One Month Later
770 Words
It had been a month.
A month since the confession.
A month since everyone in college stopped whispering “Are they or aren’t they?” — because now, there was no doubt.
Rudra Mehra and Aanya Kapoor were a thing.
The gangster and the sunshine.
The storm and the calm.
The most unexpected pair — now the heartbeat of the whole campus.
🌅 Morning in College
The campus buzzed as usual, but the moment Rudra’s bike rolled in, everyone automatically moved aside.
And just like every morning for the past few weeks, Aanya hopped off the back seat, fixing her hair, smiling as if she carried the sun in her pocket.
Kabir: “Here they come — the power couple!”
Dev (laughing): “The girl who tamed the beast!”
Aman: “Correction — the girl who owns the beast now.”
Aanya smirked.
Aanya: “You guys are just jealous because Rudra doesn’t glare at me anymore.”
Kabir: “He does. Just lovingly.”
Rudra threw Kabir a mock glare, and everyone burst out laughing.
But what no one missed — was how Rudra’s hand brushed over Aanya’s waist for a second as they walked in.
A subtle, protective gesture.
Something that said — she’s mine, and I’m hers.
☕ Canteen Scene
They sat in their usual spot — Aanya scrolling through notes, Rudra pretending not to watch her, and his friends pretending not to notice him watching her.
Dev: “Bro, you realize you’re staring at her like she’s the answer sheet in your last exam, right?”
Rudra: “Shut up.”
Aanya (without looking up): “Let him stare, Dev. It helps his concentration.”
Kabir: “Oooo, Queen Aanya strikes again!”
Aanya looked up, meeting Rudra’s eyes — and for a second, the whole world went quiet.
Her soft smile.
His unreadable gaze.
That silent current between them — the kind that could melt glass and freeze time.
Aanya: “What?”
Rudra (softly): “Nothing. Just wondering how someone like you ended up with someone like me.”
Aanya: “Maybe because I saw the ‘you’ no one else did.”
Rudra: “And what if that side isn’t always enough?”
Aanya (smiling): “Then I’ll love the rest of you until it is.”
The table went dead silent.
Dev whispered under his breath,
“Damn… someone hand me tissues.”
Rudra threw a napkin at him, but even he couldn’t hide the faint smile tugging at his lips.
🌇 After College — Rooftop Scene
That evening, Rudra and Aanya found themselves on the college rooftop — their secret spot since the day they first fought, first laughed, first almost fell for each other.
The sky was painted in sunset gold.
Aanya leaned back against the railing, her hair dancing in the wind.
Aanya: “Can you believe it’s been a month?”
Rudra: “Feels like years.”
Aanya: “Good years or bad?”
Rudra (smirking): “A bit of both. But I’d take them again.”
She smiled, stepping closer.
Aanya: “Even the part where I annoyed you daily?”
Rudra: “Especially that part.”
He reached out, brushing her cheek with his thumb.
And for once, Rudra didn’t hide the softness in his eyes.
Rudra (low voice): “You know, you’ve ruined me.”
Aanya: “Then I did it right.”
He leaned closer — close enough for her heartbeat to stutter.
Just before their lips met, she whispered,
Aanya: “You still scare me sometimes.”
Rudra: “Good. Keeps things interesting.”
And then — he kissed her.
Not the kind of kiss that needed words but the kind that said thank you, sorry, don’t ever leave.
⚡ But Peace Never Lasts
The next day, everything seemed normal — lectures, laughter, teasing…
Until Dev ran into the canteen, breathless.
Dev: “Rudra… we’ve got a problem.”
Kabir: “What happened?”
Dev: “He’s back.”
Rudra’s expression froze.
The smile vanished instantly.
Aanya: “Who’s back?”
Rudra (gritting his teeth): “Raghav.”
A pin-drop silence.
Her heart sank.
Rudra’s fists clenched.
Kabir: “He was spotted near the old garage. Alone. But… it feels like a setup.”
Rudra: “Let him come. This time, I’ll end it.”
Aanya placed her hand over his.
Aanya: “Not alone. Not anymore.”
Their eyes met — the fire in his matching the strength in hers.
Because this time, it wasn’t Rudra versus Raghav.
It was Rudra and Aanya versus whatever dared to touch their peace.
- Writer
