Maybe in next life

chapter 10

Ruhi🌸🦋🤍

The soft glow of the bedside lamp cast a warm hue over my small room, bathing it in a soothing light. My books and notes lay scattered on my desk, untouched since I’d returned home. I had planned to dive straight into finishing my assignment after dance practice, but now, all I could do was sit on my bed and replay the events of the evening in my mind.

Mihir.

I’d never seen him as anything more than the cold, aloof figure everyone feared. His sharp words and piercing gaze had earned him a reputation that made most people steer clear of him. But today, he had done something so unexpected, so thoughtful, that it had left me stunned.

“Go home and get some sleep,” he had said, his tone firm yet... gentle.

My lips curved into a small smile as I thought of the way he’d pulled out the chair and sat across from me in the library, his presence commanding even in silence. No one had ever cared about my exhaustion before, let alone gone out of their way to ease my burden.

He had spoken to Professor Rao, the most unyielding professor on campus, and managed to get the assignment deadline extended. For me. He hadn’t said it outright, but I knew. I could see it in the way he looked at me, his dark eyes softening for just a moment when I’d thanked him.

I shook my head, trying to push the thought away, but the memory lingered, warming my chest. Mihir was the last person I’d ever imagined would care about someone like me. He was powerful, untouchable, the kind of man who could intimidate anyone with a single glance.

And yet...

A soft knock on my door pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Come in,” I called, straightening up as my mom stepped into the room.

She wore her usual night suit, her expression a mix of curiosity and mild amusement as she glanced around. “You seem... happy,” she said, sitting down on the edge of my bed. “What’s going on?”

I shook my head, quickly schooling my features into a neutral expression. “Nothing, mumma. Just thinking.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, her motherly instincts picking up on my attempt to downplay whatever was on my mind. “Thinking about what?”

I hesitated, my fingers fidgeting with the edge of my bedsheet. “It’s nothing important. Just... college stuff.”

She hummed, clearly not convinced. “Ruhi, you’ve been smiling to yourself since you got home. Are you sure it’s nothing important?”

My heart skipped a beat. Was it that obvious?

“It’s just... a professor extended the assignment deadline, that’s all,” I said quickly, hoping to brush it off. “I was relieved.”

Her lips twitched into a small smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Relieved enough to smile like that?” she teased gently, though there was a hint of something else in her tone—something wary.

I opened my mouth to reply, but she spoke again, cutting me off.

“You know, Ruhi,” she said, her voice taking on a softer, more serious tone, “your father has done so much to secure your future. He’s made sure you’ll be with someone who can take care of you, someone from a good family. It’s not easy for a father to make these decisions, but he’s always had your best interests at heart.”

The room suddenly felt colder, and my chest tightened. I knew exactly what she was talking about.

“I know, Mumma,” I said quietly, my gaze dropping to my lap.

“Good,” she said, patting my hand. “Just remember that, okay?”

She stood up, smoothing her nighty as she prepared to leave. “Don’t stay up too late. You need your rest.”

I nodded, forcing a small smile. “Good night, Mumma.”

“Good night, sweety.”

As soon as the door closed behind her, I let out a shaky breath, the weight of her words settling heavily on my shoulders.

My father’s decision. The engagement I hadn’t wanted but hadn’t been able to refuse. It was all done in the name of my future, my happiness—or at least, that’s what they said. But was it really my happiness they were thinking of? Or theirs?

I clenched my fists, frustration bubbling up inside me. It wasn’t fair. How could they expect me to tie my life to someone I barely knew, someone I didn’t choose?

I shook my head, standing up and pacing the room. I couldn’t afford to think about him like that. I shouldn’t think about him like that.

But the memory of his voice, his eyes, the way he had so effortlessly taken control of the situation to make my life easier—it wouldn’t leave me. No one had ever done something like that for me.

I stopped in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My cheeks were flushed, my hair slightly disheveled, and my eyes held a glimmer of something I couldn’t quite place. Hope? Admiration?

“Stop it,” I whispered to myself. “You’re being ridiculous.”

I couldn’t allow myself to think about Mihir. I couldn’t allow myself to feel anything for him. My life had already been decided, my path chosen for me. Mihir was just... a moment. A kind gesture from someone who probably didn’t even think twice about it.

And yet, I knew that wasn’t true.

He wasn’t the type to do things for others without a reason. Mihir was calculated, deliberate, and firm. Everything he did had meaning, purpose. He had helped me because he wanted to, because he cared.

I shook my head again, harder this time, as if the motion could physically dislodge the thoughts from my mind.

I needed to stop.

I walked back to my desk, determined to distract myself with something—anything—else. My books were still open, the faint scent of ink and paper filling the air. I sat down, grabbing my pen and focusing on the assignment in front of me.

But no matter how hard I tried, my mind kept drifting back to him.

His voice. His presence. The way he had looked at me with something that felt so much deeper than words.

I pressed my palms against my temples, squeezing my eyes shut.

“You’re being stupid, Ruhi,” I muttered to myself. “This isn’t real. It doesn’t mean anything.”

But even as I said the words, I knew they were a lie.

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Thank you to everyone who is reading this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it. If you are enjoying the story please let me know your thoughts in the comments. I would love to hear your feedback and what you think about the story so far.
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