Chapter 11 - The Love Confession
1232 Words
Rhea Malhotra held the silver watch that Aryan Mehra had gifted her the previous evening. The cool metal gleamed softly against her skin as she ran her fingers over its surface, tracing every curve with care — as though it held the essence of the moments they had shared together.
Her mind drifted back to the laughter, the quiet glances, and the unexpected warmth that always came with Aryan’s company. A small smile curved on her lips. Sliding the watch onto her wrist, she whispered to herself, “Perfect.”
Rhea and Aryan left together for St. Martin's, where both were completing their graduate studies. The drive through Wilshire Boulevard was filled with an easy silence. Rhea could not help stealing glances at Aryan as he drove — his focus sharp, his hands steady on the wheel. He noticed her, of course, but pretended not to. A subtle smirk ghosted across his face as he turned his attention back to the road.
When they reached campus, they went their separate ways to their respective classes. The day passed in a blur until lunch was over. Afterward, Rhea made her way to the library, the quiet haven she often escaped to when her thoughts grew restless.
As she entered, her eyes instantly caught sight of Aryan. He was standing near the tall bookshelf, pulling out a thick business management textbook. Her lips curved in an involuntary smile, and she began to walk toward him. But before she could reach, a girl approached Aryan and said something softly.
From where Rhea stood, she could not hear a word, only watch the girl pointing to the top shelf. Aryan nodded, reached up, and pulled a book down for her. She smiled gratefully before walking away.
Rhea stood frozen for a moment, her smile fading. Her heart squeezed as she tried to make sense of what she had just seen. So, he helps the other girls? she thought bitterly. But when I needed help...
Her mind flicked back to a memory from a few days ago.
---
Flashback
The kitchen was bright that morning, sunlight dancing through the window. Rhea was on her tiptoes, struggling to reach a tin kept too high in the cabinet. Just as she was about to give up, Aryan walked in, casually sipping from a glass of water.
“Need help?” he asked, amusement twinkling in his eyes.
“Please,” Rhea said, relieved.
Aryan reached up effortlessly, grabbed the tin — and to her shock, placed it even higher on the next shelf.
Her eyes widened. “What was that for?” she demanded, glaring at him.
“Try harder,” he said with a smirk and walked away, leaving her fuming behind him.
---
Back to the Present
That memory burned fresh in her mind now. Marching toward Aryan, Rhea blocked his way near the library exit.
He looked at her, confused by her intense expression.
“What?” he asked, sounding impatient.
“What are you doing, Aryan? Flirting with girls now?”
His eyebrows shot up. “Flirting? Are you serious right now?”
“I saw you just now! You were helping her take that book!” she accused, folding her arms tightly.
Aryan exhaled sharply. “She asked for help reaching a book. That is it.”
“Oh really? When I asked you for help, you decided to play games instead. But for someone else, you suddenly turn into a gentleman,” Rhea shot back, her voice rising with each word.
“I will help whoever I want! What is your problem, Rhea?” he snapped, forgetting they were in the middle of the library.
Rhea’s eyes glistened. “You are such a jerk, Aryan!” she hissed before storming out, leaving him staring after her, torn between irritation and guilt.
---
The rest of the day passed in awkward silence. On the drive home, Rhea turned her face toward the car window, the city lights blurring past in golden streaks. Aryan said nothing. Neither did she.
At home, Aryan sat on his bed, mind still replaying the scene in the library — and the hurt in Rhea’s eyes when he had shouted. He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated at himself. That was when Sonia Mehra, his mother, walked into the room.
“What did you do now, Aryan?” she asked, sitting beside him.
He frowned. “What? Why does everyone assume I did something?”
Sonia crossed her arms. “Rhea came home upset. Care to explain why you shouted at her?”
Aryan groaned inwardly. Great. She complained to Mom.
“Mom, it is nothing. She just… overreacted.”
Sonia smiled knowingly. “You really do not see it, do you? She likes you, Aryan.”
His head snapped up, eyes wide. Of course, he had noticed — the spark in her eyes whenever she looked at him, the way her voice softened when she said his name. He had just never let himself admit it.
Sonia gave his shoulder a light pat. “Do not hurt her,” she said gently before leaving the room.
---
That evening, Rhea was helping Sonia prepare dinner when Aryan entered the kitchen. She noticed him but did not look up. He walked to the cabinets and began rearranging something.
After a moment, he turned to her. “Are you happy now?”
Rhea and Sonia looked at him, puzzled. Then they saw it — all the tins had been shifted to the lower shelves, easily within Rhea’s reach.
Aryan shot her a half-serious glare and walked out. Sonia chuckled softly. “He is been like that since he was a kid — never says what he feels, but he always shows it. Just… in his own way.”
Rhea smiled faintly, her heart fluttering despite herself.
---
Later that night, Rhea entered Aryan’s room, holding two cups of coffee. He was tossing his football from hand to hand. When he noticed her, he set it aside and took the cup from her hand.
“Coffee,” she said simply.
“Thanks,” he replied, sitting on the edge of the bed. She joined him, nerves coiling in her stomach.
“Can I tell you something?” she began.
“As if you would stop if I said no,” he teased, sipping his drink.
She pouted but smiled. “You are right.”
There was a pause. Her fingers trembled slightly as she looked down at her cup. “I… I think I love you,” she blurted out.
Aryan choked mid-sip, coughing violently as coffee nearly spilled onto his shirt.
Rhea’s eyes widened — she quickly patted his back, grabbed the water bottle, and handed it to him. He drank, eyes wide with disbelief.
She stood there, smiling shyly. “Take rest,” she said softly and walked out of the room, leaving him staring after her.
Aryan sat still, stunned. The words “I think I love you” echoed in his mind. He ran both hands through his hair, half smiling, half panicking.
Rhea had confessed her love — just like that. No buildup, no hesitation, no demand for an answer. Just truth, pure and unfiltered.
For a long while, Aryan sat there in silence, trying to understand the hurricane she had just unleashed in his heart.
- Writer
