𝗧𝘂𝗺 𝗛𝗶 𝗧𝘂𝗺 – [𝐀𝐧 𝐄𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐚𝐥𝐞] - 𝐂𝐇 - 𝟑𝟑 ༊˚

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इक दिन कभी जो खुद को तराशे

मेरी नज़र से तू ज़रा, हाय रे

आँखों से तेरी क्या-क्या छुपा है

तुझको दिखाऊँ मैं ज़रा, हाय रे

इक अनकही सी दास्ताँ

कहने लगेगा आईना, सुभानल्लाह…

जो हो रहा है, पहली दफ़ा है, वल्लाह

ऐसा हुआ

सुभानल्लाह…

_____________________

First of all…thankyou so so sooo much for 50+ followers on wattpad💖😭…it’s not that big I know but it means a world to me🙂‍↕️🧿…so…half centuri maari hai hamne isski khushi main aapke liye hi chapter upload kar rhi hu vote target se pehle halaki 2 hi vote bache hai abb but subha 5 the(kya matlab mujhe bass bahana chahiye hota hai upload karne ka😁)…enjoy the chapter…aur haa iss baari votes ma kanjoosi nahii chalegi…ha agar kuch aur achha hua then we’ll see 🤗

VOTE: 90+

COMMENTS: 80+

___________________

“What?” he whispered. “You think Charu is my…”

“I saw you that day,” she interrupted, her voice cracking, but her stance firm. “She was hugging you… and you were comforting her.”

He took a breath and stepped closer, trying to anchor the chaos in his chest. “No. No, Priya… it’s not what you think.”

“Of course not.” Her voice dropped to a whisper now, trembling, shattering. “It will never be what I think. Because whenever I dare to believe you might feel something for me… something always happens to break me again.”

Her eyes filled with tears that trembled on the edge but didn’t fall. And in that fragile moment, Prateek couldn’t take it anymore. He stepped forward and pulled her into a hug, not passionate, not desperate, just painfully, sincerely human.

Her breath caught. She froze. Her forehead pressed against his chest, and she could feel the rapid beats of his heart.

“Please don’t say that,” he murmured, one hand gently stroking her hair, as if afraid she’d vanish if he let go. His voice softened, but the weight behind it only grew heavier, deeper almost prayer-like.

“I’ve never said it before, but now… I’m not going to keep it in anymore, Priya. Please… just stay like this for a moment, because I don’t have the courage to face you while I say this. I’ve been holding it in, fighting it, avoiding it because I was scared. Scared that you’d walk away before I could even try…”

His arms held her like a promise, his voice like a sacred confession.

“After i got to know about that letter which was written by you…I kept on feeling strange way about you…like i’ve always been in love with you…I love you, Priya. Not like some silly schoolboy crush. Not like a fleeting feeling. But like… a man who’s lost in this world and finally found the one place he feels at home in you.”

“If I ever belong to someone, it’s you. And if it’s not you… then I’d rather stay alone forever. You’ve become that part of me I never even knew was missing until I saw your pain. Until I realized how much of your smile I had ruined just by staying silent.”

He paused, voice now thick, trembling.

“I love you and only you. Not because you’re perfect but because you’re real. Because your tears matter to me more than anyone’s laughter. Because every time you look away from me, I feel like the ground slips beneath me.”

Priya stood motionless, her hands now trembling against his chest, still trying to process everything his heartbeat louder than her own thoughts. He finally pulled away, his eyes soft but pleading.

“But… uss din… what I saw…” she began, but he gently interrupted.

“Charu was faking it.” His voice now quiet, but brutally honest. “She pretended to cry. She knew you’d be there. She hugged me because she wanted you to see.”

Priya’s lips parted, her mind slowly registering the cruel twist.

“I didn’t hug her back,” he said, pain evident. “It was so sudden…I froze. I didn’t process what was happening. But I swear, I wasn’t comforting her…”

The air between them turned heavy, sacred. “It’s always been you, Priya.” Her eyes widened.

“Even when I didn’t understand it… Even when I tried to ignore it. But when you walked away from me that day, thinking I could be with someone else…it felt like someone pulled the sky off my world. I couldn’t breathe. It felt like I had lost something I never even got a chance to hold.”

His eyes shimmered under the dim classroom light, reflecting both guilt and fear.

“Why didn’t you tell me before?” she whispered, her voice now trembling with unshed tears.

“I tried,” he said softly. “But every time I tried… I ended up hurting you more. And that’s the last thing I ever wanted.”

He stepped closer once again, slowly, gently like she was something fragile, sacred. “I’m not with Charu. I was never with Charu. I just want to be with you, Priya.”

For a moment, there was nothing but stillness.And then, her tears finally fell not of pain, but of relief. And then, Priya broke down.

Her hands reached forward, trembling, and wrapped tightly around Prateek as she buried her face into his chest. No hesitation. No holding back. Just raw, messy relief, the kind that came after carrying too much in silence.

“I thought… I thought you and Charu were dating…” her voice came muffled, fragile. “That’s why I left the play… and I thought…”

“Shhh… I know,” he whispered gently, cutting her off before she could fall deeper into the pain she didn’t need to hold anymore. “Itna toh jaanta hi hu main tumhe.”

His arms were warm around her, strong, steady holding her like she was something precious. He ran a hand softly over her back, calming her shivers as she looked up at him through tear-brimmed eyes.

“Ab rona band karo… you look like a pippo when crying,” he added, teasing softly, his thumb reaching up to wipe the tears from her cheek.

“pippo kon?”she frowned.

doremon ki robot movie wala yellow character” he said 

A laugh escaped her lips as she remembered the character, light and unguarded, like sunlight cracking through a storm. And just like that, the heaviness began to melt from her chest. But then he grinned.

“Waise tum kabse mujhe pasand karti ho?” The question dropped like a pebble in still water, and Priya froze, eyes wide, a crimson blush creeping up her face. Her mind flew back, uninvited, to the memory that still made her cheeks warm.

She lowered her eyes shyly, voice barely audible. “The day you stepped into the kitchen while I was eating ice-cream…”

And just like that, he chuckled remembering it too.

“Tabhi bhi tum pippo hi lag rahi thi,” he smirked, reaching out to lightly squish her cheeks, making her whine under her breath.

(the yellow character siting upon nobita is pippo…reference ke liye nobita ko aap Prateek maniyega~ dumbhead)

They both laughed softly then, hearts lighter than they had been in days, as they stepped out into the corridor again, walking side by side not just as Prateek and Priya but something more. Something fragile and new blooming quietly between them.

The hallway was still empty, the sound of their footsteps echoing gently as they walked toward the auditorium.

“Soo… are we dating each other now?” Priya asked in a low voice, the words leaving her lips carefully, as if scared of shattering the moment.

Prateek smirked slightly, turning his head just a little as he walked. “Tum kaho toh… phir se hug karke bataun?”

Priya glanced away instantly, the blush returning, her smile giving her away. “Ya phir… kiss karke…?”

He leaned in just slightly, faces now inches apart, and Priya caught her breath, her heart thudding wildly inside her chest.

But before the moment could stretch any further, they were interrupted by a loud, familiar voice echoing down the corridor.

“Priyaaa! Kaha marr gayi?!”it was Aditi.

In an instant, Priya panicked and did the only thing her nervous system could think of, she shoved Prateek backward. Hard. He stumbled into the classroom behind him with a surprised yelp and landed on the floor with a loud thud.

“H… haan! Yahi hu!” Priya shouted quickly, adjusting her dupatta and trying to look not suspicious as Aditi and Shagun appeared.

“Kab se dhoondh rahi hu tujhe! Chal… kuch kha le chal ke,… ma’am ne refreshment arrange karai hai,” Aditi said as she approached her, not noticing anything off until she peeked into the classroom behind Priya.

There, on the floor, was Prateek, looking completely caught, awkwardly rubbing his head and blinking around like a deer in headlights.

“Tu yaha kya kar raha hai?” Aditi raised an eyebrow.

