder, whining like a child seeking comfort.
His posture relaxed, and his voice softened with gentleness, “Don’t worry. I’ll carry you.”
The sheer tenderness in his tone made me freeze. My eyes snapped up to him in disbelief.
Vihaan frowned, “What?”
“Don’t underestimate me, Ruh. I can carry you easily,” he said, his confidence unwavering.
I narrowed my eyes, “Yeah? And who knows-you might drop me halfway, and I’ll end up with broken bones.”
Before I could react, he slipped his arm around my waist and turned me toward him. His grip was firm but gentle. His voice dropped into a whisper, his breath warmed against my skin, “I can never let you fall.”
I swallowed hard, my heart fluttering at his words-indeed he never let me fall.
But before those butterflies in my stomach could get out of control, I flipped my hair over my shoulder and scoffed, “No need. My legs are perfectly fine.”
He chuckled softly, shaking his head.
“Please get ready, or else time will run away at the speed of light,” As he spoke, his fingers absentmindedly brushed against my hair in a soothing motion.
Sighing, I stood up and walked toward my cupboard, but then I heard his hesitant voice behind me.
“Uh… Ruh?”
“Hmm?”
“You know….it’s absolutely your birthday, so it’s your choice. But if you don’t mind…” He trailed off, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Vihaan.” I turned back to face him, encouraging him to speak.
“Can you…umm…can you wear that beige-gold dress?” His eyes darted to the side, his nervousness apparent.
“The one I wore on your birthday?” I asked, tilting my head.
He nodded, “Hmm….but if you don’t want. No need to-“
I smiled, shaking my head as I rummaged through my wardrobe, “You want me to wear it?”
Vihaan hesitated before giving a small nod.
“Then I’ll wear it for you,” I said, pulling out the dress.
A warm smile spread across his face, and I quickly grabbed my clothes before rushing to the bathroom.
After a quick shower, I slipped into the dress. The fabric felt soft against my skin, flowing gracefully down to my ankles. When I stepped out, Vihaan was already waiting-towel and hairdryer in hand.
“Come here,” he said, gesturing toward the chair.
I sat down, allowing him to gently towel-dry my hair before turning on the hairdryer. His fingers occasionally brushed against my scalp.
I busied myself with light makeup, and by the time I was done, I stood up and turned to him.
Vihaan, who had been setting aside the dryer, slowly lifted his gaze. His eyes traveled from the hem of my dress upward, lingering for just a moment too long. The same emotion that had flickered in his eyes when I first wore this dress-deep and intense.
I clenched my fingers into fists, willing my heartbeat to calm down.
He didn’t say anything. He only smiled. And that smile alone told me what I needed to know.
“Let’s go,” he said, reaching for my hand.
I hesitated, “Wait, wait.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Are we…going through the balcony?” I asked as nervousness creeped inside me.
He nodded as if it was the most normal thing in the world.
“Vihaan, I’m wearing a dress and heels. What if I slip?” I narrowed my eyes.
He pinched my cheek lightly, “I will be right there to catch you.”
A part of me still felt uncertain, but… if he was with me, then I had nothing to worry.
Vihaan climbed down first, and I tossed my heels down. He caught them effortlessly. Nice catch.
Damn. I feel like a thief sneaking out like this.
Veena Aunty’s ladder is literally the main character in our love story.
Taking a deep breath, I turned off my room lights, locked the balcony door, and carefully climbed down. My heart pounded the entire time, but as soon as my feet hit the ground, Vihaan was already there, steadying me.
I exhaled in relief, “Finally-“
Before I could finish, he knelt down, reaching for my ankle.
“I can wear my heels myself, Vihaan,” I said, trying to step back.
He looked up at me, his gaze unwavering, “Let me.”
His fingers brushed against my bare skin as he gently slid the heels onto my feet, securing the straps. A shiver ran down my spine, and I took slow, steady breaths to compose myself.
“Done,” He clapped his hands together and stood up, reaching for my hand. “Now, do you want me to carry you, or-“
“Nope,” I cut him off immediately, flipping my hair dramatically. “I can walk just fine, thank you.”
He smirked, watching me take exactly one step forward before his arms suddenly wrapped around me.
“Vihaan-” I gasped as he lifted me effortlessly, one arm behind my knees and the other supporting my back.
