Baavle Utaavle ~ A RuNak Three-Shot [Completed] - Page 2

Chapter 3

The warmth of the morning sun woke Jhanak. She stretched lazily, the events of the previous night rushing back to her in vivid detail. A small, contented smile played on her lips as she remembered Aniruddh's touch, his tenderness, and the surprising connection they had found.

But when she turned to the other side of the bed, she found it empty.

Her smile faded as confusion set in. She glanced around the room, hoping to see him somewhere, but the stillness of the space confirmed he was gone.

Her heart sank. Why had he left? Did he regret what had happened?

Jhanak sat up, pulling the blanket around her as her mind raced. For the first time in years, she felt unsure, exposed. Last night wasn't just about physical intimacy—it had been something more. Something she hadn't expected to feel with someone like Aniruddh.

She stared at the spot where he had lain beside her, her fingers brushing against the faint imprint of his presence. The emptiness he left behind felt heavier than she could have imagined.

"Why would he leave?" she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Meanwhile: Aniruddh's Struggle

Aniruddh wandered aimlessly through the streets, the city's noise doing little to drown out the storm in his mind. His chest felt hollow, and yet his thoughts were a cacophony of doubts and regrets.

He hated himself for leaving, but he hated the thought of facing her even more. The humiliation he had endured in the past haunted him, making him believe that last night was a fluke—something she might laugh about later or pretend never happened.

"She's Jhanak Chatterjee," he muttered to himself, bitterness lacing his words. "The queen bee of St. Xavier's. And I'm... no one."

But even as he tried to convince himself that leaving was the right thing to do, a part of him longed to turn back, to take the risk, to see if she felt the same.

Jhanak's Realization

As the hours passed, Jhanak couldn't shake the heaviness in her chest. She replayed their moments together, from their awkward beginnings to the tenderness they'd shared last night. And then, a thought struck her—what if he had left because of her?

Her behavior at the Fresher's Party, her harsh words, her fiery defenses—all of it must have hurt him more than she realized. Jhanak had always worn her confidence like armor, using it to push people away, but Aniruddh had seen past that. He had seen her for who she really was, and she had hurt him in return.

For the first time in her life, Jhanak felt regret—not just for her actions, but for the walls she had built around herself.

"I have to find him," she whispered, determination setting in.

Jhanak's Search

Jhanak wasted no time. She threw on her clothes, her mind racing with thoughts of where Aniruddh could have gone. She knew he wasn't the type to vanish without reason, and deep down, she knew he was struggling just as much as she was.

She started with the obvious places—his favorite coffee shop, the campus library, even the quiet park near his hostel. Each time she came up empty-handed, her frustration grew, but so did her determination.

Finally, as the afternoon sun began its descent, she spotted him on the stone steps of an old church tucked away in a quiet corner of the city. He was sitting alone, his head resting in his hands, lost in thought.

Aniruddh's Pain

Aniruddh had spent the day battling the voices in his head. One moment, he wanted to go back to Jhanak and tell her everything he felt; the next, he convinced himself that she could never truly love someone like him.

When he heard footsteps approaching, he didn't need to look up to know it was her. Her presence was electric, impossible to ignore.

"Aniruddh," she called softly, her voice laced with a mix of relief and hesitation.

He stiffened but didn't respond.

She sat down beside him, her proximity unsettling him. "Why did you leave?" she asked, her tone more vulnerable than he'd ever heard.

"Why did I leave?" he repeated bitterly, finally lifting his head to meet her gaze. "Jhanak, do you really need to ask? You've always made it clear what you think of me. I was a joke to you, wasn't I? Just another way to pass the time."

His words stung, but Jhanak refused to let them push her away. "No, Aniruddh. That's not true."

He stood abruptly, stepping away from her. "Then what is true, Jhanak? That last night was some... experiment for you? That you'll wake up tomorrow and go back to being the queen bee, and I'll be forgotten?"

Jhanak's Confession

Jhanak stood too, her chest tightening at his words. "You think that's what last night meant to me?" she snapped, her fiery personality breaking through. "Do you think I'm the kind of person who would share something so... personal, so real, with just anyone?"

Aniruddh looked away, but she wasn't done.

"I've spent my entire life hiding behind this facade," she admitted, her voice trembling. "The confidence, the attitude—it's all just armor. But last night, with you, I wasn't hiding. I was just... me."

Aniruddh's eyes flicked back to hers, his defenses starting to crumble.

"And you," she continued, stepping closer, "you're the first person who's ever made me feel seen. You saw past the act, past the walls, and you still cared. You made me feel safe, Aniruddh. And for the first time, I didn't feel alone."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn't care. "I'm sorry for the way I treated you before. I was scared. Scared of letting anyone in, scared of getting hurt. But I'm not scared anymore. I love you, Aniruddh. I don't care what anyone thinks or says—I love you."

Aniruddh's Response

Her words hit him like a tidal wave, washing away the doubts and insecurities he'd clung to for so long. He took a step toward her, his own tears threatening to spill.

"Jhanak," he whispered, his voice breaking. "You have no idea how much I needed to hear that."

He reached out, cupping her face in his hands. "I've loved you since the day I first saw you, even when I thought you'd never look at me twice. Last night... it wasn't just a moment for me. It was everything. You're everything."

