📝 A Publisher's Deadline — Pressure Builds
Two weeks after settling in, Ruhi and Rudra received their first official deadline from the publishing house.
"Final manuscript due in 45 days."
Rudra nodded when he read it.
Ruhi, however, felt her stomach twist.She wasn't struggling with ideas — she was struggling with fear.
What if the book didn't meet expectations?What if she let Rudra down?
She didn't say it out loud.But Rudra could sense her unease.
That evening, he brewed her favorite chamomile tea without a word.He didn't push.He just sat beside her while she stared at the blinking cursor.
"You don't have to do this alone," he whispered.
📦 The Letter from Meena Sharma
Three days later, they received an unexpected courier.
It was a handwritten letter from Rudra's mother, Meena Sharma.
Dear Ruhi and Rudra,
I was never good with words, but watching you both write a new world with your love made me want to try.
Ruhi beta — thank you.Not just for loving my son, but for never asking him to become someone else.
Rudra — thank you for not repeating your father's mistakes.You built a partnership, not a control panel.
I may not say it often, but I'm proud.
With love,Ma
Ruhi folded the letter carefully and placed it in her diary.
"She wrote that?" Ruhi whispered.
Rudra nodded, eyes damp."She's trying. In her own way."
📓 Beyond the Buzzer – Page 202
*"Some love doesn't show up at weddings.
It shows up later — in late letters, awkward hugs, and second chances."*
🛋️ The Sofa Conversation — A Question Neither Expected
One evening, curled up on the couch, Ruhi asked suddenly:
"Do you think we'll last?"
Rudra looked up from his book.
"What?"
"I mean… in five years, ten years — do you think we'll still laugh like this?"
Rudra didn't hesitate.
"No. I think we'll fight more. I'll forget socks on the floor. You'll snap at me for not doing laundry."
Ruhi blinked.
"But…"
"But I also think," he continued, "we'll always come back.To chai. To each other.Because we didn't fall into love.We chose it."
She smiled."Wrong answer."
He raised a brow.
"The right answer was: 'Yes, baby. Forever. Without a doubt.'"
🧳 A Knock at the Door — Simran Returns
The doorbell rang the next morning.
When Ruhi opened it, her jaw dropped.
Simran stood there — suitcase in one hand, jalebis in the other.
"Paris got too poetic," she said. "And I missed your dal."
They hugged like sisters.
Inside, Rudra asked, "Did you time this just to avoid helping paint the living room?"
Simran grinned. "Of course."
They spent that night watching reruns of their college fest performances and laughing till they couldn't breathe.
đź“Ł Aarav's Book Announcement
At the same time, Aarav's book was announced publicly.Title:"Half Time Diaries: What the Scoreboard Doesn't Show"
The response was massive.Comments, shares, even an interview request from a top podcast.
Simran beamed with pride."He deserves every bit of this."
Rudra texted him:
"Your chapters helped me find mine. Thank you."
Aarav replied:
"Let's win this championship together. Not on court. In life."
💔 The Misunderstanding — Silence at the Dinner Table
That weekend, after Simran left, Ruhi and Rudra had their first serious disagreement.
Ruhi had spent most of her day editing — ignoring his calls, forgetting lunch.Rudra, feeling neglected, made a sarcastic comment:
"Maybe I should schedule an appointment if I want your attention."
Ruhi froze.
"You think I'm ignoring you on purpose?"
"I think sometimes… I'm not in your top 3 priorities anymore."
Silence filled the dining room.
Ruhi walked away.Rudra didn't stop her.
🌧️ The Rain That Followed
That night, it rained.
Hard.Like Delhi wanted to shout for them.
Rudra sat alone on the balcony, watching the water flood their tiny potted plant trays.
Ruhi watched him from the window.Heart heavy.Eyes stinging.
This wasn't a fight about lunch or editing.It was about feeling left behind.
đź“ť The Note She Left on His Pillow
She didn't say much.
Just placed a page from her diary on his pillow.
*"I'm still learning how to balance love and passion.But know this —
My heart doesn't take breaks from you.
Even when my hands are full,
You're still there.In every word.In every breath."*
Rudra read it.And walked into her writing corner, hugged her from behind.
"No more sarcasm," he whispered.
"No more forgetting to eat," she replied.
📸 The Polaroid of Healing
They took a photo that night:Messy hair. Puffy eyes.But smiling.
Caption:
"We choose love.Again and again.Especially on the hard days."
đź’« End of Chapter 45