Maybe in next life

chapter 21

Ruhi🌼

I couldn’t believe how quickly the day had gone by, and as I walked into the cafeteria, the noise of my friends teasing each other and laughing filled the air. But there was something else, something that I couldn't ignore.

It was HIM.

He was sitting across the room with his usual friends, but when I caught his gaze, everything seemed to slow down. He looked at me with that familiar intensity, but for some reason, today it felt... different. I quickly looked away, trying not to let him know I was getting distracted by his mere presence.

“Ruhi, stop spacing out! You’re seriously lost in thought again,” Sherline teased, nudging me playfully.

I blinked, trying to snap out of it. “Sorry! Just… tired, I guess.”

But before I could continue, I saw him move—Mihir was walking towards me. My heart skipped a beat. Oh, no. Not again.

“Hey, are you still alive over here?” Mihir’s voice broke through my thoughts as he leaned down beside me, his tone teasing.

“Yeah, just barely,” I replied, rolling my eyes but secretly feeling that flutter in my stomach.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Barely? Come on, I thought I was more exciting than that.”

“Exciting?” I scoffed. “You’re always so serious. It’s like being around a walking corporate meeting.”

He laughed, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else. The way his smile lit up his face made it feel like we were the only ones in the room.

“I’m not that bad,” he said, shaking his head. “Though I admit, I’m the best part of your day.”

I snorted, rolling my eyes. “Keep dreaming, Mihir. You wish.”

But I couldn’t hold back the smile that tugged at my lips. He was impossible, but in the best way.

“Yeah, I know,” he said, grinning like he’d won some sort of victory. “Anyway, I have a serious question for you.”

I raised an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“Do you miss me?” He asked, leaning a little closer with a playful smirk.

I almost choked on my food. Did he seriously just ask that?

“Miss you?” I replied, trying to sound as sarcastic as possible. “You’ve been gone, like, what—two weeks? I’ve been totally fine.”

Mihir’s grin widened, clearly enjoying the way I was trying to keep my cool. “Really? Because I was pretty sure you were counting down the days for my return.”

I crossed my arms, trying to look unimpressed. “Please. I’m too busy being the most productive person here to waste time thinking about you.”

He leaned in just a little closer, his voice dropping low. “So, you’re saying you don’t miss me at all?”

The way he said it made my heart skip. I hated how he knew exactly what buttons to press to get under my skin.

“Maybe a little,” I muttered, not looking him in the eye.

“Ah, I knew it,” he said, clearly pleased with himself. “I’m unforgettable.”

I rolled my eyes, but my heart couldn’t help but race. How does he do this?

Just as I was about to say something sarcastic back, I felt his gaze on me again. “You sure you’re okay?” he asked, his expression turning a little softer. “You look like something’s bothering you.”

I blinked, caught off guard by his sudden shift in tone. Why does he always have to make things so complicated?

I shook my head. “I’m fine, Mihir. Really. Just—” I stopped myself. “Just… tired, I guess.”

He studied me for a moment, his expression softening. “You don’t have to pretend with me, you know.”

Before I could respond, a group of our friends began calling for us to join them at the table. Mihir’s gaze lingered on me for just a moment longer before he straightened up and walked back to his seat.

I watched him go, and my heart still hadn’t caught up. What is it about him?

Later, when everyone was teasing each other again, I caught Mihir looking at me out of the corner of my eye. The usual cocky grin on his face was gone, replaced by something more... thoughtful.

I decided to get back at him for all the teasing earlier. With a mischievous grin, I leaned in a little, not able to resist. “So, Mihir, when you say you’re the best part of my day… does that mean you’re willing to be my personal butler for the next week?”

His eyes widened, and I could practically hear the wheels turning in his head. “You’re pushing your luck, Ruhi. But if you really want me to do something for you…”

“Oh, I do,” I interrupted, holding up my phone like it was a contract. “Start by grabbing me a coffee from the café. I’m so tired.”

He smirked. “You’re lucky I’m a gentleman.”

He turned to leave, but then stopped, his eyes flicking back to mine. “Just so you know, I’m always the best part of your day. You don’t have to admit it, but I know.”

I couldn’t help but laugh, shaking my head. “You’re impossible, Mihir. But I guess I’ll take that coffee.”

And just like that, everything felt a little lighter. A little less serious. Maybe Mihir was impossible, but he was also the one person who could make me smile in the middle of a stressful day. And for now, that was enough.

As I waited for him to come back with my coffee, I found myself reflecting on the conversation. I don’t know why I talked to him like that today, I thought, my mind spinning. Usually, I’m so careful around Mihir—reserved, cautious even. But today... I just felt like I needed to talk to him, to be around him. I didn’t feel nervous anymore. If anything, I was craving his attention, the way he always made me feel like I was the only one in the room.

I shook my head, not understanding why my thoughts kept drifting back to him. What is going on with me?

Mihir returned with the coffee, his usual confident smile back in place. As he handed it to me, I realized something. Maybe, just maybe, I had been missing him more than I cared to admit.

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