Maybe in next life

chapter 15

Ruhi🦢

The car came to a gentle stop in front of my house. The rain had dwindled to a soft drizzle, leaving the streets glistening under the dim glow of the streetlights. I reached for the door handle, but his voice stopped me.

“Ruhi,” he said quietly.

I turned back, his piercing gaze holding me in place. His expression was unreadable, but there was something intense in his eyes, something that made my heart stutter.

“Yes?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Wait.”

I froze, watching as he got out of the car and walked around to my side. He opened the door for me, his movements calm and deliberate, and stepped back to let me out. I glanced at him, confused, but didn’t question it.

As I moved to leave, he did something completely unexpected. He reached out and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a silent embrace.

I froze, my breath catching in my throat. His warmth seeped through the dampness of my dress, his hold firm yet gentle. For a moment, I couldn’t think, couldn’t move.

“Mihir...” I began, my voice faltering.

He didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he rested his chin lightly on the top of my head, his breath warm against my rain-soaked hair.

“Don’t let anyone tell you what you deserve, Ruhi,” he murmured, his voice deep and steady. “Decide for yourself. You’re stronger than you think.”

I didn’t know what to say. His words lingered in the air between us, heavy with meaning. I wanted to respond, to thank him or question him, but my voice refused to cooperate.

After what felt like an eternity, he pulled back, his eyes searching mine for something I couldn’t quite place.

“Goodnight” he said softly, his lips curving into the faintest of smiles.

I nodded, my heart still racing, and turned toward the house. As I stepped inside, I felt the weight of his gaze on my back until the door clicked shut behind me.

---

The first thing I did was head straight to the bathroom. The warmth of the shower was a welcome contrast to the chill of the rain, but no amount of heat could wash away the thoughts swirling in my mind.

Mihir’s words replayed over and over, his voice low and steady, his embrace still vivid in my memory. I closed my eyes, leaning against the cool tiles, and let out a shaky breath.

What just happened?

When I finally stepped out of the shower and changed into a comfortable set of pajamas, the house was quiet except for the occasional creak of the old wooden floors. I made my way to the living room, where the soft glow of a lamp revealed my father sitting on the couch, two cups of coffee on the table in front of him.

“You’re home late,” he said, his tone warm but tinged with concern.

I offered a small smile as I sat beside him. “The event ran long. It was a big success, though.”

He handed me a cup, the warmth of the coffee soothing against my palms. “Tell me about it,” he said, leaning back.

I launched into a detailed recap of the evening—the performances, the decorations, the laughter. I avoided mentioning Mihir’s name too much, though it was impossible to completely leave him out.

“He helped a lot,” I admitted, swirling the coffee in my mug. “Mihir. He made sure everything ran smoothly.”

My father nodded, his expression thoughtful. “He’s a capable man. He knows how to handle responsibility.”

There was something in his tone that made me glance at him curiously. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, his fingers tapping lightly against his mug, before he straightened and set it down.

“Ruhi,” he began, his voice taking on a more serious edge. “There’s something we need to talk about.”

I stiffened slightly, my grip on the mug tightening. “What is it?”

He sighed, looking me in the eye. “You know how much I care about your future, don’t you?”

“Of course,” I said slowly, unsure of where this was going.

“I’ve made arrangements,” he continued, his words deliberate. “You’re aware of the understanding I’ve had with the Malhotra family. Their son is a good match for you, Ruhi. Reliable, ambitious, from a good family. Someone who can give you a stable life.”

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening. I’d heard this before, of course, but it never failed to sting. The weight of expectations felt suffocating, and I didn’t know how to respond.

“I know you might feel conflicted,” he said gently. “But sometimes, we have to make decisions with our heads, not our hearts. Stability, trust—those are the foundations of a strong partnership. Not fleeting emotions or charm.”

His words hung in the air, and I nodded silently, unable to meet his gaze.

After a few more moments of conversation, he stood and patted my shoulder. “Think about it, Ruhi. Don’t let yourself get distracted by... fleeting moments.”

When he left, the house felt unbearably quiet. I sat there for a long time, staring into my empty coffee cup, my thoughts a tangled mess.

Dad is right, He’s just like anyone else—charming, yes, but that doesn’t mean he won’t hurt you. People always have their own agendas.

The image of his cold, firm demeanor flashed in my mind, followed by the memory of his softened expression when he looked at me in the rain.

No. Stop.

I shook my head, forcing myself to think logically. Mihir was intense, mysterious, and undeniably captivating, but that didn’t mean he was different. He could easily betray me, just like anyone else.

I climbed into bed, pulling the covers tightly around me as I stared up at the ceiling. My father’s words echoed in my mind, steady and pragmatic. He was right. I needed to focus, to stop letting myself be swayed by emotions or fleeting gestures.

But as I closed my eyes, Mihir’s voice whispered through my thoughts once more: “You’re stronger than you think.”

"Rooh" ahh stop!

And somewhere deep down, I wished I could believe him.

---

Thankyou for reading guyss🦢🤍
"Hey guys! What do you think Ruhi will do next? Will she start avoiding Mihir, or will she bury her feelings because of her father’s arrangement? Share your guesses—I’m excited to see what you think!"🤍🦢🤎