“Woh main… main kuch nahi… bas… woh books rakhne aaya tha…” he mumbled, pointing hastily toward a small pile of books lying on the desk.

Shagun narrowed her eyes.

“Hmm… 12th class ka student LKG ki books rakhne aaye the? Kitni achhi baat hai… haina Priya?” she said slyly, unable to hide the grin spreading across her face.

Aditi’s expression shifted a slow smirk curving on her lips. She looked from Prateek to Priya and then back again, brows rising meaningfully.

“Hmm… progress to hui hai hamare school mein…”

Her teasing tone sent both Priya and Prateek red-faced, and in an instant, Prateek grabbed the nearest excuse and darted out of the classroom, muttering something before vanishing down the hall.

As he disappeared, Aditi and Shagun burst into giggles, and Priya stood there, heart still racing not from embarrassment, but from that new kind of joy she wasn’t used to yet.

_______________________________

It was a regular evening, like any other, as Ruhaan and Ansh strolled side by side. Ruhaan was heading back from his football academy, and Ansh had just left the library. They happened to cross paths and decided to walk together, letting the soft sunset and casual conversation fill the silence.

“Yrr…kal ki boht tension ho rhi h,” Ruhaan confessed, voice laced with worry as he kicked a stray pebble off the road.

Ansh glanced at him and gave a casual shrug. “Koii na yrrr…tension mat le…achha jayega match tera.” His tone was calm, but comforting in its simplicity.

Ruhaan ran a hand through his hair, visibly agitated. “Nhiii yrrr sirf achha nhii jana…balkii jeetna hoga kal mujhe.”

Ansh rolled his eyes. “Agar nahii jeeta to mar thodi jayega tu?” He had dealt with Ruhaan’s pre-match dramatics far too many times.

“Marr hi jaunga bhaii mai.” Ruhaan mentioned with fear.

“Hein!?” Ansh blinked, stopping mid-step.

Ruhaan sniffled dramatically. “Haan…Shagun se bet lagva lii hai yrr…jeeta nahii kal main to jeete jee mar jaunga main.”

Ansh couldn’t help but scoff. “Maar thodi degi vo tujhe.”

“Agar main haar gaya to rakhii bandhwaani padh jayegii usse bhaiii….uss time to jeet jaunga kar ke lga li bet ab phattt rahii hai yrr meriii.” Ruhaan whined like his whole world was ending.

Ansh shook his head, half amused, half done. “To ye to haan bolne se pehle sochna chahiye tha na.”

Ruhaan turned to him with narrowed eyes. “Ha…ab to bolega hi tu aise…tera moment to hogya na Aditi ke sath…baaki jaye bhaad main.”

Ansh immediately flushed red, caught off guard. His ears turned pink, and he looked away quickly.

“Yhii peet dunga…jyada sharma mat….idhar tension hori hai…aur ye blush maar rha hai…” Ruhaan groaned, smacking his palm against Ansh’s shoulder, utterly annoyed.

Before Ansh could retaliate, his eyes drifted across the road and then paused.

“Tu bhii maar le blush…vo dekh teri Shagun bhi ab to.” he said, jerking his chin in her direction.

“Hein!?” Ruhaan frowned, snapping his gaze to where Ansh was looking. There, at the corner flower shop, stood Shagun.

She was dressed in a simple yet elegant jumpsuit, hair tied loosely, the soft evening breeze catching a few strands around her face. She was talking to the shopkeeper and holding a bunch of white daisies delicately in her hands.

“Wow.” That’s all Ruhaan could manage, almost in a whisper.

Ansh watched him and then asked, “Par ye flowers kyu le rhi hai?”

Ruhaan, still staring, furrowed his brows. “Haa yrr…pehle kabhi to nahii dekha isse flowers lete hue.”

Just as she turned away from the shop and began walking in the opposite direction,not towards her house, Ruhaan’s frown deepened.

“Ye udha kidhar jaa rhi hai?…iska ghar to iss taraf hai.” he questioned.

Ansh shrugged, “Kisi se milne jaa rhi hogi.”

“Phool lekr?” Ruhaan said, eye twitching.

“Ha kyu nahii ja sakti?” Ansh answered as if it’s the most casual thing.

Something clicked in Ruhaan’s head, and his eyes went wide. “Ohh shittt….” he cursed under his breath, and without a second thought, started following her while maintaining a safe distance.

Ansh, alarmed, was immediately dragged along. “Hua kya batayega?”

“Chup chaap chal.” Ruhaan muttered grimly.

They followed Shagun all the way to the children’s park, tucked between apartment blocks in their locality. As she entered the park, the golden sunlight cast a soft glow around her.

“Ye park main kyu gayi…?” Ansh asked, puzzled.

Ruhaan slapped his own head. “Gayiii bhess paani main.”

“Hua kya par…?” Ansh still asked in confusion.

Ruhaan turned to Ansh, voice hushed yet panicked. “Vo kahi apne boyfriend se milne to nahii gayi.”

“What…par uska to koii boyfriend hi nahii hai.” he said

“Tujhe nahii pata…she told me on the trip…she loves someone else…”Ruhaan said

Ansh froze. “To tune mujhe bataya kyuu nahii?”

“Mujhe laga majaak kar rhi hogi par ye to…” Ruhaan trailed off and began fake crying into his jersey’s sleeve.

“Bakwaas band kar….kuch bhii sochta hai chal pehle abhii…yaha tak aagye hai to dekh ke hi jayenge.” Ansh said firmly, pulling Ruhaan forward.

“Mujhse nahii dekha jayega….mujhe jaane dee.” Ruhaan whined sulkingly walking behind ansh as he dragged him.

“Vo dekh waha hain vo…par ye kar kya rahii hai?” Ansh said, his voice laced with confusion.

Both of them peeked from behind a tree and froze.

Shagun was crouched down, offering daisies to small kids playing in the park. The children beamed as they accepted the flowers. A little boy, probably around four or five, toddled up to her, took a flower, and then suddenly kissed her on the cheek.

“Ye…ye…kar kya raha hai…?!!” Ruhaan gaped in horror.

“Shant reh bhaii mere….bachha hai voo.” Ansh tried to hold back a chuckle, watching his best friend freak out.

But to Ruhaan’s dismay, the boy kissed her other cheek too…then grinned like a king.

“Ye….isss chuze ki himmat kaisee huiiii…….upar se dant dikha rha hai….tod dunga iske saare dant mainn…” Ruhaan hissed, his hands clenched around Ansh’s arm like a vice.

“Bhaii kiss to usne kiya hai….mujhe to jaane de…” Ansh yelped in pain.

“Ohh sorryy…” Ruhaan immediately let go but didn’t stop glaring at the innocent kid like he owed him money.

Then Shagun walked toward a bougainvillea tree at the corner of the park, holding one last daisy. She knelt down, carefully placed the flower beneath it, and stood still for a moment, silently watching the spot with eyes full of something… warm. Almost nostalgic.

Then, with a small, content smile, she turned and left the park peacefully.

“Ye ho kya raha hai?” Ruhaan muttered, thoroughly lost now.

“Tu to bol raha tha vo apne boyfriend se milne ayi hai.” Ansh said, clearly enjoying this.

“Mujhe laga usii liye ayi hogi…flowers ke sath…ye to kuch alag hi hogya.” Ruhaan said, defeated.

“Chal abhi….faltu ka time kharab kar diya.” Ansh muttered, walking away.

Meanwhile, Ruhaan stayed frozen for a few more seconds, eyes on the single daisy resting under the tree, thoughts spiraling.

Who was that flower for? Why that smile? What’s going on in that mystery brain of hers?

“Ab chalega bhiii??” Ansh shouted from a distance.

“Ha…ayaa.” Ruhaan sighed, finally turning his back on the park but carrying a thousand new questions with him.

_____________________________

next day

The scoreboard still flashed the final score Ruhaan’s team won by a single goal, the one he had scored in the last few minutes of the game. His teammates hooted and patted him on the back, holding him up in celebration. His coach handed him the trophy, pride gleaming in his eyes. 

