Ruhi Returns to Delhi — A Heartbeat Reunited
The moment Ruhi stepped off the train in Delhi, a light drizzle welcomed her — the kind that felt like blessings rather than inconvenience.
Rudra was waiting on the platform, holding a yellow umbrella and a small bouquet of wildflowers.
They didn't run.
They didn't rush.
They just smiled — eyes saying everything that three days of distance had carved deep inside.
He handed her the flowers. "Your favorite. Not roses."
"And not stolen from a hotel lobby this time," she teased.
They laughed.
And Delhi, for that moment, felt like their city.
🏠 First Meeting — Ruhi and Rudra's Mother
Later that evening, in Rudra's apartment, his mother arrived in a beige saree and gold bangles that tinkled like wind chimes.
Ruhi stood up immediately, nervous but poised.
"Namaste, Aunty," she said softly.
"Namaste, beta," she replied, sitting down across from her. "You're quieter than I expected."
"I speak more through writing," Ruhi said, glancing at her diary.
His mother smiled. "That explains why my son's started keeping paper in his gym bag."
Ruhi smiled nervously. "I write when I'm scared."
"And yet you're here," the woman said gently. "That says more than words ever could."
They talked for half an hour — about books, hill stations, food, and dreams.
At the end, Rudra's mother stood, took her hand, and said, "You're not like us. But that might be exactly what our family needs."
Ruhi's throat tightened.
She blinked fast — but didn't cry.
Not yet.
📓 Beyond the Buzzer – Page 127
"Acceptance doesn't always come with garlands.Sometimes, it arrives quietly,Like warm tea handed by someone who used to be a stranger."
🥰 Simran's Apartment — A Shift in Dreams
Simran had just returned from work, her hands full of files, when she found Aarav in the kitchen.
Cooking.
"Are you making dal?" she asked, surprised.
"Trying," he said, turning with a smile. "Because I've decided something."
"What?"
"I want to take a break. From job hunting. From chasing titles. I'm going to work with a small school in Old Delhi — as a sports mentor."
She stared at him. "Are you serious?"
"Yes. I want peace, Simran. And purpose. Not just a paycheck."
Simran stepped forward, touched his face. "You always teach me balance."
He shrugged. "You teach me bravery."
💌 The Wedding Invite — And A New Twist
Two days later, Aarav walked in holding a colorful card.
"Guess who's getting married?" he said with a grin.
"Who?"
"My cousin — in Jaipur. You, me, Ruhi, and Rudra are all invited. It's a full-week celebration."
Simran's eyes lit up. "A wedding road trip?"
Ruhi clapped her hands. "It's perfect timing."
Rudra raised an eyebrow. "You realize weddings are basically love pressure cookers, right?"
"Then let's boil," Ruhi whispered with a wink.
🚗 Road Trip to Jaipur — Laughter, Music, and Meaning
All four sat in the car, bags stuffed in the back, music on shuffle.
Simran and Ruhi sang old Hindi songs dramatically, Aarav did the beatbox, and Rudra — reluctantly — joined in the chorus.
They stopped for chai at a roadside stall, clicked Polaroids on Simran's camera, and shared snacks from foil-wrapped packets.
Every photo, every giggle, every look between Ruhi and Rudra became its own memory.
No tension. No fear.
Just four hearts… on one road.
💒 Jaipur — The Sangeet Night
Under fairy lights and jasmine garlands, the sangeet began.
The dance floor buzzed with laughter and glitter. Simran and Aarav performed a goofy romantic dance that made everyone cheer.
Then, surprisingly, Ruhi and Rudra were called on stage.
"No backing out," Aarav said, pushing Rudra gently.
Ruhi looked at him. "Ready?"
"Always."
They performed a slow duet — not dramatic, not flashy — just real. Their chemistry didn't scream, it whispered.
The crowd watched, some clapped, some smiled.
But for Ruhi and Rudra, there was only one spotlight: the one they created for each other.
🌃 The Rooftop — A Promise Made
That night, Ruhi stood alone on the rooftop of the heritage haveli where the guests stayed, the wind playing with her dupatta.
Rudra came up behind her, holding two kulfis.
"One for your brain-freeze journal," he said.
She laughed and took it.
They sat side-by-side on the ledge, looking at the city lights.
"I've always wanted to get married at a place like this," Ruhi said dreamily. "Not for the glamour — for the feeling."
Rudra looked at her, serious now. "Then let's plan it."
She turned, stunned. "What?"
"I'm not proposing yet. But I'm telling you — when the time comes, I want something that feels like this. Like us. Not society. Not parents. Just… us."
She blinked, eyes wet.
"I never imagined someone could love me louder than my fears," she whispered.
He kissed her forehead.
And that was the promise.
📓 Beyond the Buzzer – Page 129
"There are moments that don't come with rings.But they wrap around youSo tightly,You never forget the weight of that quiet 'yes.'"
💫 End of Chapter 25