Destiny|| A Rutkarsha Story

24. [Last Chapter]

Cause we were just kids when we fell in love
Not knowing what it was
I will not give you up this time
But darling, just kiss me slow
Your heart is all I own
And in your eyes, you're holding mine
•••••••°°•••••••

The airport buzzed with life, a sea of faces moving in every direction, but for Utkarsha, it all felt like a blur. Her heart pounded in her chest as she scanned the crowd, her determination driving her forward. The familiar yellow jerseys of the Chennai Super Kings came into view, and relief washed over her.

Her gaze darted from one face to another until it landed on him—Rutu. He stood slightly apart from the group, his shoulders slumped, his eyes fixed on the ground. His usual aura of calm confidence was nowhere to be found. Instead, he looked… broken.

"Rutu!" she called out, her voice cutting through the airport's chaos.

At the sound of her voice, Rutu's head snapped up. Their eyes met, and in that moment, the noise around them faded into a distant hum. His face twisted with a mix of disbelief and raw emotion.

"What are you doing here, Utkarsha?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper, as if he was afraid she might disappear if he spoke too loudly.

Her steps quickened as she moved toward him, her heart aching at the sight of his pain. Yet, as she drew closer, doubt and regret began to creep in. Had she caused this? Could she undo the hurt? Her pace faltered, her breath catching in her throat.

Rutu watched her every move, his heart hammering. Each step she took seemed to stretch time, each second a lifetime. He felt a flicker of hope, a fragile thing that threatened to shatter if she stopped coming closer.

When she was only a few feet away, she halted, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Silence hung heavy between them, a thousand emotions swirling in the space that separated them.

Utkarsha swallowed hard, summoning every ounce of courage. Her lips parted, and her voice trembled as she spoke. "I love you," she confessed in a rush. "I'm totally and completely in love with you! I don't care if you think it's too late. I'm telling you anyway."

Rutu stared at her, his eyes wide with shock. He opened his mouth to respond, but no words came. His chest heaved with the weight of his emotions, his mind racing to process her words.

"Well, say something!" Utkarsha pleaded, her voice breaking.

Rutu took a step closer, his expression softening. "If you come any closer," he said, his voice thick with emotion, "I'm not letting you go."

Tears spilled down Utkarsha's cheeks as a radiant smile broke across her face. She closed the distance between them, throwing her arms around him.

"I want the same!" she whispered against his chest, her words muffled but clear enough for him to hear.

Rutu's arms wrapped around her, holding her as if he was afraid she might vanish. For a moment, they stood there, lost in each other, the world around them fading away.

"I love you," he murmured, his voice barely audible but carrying the weight of his feelings.

Utkarsha looked up at him, her face glowing with happiness. "I love you too," she said, her voice steady and full of certainty.

A cheer erupted behind them, breaking the spell. They turned to see the CSK players watching them, their faces alight with joy. Mahi and Raina exchanged a knowing look, their smiles warm and approving.

Jaddu, always the joker, couldn’t resist a quip. "Looks like Rutu's finally found his ‘Utkarsha’-ly perfect match!" he teased, earning a round of laughter from the team.

Rutu and Utkarsha broke apart, their faces flushing with a mix of embarrassment and delight. But the happiness in their eyes was undeniable, their smiles brighter than ever.

Mahi clapped Rutu on the shoulder. "Love is in the air," he said with a grin. "And on the field, we'll make sure to keep the wins coming!"

Raina added, "Welcome back, buddy. We’ve missed this spark."

Jaddu winked at Utkarsha. "Glad you two sorted things out. Now, let’s get this party started—and the season!"

As the team continued to cheer and joke, Rutu and Utkarsha exchanged a look that spoke volumes. Their love had been tested by time and distance, but in the end, it had prevailed.

Destiny had brought them back together, weaving their lives into a tapestry of love and forgiveness. In that moment, standing amidst the laughter and camaraderie of their friends, they knew they had found their forever.

And as the airport buzzed back to life around them, they held onto each other, ready to face whatever came next—together.

The End.