Marked By Darkness

Chapter 22- Confessions and Hesitations

Next Day...

Ruhi dialing Esha's number...

Esha picked up almost immediately, her voice bright.
"Yesh, Ruhi?"

"Are you in college?" Ruhi asked, her voice tinged with a hint of discomfort.

"Yeah, why didn't you come today?" Esha responded, sounding concerned.

Ruhi winced, feeling the ache in her head. "I think I have a fever."

"What? Then take rest! And don't worry about the notes. I'll collect them for you."

"Thank you, Esha," Ruhi said gratefully, her voice softening.

"No problem. Well, I have a class now, so I'll talk to you later."

"Yeap," Ruhi replied, hanging up, the loneliness of the room settling over her.

...

Ruhi's mom called from the kitchen, her voice sharp but loving.
"Ruhi!"

"Yesh, Mom?" Ruhi answered, curling up on the couch under a blanket.

"Can you have lunch?" her mom asked, a note of concern in her voice.

"I don't think so..." Ruhi mumbled, trying to ignore the rumbling in her stomach.

"You have to take your medicine, so eat something," her mom insisted.

Ruhi groaned softly. "But I don't want to."
Her mom sighed. "At least take this soup."
Ruhi reluctantly agreed. "Okay."

...

Later in the evening...

Her mom called again from the doorway, voice light but with a hint of excitement.
"Ruhi!"

Ruhi looked up, not feeling her best but still happy to see her mom. "Yes, Mom?"

"Your friends have come to meet you," her mom announced.

Ruhi's face brightened. "Send them in."

A moment later, Esha, Neil, and Tanhi walked into the room.

"Hey! Surprise!" Esha greeted, a wide grin on her face.

Ruhi smiled weakly but genuinely. "Hey! I feel so good to see you guys."

Neil raised an eyebrow, looking concerned. "So you have a fever. What's the reason for that?"

Esha gave a mischievous smile. "For ice cream."

"Ice cream?" Neil echoed, confusion in his voice.

Ruhi glared at Esha, her eyes silently begging her to keep certain details to herself.

"Esha!" Ruhi snapped, nudging her lightly.
Esha caught the look and quickly diverted the conversation. "Nothing, guys. Forget it."

Neil shot them both a puzzled glance but pressed on. "Are you taking medicines?"

"Medicines?" Ruhi replied, wrinkling her nose.

Esha scoffed. "Huh! Seriously, Neil, you'll make someone more sick if you can."

Ruhi chuckled, but the fatigue from the fever weighed on her.

Suddenly, her phone rang. It was Anshi.
Ruhi glanced at the screen and muttered, "What a timing."

She picked up the call, turning her attention to Anshi.

"What's up?" Anshi's voice came through the line, lighthearted.

"As well?" Ruhi responded. "I have all my friends in front of me now. Ahh, not all friends... just some close ones."

Anshi laughed. "Wow! Party time?"

Ruhi rolled her eyes. "No, they came to see me."

"Why? What happened to you?" Anshi asked, sounding worried.

"Fever," Ruhi replied.

"You never told me you had a fever!" Anshi exclaimed, a little hurt.

"Sorry, I didn't want to bother you," Ruhi murmured.

Anshi was silent for a moment before saying, "Whatever."

Esha nudged her, leaning in to grab the phone. "Hey! It's Anshi?"

"Yeah," Ruhi said, holding the phone out to Esha.

Esha pressed the phone to her ear, grinning. "Hi, Anshi! It's me, Esha."

Anshi's voice brightened. "Oh, hello, Esha!"

Neil popped in. "And it's me, Neil."

Esha rolled her eyes. "No one asked you."

Neil shrugged, unbothered. "So what?"

Tanhi added her voice to the mix. "And it's me, Tanhi."

Anshi laughed. "Hello, everyone."

Ruhi smiled, shaking her head. "Anshi, when you come here, I'll properly introduce you to all of them."

Anshi chuckled. "Yeah, sure. I'd love it."

Ruhi paused, her voice softening. "Okay, Anshi, I'll talk to you later."

"Okay, bye," Anshi replied, and the call ended.

___

As Esha set the phone down, she shot Ruhi a knowing look.

"Does he know you have a fever?"

Ruhi blinked, her mind still a little hazy from the illness. "Who?"

"Obviously, Sounak."

Ruhi's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. "Haven't talked yet."

Esha raised an eyebrow, her voice teasing. "Ouhh!"

Ruhi sighed, her shoulders slumping. "Esha, you were right. I think I'm falling in love with him."

Esha's eyes sparkled. "I knew it! So when did you confess?"

Ruhi looked at her, shaking her head frantically. "Me? No way!"

Esha leaned in, her smile widening. "What do you mean, no way?"

Ruhi shrugged, her face turning slightly pink. "I'm a girl. I can't say it first."

Esha's eyes narrowed, a playful challenge in her gaze. "So what?"

Ruhi folded her arms, suddenly feeling shy. "Nah. If he has feelings for me like I do for him, then he'll say it first."

Esha crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "And if he doesn't?"

Ruhi's voice dropped, her insecurities creeping in. "Then I'm gonna mute myself forever."

Esha's expression softened, a hint of empathy in her eyes. "What's the problem if you express yourself first?"

Ruhi looked down, her fingers nervously playing with the edge of her blanket. "I'm afraid if he rejects me... I'm afraid it will ruin our friendship. I'm afraid I'll lose him because of something stupid I do."

Esha nodded, understanding. "I get it. But if you wait too long, you might miss your chance. Don't let fear stop you, Ruhi."

Ruhi looked at her, a little more uncertain but still holding onto her hesitation. "I'll think about it."

Esha smiled, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Take your time, but don't take too much time."