Maybe in next life

chapter 17

Ruhi🦢🌸

The morning started like any other—chaotic and suffocating. My books were scattered across my desk, untouched assignments glaring at me like silent accusations. My head ached from the lack of sleep, but the stress wouldn’t let me rest even if I tried.

Dad’s voice still echoed in my mind from our argument last night.

“You think life is about doing what you want? You have responsibilities, Ruhi! You don’t get to choose.”

“I never asked for this!” I had shouted back.

But my words had fallen on deaf ears. They always did. No matter how much I tried to explain, no one ever seemed to understand. It wasn’t about avoiding responsibilities; it was about being able to breathe without feeling caged.

Now, sitting in my lecture, I tried to focus, but my mind refused to cooperate. The professor’s voice droned on, and the words on the screen blurred together. My pen tapped against my notebook as I stole a glance at my classmate, Karan, who had slid into the seat beside me.

“Stressed?” he asked casually, leaning back in his chair.

“Is it that obvious?” I replied with a forced smile.

“Kind of,” he said with a chuckle. “You should take it easy. Life’s too short to stress over assignments.”

I nodded, not really in the mood to respond. Karan was easy to talk to, though. Harmless. Or so I thought.

The lecture ended, and as I packed my things, Karan started another conversation, cracking jokes and asking if I needed help with my assignments. I smiled politely, not wanting to seem rude, but I couldn’t help feeling drained.

And then, I felt it—a sharp gaze that sent shivers down my spine.

I turned toward the door and froze. Mihir was standing there, leaning against the frame with his arms crossed. His expression was unreadable, but his jaw was clenched, and his eyes were locked on Karan.

The air felt heavier as Mihir stepped into the room, his presence commanding attention. Even Karan straightened up, his usual confident demeanor faltering under Mihir’s icy glare.

“Mihir?” I said hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Ruhi,” he said, his voice low but firm. “Outside. Now.”

I blinked, confused and slightly irritated by his tone. “What’s going on?”

He didn’t answer me. Instead, his gaze shifted back to Karan, his expression darkening. “You,” he said, his voice colder than I’d ever heard it. “Stay away from her.”

“Mihir!” I exclaimed, my irritation bubbling to the surface. “What are you doing?”

“You don’t know who you’re dealing with, Ruhi,” he said, his eyes never leaving Karan. “This guy isn’t what he seems.”

“Mihir, stop,” I said sharply, standing up and facing him. “This isn’t your business.”

But he ignored me. In a swift motion, he grabbed my wrist and pulled me toward him. Before I could protest, he bent slightly, lifting me onto his shoulder like I weighed nothing.

“Mihir!” I yelled, my voice filled with shock and anger. “Put me down!”

The entire class was staring, whispers filling the room as he carried me out. I felt my face heat up with embarrassment, but Mihir didn’t seem to care.

He strode down the hallway with me still on his shoulder, ignoring my protests and kicking open the door to an empty classroom. He finally set me down, but his grip on my arm remained firm as he closed the door behind us.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” I shouted, yanking my arm free.

“What’s wrong with me?” he countered, his voice rising. “What’s wrong with you? Why were you sitting with him?”

“He’s just a classmate!” I shot back.

“He’s a player, Ruhi,” Mihir said, his tone laced with frustration. “He tricks girls, uses them, and then throws them away. You think I’ll just stand by and let him do the same to you?”

“Why do you care?” I demanded, my voice cracking as the weight of everything hit me at once. “Why does everyone think they can control my life? My dad, my family, and now you?”

“Ruhi—”

“No!” I interrupted, my voice breaking as tears streamed down my face. “I’m so tired, Mihir. Tired of everyone telling me what to do, how to live, who to talk to. Why can’t I make my own decisions? Why can’t anyone just let me be?”

“I’m not trying to control you,” Mihir said, his voice softer now. “I’m trying to protect you—”

“Protect me?” I snapped, cutting him off. “That’s just another way of saying you don’t trust me to take care of myself! Why does everyone think they know better than me? You think you’re any different from my dad?”

His face hardened, and for a moment, he didn’t respond. But then he said, quietly, “You don’t understand, Ruhi. I just... I can’t let anything happen to you.”

“And I’m telling you I don’t need you to!” I shouted, the tears streaming down my face faster now. “I’m tired of being treated like a child. I’m tired of this life where no one lets me breathe. I can’t do this anymore, Mihir. I just.....can’t......”

He took a step closer, his hand reaching out toward me, but I stepped back, shaking my head. “Don’t, Mihir....Just don’t.”

For a moment, he looked like he wanted to argue, to say something that would fix everything. But I didn’t give him the chance.

I turned and walked out of the classroom, my vision blurred with tears. My heart was pounding as I made my way to another lecture hall, ignoring the stares and whispers of everyone I passed. I kept my head down, biting back the sobs threatening to escape.

As I sat down at an empty desk, burying my face in my hands, the weight of everything came crashing down all at once.

I had never felt so alone.

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Thankyou guys for reading 📚❤💖

"Hey guys, what do you think—was Mihir right? Maybe both Mihir and Ruhi are right in their own ways, but I can’t help feeling sad for Ruhi. Every girl might relate to her struggles. At least she has Mihir by her side. Let’s see if she understands his concerns.

Hope you’re enjoying the story so far! Stay connected for the next update!"

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