A dull sting in his knee reminded him he’d taken a hard fall during a tackle. Blood had trickled down the side of his leg, staining his socks, but he’d barely noticed. The only thing on his mind now… was her.

Back at school, during the free games period, the basketball court was alive with playful chaos. priya, aditi and vivaan ran across the court laughing along with other classmates, some tossing the ball, others just cheering.

 On the far end of the court, on a low bench near the boundary line, Shagun sat cross-legged, completely unbothered by the noise around her. A novel was open in her hands, her expression calm and unreadable as she flipped a page.

Ruhaan spotted her from a distance the moment he stepped into the ground. He was still in his sports jersey, his hair damp with sweat, a bandage now sloppily wrapped around his bleeding knee.

But he didn’t stop to clean up. Didn’t stop to rest. He made his way straight toward her his steps quick, his heart pounding with something much bigger than post-match adrenaline.

As he reached her bench, he dropped down beside her with a loud sigh and slumped his shoulders dramatically.

Shagun glanced sideways at him, startled at first and then amused. “You lost, didn’t you?” she asked, a smirk already forming on her lips.

Ruhaan didn’t say a word. He just gave her a tragic, puppy-eyed look and let out another exaggerated sigh.

Shagun chuckled under her breath and shook her head. “Maine toh pehle hi bola tha,” she said smugly, closing her book with a thud and standing up, brushing off her skirt. “Impossible tha tumhara jeetnaa.”

She turned to walk away, her voice still dripping with mischief. But just as she took a step forward, Ruhaan reached out and gently grabbed her wrist, pulling her back.

She stumbled slightly, caught off guard, and turned sharply only to find him smirking now, his eyes glittering with triumph. Without saying a word, he lifted the trophy from his side and held it up in front of her face.

For a moment, Shagun just stared at it, her lips parting slightly in surprise. Then her eyes met his in full of disbelief, annoyance, and something that looked suspiciously like… awe.

“Jeet gaya main. Ab yaad hai na tumne kya promise kiya tha?”Ruhaan leaned a little closer, his voice low and smug.

Her throat went dry, the memory of their little bet from the green room flashing in her mind like a warning bell.

“Jo main bolunga… vo karna padega,” he repeated her own words, now laced with victorious mischief.

Shagun rolled her eyes dramatically, trying to mask the slight flutter in her chest. “Don’t tell me you’re actually going to make me do something stupid,” she muttered.

Ruhaan stood up slowly, still holding the trophy, wincing slightly as his injured knee protested. She noticed the way he limped and frowned. “Ruhaan… tumhara pair?”

But he brushed it off casually. “Choti si chot hai…itni to lagti rehti hai” he said with a wink. Shagun stared at him for another second, sarcasm dancing on the tip of her tongue but for some reason, it didn’t come out.

Maybe it was the bloodied bandage barely hidden beneath his knee-length socks.
Maybe it was the fact that, injured and exhausted, he had come straight to her before even tending to his wound. Or maybe it was the way his fingers had gently pulled her back, like he wasn’t ready to let her walk away just yet.

Whatever it was, her fight dimmed just a little. With a soft huff, she dropped back onto the bench beside him, folding her arms.

“Fine…. Bolo kya karna hai. Jo bhi stupid demand hai tumhari,” she muttered, trying hard to sound annoyed even though her tone had already softened.

Ruhaan turned to her, a boyish grin lighting up his face, the kind of grin that annoyed her and melted her all at once. He didn’t speak immediately. 

Instead, he adjusted the trophy on his lap and leaned back slightly, gazing ahead at the blue sky before saying casually, almost as if it wasn’t a big deal at all “Kal shaam ko free ho jaana. And be ready at 5 PM…”

Shagun blinked, confused. “Kis liye?”

He turned his head toward her, one eyebrow raised, and with a confident wink, he said, “We’ll be going on a date.”

Shagun’s eyes widened, her book nearly falling from her lap. “What?! No way. I’m not going on a date with you!” she blurted out, her heart suddenly thudding far louder than necessary.

Ruhaan, clearly enjoying her reaction, only shrugged.

“But tumne hi bola tha… you’ll do anything I say,” he replied, feigning innocence.

“That doesn’t-” she tried to argue, but he cut her off smoothly, rising to his feet.

“Anything means anything, Shagun ji,” he said, smirking as he placed the shining trophy gently beside her on the bench like it was part of the deal.

“But-” she started again.

He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice just enough to send a shiver down her spine. “Tomorrow. 5 PM. I’ll be waiting outside your house. Be ready.” With that, he turned on his heel and began walking away.

“Apni trophy toh le jao,” Shagun called after him, still too stunned to process anything properly.

Ruhaan paused mid-step, looked back over his shoulder, and gave her a soft, almost boyishly shy smile. “Jab milogi kal… tab le ke aana apne saath.”

And then, without waiting for a response, he ran off across the ground, limping slightly, but with a spring in his step as if the pain in his leg didn’t matter anymore.

Shagun sat frozen for a few seconds, staring at the glinting trophy next to her.

Her heart was beating too fast. Her brain was racing to form excuses. Her pride screamed one thing, but somewhere buried deep within the chaos of her chest a smile was threatening to bloom.

“Yeh kya hua abhi…” Vivaan murmured under his breath, eyes narrowing as he watched Shagun from a distance, still seated on the bench beside Ruhaan’s trophy, clearly dazed.

Something was off. Or rather… something had definitely happened.

“Kuch toh hua hai,” Priya added quietly, stepping beside Vivaan and gently placing a hand on his shoulder, her gaze fixed on Shagun’s unreadable expression.

There was a softness in her eyes like she could already sense the undercurrent. A beat later, Aditi walked over too, following their line of sight.

She stood on Vivaan’s other side and casually rested her hand on his other shoulder, her eyes narrowed in classic detective-mode.

“Hmm… kuch toh jaroor pak raha hai inka bhi…” she said knowingly, the corners of her lips curling into a smirk.

_________________________

some times later…

The final bell was still a few minutes away, and the corridors of the school were already humming with restless energy. Students were fidgeting in their seats, teachers wrapping up lessons, and of course Vivaan was on his own personal side quest.

He had only meant to go fill his own water bottle from the cooler. That was the plan. But as soon as he reached the teacher for taking permission, chaos descended.

“Bhai zara mera bhi bhar de na….”

“Arey Vivaan, yeh le, jaldi se isme bhi thoda….”

“Aur ek yeh bhi! bhaii nahii hai!”

Within seconds, he was holding what felt like the combined weight of a small gym in his arms.

“Aadmi nahin, weight lifter samjha hua hai sabne,” he muttered under his breath, adjusting the bottles clumsily in his grip. “Kya halat bana di hai in logo ne meri.”

Nevertheless, being the dramatic soul that he was, Vivaan did the noble deed, filling each bottle one by one while humming some random song that didn’t match the situation at all. Once done, he could’ve taken the short path back to class.

But of course, that would’ve been boring.

He chose the longer corridor route the scenic one, casually strolling with his arms full of clinking bottles like a moving steel orchestra, peeking into random classrooms along the way like a nosy tourist.

As he passed by Class 11-A, his steps slowed. His humming stopped. His eyes lit up.

“Ohoo… toh yeh Phoolan Devi iss class mein hai,” he muttered with a mischievous smirk plastered on his face.

There, sitting on the front bench, was none other than Riva his nemesis, his headache, his daily dose of drama. She was scribbling down notes, yawning slightly, clearly half-listening to the lecture.

Her gaze momentarily shifted outside and there he was. Vivaan. Staring right at her through the glass pane. And before she could even react, he launched a full performance.

He raised both hands, still holding bottles, placed them over his head like bunny ears, rolled out his tongue dramatically, and began wiggling his waist like some unhinged Donald Duck. Bottles shook dangerously on both arms.

Riva blinked in horror. Was this idiot actually for real?

She glared at him through the glass and matched him gesture for gesture, only worse. She made an even uglier face, pulled both her ears out with her pinky fingers, and shook her head like she was having a seizure.

