Maybe in next life

chapter 12

Ruhi🌼🤍

The grand hall was alive with energy, laughter, and the clinking of glasses as the college prepared for one of its most important annual events. The air smelled of fresh flowers and polish, and the golden lights shimmered, casting a warm glow over the carefully decorated space.

I wiped my forehead, letting my clipboard slip from my hand onto a nearby table. My to-do list was a blur by now, and I sighed heavily. My feet ached, and my calves screamed for relief after hours of rushing across the hall, coordinating every tiny detail.

The fairy lights along the archway were finally in place, the centerpieces were perfectly spaced, and the sound team had finally gotten their act together. The decorations were flawless. I should’ve felt proud, but all I wanted was a soft pillow and a warm blanket.

My legs throbbed in protest as I leaned against a pillar for support. Taking a deep breath, I bent down to unstrap my heels. As soon as I tugged them off, the cool floor beneath my feet felt like heaven, soothing my aching soles.

“Ruhi!” a familiar voice called out, and I turned to see Ishaan walking toward me, holding a notebook in his hand.

“Hey,” I greeted, managing a faint smile.

“Hey yourself.” He stopped in front of me, his eyes dropping to the heels dangling in my hand. “Barefoot already? Giving up on elegance tonight, are we?”

I rolled my eyes. “I’ve been running around all day, Ishaan. My legs are killing me. These shoes? A torture device.”

He crouched, snatching my heels with a mock-serious expression. “Well, if these are so awful, let me take them off your hands.”

“Give those back,” I said, reaching out to grab them, but he held them just out of my reach.

“Not a chance,” he teased. “You’re off-duty for now. In fact...” He smirked, tilting his head. “Should I carry you to your next task? My arms are ready, you know.”

My cheeks warmed as I laughed softly, shaking my head. “You’re impossible, Ishaan.”

“Impossible? Come on, admit it. You’d feel like royalty if I carried you across this entire hall.” He wiggled his eyebrows mischievously. “No one else can say they were carried by Ishaan on such a grand occasion.”

I couldn’t help but laugh again, leaning back against the pillar. “Please, you’re only saying that because you love showing off.”

“Guilty as charged,” he admitted with a grin. “But seriously, you should take a break. You’ve done more than enough for one day.”

As we talked, Ishaan’s words were playful, his tone light and flirtatious as always. It wasn’t unusual—he had a way of making every conversation feel like a game.

But suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. A shiver ran down my spine, and an almost tangible weight settled over me.

I turned my head instinctively, my eyes scanning the room, and that’s when I saw him.

Mihir.

He stood leaning casually against the far wall, his arms crossed over his chest, his sharp eyes locked on me wait not only me on us maybe. The golden light caught the edges of his face, making his already striking features look even more chiseled. But it wasn’t his appearance that made my heart stutter—it was the way he was looking at me.