The rooftop air was cool against Ruhi's skin, but it did little to soothe the unease curling in her stomach. Abhi's words replayed in her mind-smooth, calculated, but still laced with something she couldn't quite place.
Doubt.
She hated feeling this way. Hated that a few cryptic words from a stranger could shake the confidence she had in herself and this relationship.
But something about the girl's expression, the certainty in her voice... it nagged at her.
Abhi watched her closely, his usual smirk absent. "You're thinking too much," he said, his tone lighter than the weight of the moment.
Ruhi met his gaze. "And you're deflecting."
His lips twitched, amused. "So what if I am?"
"That means there's something to hide."
Abhi sighed dramatically. "Or it means I don't want unnecessary drama ruining my evening."
Ruhi studied him. It was frustrating how easily he evaded questions, how he always managed to stay one step ahead. But if he thought she'd let this go, he was mistaken.
"You know what's funny?" Ruhi said, tilting her head. "You act like nothing can touch you. Like you're untouchable. But everyone has weak points, Abhi."
He smirked, but there was something different about it this time. Something almost... tired. "And what do you think mine is?"
Ruhi didn't hesitate. "Your need to control how people see you."
For the first time since they met, Abhi didn't have a response right away.
Instead, he chuckled softly, shaking his head. "You really are different, aren't you?"
Ruhi arched a brow. "And you're avoiding the question. Again."
Abhi sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. You want the truth?" He leaned in, lowering his voice. "People like to talk. Especially when they think they know me. That girl you met? She probably thinks she's doing you a favor by 'warning' you."
Ruhi frowned. "Then tell me-who is she?"
Abhi's jaw tensed for a split second. "A mistake."
Ruhi crossed her arms. "A mistake you don't want to talk about."
He let out a short laugh. "You're relentless."
She shrugged. "I like knowing what I'm getting into."
For a moment, they just stood there, the distant sounds of the city filling the silence between them. Then, Abhi leaned in slightly, his voice lower, softer. "Do you trust me?"
Ruhi's breath hitched. Did she?
She wanted to say yes. She wanted to believe that none of this mattered, that whatever past Abhi had wouldn't affect them. But the doubt lingered, and she wasn't sure if it was because of that girl's warning... or something in Abhi's own eyes.
So instead of answering, she did what she did best-she deflected.
"I trust that you'll annoy me until I forget about this conversation," she said with a smirk.
Abhi chuckled, the tension easing just slightly. "Smart girl."
But as Ruhi turned to leave, she caught the flicker of something in his expression.
Something like relief.
And that told her more than any answer ever could.
.....to be continued.....
Author's Note:
Sometimes silence says more than a thousand truths.
And tonight, Abhi's silence screamed.
Ruhi is sharp—clever, guarded, always five steps ahead. But even she can't ignore the way his eyes flinched at the word trust.
Or how relief bloomed on his face when she chose to not dig deeper.
That's the thing about secrets—they don't always hide in the shadows.
Sometimes, they sit right beside you, smiling, hoping you'll never ask the wrong question.
But she will.
Eventually.
Because Ruhi isn't the kind of girl who leaves things half-finished.
—Watch the game shift,
Your silent narrator in the dark.