Ruhi’s POV
It had been an entire day since I last spoke to Aayansh or anyone from my family.
I knew they were worried about me. I could feel it. But I just couldn’t step out of my room right now. If I did, I knew I would break down, and once I started crying, I wouldn’t be able to stop.
All I wanted was to talk to Aayansh.
I needed to know what happened between him and Aditya bhai last night. Were they okay? Was Aayansh hurt? The way Bhai had punched him… the thought alone made my chest tighten. Did they fight again? Was he in pain?
Those questions had been circling my mind since last night, refusing to leave.
I paced around my room restlessly, trying to think of a way to contact him even my phone wasn’t with me. Frustration was starting to settle in when I suddenly heard a knock on the door.
“Who is it?” I asked, already irritated.
“Ruhi,” Parth’s voice came from the other side.
“What happened? I already told you I’m not hungry. Just go,” I replied.
“Well… it’s Riya bhabhi’s call. She told me to give the phone to you.”
The moment I heard her name, I rushed to the door and flung it open. I snatched the phone from Parth’s hand.
“I’ll give it back later,” I muttered, shutting the door on his face.
“Hello,” I said, my voice shaky.
“Ruhi, you need to come here now,” Riya bhabhi said urgently. “I thought if Aditya and Aayansh talked, it would solve things, but I think it was a bad idea. They’ve been talking for a long time, and Aditya still looks angry. I’m scared they might fight again. I’ll send you the location. Please come fast.”
“I..I’m coming,” I said immediately and cut the call.
I didn’t think so. I just reacted.
I rushed out of my room and ran straight outside. My family was sitting in the hall, and they all looked up when they saw me leaving in such a hurry. They called out to me, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t.
I grabbed my car keys, got in, and drove away.
The entire drive, my hands were trembling on the steering wheel.
Please don’t fight again.
Please don’t let either of them get hurt.
As soon as I reached their usual hangout spot I hurried inside, my heart pounding loudly in my ears. My eyes searched desperately for them.
And then I saw them.
But it wasn’t what I had imagined.
Aditya bhai and Aayansh weren’t fighting. They were sitting calmly, talking nothing like the scene Riya bhabhi had described.
Confused and breathless, I slowly walked toward them, trying to steady my breathing after running from the parking lot.
That’s when Aayansh looked up.
The moment his eyes met mine, they widened in shock. He stood up immediately and rushed toward me.
“Ruuh, what are you doing here?” he asked, panic lacing his voice. “Are you okay? What happened?”
His eyes scanned me from head to toe, worry written all over his face.
“Are you hurt somewhere? Why are you breathing like this? And why are you not wearing a jacket? It’s cold outside and why are you wearing home slippers?”
He kept asking one question after another, but I couldn’t say a word. I just stood there, frozen.
I could see Aditya bhai watching us with concern, and I could feel the curious gazes of everyone else around us but none of it mattered.
Then Aayansh gently placed both his hands on my shoulders.
“Ruuh,” he called my name softly.
And that was it.
Everything I had been holding in broke loose.
I started hitting his chest weakly, again and again, my tears finally spilling over. I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t stop crying.
Aayansh’s expression shifted instantly. He caught my hands, pulled me closer, and wrapped his arms around me, holding me tightly against his chest.
He didn’t say anything.
He didn’t ask anything.
He just held me one hand resting on the back of my head, the other stroking my hair gently letting me cry as much as I needed to.
And in that moment, wrapped in his arms, I finally felt like I could breathe again
Aayansh’s POV
She slowly calmed down in my arms.
Her sobs softened, the tight grip on my shirt loosening as her breathing began to steady. After a few seconds, she gently pulled back, wiping her tears with the back of her hand.
But I wasn’t calm.
Not even close.
I looked at her properly then really looked at her and my chest clenched painfully.
She was shivering.
Her eyes were red and swollen, her cheeks wet with tears. She was still hiccupping softly, her lips pale from the cold. And that’s when it hit me she had come here in just her home clothes… and slippers.
Without thinking, I held her arm and guided her toward the table, making her sit down.
“Sit,” I said softly but firmly.
Everyone around us was watching, worry written clearly on their faces. Ruhi hugged herself, shivering again, and that was enough for me.
I immediately took off my jacket and wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling it closer so it covered her properly.
“Why didn’t you wear anything warm?” I murmured, more to myself than her.