Both of them continued their silent, cursed face-off, muttering nonsense insults under their breath and pulling the weirdest expressions known to mankind.

Neither noticed the stares. Neither noticed the teacher.Until…

“Riva… are you alright?” Mrs. Shanti’s sharp voice snapped through the room like a whip. Riva’s eyes widened. She jerked back to attention like a guilty kid caught stealing candy.

“Yes Ma’am! I’m fine,” she stammered, trying to school her expression into something human. Her cheeks were flushed, half in embarrassment, half in fury.

Outside, Vivaan was still snickering silently…until karma hit.

One of the steel bottles slipped from his overloaded arms and hit the ground with a loud, metallic clang. The noise echoed down the hallway like a gunshot. In a flash, heads popped out from classrooms. Two teachers frowned at him from the staffroom door.

“Sorry! Sorry ma’am, galti se gir gyiii thi…” Vivaan mumbled sheepishly, crouching down to pick it up.

Riva was watching him, biting her cheek to suppress a victorious grin. Just before walking off, Vivaan looked back once more. She smirked at him, slow and triumphant, as if she’d just won the weirdest war in history.

In response, Vivaan made the same awful face, sticking his tongue out one last.

___________________________

 A soft breeze drifted through the half-open window of Shagun’s room. She stood in front of the mirror, still, almost too still, her eyes scanning her reflection with a focus that revealed the turmoil inside. 

She wore a white tank top beneath, paired with high-waisted jeans that framed her effortlessly. Her hair fell naturally, left open without any real attempt to style.There was no makeup, save for the kajal lining her eyes, making them look darker, more intense. 

As she stared at herself, her chest tightened, her heartbeat loud, too loud for what she kept telling herself was just a stupid bet.

“It’s not a date. Just a stupid bet.” The words fell from her lips almost like a shield, but even she didn’t believe them anymore.

Her phone buzzed. A message from Ruhaan flashed on her screen: “Are you ready…I’m waiting?”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop the small smile tugging at her lips. Her fingers quickly typed back: “I’m ready. Just 2 minutes.”

Slinging the bag over her shoulder, she stepped outside with his trophy and locked the door behind her only to find him already there.

Ruhaan stood beside his bike, casually leaning against it. His arms were folded, one foot resting on the pedal, his helmet dangling by the side. He looked up the moment he heard her steps and for a moment, he just looked.

He froze. No teasing. No words. Just a slow, honest smile.

“What?” she asked, raising an eyebrow, trying to hide how flustered she felt.

“Kuch nahi… i thought tum nahii aogi” That one line pulled the corner of her mouth into a reluctant smile she didn’t allow fully.

She walked toward the bike, reaching for the back seat. But then…

“Ruhaan?!”The voice sliced through the moment. Both of them turned sharply. And there she was…Suhani.

Shagun instantly went rigid. That voice, that tone,too sweet, too loud. Suhani bounced toward them like she belonged in the center of the stage, ponytail swinging, her face lit up with forced excitement.

“Oh my God, it is you!” she said dramatically. “I saw you play in the finals! You were incredible! You’re from St. Xavier’s, right? I was cheering for your team even though technically I was supposed to cheer for ours.”

Ruhaan blinked, caught off guard. “Uh… thanks,” he replied politely, clearly confused by the over-the-top attention.

Suhani, of course, wasn’t done. She beamed, voice dripping with artificial charm. “I’m Suhani… Shagun’s sister.”

Shagun’s jaw tightened. That word, sister, always sounded like a weapon in Suhani’s mouth. She never used it unless it served her purpose.

Then Suhani did what Shagun expected but still hated she looped her arm through Ruhaan’s casually, as if she had the right.

Ruhaan, to his credit, gently stepped back and slipped his arm free. “Nice to meet you,” he said coolly, his eyes flicking toward Shagun, as if sensing the storm brewing beneath her silence.

Still, Suhani kept going. “I didn’t know you two know each other…,” she added, voice laced with mock surprise. “You didn’t tell me, Shagun.”

“You were too busy giving me the concerned treatment this morning. Remember?” Shagun replied, calm and sharp. Her tone didn’t rise, but it didn’t need to, it cut deep.

For a moment, Suhani’s mask slipped. Just a flicker. Then she covered it with a forced laugh and turned to Ruhaan again. “Anyway, we should click a picture,” she said with practiced sweetness. “I’m literally your biggest fan.”

That was the final straw. Shagun didn’t raise her voice. She didn’t lash out. She just turned around, took a few steps back toward her house, and muttered loud enough only for Ruhaan, “Ruhaan, I don’t have full day… chalna hai to chalo, or I’m not coming.”

It wasn’t anger. It wasn’t jealousy. It was a boundary. And Ruhaan understood.

He didn’t say anything to Suhani. No excuse, no explanation. He simply walked past her, toward Shagun, and handed her the helmet. Their eyes met briefly, just a beat of understanding and then he started the engine.

Shagun climbed on behind him. She didn’t hold him. Her hands gripped the side bar tightly, leaving space between them not because she wanted distance, but because she didn’t trust herself with the closeness.

As the bike roared to life and they drove away, Suhani stood frozen on the sidewalk, her too-bright smile now cracking.

Behind the safety of her helmet, Shagun finally exhaled. Her eyes closed, not in contentment, not in happiness, but in surrender.

Because in that moment when Ruhaan didn’t ask questions, didn’t entertain the game, didn’t hesitate to choose her something shifted quietly inside her.

A warmth settled deep in her chest. A quiet sense of being seen. And it scared her more than anything else ever had

________________

The ride was mostly silent. The soft purr of the engine was the only sound between them as Shagun kept her eyes focused on the road ahead, her posture rigid, her grip tight on the side bars. She refused to touch him, refused to lean in even though the wind tugging at her hair and the gentle swerves of the road made it difficult not to.

But inside her, it wasn’t quiet at all. Her mind was a mess, buzzing with echoes of Suhani’s sugary voice, her fake familiarity, and that bold arm around Ruhaan. 

And yet, louder than all of that was him. The way Ruhaan had gently stepped away, the way he hadn’t entertained Suhani’s drama, the way he had just walked toward her no questions, no doubts. She hated how much it mattered.

After about fifteen minutes, Ruhaan finally slowed the bike in front of a small two-storey house nestled in a quiet, leafy lane. It had a cozy area with hanging plants swaying gently. The house didn’t scream extravagance, it whispered warmth.

“Aagaye.”Ruhaan parked the bike and glanced over his shoulder.

“Where are we?”Shagun frowned, pulling the helmet off and blinking in confusion.

“Mere ghar.”Ruhaan casually kicked the stand down and pulled the keys out, shrugging like it was obvious.

“What?!”That single word sent her flying off the bike like it was on fire. She took two sharp steps back, her eyes wide with outrage.

“Yahin par ana tha hame.”He looked at her, perfectly calm.

Her gasp was so loud it nearly startled a passing crow. “Excuse me?! What kind of date? Tum mujhe ghar bulakar kya… kya… ulti seedhi harkate karne wale ho?!”

“Kya?!”Ruhaan blinked, visibly stunned.

But she was already spiraling. “I knew boys like you! Ek dum cheap soch! Tum soch rahe the main aise hi bike pe baith jaungi aur ghar aake-“

Before she could finish the sentence, he stepped forward and did something she didn’t expect. He gently placed his hand over her mouth not forceful, just enough to silence her rampage.

“Bas karo, meri maa,” he said, fighting a grin. “Badi tedhi khopdi hai yaar tumhaari… harr baar ulta sochti ho… bharta kon hain tumhare dimaag main ye sab?!”

She glared at him over his hand, narrowed eyes shooting daggers. But she didn’t say anything mostly because he still hadn’t moved his hand, and part of her was caught completely off-guard.

Finally, he stepped back, hand dropping to his side. “Ek baar andar chal ke to dekh lo. Na pasand aaye toh bhaag jana. Kasam se, main helmet bhi de dunga protection ke liye.”

