Growing love

chapter 9

Ruhi's POV:

I stood on my balcony, leaning against the wall, my eyes fixed on the sky as I mulled over Pihu’s call and Tara bhabhi’s words.

“I don’t want to fall in love,” I’d told Pihu once, and since then, she’s been on a mission to change my mind, though I remain unmoved. She always says that not everyone is the same, but that’s not my problem. I simply haven’t felt anything close to love, not even once.

Today, however, Tara bhabhi raised the topic in front of everyone. Later, she found me alone and asked why I’d seemed uncomfortable with her question. I tried to deflect, relieved when she seemed to understand that I wasn't ready to discuss it—not yet, anyway.

People think of me as reserved, and that’s partly true. I crave meaningful conversations, long to share my heart, my joys, and my sorrows, but only with a few special people. I yearn for that connection, yet I find it difficult to open up or know whom to trust with my feelings.

Though I’m often surrounded by people, I cherish my solitude. There are times when I feel truly at peace only in my own company. A year ago, while Pihu and I were discussing our lives at the office, I let slip that I didn’t want to fall in love. She tried her best to convince me otherwise, listing countless reasons, but none changed my mind.

Despite my repeated explanations that my reluctance wasn't due to a lack of belief in love, but rather a personal choice to avoid romantic entanglements I told her many times that I do believe in true relationship but I don't want to involve in love and all. There's massive difference in that two but she couldn't grasp my perspective. Frustrated, I dropped the subject, only for it to resurface today.

For me, love takes many forms beyond romance. I believe love isn’t only about romantic involvement.

Lost in thought, I was startled when Krisha stepped onto the balcony beside me. I glanced at her, surprised to see her awake.

“Di, can’t you sleep?” she yawned, rubbing her eyes. I chuckled, finding her antics adorable. Her sleepy eyes made her look irresistibly cute.

“No, just enjoying the peace out here—thanks to your snoring,” I teased, and she playfully slapped my arm.

“Oh, please! I don’t snore. Maybe it’s your ears. Let’s get them checked tomorrow,” she replied, feigning seriousness. I laughed.

“Why should I? You’re the one with no brain. Did you escape from a mental hospital?” I joked, laughing as She was still pouting at me, and I nearly melted under her gaze.

“Di… don’t talk to me!” she said, stomping her foot in mock frustration. “And come inside to sleep. Don’t stay up too late,” she added before heading back inside.

Silence returned, and I savored the stillness. The sky, though cloaked in clouds, looked breathtaking. The soft glow of the moon cast everything in a serene light. I gazed up, feeling a calm warmth in my chest as I thought of my family and offered a silent prayer.

The tranquility was suddenly shattered by the creak of a nearby door as my neighbor, Arjun, emerged onto his balcony  to see the world huhh!I sighed in annoyance.

Why did he have to come out now?

He looked at me, momentarily puzzled, and I offered him a slight smile. Unsure if I should say something, I hesitated before finally breaking the silence.

“Couldn’t sleep tonight as well?” I asked, meeting his gaze. He studied me briefly, as if trying to read my face, before replying with a neutral expression.

“Not exactly. I was working, but your and Krisha’s conversation was loud enough that I had to step outside,” he said with a hint of irritation, which only irked me further.