“I told you I can carry you,” he teased, wiggling his eyebrows.
I glared at him, “Put me down!”
“Nope, You are wearing heels. Your feet might get sore,” he said, his tone laced with mischief.
“Vihaan, someone might see us!” I whispered harshly.
He rolled his eyes, “Yeah, people wake up at this hour just to watch us have our very own live romance movie.”
I smacked his shoulder.
“Ruh, your hands are starting to hit like a hammer,” He whined scrunching his eyes at me.
“Oh, shut up. You are my very own personal punching bag,” I whispered playfully, wrapping my arms around his neck.
He turned red.
“Now leave me-I can walk, Vihaan tum sun rahe ho,” I huffed.
“Vihaan behra hai,” he muttered, carrying me forward despite my protests.
I sighed in defeat.
“Fine, since you’re so willing to carry me, I will just enjoy my free ride.” I pretended to examine my nails smugly.
To mess with him, I traced a finger slowly along his jawline. His grip on my waist tightened, his jaw clenching-but he didn’t say a word, and i enjoyed the teaisng session.
He just carried me all the way to our destination, and when I finally looked up, I frowned.
As we stepped into the dimly lit building, I glanced around. Most of the area looked abandoned-quiet, almost eerie.
“Vihaan,” I called out, eyeing him suspiciously.
“Hmm?” he hummed, casually leading me toward the stairs.
“Are you planning to kill me like serial killers do in books and movies?” I asked, making my voice as innocent as possible.
Vihaan shot me a frown, “What nonsense are you talking about?”
I shrugged, trailing behind him. “I mean, think about it. You dragged me to a deserted building where no one usually comes. And in those crime thrillers, people always kill the ones who annoy them,” I sighed dramatically.
“Ruh,” he drawled, exaggerating my name as if already exhausted by my antics.
But I wasn’t done yet, “Just so you know, I’ve learned karate, so beware.”
“Yeah, yeah,” he muttered, barely paying attention.
I smirked, “I learned it from Vani.”
That made him stop mid-step. He turned to look at me, amusement dancing in his eyes. Then, he chuckled softly, “Oh, then I should definitely be scared.”
I giggled at his reply, “Exactly.”
We both burst into laughter as we finally reached the terrace as he helped me to put me down.
Vihaan hesitated for a moment, his fingers twitching as if debating something. But then, he stepped behind me and gently placed his hands over my eyes.
“Ruh, I don’t know if you’ll like what I planned…” he started, his voice laced with nervousness.
I smiled softly, “I will love it.”
He let out a small chuckle, “You haven’t even seen it yet.”
I tilted my head slightly, my voice turning gentle, “If you planned it, I know I will love it. Even if all you did was sit beside me and just blabbered gibberish language, I would still love it.”
His fingers stiffened against my skin for a brief second. As he just shook his head hearing my answer, I could see a soft smile plastered on his face.
Then, without another word, he opened the door, and a warm breeze brushed against my skin.
Yet, despite the warmth, a strange chill settled in my chest-a mix of excitement and something deeper. I hugged myself as I stepped onto the rooftop, my heart beating faster. Above me, the night stretched endlessly, filled with countless stars, twinkling like tiny scattered dreams.
And then, my eyes landed on it-the telescope standing in the center.
The sky, stars and a telescope-what more could I ask for?
He knows that I love star gazing.
“This is all I ever wanted!” I gasped, unable to contain my excitement. I took a step forward, almost stumbling in my rush, but Vihaan caught my hand, steadying me before I could fall, “Aaram se.”
“Can I use it?” I asked, the same way I had as a child whenever I saw something fascinating.
Vihaan chuckled, his grip warm and reassuring, “It’s only for you, Ruh.”
I have never been this excited! I literally walked fast and quickly adjusted the telescope. I used it once with my brother before but never got the time after that. Now, seeing everything up close through the telescope makes me feel like the stars are right next to me. They’re twinkling, shining, and clustered together like a beautiful dream.
He then stood beside me as I pulled away from the telescope,
He carefully adjusted it then signalled me to look in the telescope.
“Look through the lens,” he murmured. I did, my breath catching as a constellation came into focus.
“That’s Ursa Major-the Great Bear,” Vihaan explained. “It’s one of the easiest to spot and has been guiding travelers for centuries. See that star?”