That line delivered so sincerely yet teasing just enough broke her. A snort escaped before she could stop it. Just a little. Just enough.

He smiled, but then his voice dropped into something softer. “Ek chance do…Bas ek.”

There was no drama in his tone now. No smugness. Just an honest request.

Shagun looked at the house again. It didn’t feel like a trap. There was no one lurking, no flashy car, no dimly lit interior waiting to pull her into something sketchy. It was just… a home. Simple. Unexpected. Oddly comforting.

“Fine. Par main bhaag jaungii haa… remember… pepper spray bhi hai mere paas.”She sighed, arms folding defensively across her chest.

He grinned wide. “Mujhe meri ankhein boht pyaari hai devi. Tension mat lo.”

With an exaggerated eye roll, she finally followed him, still half-suspicious, half-curious but beneath it all, strangely intrigued.

And Ruhaan? He didn’t look back but his grin widened just a little. Because she came.

The moment they stepped inside, a gentle warmth wrapped around Shagun like a soft blanket. The faint scent of sandalwood and jasmine lingered in the air, calming yet nostalgic. The walls were lined with framed photographs, family trips, candid laughs, birthdays, and the furniture was simple but inviting. It was the kind of home that felt lived in, loved in.

Before she could take it all in, a cheerful voice echoed from the hallway. “Beta, aa gaye tum dono?” Shagun turned toward the voice and froze.

A woman in a soft cotton saree appeared, her steps graceful, her face glowing with a kind smile. Her neatly tied bun and the quiet authority in her eyes reminded Shagun of someone she couldn’t quite place. But more than that… her presence filled the room with something warm and familiar.

“Hi,” the woman said, approaching her gently. “Tum hi ho Shagun? Main Riya. Ruhaan ki maa.”

Shagun blinked, taken aback, joined her hands for a quite respect.” Namaste aunty…Aap… aapko kaise pata main..”

Riya let out a light laugh, full of affection. “Arey, ye hai na ik namoona…isne personally mujhe hospital se chhutti dilwayi. Bola, boht special friend ane wali hain uski so I have to be present.”

Shagun turned to Ruhaan in disbelief. He rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly avoiding her gaze like a sheepish schoolboy. That usual cocky grin wasn’t there, only a soft kind of vulnerability, like he wasn’t sure how she’d take all this.

“tum baitho beta… mai paani leker aati hu”As Riya disappeared into the kitchen, humming softly while preparing water and some sweets to welcome her, Shagun stepped closer to him. Her voice was lower now, almost serious. “Why did you do that?”

Ruhaan looked at her then, his eyes calm but sincere. “You miss your mom very often…so I thought you should spend time with Maa… afterall she also wanted to meet you.”

Everything inside her stilled. The teasing, the irritation, the Suhani drama all of it faded into the background.

In its place was this sudden, quiet weight pressing against her chest. A softness she wasn’t ready for. A thoughtfulness she didn’t expect. Especially not after she’d rejected him. Especially not from someone who didn’t owe her anything.

She didn’t speak. Her lips parted, but no words came. Instead, she swallowed hard, forcing back the lump forming in her throat.

They sat together in the living room, the kind of quiet, familiar space that made even strangers feel welcome. Riya sat across from her, recounting stories of Ruhaan’s childhood,how he used to hide under the bed during thunderstorms, how he once cut his own hair because he thought he could do it better than the barber, and how messy he still was even now. 

Shagun found herself laughing more than she had in days, her shoulders slowly relaxing from tensions she hadn’t even realized she’d been carrying.

Riya handed her a cup of tea and gently placed her hand on Shagun’s head a soft, instinctive gesture full of affection, like a mother blessing her child.

Shagun closed her eyes for a second, holding on to the warmth of that touch. It felt like a piece of her had quietly found its way home.

Just then, Riya’s voice floated from the hall to kitchen, “Hannie, zara fridge se mithai nikaal ke le aa.”

Shagun blinked, her brows knitting in confusion. “Hannie?” she echoed.

From the kitchen, Ruhaan groaned. “Maa, please… don’t call me that…at least in front of her!”

Shagun’s head slowly turned toward Riya, a playful gleam forming in her eyes. “Wait… did you just call him Hannie?”

Riya chuckled, absolutely unfazed by her son’s embarrassment. “Haan! Bacchpan ka nickname hai. He loves it but don’t show it. It was given by his childhood crush. Isliye I tease him.”

Shagun froze. Her tea cup hovered mid-air, forgotten. Childhood crush?

Her gaze shifted toward the hallway again where Ruhaan was still sulking near the fridge, muttering something under his breath. And in that still second, something clicked. A memory,distant, buried, and blurred, knocked gently at the back of her mind.

She opened her mouth to ask, to confirm the ridiculous thought starting to form… but before the words could leave her lips, Riya’s phone rang, cutting through the moment.

Riya answered it and her face immediately changed, worry shadowing her features. “I’m so sorry beta… I’ve to leave urgently… it’s an emergency at the hospital,” she said, her voice rushed and apologetic as she picked up her bag.

Shagun stood up immediately. “No worries aunty… that’s more important… main phir aa jaungi kisi din,” she offered sincerely.

Riya smiled warmly, grateful for the understanding, then disappeared out the door in a hurry, leaving a quiet hush in her wake.

Ruhaan appeared again, shoulders slumped. “I thought… aaj rush nahi hota hoga hospital mein,” he sulked, clearly disappointed that his perfect little plan had fallen apart.

Shagun gave him a small, reassuring smile. “Koii baat nahi… itna bhi bohot hai.”

That was all he needed to hear. He grinned, the spark back in his eyes. “Tum kehti ho to theek hai. Wanna play Ludo?”

Shagun blinked in surprise, caught off guard by the sudden switch from emotional chaos to board games. “Theek hai,” she agreed, unable to stop the soft laugh that escaped her lips.

Without another word, Ruhaan dashed off toward his room in excitement, nearly tripping over a cushion on the floor in his hurry. Shagun watched him go, amusement dancing on her face.

But as the silence settled again and she found herself alone in the living room, her smile faded slightly. Her thoughts returned to that one word.

“Hannie.”

It echoed in her head like an old tune she couldn’t quite place but somehow knew every note of. Her chest tightened with a strange familiarity. Something she didn’t want to believe. Something that almost felt… impossible.

Her mind was swirling so deeply in that memory that she didn’t even hear the sudden thud at first. It was only when the sound came again a loud crash from Ruhaan’s room that her head snapped up, heart skipping a beat.

Something had fallen. Or someone. She was on her feet before she could think, worry bubbling up in her chest.

“Ruhaan?” she called out, her voice sharp with concern as her feet padded swiftly toward the hallway. No answer.

Panic bloomed in her chest. Without waiting, she rushed toward the source of the sound, heart pounding against her ribs like a warning drumbeat. The door to his room was half open. She pushed it wider.

There he was crouched awkwardly on the floor near his bed, one hand holding the side of his head, the other bracing against a wooden board that had fallen from the shelf above. A mess of old toys, cricket gloves, and dusty photo frames lay scattered across the bed and floor.

“OW,” he muttered, more annoyed than actually hurt.

But her heart dropped at the sight. “Are you…? Wait, are you bleeding?!” she blurted, already moving toward him.

He looked up, sheepish, brushing at the back of his head. “It’s just a scratch…”

“SCRATCH?! Are you dumb?!” she cut him off, eyes wide in disbelief as she closed the distance between them. “Kisne bola tha tumko itna upar chadh ke nikalne ke liye?! Seriously, Ruhaan?! You’re not five!”

He winced slightly when she parted his hair with urgent fingers, inspecting the side of his head. There it was, a thin but visible cut, fresh and bleeding lightly.

“Where’s your first aid box?” she demanded, her tone irritated but her hands gentle.

He pointed toward the side table, still sitting on the floor. “uss drawer main.”

She yanked it open, pulled out the box, and knelt beside him on the edge of his bed, opening it with practiced ease. Her breath was shallow, her movements slightly rushed half from anger, half from fear that had barely settled.

