Ruhis's POV...
The next morning, I found myself casually chatting with Sounak, unable to hide my eagerness. His texts always seemed to light up my day.
“So,” I typed, “breakfast done?”
“Yes,” his reply came instantly. “What about you?”
“Already done.”
His concern was evident in his next message. “Did you not go to college today?”
“No, I’m sick,” I admitted.
“What happened?”
“Just a fever,” I replied, trying to downplay it.
“Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” his message read. I could almost hear his voice through the screen, tinged with worry.
“I didn’t want to bother you,” I replied.
“Bother? Ruhi, it’s not like that. Since when do you have a fever?”
“Since yesterday,” I confessed.
“You! Have you seen a doctor about it?”
“No, I’m taking medicine. I’ll be fine,” I assured him.
“Okay,” he responded, sounding a bit calmer. “But make sure you rest.”
“By the way,” I typed hesitantly, “I want to say something.”
“Yes?” his message read.
“Can we meet?”
“First, you get well soon,” he replied.
“I will be better,” I insisted, hoping he’d agree.
“Let me see when I can find time. I’ll tell you.”
“Okay,” I typed, feeling a twinge of disappointment.
Despite his kind words, there was a distance in them I couldn’t ignore. Did he really want to meet me, or was I just another item on his long list of priorities? Still, my heart fluttered at the thought of him. I wanted to tell him so much, but my courage faltered every time.
---
By evening, his concern surfaced again. “How are you now?” he texted.
“Better,” I replied. “I don’t even have a fever anymore.”
“That’s great,” he said.
“So, when are we meeting?” I asked, holding my breath for his reply.
“Let’s see.”
My heart sank a little. “Haven’t you decided yet?”
“No, I just forgot. I’ll tell you tomorrow,” he wrote.
“Okay,” I replied, but something about his words stung.
---
The following days passed with little communication between us. I tried not to overthink it, convincing myself he was busy with his exams. But every time I saw my phone screen light up without his name, I felt a pang of sadness. Maybe I was expecting too much.
Five days later, I joined a conference call with Neil and Esha. Their banter was a welcome distraction.
“Hey,” Neil started, “don’t walk in front of me at the party tomorrow.”
“Why?” Esha asked, rolling her eyes—I could picture it.
“If you’re all around me, which girl will notice me?” Neil quipped.
“Shut up, Neil,” Esha laughed. “We’ll be with you whether you like it or not.”
“Looks like I’ll end up single forever,” Neil sighed dramatically.
I chuckled. “It’s not so bad, Neil. At least you’ll be spared from any heartbreak.”
The laughter on the call was infectious, except for Neil, who groaned. “What the hell!”
Esha quickly switched gears. “Ruhi, what are you wearing to the party?”
“I haven’t decided yet,” I admitted.
“Then think fast,” she urged. “The party is tomorrow! Yuvaan is so sweet for inviting all of us to his birthday.”
Neil butted in, “Hey, he’s my friend. You should thank me!”
“Yes, yes, we know,” Esha teased.
I asked, “By the way, where’s Tanhi?”
“She went shopping. She claimed she didn’t have any dresses,” Esha said, mocking her.
“Huh!” I laughed.
“Don’t ask,” Esha added. “She has a wardrobe full of beautiful dresses. She just loves to show off.”
“I wish Anshi were here too,” I said wistfully.
“Next time she comes, we’ll throw a party ourselves,” Esha promised.
“Let’s see when she makes it,” I said.
Neil’s curiosity got the better of him. “How does your friend Anshi look?”
“Why?” Esha snapped. “Why are you so interested?”
“I was just asking!” Neil replied defensively.
The call ended with my excuse to head out. “I need to run to the market for groceries.”
Esha’s laughter followed me. “Are you sure it’s not for shopping for a nice dress?”
---
Later that evening, my thoughts wandered to the party. What should I wear? My eyes fell on the red dress in my closet, and I hesitated. Red was his favorite color, wasn’t it? But was it too much to wear it just because of him?
YOU ARE READING
Marked By Darkness
Paranormal(#1 in hauntedmantion) Ruhi's life has always been overshadowed by something dark. A haunting presence, a cursed bungalow, and the lingering ghost of her twin sister, threaten to destroy everything she holds dear. But when a mysterious figure from t...
