The lights flickered back on, illuminating the room, and it hit me—I was hugging Ruhaan. My eyes widened in shock, and a flurry of thoughts raced through my mind. What would his reaction be? How long had we been like this?

I couldn’t quite comprehend what had happened. One moment, the power had gone out, and the next, a loud clap of thunder echoed through the air, sending a chill down my spine. Instinctively, I had thrown myself into his arms, seeking comfort. Now, I found myself gripping him tightly, my hands firmly planted on his back, holding him as though he were my lifeline.

I knew I should pull away, but my heart refused to listen. His presence was too soothing, too warm. I could hear his heartbeat, steady and calming, and I realized with a soft smile that his heartbeat was now my favorite melody. I never wanted to let go.

My chest pressed against his midriff, and I felt more secure in his arms than I ever had anywhere else. Even if I had to remain in the darkness for the rest of my life, I would gladly do so if it meant staying in his embrace.

But suddenly, it dawned on me—I'd been holding him for too long. Embarrassed, I lifted my head slowly, daring to glance up at him. To my surprise, Ruhaan was already looking at me, but there was something different in his gaze. The sharp, distant coldness I was accustomed to had softened. His eyes, once hard and unreadable, now shimmered with a tenderness I had never seen before.

“I—”

“Are you okay?” His voice, filled with genuine concern, cut through the tension, catching me off guard.

“Yeah,” I managed to reply, feeling an unexpected warmth bloom in my chest. A bright smile spread across my face. The fact that he cared, even just a little, made my heart flutter.

As I looked up at him, I noticed subtle changes in his features that I hadn’t before. His nose was a bit sharper, his brows perfectly shaped. His lips... they seemed softer, slightly more pink. Everything about him seemed perfect in that moment. But something was missing. His smile. The one that I adored—the smile I wished I could see more often.

"Why are you staring at me like that?" Ruhaan asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

I quickly averted my gaze. “Nothing,” I mumbled, feeling my cheeks heat up.

A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. "Are you planning to hold me like this forever?"

Realization hit me like a truck. My hands were still around his back. God, I wished I could say yes, but I reluctantly loosened my grip and stepped back. The absence of his warmth felt sudden, jarring, like the world had gone cold again.

Clearing my throat, I glanced at the window. Night had fallen, and the sky outside was cloaked in darkness. “Mr. Raichand, you should leave now. It's getting late,” I said, trying to maintain my composure.

"Yeah, okay." He turned to go, but something made me call out after him.

"Wait!" I blurted, causing him to stop in his tracks and glance back at me.

"What is it?" he asked, his tone neutral, but his eyes curious.

"Come to the hospital tomorrow morning. My work isn’t finished yet," I huffed, crossing my arms, pretending to be annoyed.

To my surprise, he simply nodded. “Okay.”

Okay? No argument? No sarcastic remark? My eyes widened in disbelief. Did Ruhaan Raichand just agree without putting up a fight?

As he turned to leave, he paused again, his back still facing me. He hesitated for a moment before speaking, his voice quieter than before. "When are you going home?"

"Now," I replied, gathering my belongings. "But why?"

He looked at the floor, then up at me again, his lips tugging at his lower lip—a gesture that made him look almost... shy? "It's getting dark. And you're... scared of the dark, right?"

My heart melted on the spot. His concern, though subtle, warmed me from the inside out. How was this man—this rude, distant, and sometimes unbearable man—capable of being so sweet?

"Mr. Raichand, there are streetlights," I said, trying to suppress the giddiness bubbling up inside me. "I’m used to going home at night."

“Are you sure?” he asked, taking a step toward the door but turning to look at me again.

“Yes, I’m sure. Don’t worry.” I waved him off with a smile.

He started walking again, but once more, he stopped. This time, he turned back fully, eyes locked on mine. "You're really sure, right?"

I couldn’t help but chuckle. Was this the same man who rarely showed any emotion? "Yes, yes, yes. I'm sure."

"Pakka?" he asked, his voice teasing but laced with genuine worry.

"Kuccha," I shot back playfully.

He finally nodded, satisfied, and left. I quickly packed my things and headed out to my car, my mind still stuck on that hug.

As I drove home, I couldn't stop thinking about it. That was our first hug. I had never felt so safe, so content, and now I couldn't help but smile like a fool. I was falling deeper into Ruhaan’s world, and it scared me.

"Why is he so nice sometimes?" I whined to myself, gripping the steering wheel tightly. "Ugh, this is driving me crazy."

Pulling out my phone, I dialed my best friend Alisha’s number. She picked up on the first ring.

"Haan, bol," she greeted me lazily.

"I can’t stay away from him," I blurted out, my voice laced with frustration.

“Him? Oh, you mean Ruhaan? What do you mean you can't stay away from him?” she asked, amused. I could practically hear her smirking through the phone.

I explained everything to her—the thunderstorm, the hug, Ruhaan’s unexpected concern, and my own conflicted feelings.

“Wow, it’s such a cute story, and you’re stressing about it?” she teased. “But why are you so worried?”

“I don’t know, Alisha! I’m scared. What if he gets angry tomorrow? What if he hates me when he finds out the truth?” I babbled, my anxieties bubbling to the surface. "And what if we're just not meant to be? But the more I try to distance myself, the more I fall for him."

“Sohana, do as your heart tells you. Believe in your Krishna. He has better plans for your future than you can imagine. Stop overthinking,” she soothed, her voice comforting. “Everything will work out as it’s meant to. Now go home and get some sleep. Dream about your Ruhaan,” she added with a laugh.

“Who would believe you’re a doctor with all this melodrama?” Alisha teased before hanging up.

I smiled, feeling lighter after our conversation. Maybe she was right. Maybe all I needed was to trust in the flow of life.

As I reached home, I freshened up and climbed into bed. Just before I drifted off to sleep, my thoughts wandered back to Ruhaan—his concern, his heartbeat, and the way he made me feel.

He was mine. My Ruhaan. And I would love him, no matter what the future held.

🧿

Finally Sohana made a decision to stop her overthinking and listen to what her heart says.

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