Without another word, she tore open a cotton swab and gently began dabbing it against the wound.

“Ow.”He flinched.

“Ow ow kya kar rhe ho ab,” she muttered under her breath. “Achha hua… chain naam ki to cheez hi nahi hai tumhare ander. Idiot.”

He couldn’t help it a soft chuckle escaped his lips, even as she scolded him. There was something oddly sweet about her frustration. It wasn’t loud or dramatic it was protective.

“Stop smiling,” she warned, catching the grin tugging at his mouth and pressing the cotton a little too firmly.

“Ow…Shagun!” he yelped, jerking slightly.

“Good. Now sit still.” she ordered, not meeting his eyes.

He obeyed, more amused than annoyed. He watched her from the corner of his eye as she leaned in, brows furrowed, lips pressed in concentration. Even in the middle of yelling at him, she was careful her touch featherlight, her sighs full of worry.

“You really need supervision, you know?” she mumbled as she grabbed the antiseptic, voice softer now. “tum buddhe bhi ho jaoge and probably forget how to walk properly too.”

He tilted his head slightly, voice soft and teasing, but laced with something deeper something unspoken. “Tum rahogi mere sath mujhe sambhalne ke liye?”

She froze mid-motion, her hand hovering near his forehead. Her breath caught. Then, slowly, she glared. “Shut up.”

But Ruhaan just grinned wider, the cut on his head long forgotten, basking in the warmth of her flustered concern. In that moment, he didn’t care about the pain, or the fallen shelf, or the mess.

Once done, Shagun closed the first aid box and stood up, her motions still stiff from the storm of emotions she hadn’t yet named. She turned to place it back on the side table when her hand accidentally knocked against a small wooden decorative box sitting beside it.

And it fell. The lid flipped open, and the contents spilled onto the floor with a soft, tinkling clatter that somehow echoed far too loudly in the quiet room.

“Oh no…” she gasped, dropping to her knees. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to…”

Her hands moved on instinct, gathering the scattered bits strewn across the floor. Small things. Forgotten things.

A broken friendship band, its threads dulled and frayed with time. A plastic ring, scuffed at the edges, as though once proudly worn every day. A faded keychain, butterfly-shaped, its paint chipped and worn thin. And then…

A photograph. Her fingers stilled. She lifted it slowly, like it was something fragile. Sacred.

Two children beamed from the picture. The boy’s grin was wild and toothless, his hair a chaotic mess. The girl beside him had two high ponytails, and a playful glint in her eyes. One small finger was caught mid-poke on his cheek.

And there it was that mole beneath her left eye. Her mole. Her eyes. Shagun’s breath caught.

The room around her dimmed, everything growing distant as her vision tunneled into that one worn photo. Her throat went dry, her heart hammering against her chest like it wanted out.

“Ruhaan…” she whispered, not turning fully toward him, the photo still trembling in her hand. “…whose photo is this?”

He looked up from where he sat on the bed, still pressing cotton to his forehead. His voice came lightly, too lightly, as if trying to pretend it didn’t mean much.

“That’s me and my childhood crush. When we were kids.” he answered.

The ground tilted beneath her. “What…?” she barely breathed.

A soft smile tugged at Ruhaan’s lips, tender and faintly wistful. His eyes didn’t meet hers, focused instead on the memory only he seemed to understand.

“She used to live here only. We were best friends. She used to call me Hannie… God, she was such a menace,” he laughed lightly. “Always teasing me. Always pulling pranks. But I still liked her. And I used to call her Gun Gun.” Her entire body went still.

Flashback: 12 years ago

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a soft golden hue over the bustling park. Laughter rang through the air little feet ran across the grass, swings creaked, and giggles echoed from the slide. It was the hour of joy, of scraped knees and squeaky shoes.

But under the quiet shade of a small gulmohar tree, sat a little boy, barely five curled up like a tiny ball, hugging a slightly deflated football to his chest. His eyes were puffy, nose red, and his cheeks blotchy from crying. His shoes were untied, his hair messy, and his lips trembled with every sniffle.

It was Ruhaan. Alone. Forgotten in the chaos. And very, very sad.

Just then, tiny footsteps padded toward him. A little girl, about four, wearing a frilly pink frock with two messy ponytails bobbing on her head, crouched in front of him, tilting her head like a curious puppy.

“Tum lo tyu lahe ho?”Her wide eyes blinked innocently as she asked in her sugary baby voice. Ruhaan looked up at her, surprised. No one had asked him that.

“M-mujhe koi nahi khila raha apne sath…” he sniffled, clutching the football tighter. The girl frowned. Like, really frowned. It scrunched her whole face.

“To tum loge to tya vo tumto khilane lagenge?” she asked, blinking seriously.

Ruhaan’s bottom lip trembled. “Pata nahi…” he whispered.

Without another word, the girl reached forward and gently wiped his cheeks with her tiny hands. Her touch was clumsy, but sweet.

“Alee budhuuu…” she pouted, “Tum agal lote lahoge to bhi… tumto vo log nahi thilayenge… bohot bule hai vo log.”

“Tumko kaise pata?”Ruhaan sniffed, still teary-eyed.

“Mujhto bhi nahi thilate ye log…”She nodded, matter-of-fact.

“Kyuu?”He gasped a little.

“Vo log haal jaate hai na mujhse… isiliye.” She said it with a shrug, but her eyes sparkled. Like she wasn’t sad about it anymore.

“To tum kaise khelti ho?” he asked curiously, wiping his nose on his sleeve with a little sniiifffk.

She beamed. “Main to phil atele thel leti hu!” she said proudly, like she had cracked the greatest life hack. Then, without waiting, she stood and stretched out her hand to him.

“Tum theloge mere sath?” she asked, her voice hopeful, her eyes bright. Ruhaan hesitatedly nodded… and then slowly placed his small hand in hers. Warm. Soft. Safe.

“To chalo phil mele sath!” She tugged him gently toward a bench near the corner, where she had set up a mini tea party with her soft toys. A teddy with a missing eye, a rabbit, and a doll with scribbles all over her face.

But just as they reached, she blocked his path with both her arms.

“Lutoo!” she declared like a teacher. “Pehle apna naam to batao!”

“Ruhaan…”Ruhaan blinked.

“Luaan? Itna bada naam kyu hai tumhara?”Her tiny face scrunched again.

“Mumma ne rakha hai…”He blinked at her innocently.

“Nahiii… tumto main Luaan nahi bulaungi.”She crossed her arms.

He tilted his head “To kya bulaogi?”

“Hannie!!”She grinned as her eyes twinkled.

“Hannie? Par kyuu?” he asked, suspicious but soft.

“Hannie achha lagega tumper,” she said proudly, like she’d just invented the most adorable nickname ever. He thought for a moment. Then gave a tiny smile.

“Theek hai…” he said. “Par tumhara naam kya hai?”

“Tagun!”She lifted her chin proudly.(totly thi hamari shagun)

“Tagun…” he repeated softly. Then smiled, eyes crinkling. “Tum mujhe Hannie bulaogi, to main tumko Gun-Gun bulaunga… chalega?”

Her face lit up like a firecracker. “Otaaayyy!” she squealed, clapping her hands.

They both sat cross-legged in front of the tea party, Ruhaan hugging the rabbit, Shagun feeding her doll.

Present….

“Gun Gun” That name. The only name she had ever allowed one person to call her. And he was that person.

Her heart slammed in her chest, fists tightening around the photo. She stared at the girl in the picture again but there was no denying it. Flashback coming back to her mind. It wasn’t just a coincidence. It was her. That girl in photograph was Shagun herself.

“Where… where is she now?” she asked, but the words scratched out from her throat like they didn’t want to be heard.

Ruhaan’s expression shifted. The smile faded. The air grew heavier. He looked down at his hands.

“She left,” he said softly. “Years ago.”

Her lips parted. “So you never tried to find her?”

“I couldn’t.”He didn’t look at her. Just stared at the cotton now tinged with red.

