The Right Kind of Wrong

36. Rajat's Full Confession

It was a quiet evening on campus, the sun dipping below the horizon and casting a warm, orange glow over the grounds. Savi was sitting on the bench under the large banyan tree, a spot she had come to love during her late-night study sessions. But tonight, she wasn't thinking about her IAS preparation, her textbooks, or the countless hours she still had to put in. Her mind was somewhere else entirely.

Rajat.

Ever since she stood up to Bhavani and finally took control of her own life, something had shifted inside her. A weight had been lifted, and with that freedom came clarity. She could no longer deny how she felt about Rajat. The way he had supported her—quietly, unconditionally—had touched her deeply. His steady presence had given her strength when she needed it most, and now, with the storm of Bhavani behind her, there was only one truth left to face.

She had fallen for him. Hard.

Just then, Rajat appeared, walking toward her with his hands shoved into his pockets. He seemed a bit nervous, his usual confident swagger softened by something more serious. Savi's heart skipped a beat as he approached, and she suddenly felt a flutter of nerves, unsure of what this moment would bring.

"Hey," he said softly, stopping a few steps away from her.

"Hey," she replied, her voice a little quieter than usual.

Rajat gestured to the empty spot beside her. "Mind if I join?"

Savi shook her head and scooted over, making space for him. He sat down, the evening breeze rustling through the leaves above them, casting shifting shadows on the ground. For a moment, they just sat in silence, the soft hum of the campus surrounding them.

Rajat cleared his throat, breaking the stillness. "I've been meaning to talk to you," he began, his voice steady but carrying a weight that made Savi's heart race.

She turned to look at him, sensing that whatever he was about to say was important. "What's on your mind?"

Rajat exhaled slowly, running a hand through his hair. "There's something I need to get off my chest, and I've been holding it back for a while now." He paused, gathering his thoughts, his gaze focused on the ground in front of him. "I didn't want to push you, especially with everything you were going through. But now, with Bhavani Aaji gone and things settling down... I think it's time."

Savi's pulse quickened. She knew what was coming, but that didn't make it any less terrifying. She held her breath, waiting for him to continue.

Rajat turned to face her, his expression earnest, his brown eyes locked onto hers. "Savi, I've fallen for you. I didn't plan it, and honestly, it surprised me. I've never met anyone like you before—someone so determined, so focused, so... strong. You fight for what you believe in, and that's something I've always admired."

Savi felt her chest tighten, emotions swirling inside her. Rajat's words were gentle but clear, each one hitting her with a force she hadn't expected.

"But it's not just your strength," Rajat continued, his voice softening. "It's the way you care about the people around you, even when they don't deserve it. The way you handle everything with grace, even when the odds are against you. I've been falling for you for a while now, and I didn't want to admit it at first. But I can't keep it in anymore. I love you Savi!"

Savi's breath caught in her throat. Rajat was pouring his heart out to her, laying everything bare, and for the first time, she felt truly vulnerable in front of him.

Rajat's hand brushed against hers, a light, tentative touch. "I don't expect you to say anything right away. I know how much your dreams mean to you, and I would never want to get in the way of that. I just... I had to tell you. I had to be honest with you, Savi, because I care about you more than you know."