Maybe in next life

chapter 32

Mihir

The sunset was mesmerizing—one of those rare moments where time seemed to stand still, and everything else faded into the background. But as we made our way back, a sharp, unbearable pain shot through my chest.  this time, it was stronger, like a vice tightening around my heart.

I slowed my steps, letting everyone walk ahead, and finally sat down on a nearby rock, clutching my chest. My breaths were shallow, uneven, as if the air around me was refusing to fill my lungs. For a moment, I thought this was it. Maybe this was how it ended.

But after a few agonizing minutes, the pain began to ease, leaving a lingering ache in its place. I leaned forward, resting my elbows on my knees, letting the cold mountain breeze calm me.

I couldn’t let anyone see me like this, especially not Ruhi. She’d worry, and I couldn’t bear that.

When I finally felt steady enough, I stood up and made my way back to the camp. The sound of laughter and chatter greeted me as I approached. Every student had their tent set up, and now they were busy preparing to cook. The smell of freshly chopped vegetables and spices filled the air, mingling with the crisp mountain breeze.

Vihaan and Rohan were arguing over how much salt to add to their pot, while Sherlin and Mayra were trying to start a fire, with Kiara giving them unhelpful advice from the sidelines.

And then there was Ruhi. She was sitting cross-legged near a small pile of ingredients, her hands deftly peeling potatoes. Her cheeks were slightly flushed from the cold, and a faint smile played on her lips as she listened to Mayra’s jokes.

For a moment, I just stood there, watching her. There was something about the way she fit so effortlessly into this chaotic scene, her presence calming yet vibrant, like she was the glue holding everything together.

“Finally decided to join us, huh?” Vihaan called out, waving a ladle in the air.

I rolled my eyes, my cold exterior snapping back into place as I walked over. “Someone has to make sure you idiots don’t poison everyone.”

“Big words for someone who probably doesn’t even know how to light a fire,” Rohan shot back, grinning.

Ignoring him, I grabbed a seat near Ruhi, who looked up at me with a small smile. “You okay?” she asked softly, her eyes searching mine.

“Of course,” I replied, my tone neutral. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

Her gaze lingered on me for a moment longer, like she didn’t quite believe me, but she didn’t push. Instead, she handed me a knife and a potato. “If you’re going to sit here, you might as well help.”

I took the potato without a word, settling into the rhythm of peeling. Around us, the chaos continued—laughter, teasing, and the occasional sound of something falling or burning.

as much as I tried to distance myself, to keep my walls up, I could feel them starting to crack.

Because for the first time in a long time, surrounded by friends, laughter, and her… I felt a little less alone.

The sun had long dipped below the horizon, leaving the mountain wrapped in a deep chill. We had finally finished cooking after hours of chaos, and everyone had gathered around the fire. The crackle of burning wood blended with the sound of laughter, filling the air with a strange warmth I didn’t expect to feel in this biting cold.