“How could you just not…” her voice cracked, rising suddenly with frustration and disbelief. “You could have looked for her! Asked someone! Tried to stop her from going! …Or else ik adhi baar try to kiya hota dhoondhne ka?”

He looked up sharply, eyes stormy now and said the one sentence that shattered something deep inside her, “She’s no more, Shagun.”

The world stopped. A hollow rang in her ears. The room dimmed. Her vision blurred not from tears, but from pure, unfiltered shock.

He thought she was dead? But she was right here. Breathing. Living. Just feet away from him.

And yet he had buried her somewhere in his heart and carried her loss like a wound he had never healed.

Ruhaan continued, not noticing her silence too lost in his own grief. “There was this accident in her family… I don’t know the full details. I just remember that after that summer, she never came back. I asked her neighbours once, and they said…she didn’t make it.”

His voice dropped at the end, quiet and broken.

Shagun couldn’t breathe. Every word slammed into her like a wave pulling her back to the accident… her mother’s injuries… the hospital… the sudden shift to another city… and the complete silence that followed. All the nights she wondered if he remembered her.

And he did. Every day. He just thought she was gone. And somehow, that made the pain in her chest worse. Like she had died in his world, and hadn’t even known.

Her knees felt weak, her breath shaky. Her mouth opened, but no sound came. She wanted to tell him. She needed to. But her voice had locked itself away.

How do you tell someone you’re the ghost they’ve been grieving for? It became too much. The walls. The memories. The emotions threatening to drown her.

The photograph slipped from her fingers and fluttered to the floor as she stood up abruptly, like she was fleeing from something too big to face. Like if she stayed a second longer, she’d break apart.

“Shagun-?” Ruhaan stood up too, his voice confused but laced with growing worry. “What happened?” But she couldn’t look at him. Couldn’t face the storm she had just stirred not in his eyes, not yet.

“I need to go,” she mumbled, already turning away toward the door, her pace hurried, as though distance could protect her heart from falling apart.

But before she could get far, Ruhaan caught her hand, gently yet firmly, halting her just outside the room in the hallway.

“Hua kya hai, batao toh sahi,” Ruhaan asked, his voice tense now, his eyes searching hers for answers she was clearly running from.

“No, I can’t… I’ve to go,” she whispered, not daring to meet his gaze.

A silence stretched between them before he spoke again, this time his voice lower, almost trembling.

“Not now, Shagun… har baar tum aise hi confuse karke chali jaati ho… uss din bhi tum park mein aise hi chali gayi thi,” he said, almost like a confession, like he was afraid of letting her slip through his fingers again.

That stopped her cold. Her eyes widened slightly. “You were following me…?” she asked, stunned.

He swallowed. “That’s not important… Tell me first… what happened to you? Why are you leaving so suddenly?”

Shagun’s chest rose and fell with the weight of a truth she had carried too long.

“Agar maine sach bata diya, then you won’t believe me,” she finally said, locking eyes with him for the first time. Her voice wavered, but her gaze was steady.

“Koi nahi… main sunn lunga. Tell me,” he urged, his voice quieter now, more sincere barely holding together the dread forming inside him.

Shagun inhaled shakily, her eyes now glistening. “The girl you are saying died years ago…” she paused, swallowing hard. “Is still alive.”

For a moment, the hallway fell utterly silent. Ruhaan blinked once, then again. His body froze, as if the words didn’t make sense. Then his world tilted. His pupils dilated as his breath caught.

“Shagun… it’s not a thing to joke about… you know it-” his voice rose, almost defensive, but he couldn’t finish.

Shagun reached into her sling bag with trembling hands… and pulled out a slightly broken bracelet. She held it out like an answer to a question she could never have put into words.

Ruhaan stared at it. The worn beads… the faint pink string… and that small metal ‘G’ initial still clinging onto it unchanged. His fingers reached out slowly and took it from her hand, almost afraid it would vanish.

“Why is this with you?” he asked, his voice cracking. A tear slipped from his eye before he could stop it.

“Maine bola tha… you won’t be able to believe it if I tell you the truth…just like me,” she said, her eyes now brimming with tears. He stared at the bracelet, then up at her.

“Where is she…? Where is Gun Gun…? You know na… Tell me… Please,” his voice broke completely now, desperate, begging.

Shagun’s lips trembled. Her heart ached. “Right in front of you… Hannie,” she whispered, but loud enough for the words to cut through the air between them.

And they did. Ruhaan’s world collapsed. His eyes widened again too wide and he took a step back like the ground had just shifted beneath his feet.

He stared at her at her face, her eyes, that light mole under her eye… her trembling lips, her voice, her presence. And suddenly… it all clicked.

“No way…” the words stumbled out of his mouth. He looked stunned, his breathing shallow, his body rigid.

“I know… it’s shocking…” Shagun said softly, her voice heavy with guilt. “But mujhe bhi abhi pata chala… when I saw that photograph. And I didn’t know you thought I was dead… or that I would never come back.”

Her voice broke now. “I should’ve told you… before leaving. But I couldn’t. So much had happened after that. My dad married someone else. I was deliberately sent away, without explanation, without warning. I didn’t know where I was going, Ruhaan… I didn’t know you were my Hannie…” Her shoulders shook, tears falling faster, but she kept speaking through them.

“If I had known… I would’ve never pushed you away… never.” But before she could say more, Ruhaan stepped forward and pulled her into a sudden, fierce hug, holding her like he was afraid she would disappear again.

“Shhh…” he whispered, one hand gently running through her hair.

Ruhaan held her tightly as if his arms alone could protect her from all the years of pain she’d carried in silence. She trembled in his embrace, sobs wracking her chest, years of grief, guilt, and helplessness finally escaping her like a storm breaking free.

“Shagun…” he whispered again, his voice almost lost in her hair, “I’m right here. I’m not letting you go. Not this time.”

She clutched the back of his shirt, her fingers curling into the fabric, grounding herself in the warmth of him.

“I’m sorry,” she cried softly. “I’m so, so sorry, Ruhaan… for not remembering, for pushing you away, for not recognising my own Hannie…”

Ruhaan pulled back just enough to cup her tear-streaked face. His thumbs gently brushed away the wetness under her eyes. His own eyes shimmered too, glassy with emotion.

“Look at me,” he said, his voice tender but steady. She blinked up at him.

“It wasn’t your fault. None of it. You were a child. You were hurt, lost. And I should’ve tried harder, searched longer… something. But you’re here now, Shagun. That’s all that matters.”

She shook her head faintly, her bottom lip trembling. “I never stopped missing that boy, Ruhaan… the one who would climb trees just to get me a flower. I just didn’t know you were him.”

His lips parted, breath catching at her words. A soft laugh, half-broken and half-relieved, escaped him.

“And I never stopped loving that menace who used to steal my chocolates and blame me for breaking windows,” he said with a shaky smile.

Their laughter was wet with tears, their hearts bruised but finally open. “I missed you so much it hurt,” she whispered.

“You have no idea what I felt, Shagun. I waited. I searched. I kept that bracelet like it still meant something and it did. It still does,” he said, brushing her hair behind her ear gently.

He leaned his forehead against hers, their eyes closed, breath mingling.

“I didn’t just fall in love with you now, Shagun… I think a part of me always did, even when I didn’t know who you were. Even when I tried to stay away.” A sob escaped her lips, but this time it wasn’t painful it was relief.

“And I…” she whispered, voice trembling, “I think I was always yours, even when I didn’t realise it. Even when I hated you. Even when I thought you were just some arrogant boy who annoyed me to death.”

He chuckled softly at that, brushing his nose against hers.  “So… you’re saying you don’t hate me anymore?” he asked with a crooked smile, his eyes glinting with something finally free.

She shook her head. “No. I love you. I think… I always did.”

And that was it. No more barriers. No more past. Just two hearts scarred, but somehow still whole finally recognizing each other.

Ruhaan leaned in slowly, gently, and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “I love you too, Gun Gun,” he whispered against her skin.

She closed her eyes as another tear slipped down her cheek, but this one… was peaceful.