Their eyes met, and in that instant, the world around them seemed to fade away.

A New Beginning

Aniruddh leaned in, his lips brushing hers in a kiss that was tender and full of promise. Jhanak melted into him, her arms wrapping around his neck as the weight of their insecurities finally lifted.

When they pulled apart, they rested their foreheads together, both of them smiling through their tears.

"This doesn't mean I'll stop teasing you," Jhanak said playfully, her fiery spirit returning.

"And this doesn't mean I'll stop calling you out on your drama," Aniruddh countered with a smirk.

They both laughed, the sound filled with relief and joy.

Hand in hand, they walked away from the church, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. Together, they had found not just love but a sense of belonging—a connection that neither of them had ever imagined possible.

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The End.

Epilogue:

The annual Valentine's Gala at St. Xavier's College was the highlight of the academic calendar. The campus buzzed with excitement as students filled the grand auditorium, decorated in hues of red and gold. Glittering lights hung from the ceiling, and the air was thick with anticipation. This year, the organizers had introduced a new feature—a surprise romantic couple dance.

Jhanak Chatterjee, the queen bee herself, was the center of attention as usual. She walked into the auditorium dressed in a striking crimson gown, her confidence radiating like a beacon. Whispers and admiring glances followed her as she made her way to her seat. Aniruddh Bose, on the other hand, quietly lingered near the back of the room, blending into the shadows as he always did. But tonight, his eyes couldn't help but follow Jhanak.

As the event unfolded, the host grabbed the mic with an air of excitement. "Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for our most awaited moment—the romantic couple dance!" Cheers erupted from the crowd.

The host grinned mischievously. "But here's the twist! The couples will not be pre-selected. Instead, our most popular fresher will choose their dance partner first. And who else could that be but Jhanak Chatterjee!"

The crowd erupted into applause, and Jhanak gracefully stood, smirking. Everyone leaned in, eager to see who she would choose. Surely, she would pick one of the college's heartthrobs—maybe a senior football player or a fellow fresher with a reputation as big as hers.

Jhanak scanned the crowd, her eyes searching for the one person who truly mattered. The auditorium hushed in anticipation. Finally, her gaze landed on Aniruddh, who stood frozen at the back of the room, clearly caught off guard.

A playful yet sincere smile spread across her lips as she pointed at him. "I choose Aniruddh Bose," she announced, her voice echoing through the hall.

The silence that followed was deafening. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as every head turned toward Aniruddh. Whispers broke out like wildfire.

"Aniruddh? The quiet psychology nerd?"

"Did she just pick him over everyone else?"

But Jhanak didn't waver. Her gaze remained fixed on Aniruddh, daring him to join her. Slowly, he walked forward, his face a mix of surprise, disbelief, and something far deeper.

As he reached the dance floor, Jhanak held out her hand. "Dance with me?" she asked, her voice softer now, meant only for him.

Aniruddh took her hand, his confidence growing as he looked into her eyes. "Always."

The music began—a soft, romantic melody that seemed to echo their unspoken connection. As they moved together, their steps perfectly in sync, the crowd watched in awe. Jhanak's fiery grace and Aniruddh's quiet strength blended seamlessly, creating a performance that was as mesmerizing as it was unexpected.

For Jhanak, this wasn't just a dance—it was a declaration. She had chosen Aniruddh, not because of what others thought, but because he had seen her for who she truly was. And for Aniruddh, this was a moment of validation—a chance to stand beside the girl who had taught him to believe in himself.

As the music swelled, the two lost themselves in the rhythm, their movements speaking volumes about the bond they had forged. When the song ended, the audience erupted into applause, but Jhanak and Aniruddh didn't seem to notice.

They stood on the dance floor, their foreheads touching, their smiles saying everything they didn't need to say aloud. In that moment, they weren't just Jhanak Chatterjee and Aniruddh Bose, the queen bee and the loner. They were equals, partners, and something more—two souls who had found a home in each other.

chapter 2

You think you know someone based on your perceptions. Then you realize how little you actually knew about them.

Even after the night they shared, the insecurity came right back for him. He left without saying anything.

chapter 3

She did the right thing and looked for him. With the slate clear, they can have a fresh beginning.

This was nice little story. You have good style. Hope you will write more.

epilogue

Guess their relationship was not publicly known until now. But its there for all see.

Thank you so much for reading my story and giving your valuable feedback. Actually I had posted this story in a different forum and tried my luck here by posting it here.

And guess what I got you. You are a wonderful reader.

I have written other stories too but I have posted them in other forums.

I am glad that you wrote a story which is entirely different from the show.I have not seen the show.But the couple is nice.

I was happy when Jhanak and Aniruddh were chosen for the couple.But I was shocked when Jhanak insulted him.But look at the destiny.The app chose them as a pair based on the proximity and preference.Jhanak and Anirudh got a shock which was hilarious.

Long ago u had started a Jabir SS based on Godfather.Are you not continuing it?

I am glad that their meeting was pleasant and cool.Good that their misunderstandings about each other's character also got cleared.After the passionate night,Jhaak saying that she is not alone and his reply was romantic.But I ever thought that unnecessary thought would catch Anirudh's mind and he would think that she deserves someone else.He is doing a blunder.