Fated To Love You

Chapter 90

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the day, students rushed out of the classroom, chatting and laughing, relieved to be free. But for Siddharth and Ruhi, the weight of what was to come hung heavily between them.

Siddharth let out a deep breath, stretching his sore legs before turning to Ruhi with a small, teasing smile. He reached for her bag, effortlessly swinging it over his shoulder. "Chale, Dada se milne?" His voice was light, but there was a nervous edge to it.

Ruhi, however, wasn't amused. She gripped the straps of her dupatta tightly, worry flickering in her eyes. "Mujhe toh dar lag raha hai..." she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. She looked at him, her gaze filled with concern. "Main tumhe aur maar khata hua nahi dekh sakti."

Siddharth chuckled softly, trying to lighten the mood, though even he couldn't ignore the nervous weight settling in his chest. He adjusted Ruhi's bag on his shoulder and looked at her reassuringly.

"Arre, darne ki koi baat nahi hai. Main hoon na," he said, flashing his usual mischievous grin. "Aur waise bhi, jitna maar aaj pada, usse zyada to ho nahi sakta."

Ruhi, however, didn't smile. She bit her lip and looked down, her fingers anxiously fidgeting with the strap of her scarf. "Siddharth... main sach mein nahi dekh sakti tumhe aise," she whispered, concern evident in her voice.

Siddharth's playful expression softened. He reached out and gently took her hand, giving it a light squeeze. "Tum chaho ya na chaho, baat to karni hi padegi. Dada se bhaag ke kahaan jayenge?"

Ruhi sighed, nodding reluctantly. "Theek hai... lekin agar kuch zyada ho gaya, to main beech mein bolne wali hoon."

Siddharth smirked. "Tum bolo ya na bolo, Dada ka danda to padega hi padega."

Ruhi shot him an annoyed glare, but when she saw the way he was still trying to ease her nerves despite his own, her heart softened.

"Chalo," she finally said.

*.*

As both Siddharth and Ruhi stepped into the staffroom, their hearts pounded in sync. Siddharth held Ruhi's wrist lightly, as if drawing strength from her presence. He could feel her fingers trembling slightly, though she tried to appear composed.

Abhishek was busy packing his bag, his usual stern expression giving nothing away. He didn't acknowledge them immediately, making the tension in the air even heavier. Siddharth cleared his throat, his voice barely above a whisper, "Dada..."

Before Abhishek could respond, the door opened, and Sumedh walked in. He placed his bag on the desk with a thud, his sharp gaze flickering between Siddharth and Ruhi. "Baat karnein ka lea bulaya hai?" he asked Abhishek, his voice calm but laced with curiosity.

Abhishek finally glanced up, adjusting the strap of his bag over his shoulder. "Haan... main jaldi nikal raha hoon. Thoda mera kaam manage kar liyo aaj," he said nonchalantly, as if the conversation ahead was just another routine task.

Siddharth swallowed hard. Ruhi cast him a nervous glance, her fingers tightening around the hem of her scarf. She could sense that Siddharth was struggling to maintain his usual carefree demeanor. His jaw was clenched, his hands fidgeting slightly behind his back.

Siddharth swallowed hard. Ruhi cast him a nervous glance, her fingers tightening around the hem of her dupatta. She could sense that Siddharth was struggling to maintain his usual carefree demeanor. His jaw was clenched, his hands fidgeting slightly behind his back. He looked like a student awaiting the final verdict of an impossible exam.

Abhishek closed his bag with a sharp zip and without a word, walked past them, his expression unreadable. Siddharth and Ruhi exchanged a quick glance before following him hesitantly. Their footsteps echoed in the silent corridor as they trailed behind Abhishek, their anxiety growing with each step.

As they stepped into the parking area, the evening sun cast long shadows, making the moment feel even more intense. Siddharth finally gathered the courage to ask, his voice laced with uncertainty, "Dada... k-kaha jaa rahe hain?" His throat felt dry, his pulse hammering in his ears.

Abhishek didn't spare him a glance. He simply walked to his car, opened the door, and sat in the driver's seat. The weight of his silence was suffocating.

Ruhi bit her lip, glancing at Siddharth, who stood frozen in place.

Abhishek finally turned to them, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument—"Baitho."

Siddharth's stomach twisted into knots. He gulped and quickly opened the back door for Ruhi before slipping into the passenger seat himself. Ruhi hesitated for a second but then got in, her fingers clutching her dupatta tightly.

The car's engine roared to life, but the atmosphere inside remained heavy with tension. Siddharth's palms were slightly sweaty as he rubbed them against his jeans. He dared a glance at Abhishek's face, but his elder brother's expression was carved from stone.

The silence stretched unbearably. Each passing second felt like an eternity.

Siddharth cleared his throat, his voice coming out quieter than he intended, "Dada, hum—"

"Chup," Abhishek cut him off coldly, eyes fixed on the road ahead.

Ruhi stole a nervous glance at Siddharth, her heart pounding. She had never seen him this tense before.

*.*

Siddharth's heart skipped a beat as Abhishek brought the car to a stop in their house's parking lot. His fingers curled around the edge of his seat, his breath hitching slightly. This wasn't what he had expected.

His chest tightened with anxiety as he turned towards his elder brother. "Dada... ghar kyun aaye hain? Kuch toh boliye na, please." His voice held a nervous edge, his usual confidence nowhere to be found.

Abhishek didn't even glance at him. His face was unreadable, his voice calm but firm. "Utro dono... Maa wait kar rahi hai."

Siddharth's stomach churned. His grip on his jeans tightened as he exchanged a wary glance with Ruhi, who looked just as nervous. Without another word, Abhishek stepped out of the car and strode towards the house with a purpose that made Siddharth's pulse quicken.

Ruhi hesitated before unbuckling her seatbelt. "Siddharth..." she whispered, her fingers clutching her scarf tightly.

Siddharth forced a small, reassuring smile—though his own nerves were spiraling out of control. "Chalo..." he murmured, stepping out of the car.

As they approached the house, Abhishek rang the doorbell. Within moments, their mother opened the door, her face lighting up with a warm smile.

"Maa..." Siddharth whispered, suddenly feeling like a child again, standing on the doorstep after doing something mischievous.

She greeted them with affection, her presence radiating comfort. Siddharth and Abhishek bent down to touch her feet, taking her blessings. Ruhi hesitated for a moment before joining them, lowering her head respectfully.

"Pehle dono ke liye kuch khane ko le aau?" their mother asked, her motherly instincts kicking in immediately.

Abhishek, however, shook his head firmly. "Nahi Maa... pehle baat kar lete hain," he said, his voice carrying an unmistakable authority.

Siddharth's throat went dry. He glanced at Ruhi, who looked down at the floor, her heart pounding.

Abhishek walked towards the living area and settled on the sofa. With an air of quiet command, he gestured towards the space in front of him.

"Idhar aajao dono."

Siddharth felt his legs grow heavy, but he forced himself to move. He swallowed hard and walked forward, his mind racing with possibilities.

Ruhi followed suit, her heart hammering against her ribs.

As they stood in front of Abhishek, the air in the room grew thick with tension. Siddharth clenched his fists, his mind preparing for whatever was about to come.