First kiss

Ruhi’s POV

I woke up to the sound of my alarm ringing. Groaning softly, I opened my eyes and sat up. That’s when my gaze fell on a small note lying on the table beside my bed.

Aayansh had left it before going.

A smile instantly spread across my face as I picked it up and read it.

Good morning, girlfriend. Have a good journey and miss me.
From your lovely boyfriend.

My heart felt warm. I carefully folded the note and placed it inside the small box where I kept all the previous notes he had left for me. Each one of them felt like a little piece of him.

After getting ready, I went downstairs for breakfast. Everyone was already seated at the table. That’s when I noticed Aayan sitting there, frowning at his plate.

I went and sat beside him.
“What happened?” I asked softly. “Why is my baby angry?”

He pointed at his plate dramatically. “Mom made spinach. I don’t like it.”

Before I could say anything, bhabhi spoke, “I don’t care whether you like it or not. It’s good for your health. And looking at the past few days, you and your bui have been eating too much junk food.”

She shot me a warning look, clearly saying that if I argued, she wouldn’t hesitate to beat me up.

I gulped and quickly nodded. “Baby, your mom is right. It’s good for your health. We should eat it.”

Aayan looked at me as if I had betrayed him. I avoided his gaze.

When everyone’s attention went back to their breakfast, I leaned closer to him and whispered, “Just eat it today. When I come back from the UK, I’ll bring lots of gifts especially your favourite chocolates. Till then, behave properly so your mom won’t scold me for spoiling you. I’ll tell her you were behaving these few days so I brought gifts , okay?”

His eyes lit up. “Really?”

I nodded.
“Okay, I’ll behave,” he said seriously.

“What are you both whispering about?” bhabhi asked suspiciously.

We both sat straight.
“Nothing,” I said innocently. “I was just telling him the benefits of eating green vegetables.”

She looked at us for a moment, clearly suspicious, but didn’t say anything.

“Oh look who’s talking about eating healthy,” Parth taunted. “Someone who throws tantrums when it comes to eating green vegetables.”

I glared at him. Then I smiled sweetly.
“Rishabh bhai,” I said, “you remember that day when you asked Parth bhai to attend that meeting?”

I paused and looked at Parth bhai, smirking. He gulped.

“What about it?” Rishabh bhai asked.

“He forgot about the meeting, and I had to handle it myself. You know how stressed I got. Because of that, I had to overwork,” I said with my most innocent expression.

Rishabh bhai immediately turned toward Parth bhai. “What were you doing that you forgot such an important meeting?”

I gave Parth bhai a sweet smile, waved goodbye to everyone, and left while Rishabh bhai continued scolding him.

At the Airport

When I reached the airport, I saw Shrey, my assistant, and another colleague waiting outside. I walked toward them and greeted everyone.

“All preparations are done, right? The meeting is very important,” I asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

“Okay then, let’s go.”

Just as we were about to enter the airport, I heard someone call, “Ruuh.”

That one word was enough. A smile instantly appeared on my face.

“You all go ahead,” I told them. “I’ll join you.”

Aayansh came up to me, hugged me tightly, and said, “I’m going to miss you.”

I chuckled. “I’m not going permanently. As soon as my work is done, I’ll come back.”

He scoffed. “Even if you move permanently, I’ll follow you there. Don’t you know I’m your lovely stalker?”

“I know,” I replied, smiling.

“Okay, but miss me. Call me when you reach. Message me every night and every day, okay?”

“Yes, boyfriend. Anything else you want to say?”

He thought for a moment and then said, “If any guy approaches you, show them my photo and tell them you have a boyfriend. And if they still don’t listen, tell me. I’ll come there and show them who your boyfriend really is.”

I laughed and lightly hit his head. “What kind of thoughts are you having lately?”

“It’s not my fault,” he said. “I heard you have a lot of admirers who want to be your boyfriend.”