I felt someone beside me.
Aditya.
He picked up a glass of water from the table and silently handed it to me.
“Give this to her,” he said, his voice low no anger, only concern.
I nodded and held the glass to Ruhi’s lips.
“Drink slowly,” I told her.
She obeyed, taking small sips until her breathing finally evened out.
Only when I was sure she was okay did I crouch slightly in front of her.
“Ruuh,” I said gently, my heart still racing, “what happened? Why are you here like this? You scared me.”
She looked at me, her eyes glossy again.
“I didn’t have my phone,” she said quietly. “I couldn’t contact you… and I didn’t know if you were okay.”
My jaw tightened.
She continued, “I kept thinking about last night. About Adi bhai punching you. I didn’t know if you both fought again. I didn’t know anything.”
I felt anger flare inside me not at her, never at her but I couldn’t stop myself from looking sharply at Aditya.
He noticed.
And he looked away.
Then Ruhi spoke again, “Riya bhabhi called me. She said you both were talking for a long time and that Adi bhai still looked angry. She said she was scared you might fight again.”
She swallowed.
“I didn’t want to be the reason you both fought. I didn’t want Adi bhai to hurt you again. I panicked… and I just ran. I didn’t even think about changing my clothes.”
Her voice broke at the end.
For a moment, the place was silent.
Then slowly both Aditya and I turned toward Riya.
She froze.
“Okay… before you both kill me,” Riya said nervously, scratching the back of her neck, “everything is fine now. Adi has agreed to your relationship. I just thought Ruhi should know.”
“Yes, it’s fine now,” Aditya added, his tone calmer. “But you could’ve explained it properly.”
I sighed. “You didn’t need to tell her we were fighting or killing each other.”
Riya winced. “I thought you were about to kill each other when I called her,” she said sheepishly. “But when I hung up and saw you both talking calmly, I got happy and… forgot to call her back.”
She laughed nervously.
Before anyone could respond
“Wait.”
Aarav’s voice cut in sharply.
“What is going on?” he demanded. “Why did Aditya punch Aayansh?”
Everyone started talking at once, questions flying around, confusion everywhere.
Riya raised her hands. “Okay, okay relax. I’ll explain.”
She told them everything.
About the kiss.
About Aditya’s reaction.
About Ruhi and me.
And then
“WAIT,” Aarav screamed dramatically, pointing at me. “You two are DATING?! Since when? WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL ME?”
Kabir groaned. “Finally. I don’t need to see that lovesick face. You were jealous even during Adi and Riya’s wedding. Every time Ruhi talked to any guy, you looked ready to fight.” he said looking at me
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Aditya blinked. “Wait what? You all knew?”
“Yes,” everyone replied together.
Aarav laughed. “Anyone who saw how he behaved around Ruhi could tell. He’s a completely different person.”
“So I’m the only idiot who didn’t know?” Aditya asked.
“Yes,” they all said again and burst out laughing.
Ruhi looked at Aditya cautiously. “Bhai… you don’t mind, right?”
Aditya sighed, running a hand through his hair.
“I was angry when I found out you both were dating,” he admitted. “But deep down, I always knew he was best for you.”
He looked at me then at Ruhi.
“I was angry because I don’t want you dating anyone. And because he’s my best friend.” He paused. “But I saw it yesterday. The way he stood in front of you. The way he took my punch without fighting back.”
Ruhi glanced at me, and my heart clenched.
“He didn’t even eat today,” Aditya continued. “ I know Riya told him that you hadn’t eaten since morning, and I know that’s why he didn’t either. He cares for you.”
He sighed softly. “So no. I don’t mind.”
“Thank you, bhai,” Ruhi whispered.
Then she turned to Riya. “Thank you, bhabhi… but please, from now on, don’t call me like this again. One day I’ll get a heart attack.”
Riya laughed. “I don’t think I’ll need to anymore.”
Finally, everyone relaxed.
Food was ordered. Slowly, laughter returned to the table.
While eating, Riya smirked and said, “By the way, I’m the reason their confession happened.”
We both froze.
She grinned. “I called Ruhi and told her Aayansh had an accident. She came running. And there she confessed everything.”
Everyone gasped.
Ruhi groaned in embarrassment. I just stared at Riya in disbelief.
She winked.
And despite everything
Despite the storm
For the first time since last night, I felt… at peace.
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