The Heart's Unexpected Twist

•||CHAPTER 15||•

Sahil hadn't stopped thinking about Shruti, her shy glances, the way her lips trembled when she confessed her feelings to him, the vulnerability she had offered him so willingly. It stayed with him, carved deep into his heart, and tonight, he was going to tell her what had been growing in the quiet spaces between their laughter and silences.

It was his first time visiting her house. The walls of her home felt alive with memories. As he stepped inside, the scent of freshly brewed tea welcomed him, mingling with the soft chatter of her family in the background. It was warm, comforting-a world so different from his own.

Shruti had told him her mother and sisters would be home, but her mother knew him only as her best friend's cousin brother. There was no hint yet that he was anything more, that their friendship had begun to blossom into something more delicate and profound. He respected that, for now. This night was for something else entirely-for her.

He had hardly walked in when Shruti appeared from her room. She was wearing a cyan-coloured top-the colour of his heart, his favourite-and it was such a small thing, yet it filled him with an unspoken gratitude. She had thought of him, thought of his preference, and it made him realise just how much she cared in ways so subtle, yet so powerful.

They exchanged shy smiles, her sisters, Riddhi and Siddhi, peeking from behind the hallway, clearly amused. Sahil felt his nerves melt away under their playful grins, and soon, he was seated with Shruti and her family, sipping tea and engaging in light-hearted conversation.

But amidst the laughter, he felt Shruti's quiet presence beside him, her occasional glances, and it was enough to stir his heart back to its purpose. There was something he needed to say to her, something that had been growing in him, taking root since that night when she first confessed. He had to tell her. Tonight.

After some time of conversation and light-hearted banter, Sahil excused himself from the lively atmosphere, giving Shruti a gentle look that spoke volumes without words. She led him to her room, quiet now, the hum of the house still echoing faintly in the background. It was her sanctuary-filled with her essence, simple yet so distinctly her.

As the door closed behind them, the energy in the room shifted. They were alone now, and he could feel the gravity of the moment settling between them. Shruti stood near her bed, her hands fidgeting slightly, nervous. Sahil's eyes softened at the sight of her. She had no idea how deeply she had touched him.

He stepped closer, taking her hands in his, feeling the slight tremor in her fingers. For a moment, he just looked at her, taking in the soft vulnerability of her expression, the way her eyes shimmered with a quiet anticipation.

"Shruti," he began, his voice low, tender, "I didn't realise when it happened... when I fell for you." He paused, watching as her breath caught, her lips parting slightly in surprise. "But I've fallen for you. You make me feel cherished, appreciated, acknowledged in a way no one ever has before. It struck something deep in my heart. I love you, Shruti."

The words hung in the air between them, and for a moment, time seemed to still. Her eyes widened, disbelief flickering across her face, as if she couldn't quite process the depth of what he had just said.

"Will you be my girlfriend?" he asked softly, his voice almost breaking with emotion.

Shruti blinked, her breath trembling in her chest. She had spent so long believing that love like this wasn't meant for her, that she wasn't deserving of this kind of happiness. And yet, here he was-Sahil-the person she had admired, the one she had fallen for, standing before her with love in his eyes.

"I..." she whispered, stunned, her mind racing to catch up. "I never thought..." She bit her lip, tears welling in her eyes. "I never thought you would love me. I didn't think I deserved it."

Sahil's heart clenched at her words, and without hesitation, he pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest. He could feel her trembling against him, her emotions raw, her heart exposed.

"Can I hug you?" she asked softly, her voice barely a whisper.

Sahil chuckled softly, pressing his lips to her hair. "Of course," he said, holding her even tighter, his heart swelling with affection. She buried herself in his embrace, her fingers clutching his shirt as if afraid he might slip away. But he wouldn't-he couldn't.

"Can you..." Shruti began hesitantly, pulling back just enough to look up at him. "Could you please give me a forehead kiss?"

Sahil's heart melted at her request, a soft laugh escaping his lips. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "You're too cute," he murmured, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. "Meri bacchi jaisi hai," he added playfully.

Shruti glared at him, her cheeks flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and joy. "Main bachi jaise kahan se lagti hoon?" she retorted, her tone mockingly offended.

Sahil laughed, pulling her closer once again, his arms wrapped around her protectively. "You're right," he said softly, his voice turning serious. "You're not a child. You're everything I never knew I needed. And I'll never leave you. You're stuck with me... till eternity."

Shruti's heart swelled at his words, a blush spreading across her cheeks as she rested her head against his chest, her insecurities momentarily silenced. "I love you too," she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. "Just... don't leave me."

Sahil tightened his hold on her, sensing the deep-rooted fear in her voice-the fear of abandonment that she had carried for so long. He pressed another kiss to her forehead, a silent promise. "Never," he whispered. "I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me."

They stayed like that for a long time, wrapped in each other's warmth, their hearts beating in sync, until the moment was interrupted by a soft knock at the door. It was Riddhi and Siddhi talking with each other.

The future, filled with possibilities, seemed to stretch out before them, but something in the air felt different-almost charged with the promise of secrets yet to unfold. Sahil and Shruti shared a final, lingering look, a silent acknowledgment of their new beginning and the mysteries that lay ahead.

As they left her room, the house seemed to hum with an undercurrent of anticipation, as if aware of the chapter that was just beginning. And though their story had only just started, Sahil couldn't shake the feeling that there was something more, something unseen and powerful, waiting to be discovered in the path they would walk together.