“Idiot,” I said. “I already have a boyfriend. That’s all that matters.”

I hugged him again.

Just then, my phone buzzed. It was Shrey.

Aayansh glanced at my phone and muttered, “This chippku always comes between us.”

I answered the call. Shrey asked where I was and told me to come quickly.

“I’m coming,” I replied and hung up.

I looked back at Aayansh. “I need to go now.”

He nodded.

I told him to take care of himself and went inside. He stood there, watching, until I disappeared from his sight.

In the UK

It’s been five days since I came to the UK. My work is almost done, and tomorrow I’ll be going back.

In these five days, I realised something important Aayansh has become a very important part of my life. I missed him a lot, even though we talked every day.

He always messaged me, asking if I had eaten, reminding me to take care of myself, telling me not to overwork. At night, we talked on calls, he flirts until my cheeks hurt from smiling.

Looking back at the first time I met Aayansh, he feels so different. I had thought he was an arrogant spoiled rich kid.

But now, I know he’s sweet, caring, and unbelievably cute.

Ugh… I really miss him a lot.

Just the thought made my heart flutter. I checked my phone again. No new message yet.

As if sensing my thoughts, my phone buzzed.

Aayansh: Did you eat?

I smiled.

Me: Yes. Stop worrying. What about you?
Aayansh: Food tastes boring without you scolding me.

I laughed softly.

Me: Behave for one more day. I’m coming back tomorrow.
Aayansh: Finally. Do you know how hard it is to pretend I’m fine?

My smile softened.

Me: You don’t have to pretend with me.

A pause.

Aayansh: I know. That’s why I miss you more.

We talked for a long time about nothing and everything. When the call ended, I hugged my pillow tightly, pretending it was him.

At the Airport

The flight felt endless. The moment we landed, I turned my phone on.

Three missed calls.
Five messages.

All from Aayansh.

Have you landed?
Text me as soon as you do.
Ruuh?

I smiled and called him.

“Finally,” he breathed out. “I thought you forgot me.”

“As if,” I replied. “I just landed.”

“I’m coming,” he said immediately.

“Aayansh, no. It’s late. Just rest,” I said.

“No, I’m coming.”

“We’ll meet tomorrow, okay?”

“You’re too bossy.”

“I’m bossy only for you.”

“I’m glad to be the lucky one.”

I shook my head, smiling. “You’re impossible.”

“But I’m yours,” he said softly.

My heart skipped.

Back Home

By the time I reached home, exhaustion took over. I freshened up, had dinner with my family, answered endless questions, and finally escaped to my room.

I had just sat on my bed when my phone buzzed.

Aayansh: Look outside.

My breath caught.

I walked to the balcony and froze.

He stood there below hands in his pockets, head tilted up, eyes searching. When our eyes met, he smiled brightly.

“Are you serious right now?” I laughed.

“I waited five days,” he replied. “This is me being patient.”

I hurried downstairs, checking if anyone was around. Luckily, no one was.

The moment I stepped outside, he pulled me into his arms tight, warm, familiar.

“I missed you,” he whispered.

“I missed you too.”

He pulled back slightly, cupping my face. “Never go this far away again.”

“I’ll have to work,” I said softly.

“Then I’ll keep following you.”

I smiled, resting my forehead against his.

I don’t know what came over me.

Before I could think, I tiptoed and pressed a soft kiss against his lips. The moment passed too quickly and when he didn’t react, panic rushed through me. I stepped back immediately, my heart pounding.

“I..I’m sorry,” I said hurriedly. “I should have asked”

Before I could finish, he spoke.

“I’m yours, Ruuh,” he said quietly. “And you never have to ask me for permission.”

Then he pulled me back to him, his hand firm yet gentle, and kissed me slow, soft, and full of reassurance.

And in that moment, all my doubts melted away.

Little did I know…
this peace wouldn’t last long.

Because somewhere between love and protection,
storms were already waiting.