I pulled myself as I looked over the sky, he pointed toward a brighter one, “that’s Dubhe. It always points toward the North Star.”
I pulled away slightly, turning to him in curiosity, “The North Star?”
He nodded, “Polaris. It barely moves in the sky, always shining in the same spot, guiding those who are lost. No matter where they go, it’s always there, steady, waiting.”
“Yeah I have read about it,” I murmured as my eyes were still looking at those twinkling stars.
His fingers brushed against mine.
“Just like you,” he whispered. “No matter how far life takes me, you are the one guiding me home.”
I looked over him as i swallowed hard, something in my chest tightening. I had always feared distance, the possibility of drifting apart. But Vihaan-he made me feel like no distance could ever truly separate us.
Vihaan adjusted the telescope again, “Now look at this one.”
I leaned in, adjusting the focus until another constellation appeared-a graceful cross stretching across the sky.
“That’s Cygnus,” he murmured. “The Swan. Its brightest star, Deneb, is over 2,600 light-years away. Even from such a huge distance, we still see its light.”
I exhaled softly, taking in the thought, “Even though it’s so far?”
He nodded, his voice steady, “Distance doesn’t make a star any less bright, Ruh. Just like us. Some things are meant to shine, no matter how far apart they are.”
A lump formed in my throat, “And what if it fades?”
My mind always wanders to this thought-what if things change? What if the feelings in our hearts fade or take a different shape? What if we wake up one day and realize that everything we once held dear is no longer the same?
His fingers tightened around mine, “Then we do what the universe does-we keep shining, we hold on, and we wait. Because love, just like starlight, doesn’t disappear that easily.”
I had no words. I just looked at him, feeling a quiet understanding between us-something deep, something unshakable. It was as if, despite all the uncertainties, one thing remained constant-us.
I hesitated before speaking, a deep-rooted fear lingering.
“Vihaan…what if…what if we become distant? What if time changes us? What if we don’t feel the same anymore?” My voice was barely above a whisper, but the weight of my words was heavy.
He turned to me, his gaze soft but unwavering, “Ruh, look at that bright star.”
I followed him as he adjusted the telescope again, toward a brilliant point of light as I looked.
“That’s Vega,” he murmured beside me. “It used to be the North Star thousands of years ago. And in 12,000 years, it will be again.”
I frowned slightly, turning back to him, “Really? It willl return?”
He nodded, “Yeah. Right now, it’s far from where it once was, but one day, it’ll come back. It’s only a matter of time.”
His arms wrapped around my waist from behind as he whispered, “That’s us, Ruh. No matter how far apart we would be, we will find our way back. That’s how the universe works.”
Something inside me ached at his words. He wasn’t just talking about a star.
“You think we are like Vega?” I whispered.
“I know we are,” he said softly. “We might move apart, life might take us in different directions, but we’ll always return. Just like Vega.”
I let out a small breath, my hands gripping his, “But what if things change? What if we don’t come back the same?”
Vihaan leaned back, gazing at the night sky, “You know, there’s something called binary star systems.”
“Two stars, locked in each other’s gravity, orbiting a common center. No matter how far they seem, their pull never weakens. They’re meant to be together, written into the universe’s laws,” he said, his voice carrying a quiet fascination.
I turned to him, my breath hitching, “And what if something tries to pull them apart?”
He smiled, the kind that made my heart stutter, “Then they fight back. Adjust. Find new ways to stay in sync. Because that’s just how they are made, Ruh. Some bonds are written in the stars-unchangeable, inevitable.”
I glanced back at the sky, the stars shimmering like silent witnesses. And for the first time, I believed that maybe, just maybe, we were one of them.
Then suddenly he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box.
He smiled, flipping it open. Inside was a delicate glass pendant in a star form, shaped like a tiny star pendant, glowing with a soft blue light.
“This is your own star,” he said, tilting it slightly so the glow shimmered like stardust. “I made this using phosphorescent material. It absorbs light and glows in the dark-just like real stars.”
I stared at it, my heart clenching.
“Like real stars?” I whispered.
“Because stars don’t fade. And neither does what I feel for you.”
Tears blurred my vision. He gently took the pendant and fastened it around my neck. His hands lingered on my shoulders, grounding me.
“Ruh,” he whispered.
“We will always be part of the same constellation. Even if life spins us in different directions, we will still be aligned under the same celestial sphere.”
