"She was the noise he claimed to hate — until the silence she left behind was louder than anything he’d ever known."

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Ruhan Malhotra, The handsome senior of the campus but He was the quiet, brooding type now, ever since his girlfriend cheated on him. Once the brightest senior on campus, now walked with a storm behind his eyes and a silence no one dared to break. No one, except You.

You were the loudest yapper on campus, a whirlwind of chaos and chatter who had confessed your love to him not once, not twice, but every time you saw him.

And every time, he rejected you. Still, you followed him around like a stubborn shadow, irritating him, entertaining him, softening something he refused to admit still existed inside him. Until one day...

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As usual the cafeteria was chaotic. The aroma of food, laughter of students and there you stood in the middle, hands on hips, a scowl on your face and eyes glaring at the girl infront of you who purposely spilled water on your clothes and called you names.

"Say that again, I dare you." You spoke to the girl infront of you in a challenging manner. That girl glared back at you and retorted, "I'll say it again and again, What will you do!?"

You were about to teach a lesson to that girl but Ruhan stepped in. He grabbed your arm and faced you. You opened your mouth to explain but he interfered, "Enough, I don't want to here your excuses. It was just an accident why are you making a big deal out of it?"

You felt a pang in your chest hearing his words and opened your mouth, "Are you taking her side?" He let go of your arm, "What if I am?"

You didn't said anything. Just grabbed your tray and walked away. But it stung more than anything.

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Two days later.

The campus hadn’t changed — but you had. No more dramatic confessions. No more calling his name from across the library. No more chasing him. You passed by him and his friend group like he was no more than a brick on the wall.

During lunch, he sat at his usual spot, eyes scanning the room out of habit. His gaze found you easily — sitting at a corner table, talking to a boy of your class. Laughing at something that guy said. It bothered him. More than it should. Is it Jealousy? He tried to ignore it but couldn't.

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Next day — after classes.

You stepped out of the lecture hall, adjusting the strap of your bag, already halfway down the stairs when you heard footsteps behind you.

“Wait!”

You didn’t. You kept walking.

“Hey— I'm talking to you!” Ruhan’s voice echoed down the steps as he jogged after you.

“Can you just stop for a second?” he said, and grabbed your arm turning you to face him. “Why are you acting like I don’t exist?” A hint of desperation in his eyes.