Chapter 13: Chapter 13:"When Silence Spoke Louder: The Night He Came"
It took me a few more days to recover completely. The bruises had started to fade, the wounds were healing, but the exhaustion still lingered somewhere deep—like a shadow clinging to my bones. The house had grown quieter since the incident, like everyone was still processing the aftershocks of what had happened. And so was I.
I hadn't returned to college since.
That's when Simmi came into my room one morning, a spark of excitement lighting up her face.
"Rohan," she said, "The college is planning a trip. Do you want to come?"
I looked up from my book, a little surprised. "A trip? Where?"
She grinned mischievously, almost childlike. "Shimla."
I blinked. "Shimla? Are you serious?"
She laughed. "Yes, bhai. Shimla. As in snow, mountains, pine trees, and everything you've always dreamed about. You want to come, right?"
A part of me hesitated.
After everything that had happened… did I really want to be surrounded by crowds again? But then another part—a quieter, aching part—whispered yes.
I had always wanted to see Shimla. To feel the chill in the air, to see the hills stretch endlessly into the clouds, to escape, even if just for a few days.
Simmi noticed the shift in my eyes.
"I'll fill the form for you too," she said gently. "I know you want to go."
I smiled faintly. "Thank you… sister."
She gave a mock salute, then turned to leave—when she suddenly paused at the door.
"Oh, by the way…" she said casually, but with a teasing twinkle in her eyes, "Nikhil is coming over today."
I nearly dropped the pen from my hand. "What? Why is he coming?"
Simmi raised an eyebrow and smirked. "Oh please… don't pretend. I can already see the little laddoos bursting in your heart. And here you are acting like it doesn't matter."
I felt my face go red. "Simmi… don't say things like that. It's… embarrassing."
She giggled, delighted by my reaction. "Why? Are you blushing, Rohan?"
I looked away. "I just… I feel awkward. That's all."
She stepped closer, ruffling my hair playfully. "Alright, alright. But just be ready, okay? He's coming to see you, not me. So wear something decent. Try not to faint."
"Simmi…" I groaned.
"Fine, fine," she laughed, backing out of the room. "But seriously… maybe it's time to stop hiding from your feelings. And maybe it's time to start living again."
Her words stayed with me long after she left.
And as I stood by the mirror later, brushing my hair and changing into my favorite shirt, I realized something.
I wasn't nervous because Nikhil was coming.
I was nervous because… a part of me wanted him to come.
A part of me wanted to see him again. To talk. To ask why he came for me that day. Why he looked at me the way he did. Why he carried me—not just physically, but emotionally—through one of the darkest moments of my life.
And maybe, just maybe…
To find out if this feeling I had was real.
If it was mutual.
Shimla might be waiting. But first… so was he.
I had just stepped out of the shower, the steam still clinging to my skin like a comforting veil. The cool air of the room wrapped around me as I dressed with more care than I wanted to admit—even to myself. I chose my favorite shirt, the one Simmi always said suited me, ran a hand through my hair, and gave myself one last look in the mirror.
Not perfect—but presentable.
There was a strange fluttering in my chest. Anticipation, maybe. Nervousness. Or something even softer, more fragile: hope.
I walked into the hall, the house unusually quiet. I sat on the sofa, glancing every few minutes at the clock, at the door, at my phone, trying not to look like I was waiting. But I was. Every tick of the second hand was louder than it should have been.
Then—there it was.
A soft knock on the door.
I jumped up, my heart immediately leaping, hoping, praying—
But when I opened the door… it wasn't him.
It was Simmi and Ruhi.
I blinked, surprised. "You two? What are you doing here?"
Simmi smiled and casually stepped inside, Ruhi following behind her. "Well, Uncle and Auntie went to meet Sumedh Bhaiya. They'll be staying there tonight and returning tomorrow morning. So, Ruhi and I decided we'd stay here and take care of you."
I tilted my head, still standing at the door. "Wait… really? Just like that?"
Simmi rolled her eyes and pushed past me. "Yes, really. Someone has to make sure you don't fall flat on your face again, right?"
Ruhi giggled and waved as she walked by. I stood there a bit awkwardly, still processing.
But there was one thing still burning on my mind.
"Nikhil?" I asked quietly, almost not wanting to sound too eager. "Is… is he coming?"
Simmi turned back, smirking knowingly. "Don't wait for him like a hero in an old film. If he's meant to come, he will."
Then she pointed at me with mock annoyance. "Now move! We're coming in."
She stepped forward and gently nudged me aside, then locked the door behind her. Without another word, she and Ruhi disappeared into her room, leaving me alone in the hallway once more.
I sighed, disappointed but trying to hide it even from myself.
"Maybe he changed his mind," I murmured.
I walked back toward the couch, staring at the clock again. The same silence wrapped around me, but this time it felt heavier, like a missed heartbeat.
But then…
Another knock.
Softer. Slower. Familiar.
I froze.
My heart began to beat louder than before, the rhythm now fast, nervous, alive.
I walked to the door, almost afraid it would be another trick of hope.
But when I opened it…
He was there.
Nikhil.
Standing at the threshold, under the dim yellow light of the porch, his hair slightly damp from the evening air. His expression was quiet, unreadable—but his eyes… his eyes lit up when he saw me.
And I—
I couldn't help it.
I smiled.
A genuine, open smile I hadn't worn in days.
My heart felt like it had just remembered how to beat again.
He stood there for a moment, taking me in—maybe checking if I was really okay. Maybe trying to find the words to start.
But he didn't need to.
Because in that single moment, as our eyes met and silence wrapped around us like a gentle breeze…
Everything felt right.
He had come.
He was here.
And somehow, I knew…
This night was going to change everything.
To be continue....