The Right Kind of Wrong

24. Confession in Hints!

Savi sat on the college steps, flipping through her study notes under the dim light of the campus lamps. The night was quiet, with only a few students scattered around. The cool evening breeze ruffled her hair, and she absentmindedly tucked a strand behind her ear. Her mind was clouded with thoughts of her IAS preparation—an overwhelming task that seemed to consume her every waking moment.

A familiar voice pulled her out of her reverie. "You know, you should take a break sometimes. Even the most determined people need to breathe," Rajat teased, strolling over and sitting beside her, much too casually.

Savi looked up, slightly startled but quickly masked her surprise. "I could say the same to you, Mr. Always-Busy-With-Law-Projects," she shot back with a smirk, her tone playful but with a hint of exhaustion.

Rajat grinned, but there was something different in his eyes tonight. He didn't engage in his usual sarcastic banter, instead, he seemed... thoughtful. He leaned back, resting his arms behind him on the steps. His gaze wandered up toward the stars, lost in thought.

"You ever feel like you're running so fast toward a goal that you forget to look around?" Rajat's voice was soft, almost vulnerable—a side of him Savi wasn't used to seeing.

Savi furrowed her brows, her eyes narrowing slightly in curiosity. "What do you mean?"

He shrugged, though it was clear there was more to his words. "I mean... you're doing so much, Savi. Juggling your dreams, this whole IAS prep thing, surviving college, and all that pressure from back home. It's impressive, honestly. But sometimes, it feels like you're carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, and you don't let anyone help."

Savi blinked, momentarily taken aback. Rajat's words were cutting through her like a knife, not because they were hurtful, but because they hit too close to home. She never allowed herself to slow down, to admit that maybe she was overwhelmed. The reminder stung.

"I don't need help," Savi said defensively, her tone sharp. "I've managed fine on my own."

Rajat chuckled, but there was no malice in it. "I know. Trust me, no one's doubting that. You've been doing it all by yourself, and you've been killing it. But..." He paused, his gaze now focused entirely on her. "You don't have to do it alone, you know."

Savi felt a strange flutter in her chest. This wasn't the cocky, aloof Rajat she had clashed with since they met. This was someone... different.

"I don't need anyone's pity, Rajat," she said quietly, her guard still up.

Rajat shook his head, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "It's not pity, Savi. It's admiration."

Savi's breath caught in her throat. Rajat's eyes held hers, and she could feel something shift between them. His words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. She tried to deflect, looking away to focus on the scribbles in her notebook, but her hands betrayed her, slightly trembling.

"Don't get all sentimental on me now. I'm not used to it," she muttered, her tone lighter but her heart beating faster.

Rajat laughed softly, but the seriousness returned quickly. "I'm serious. I've never met anyone like you. You've got this fire, this drive that's hard to ignore. You don't let anything stop you, and honestly, it's..."

He trailed off, searching for the right words.

"It's what?" Savi asked, her curiosity piqued despite herself.

"Inspiring," Rajat said, his voice softer now, almost like a confession. "It makes me want to be better too."

Savi's heart raced. This wasn't the kind of conversation she expected to have with Rajat, not after all their bickering and teasing. She had always pegged him as someone who didn't take things seriously, especially not her.

Rajat glanced away, his confidence faltering for the first time since Savi had known him. "I don't know why I'm telling you all this. You probably think I'm just messing around again."

Savi looked at him, really looked at him, and for the first time, she saw the uncertainty in his eyes. He wasn't just playing games this time. His words were real, and they were about her.

"Rajat, I..." She hesitated, unsure of how to respond. Part of her wanted to brush it off, to return to their usual banter, but another part of her—the part that had started to see him differently—was stuck on his words.

"You don't have to say anything," Rajat interrupted, sensing her hesitation. "I just... I wanted you to know that."

Savi swallowed hard. There was something raw and sincere in Rajat's voice that left her speechless. She didn't know what to do with this version of him, this side that wasn't throwing sarcastic remarks or mocking her ambition.

For a few long moments, they sat in silence, the weight of Rajat's indirect confession hanging between them. The stars twinkled above, but all Savi could focus on was the boy sitting beside her, who, for reasons she couldn't fully understand, had just laid his heart bare in the most unexpected way.

Finally, Rajat broke the silence. "Look, it's getting late. You should probably head back to your room. You've got a lot of work ahead of you tomorrow."

Savi nodded slowly, though her mind was still reeling. "Yeah... you're right. I should."

They stood up together, the air between them thick with unspoken words. As Savi gathered her things, she glanced at Rajat one last time. His usual smirk was gone, replaced by something softer, more vulnerable.

"Goodnight, Rajat," she said, her voice quieter than usual.

"Goodnight, Savi," he replied, his tone equally soft.

As she walked away, Savi couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed. Rajat hadn't said the words outright, but she knew. She knew how he felt now, even if he hadn't directly said it. And the truth was, it scared her.

What would this mean for them? For their dynamic, their friendship, their constant back-and-forth? Savi wasn't sure. All she knew was that Rajat's words tonight had left a mark, one that she couldn't easily ignore.

As Rajat watched her walk away, he sighed, running a hand through his hair. He had been so close to confessing everything, but the fear of losing whatever they had stopped him. For now, hints and quiet admissions would have to be enough.

Savi lay awake that night, staring at the ceiling of her dorm room, her mind replaying Rajat's words over and over again. She had always thought they were just rivals, even friends at best. But tonight, Rajat had shown her a different side—one that made her heart race in ways she didn't want to admit.

And as sleep finally overtook her, she couldn't help but wonder what tomorrow would bring for them.

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The 24th Chapter guys!!

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