The wedding in Simran's village had ended, but something had begun. Something fragile, yet beautiful — like the first bloom after winter.
Ruhi sat by the window of the train as they returned to Delhi. The landscapes blurred past her, but her mind stayed still — wrapped in one thought.
Rudra.
Not the basketball star. Not the arrogant boy from her first day of college.
But the boy who stood in the rain and said, "I'm yours too."
The boy who read her diary and didn't laugh. Who saw her heart and held it like it was precious.
She glanced at Simran, who was sitting opposite her, fast asleep with her head resting on Aarav's shoulder. They looked peaceful. Like they belonged to a different world — one with no rules, no parents, no timelines.
Ruhi smiled softly. Then sighed.
Her phone buzzed.
Rudra
"I miss you already. Home feels too quiet."
She replied:
"Same here. Delhi doesn't feel the same anymore."
He replied with a heart emoji. Then, silence.
She kept staring at the screen, expecting another message.
None came.
🕰 Back in Delhi — A New Twist
The campus buzzed with life again. New classes began, assignments piled up. But Ruhi found herself walking to class with a little more purpose now — because he existed in her orbit.
But just a week later, things changed.
Rudra messaged:
"Won't be in college for a few days. Dad's unwell. Need to help at the office."
She replied quickly:
"I understand. Take care. Keep me updated?"
No response.
A day passed.
Then another.
He posted nothing on Instagram. No calls. Not even a "goodnight."
Ruhi told herself he was just busy. He had always been responsible. His father ran a chain of companies — Rudra had once said he might have to take over someday.
But her heart still ached.
📓 Beyond the Buzzer — Page 51
"How can I miss someone who said he's mine…But suddenly vanished?
Is it just me who feels the silence?Or is he waiting for me to speak first?"
🧡 Simran Notices
"Still no reply?" Simran asked one evening.
Ruhi shook her head.
Simran frowned. "Maybe you should call?"
Ruhi hesitated. "I don't want to sound clingy. What if he's genuinely dealing with something important?"
"True. But if he can post stories with his cousins and not message you for three days…"
Ruhi froze. "What? What stories?"
Simran bit her lip. "I didn't want to show you, but—"She opened her phone, showing a post from a private account. Rudra was tagged — dressed in a black sherwani at a formal dinner.
Beside him stood a girl. Pretty. Sophisticated. Arm around his.
Ruhi's throat dried.
🌀 Insecurity Creeps In
She didn't want to jump to conclusions. She didn't want to doubt him.
But the doubt was already there.
That night, Ruhi recorded a voice message. Her voice cracked halfway through:
"I don't want to think the worst…But Rudra, if something's wrong… just say it.If you've changed your mind, just tell me.I won't beg. But I need to know."
She deleted it before sending.
Instead, she opened her diary.
📓 Beyond the Buzzer — Page 54
"This hurts more than heartbreak.
Because it's not anger.It's not a fight.It's just absence."
🧊 Meanwhile: Rudra in Delhi
At the Sharma residence, Rudra sat in the garden, his phone in hand, unread texts blinking.
His father was recovering, but business meetings had taken over Rudra's life — balance sheets, press meetings, interviews.
But his mind wasn't in numbers.
He was thinking about her.
He had read her last message at least 20 times.
And yet… he didn't reply.
Why?
Because for the first time, he was scared.
Scared that he wasn't enough.That Ruhi would someday leave when she saw how broken his family truly was.That her soft diary pages didn't belong in his hard world.
🕯 A Surprise Visitor
Back at the PG, Ruhi was surprised by a knock on the door. It was her parents.
Unannounced.
They brought food, smiles — and expectations.
Her mother spoke gently, "We've found a good family friend's son. Engineer. Settled. Darjeeling boy."
Ruhi froze.
Her father added, "You don't have to say yes now. But after graduation, think about it."
She nodded silently. Not in agreement. Just out of survival.
That night, she didn't sleep.
She just stared at the ceiling — wondering if love always had an expiry date.
📓 Beyond the Buzzer — Page 55
"They talk about choicesLike they're easy.
But what if you're forced to chooseBetween someone you love…And someone your parents can accept?"
🧡 Chapter Ends With...
Ruhi finally calls Rudra.
He answers.
His voice is tired. "Ruhi…"
She pauses. Her throat tight.
"Are we… okay?"
Long pause.
"I don't know," he whispers. "But I want us to be."