I clutched the pendant, feeling its soft glow beneath my fingers. Above us, the stars continued to shine-some guiding, some returning, some simply crossing paths.
And maybe, just maybe, our love was written among them.
“Come on, you must be hungry and now don’t overpower your pretty brain,” Vihaan turned me around gently and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead before leading me forward.
In front of me, a small table and two chairs sat under a canopy of fairy lights, their soft glow making the entire terrace look magical. My eyes immediately landed on a bouquet of white orchids sitting on the table-my favorite. My heart swelled at the sight.
Vihaan pulled out a chair for me, “Sit.”
I did, still taking everything in. Then, he reached for a container on the table and lifted the lid with a little dramatic flair. A rich, chocolatey truffle cake sat inside, looking absolutely perfect.
I raised an eyebrow, “Did you make this?”
“Yes, madam, your personal chef made this” he said, adjusting his collar like he had just won a Michelin star. “And this time, I got it in five attempts!”
I giggled, “Five? That’s impressive, Mr. Boyfriend.”
He smiled proudly.
I picked up a fork, cutting a small bite of the cake and placing it in my mouth. The moment the chocolate melted on my tongue, I sighed in delight, “Mmm, this is so good!”
Vihaan leaned in, smirking, “Remember? You did promise me a reward if I made truffle cake. Should I expect something?”
I knew exactly what he was hinting at. Rolling my eyes, I held up a bite of cake and grinned, “Here, you can have a bite of my cake. Although, I really don’t want to share.”
He narrowed his eyes but took the bite anyway, sighing dramatically.
But the second the taste hit his tongue, he froze. Then, with wide eyes, he declared, “Damn, I should become a chef. What a masterpiece I have created!”
I burst into laughter, “How did you even manage this?”
He propped his elbow on the table, resting his cheek against his palm. “Sid and Yash helped. Oh, and those gifts over there? They are from them too,” He pointed to a small pile of neatly wrapped presents.
I smiled, making a mental note to thank Sid and Yash later.
Vihaan then went on a long-winded rant about how much he struggled to make the cake, while I listened patiently, occasionally feeding him bites in between. His exaggerated complaints and expressions made me laugh more than once.
After finishing his ‘cake-making struggle,’ he stood up suddenly, hesitation flickering in his eyes.
Then, in one swift motion, he bent slightly and extended his hand toward me.
“May I have dance with this pretty girl?” he asked, his voice soft yet teasing.
I chuckled at his formal tone but placed my hand in his, “Yes, you may.”
His lips curled into a sheepish smile as he led me to the center of the terrace. Just as we reached, the first few droplets of rain began to fall-light at first, then gradually heavier.
I gasped, looking up. The stars twinkled through the drizzle, and I realized that tiny sprinklers had been placed along the terrace edges, creating the illusion of artificial rain.
Vihaan smirked proudly, “See? I told you your boyfriend can even make it rain.”
Before I could say anything, he pulled me closer, his arms wrapping around my waist. My chest pressed against his, heat radiating between us despite the cool rain soaking our clothes.
Then, in the softest whisper, he leaned in and murmured, “Happy birthday, Ruh.”
My breath hitched.
He played a song on his phone-Tum Se Hi.
The familiar melody filled the air as we began swaying to the rhythm, lost in each other.
The rain poured down, drenching us completely, but neither of us cared. The world outside this moment didn’t exist.
As the lyrics faded, Vihaan pulled me even closer, our bodies now molded together. His forehead rested against mine, our noses brushing. Droplets of rain trailed down his face, dripping onto my neck, making me shiver.
His eyes darkened, his voice dropping to a whisper, “You know…I once had a dream like this.”
I swallowed hard, my heart pounding, “dream?”
He nodded, his grip on my waist tightening slightly. “You, in this beige-gold dress, both of us dancing in the rain, slowly…..and then-“
His voice wavered. He gulped, hesitating, his intense gaze flickering between my lips and my eyes.
“And then?” I prompted, my own breathing turning uneven.
He exhaled shakily, his fingers pressing into my waist.
His lips parted slightly, “Ruh….May I?” His voice was laced with nervous desperation, almost pleading.
My hands trailed up slowly, fingers brushing against his jaw, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my touch. I don’t even know how my body started moving involuntarily, my heart pounded as I tiptoed, closing the distance between us.
