The Right Kind of Wrong

43. A Near Breakup

The tension in Savi's life had been building for weeks, a pressure cooker ready to blow. Between her rigorous IAS preparations, the emotional strain from Bhavani's insistence on her returning home, and the ups and downs of her relationship with Rajat, she felt as though she was being pulled in every direction.

It was a typical Friday evening when it finally happened. Savi sat at her desk, textbooks spread out in front of her, but her mind was a jumble of thoughts. She flipped through the pages, the words blurring together as frustration bubbled beneath the surface. She picked up her phone to text Rajat but hesitated. Would he understand?

The door creaked open, and Rajat stepped in, a hint of a smile on his face that quickly faded when he noticed her tense expression.

"Hey, you okay?" he asked, concern etched in his features.

Savi sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Yeah, just studying. It's a lot."

"I can see that," he replied, stepping closer. "Want to take a break? We could go for a walk or grab a bite."

"I don't have time for a break, Rajat!" she snapped, her frustration spilling over. "This is serious! I'm trying to prepare for the exams, and you keep suggesting we hang out like it's no big deal!"

Rajat stepped back, taken aback by her sudden outburst. "I'm just trying to help. I thought you could use a little distraction."

"Distraction? That's exactly what I don't need!" Savi fired back, standing up from her chair. "I'm drowning in books and expectations, and all you can think about is hanging out!"

Rajat's expression shifted, hurt creeping into his eyes. "I get that you're stressed, but you don't have to take it out on me. I'm here to support you, not add to your stress."

"Support? It feels more like you're just another distraction!" Savi shot back, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. "I can't afford to be distracted right now!"

Rajat's jaw tightened, and he took a deep breath, trying to rein in his emotions. "Maybe you need to take a step back and reevaluate what you really want. If being with me is that distracting, maybe we need some space."

Savi froze, the weight of his words sinking in. "Is that what you want?"

"I'm just saying," he said quietly, "maybe it's best for both of us if we take a break."

"Rajat, please, don't—"

But he held up a hand, cutting her off. "I need to think, Savi. I can't keep doing this if it feels like I'm just adding to your problems."

Savi's heart raced as she watched him turn and walk out, the door clicking shut behind him. The finality of that sound echoed in her mind, leaving her feeling utterly alone. She sank back into her chair, tears spilling down her cheeks as the reality of their fight crashed over her.

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Days passed in silence. Savi buried herself in her studies, determined to forget the confrontation with Rajat. But no matter how hard she tried, the guilt gnawed at her. She missed him—his laughter, their easy conversations, the way he always knew how to make her smile. But every time she thought about reaching out, the memory of their argument pulled her back.

Meanwhile, Rajat was equally torn. He threw himself into his studies, trying to drown out the hurt of Savi's words. The cheerful banter of his friends felt hollow, and he found himself retreating into solitude. Each time his phone buzzed, hope flickered in his chest, only to be dashed when it wasn't Savi.

One evening, Rajat sat with his friends at their usual hangout spot, trying to engage in conversation. But his mind drifted, thoughts of Savi flooding his brain. He glanced at his phone again—no messages.