Maybe in next life

chapter 27

Ruhi

Two weeks had passed, filled with shopping, planning, and excitement. Finally, today was the day. The day for the trip. The bus was filled with chatter and energy. Mayra and Rohan were sitting together, laughing at something silly, while Vihaan and Mihir made sure everyone had boarded and nothing was left behind. Sherlin was waiting for Vihaan to sit next to her, clearly hoping for the seat beside him. Ishaan had been running late, but he managed to get on the bus just in time.

As I listened to songs in my headphones, lost in the music, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned, and it was Ishaan. I greeted him with a smile, but before he could ask if there was space to sit, Mihir's voice cut in, "That's my seat." His tone was serious, but there was an underlying edge of flirtation in it. Ishaan's jaw clenched, and he walked off, clearly irritated. Mihir, with a slight smirk, sat down beside me.

The bus ride to the airport was full of excitement and laughter, but all I could focus on was the feeling of Mihir's presence next to me. When we finally arrived at the airport, everyone was buzzing with energy, ready to start the adventure. We went through all the formalities, and as we headed to the plane, Mihir once again sat behind me, much to my quiet excitement.

Once we were settled in, the flight began, and the conversation between us flowed easily. I couldn't help but tell Mihir how everything was going so well. He nodded, his eyes softening as he listened to me.

After a moment of comfortable silence, Mihir leaned closer, his voice quiet but serious. "Can I hold your hand?" he asked. I glanced at him, slightly surprised, but nodded without a second thought.

As the plane soared through the sky, I felt Mihir gently take my hand, his grip warm and reassuring. A few minutes later, I felt his head rest on my tiny shoulder. I could feel his breath against my skin, his weight light but steady. It was as though the world outside the plane had melted away, and there was only him, beside me, in this moment.

I closed my eyes, allowing the warmth of his presence to settle in, and before long, Mihir was asleep, his breathing steady. I couldn't help but smile, feeling a deep sense of peace and happiness.

This moment, so simple and yet so meaningful, felt like a step closer to something deeper between us.

As the plane landed, I felt Mihir gently nudging me awake. My eyes fluttered open, and I realized my head had been leaning against his shoulder. Embarrassed, I quickly straightened up, but Mihir just smiled and handed me a bottle of water.

"Drink this," he said in his usual calm, commanding voice. "You’ll feel better."

I took it, murmuring a soft “thank you” before taking a sip. My mind was still groggy from the nap, but the excitement in the air was contagious. Everyone was buzzing as we made our way out of the plane.

The moment we stepped into the airport, the chill hit us like a wave. The air was freezing, and we definitely weren’t dressed for it. Everyone was shivering, hugging themselves for warmth. Mayra joked, "We look like a bunch of lost tourists who didn’t check the weather app!"

Vihaan chimed in, "Speak for yourself! I’ve got this scarf—it’s practically a heater."

Rohan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, Vihaan, a scarf is totally enough for Switzerland’s cold. Genius."

We all burst out laughing. The group decided to head to the airport washrooms one by one to change into warmer clothes. When I came out, I felt much better in my cozy coat and boots. The chill didn’t bite as harshly anymore.

But then Mihir stepped out, and I swear the whole place seemed to pause. He was wearing a long coat, a scarf wrapped perfectly around his neck, and black boots that completed the look. His sharp jawline stood out even more against the snowy backdrop visible from the windows. He looked effortlessly handsome, like he belonged in a magazine.

Mayra let out a low whistle. "Wow, Mihir. Trying to make the rest of us look bad?"

Mihir didn’t even respond, just smirked slightly, his eyes scanning the group until they landed on me. For a brief moment, it felt like we were the only two people there.

"Ready?" he asked, his voice steady and low, sending shivers down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold.

I nodded, unable to form words.

As we stepped out of the airport, the first thing I saw was snow. Real, glistening snow covering everything in sight. My breath hitched, and I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. It was more beautiful than I’d ever imagined. The mountains stood tall in the distance, their peaks covered in white, and the soft flakes were still falling gently from the sky.

"It’s even better than I thought," I whispered, more to myself than anyone else.

Mihir, who was standing beside me, leaned in slightly. "I told you it would be worth it." His voice was soft, but there was a weight to his words, like he meant more than just the snow.

I glanced up at him, and for a moment, I felt something shift between us. But before I could say anything, Sherlin’s excited voice broke through.

"Guys, the hotel shuttle is here! Let’s go!"

We all piled into the shuttle, the excitement buzzing again as we made our way to the hotel. I couldn’t stop looking out the window, taking in every detail. I didn’t even realize Mihir was watching me until he said, "You look like a kid who just found her favorite candy store."

I turned to him, my cheeks warming. "It’s just… it’s so beautiful. I’ve always wanted to see snow like this."

Mihir didn’t reply immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his seat, his gaze never leaving mine. "You deserve it, Ruhi. Every bit of it."

His words stayed with me as we reached the hotel, and I couldn’t help but wonder if this trip would change more than just my perspective of the world—it might just change my heart too.

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

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"Hey sweeties! I hope you’re enjoying Mihir and Ruhi’s slow-burn romance. Let me know your favorite moment—can’t wait to hear what you think!"🦋😉

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