They stood there, wrapped in each other’s arms, letting the silence speak the things words never could hearts finally resting where they belonged.

The storm had passed.

Shagun leaned into Ruhaan’s chest, her head resting beneath his chin, and his arms were gently wrapped around her, secure and warm.

Neither of them spoke. Neither of them needed to. There was something beautiful in just being still. Something healing.

Ruhaan slowly traced circles on her back with his thumb, his heartbeat steady against her cheek. She closed her eyes, the safety in his embrace calming something restless that had lived in her for years.

“This still feels unreal,” she murmured after a while.

“I’m not letting you go again,” he replied softly, kissing the top of her head.

A peaceful silence followed… until suddenly…THUMP!

“Oye!” Ruhaan yelped as Shagun hit his chest with the flat of her palm, pulling back just enough to glare up at him.

“Ow…maar kyu rahi ho?! What did I do?!” he asked, startled.

“You!” she said, fuming. “How could you flirt with other girls if you loved me since childhood, huh?!”

She hit him again on his arm, then his shoulder. “Agar main nahi aati… toh kya? Kisi aur ko propose kar dete tum?! Haan?!”

Ruhaan’s mouth dropped open. “What…are you seriously picking a fight now?”

“Yes!” she huffed. “You and your stupid smile…half the school had a crush on you! Aur tum sabko line dete ho?!

“‘aaj tu pretty lag rahi hai’, ‘kal tu acchi lag rahi thi’…haan?! Gun Gun ki yaad nahi aayi tab?!” she said almost mimicking him rolling her eyes.

Ruhaan jumped up in self-defense, holding his hands up. “Wo flirting nahi thi yrr…main to bas… dost bana raha tha!”

“HAHA…abhi to jaise boht kam dost the na tumhare?!” she yelled, charging at him with a pillow from the bed.

Ruhaan yelped and dashed across the room, narrowly missing the hit. “Violence! Domestic violence! Someone call the cops!”

“You deserve it!” she said, laughing but still fuming. “Flirting karne main to pHd kar rakhi hai! If I hadn’t come here, you’d be romancing someone else by now!”

“Aisa kuch bhi nahii hai!” Ruhaan yelled, still dodging her. “There’s only ever been one Gun Gun in my life!”

“Doesn’t look like it!” she grumbled, swinging the pillow again.

But before she could launch another attack, Ruhaan swiftly ducked, caught her wrist mid-swing, and spun her towards him. She stumbled, crashing into his chest with a surprised gasp.

“Got you.” His voice was low, breathless, but victorious. She looked up, cheeks flushed not from anger now, but the sudden closeness again. He smirked.

And before she could fire another sarcastic comeback He leaned down and pressed a gentle, lingering kiss to her cheek.

She froze. He pulled back just enough to see her stunned face, his thumb brushing her jaw with a mischievous tenderness.

“Still mad?…ik aur baar karta hu ruko” he said with mischief in his eyes.

Her eyes blinked wide. Then narrowed. Then blinked again. Her face flushed instantly.

“RUHAAN!” she pushed him back flusterdly

“Kya?! You started it!” he again laughed.

And they both burst into laughter, falling back onto the bed in a tangled mess of giggles, flushed cheeks, and years of unspoken love finally given room to breathe.

The next day at school…

The classroom buzzed with its usual pre-period chaos, but one corner was particularly louder than the rest.

Priya, Vivaan, and Aditi sat bickering like siblings caught in a heated debate loud enough to turn a few heads around them.

“Nahi yaar, aisa nahi hota… apna gang poora single tha… gaddari ki hai tune relationship mein aakar,” Vivaan sulked dramatically, arms folded, glaring at Priya like she had committed treason.

“Arey aisa bhi kya kar diya maine… ‘haan’ hi toh bola tha bas!” Priya tried to defend herself, her cheeks already red.

“Nahi yaar, you should’ve told us about Charu wala incident. Uss chirkut ko toh main batati…” Aditi muttered, throwing a death glare across the room in Charu’s direction.

“It’s sorted now naa… chill,” Priya said quickly, trying to downplay everything.

“Naa… door reh tu humse. We are against relationship waale couples. Tu jaa bhaiya ke paas!” Aditi scoffed and pushed her playfully, scooting closer to Vivaan in a dramatic act of betrayal.

But just then, Shagun walked into the classroom, fixing her bag strap as she scanned the room.

Aditi spotted her and smirked. “Le ye bhi aa gayi. Ab ye bhi humare sath hi rahegi. Tu jaa kar apna kuchu-puchu.” Aditi teased Priya as Shagun approached.

“Aa jaa Shagun… humari team mein aa jaa,” Vivaan said, patting the spot beside him.

“Kyun? Hua kya?” Shagun asked, confused by the theatrics.

“Ye bandi ab Prateek bhaiya ki officially girlfriend ban gayi hai!” Vivaan announced like breaking news.

“Hawwww… kuttieee! Bataya bhi nahi tune?!” Shagun gawked at Priya, who was now hiding her face behind her hands, blushing hard.

“Haan isiliye tu hum singles ki team mein aa… rehne de isse akeli,” Aditi added with an eye-roll.

Shagun bit her lip, hesitating. “Umm… vo actually… mujhe kuch batana tha tum logo ko,” she said slowly, almost nervously.

“Jo bhi ho, pehle humari team mein aa tu,” Aditi commanded dramatically like a mafia don.

“Vo actually main nahi aa sakti… I’m in Priya’s category now,” Shagun dropped the bomb like a gentle whisper.

“What the-” Vivaan’s jaw dropped open like a cartoon character.

“Kalmuhiii… tu bhi dhokebaaz nikli… kuttieee!” Aditi shrieked, standing up in mock outrage and charging toward Shagun with playful intent. Shagun quickly ducked behind Priya like a scared child.

“Bhaiye chal kya raha hai yaha pe…?” Vivaan asked, his face comically twisted in confusion.

“Iska toh Prateek bhaiya ke saath hua mamla set… tu kahan setting bitha ke aayi hai?” Aditi asked Shagun, arms crossed, eyes narrowed.

Shagun smiled, a soft blush tinting her cheeks. “Vo tujhe yaad hai… maine Hannie ke baare mein bataya tha tujhe?”

“Haan toh?” Aditi blinked, still confused.

“I found him,” Shagun said, almost singing.

“Kaun Hannie?” Priya and Vivaan chimed in, clearly not getting it.

“Arey iska childhood crush yaar!” Aditi said, eyes widening slightly.

“Hai kahan vo kalmuhha? atleast milva to hame!” Aditi asked again, scanning the room.

“Yaha hai vo kalmuhha,” a voice suddenly cut in from behind, making them all turn around.

Ruhaan stood leaning casually against the back door, smirking.

“Arey aapse nahi bol rahi bhaiya… isse pooch rahi hu m-” Aditi turned to clarify but froze mid-sentence when her gaze shifted from Shagun to Ruhaan, then back to Shagun.

Her brain slowly started connecting the dots. Shagun just gave her a subtle nod.

“No way….” Aditi mumbled, gasping as realization smacked her square in the face.

“Yeh kya ho gaya…?” Vivaan and Priya both said at once, looking equally stunned.

“Matlab… aap iske waale Hannie ho?” Aditi pointed between the two of them.

“Nahi, kalmuhha hoon…” Ruhaan replied with a sarcastic bow, making everyone burst into shocked laughter.

Shagun hid her face behind her hands, red as a tomato. Ruhaan just walked over and plopped down beside her, looking way too smug.

“Kyaaa baat hai bhaiya…aapne to sachii main jackpot maar liya!” Vivaan grinned, giving Ruhaan a thumbs up.

“Aur tu Shagun! Bina bataye setting kar li!” Priya teased, nudging her shoulder.

“setting nahi thi… reunion tha,” Shagun defended shyly and just like that their momment happened.

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That’s all for this chapter….hope you enjoyed it.💖🤗

thoda boring hogya ho to uske liye maafi chahti hu…maaf kar dena…please

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