“Then…..let me complete your dream,” I whispered.
And before I could overthink, I pressed my lips against his.
He froze. Completely.
I didn’t move-just stayed there, my lips touching his, feeling the warmth and softness of him. After a few seconds, I pulled back, suddenly feeling awkward.
“I….I don’t know how to kiss,” I admitted, biting my lip. “I mean, I have read about it but…”
Vihaan let out a soft chuckle, his forehead still resting against mine. His hands hadn’t left my waist, and he was holding me like I was something fragile yet precious.
“Even I don’t,” he confessed, amusement flickering in his eyes.
Then, with a mischievous yet comforting smile, he leaned in, “Why don’t we teach each other?”
His voice was teasing, but there was something deeper in his gaze-something raw and real.
And this time, when he leaned in, I didn’t hesitate.
He leaned in slowly, his breath mixing with mine, his movements hesitant.
For a moment, I didn’t move. My mind was spinning, my pulse racing too fast for me to keep up. But then, something shifted inside me, and I kissed him back-hesitant at first, then slowly melted into the warmth of him.
He moved his lips against mine, signalling me to follow his lead. His fingers trailed down my back, slow and deliberate, while his other hand traced the curve of my jaw.
A soft sigh escaped me as he gently sucked on my lower lip, sending a shiver down my spine.
At first, I remained still, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. But soon, I couldn’t hold back anymore. My fingers curled into the fabric of his shirt, gripping it, as I matched his movements, our lips falling into sync.
His thumb brushed against my cheek, tracing small circles, while his lips moved against mine-slow, teasing, taking his time.
He kissed like he wanted to memorize every second of it.
I sighed into him, letting my body lean closer, the warmth between us pushing away the cold.
His lower lip brushed against mine, slow and lingering, before he pulled back slightly, our lips still touching.
I gasped for air as he pulled away, my breath unsteady, my heart racing.
“Breathe, Ruh….just breathe,” he spoke leaning his forehead against mine.
I tried, but it was hard when he was this close, when his touch still lingered on my skin. My fingers grip his collar, holding onto him. His hand slid back to my waist, steadying me.
Then, in a voice barely above a whisper, filled with something tender, almost pleading, he asked, straight looking into my eyes, “Can I kiss you again?”
A warmth spread through me, soft and all-consuming. I didn’t need to think-I simply nodded, looking into his eyes, letting him see the answer before I could say it.
I barely composed myself before he kissed me again-deeper this time, more sure of himself, like he couldn’t get enough.
We stayed like that, lost in the kiss, in each other. The rhythm was soft, sweet and intoxicating, as if time had decided to slow just for us.
When we finally pulled away, our breaths were uneven, our lips still tingling from the warmth we had shared. He rested his forehead against mine, a small, breathless smile tugging at his lips.
As I stood there, my forehead resting against his. His touch was warm, steady-like a promise I never knew I needed.
I had always prayed for us to be together. And now, in this moment, I finally understood.
We weren’t just two people who met by chance. We were meant to find each other, like stars that stay connected no matter how far they seem.
All my doubts, all my questions, they didn’t matter anymore. I had prayed for love that would last, and now, standing here with him, I knew-I had found it.
I closed my eyes, whispering a silent wish.
I hope we can stay like this forever. No matter what, I’ll always hold onto him… because some bonds aren’t meant to break.
At this moment, I don’t care what the future holds-I just want to lose myself in the present, in us.
But I am afraid-what if it just turns out to be a beautiful dream?
And if it is, I wish it would never end.
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Finally Chapter 56….!!!
So how was the chapter???
Your favourite scene??
And they kissed. Freaking kissed.πππ
Veena Aunty ki Seedhi πππ»
Okay so that constellation, star thing, I research about it. If something is wrong and you know it you can correct me otherwise ignore it it’s all fiction.
Kya mtlb meri search history me sirf stars, constellation and their theories hi haiπ€§
One thing I am sure….I may write many characters in future but I can never write a character like Vihaan Raichand again ππ
Me khud ke characters ki copy nhi kr paaungiπ€§
He is damn so fictional.
Ab acche se vote and comment kr dena ππππ»
I am waiting for your comments…No kanjusi ππ
Enjoy Reading β₯οΈ
Bye Cutiepies….!!!π
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