love by mistake : episode 5

Titir and Tina were chatting and laughing when suddenly, they heard the sound of the front door opening. Titir stopped mid-sentence and furrowed her brows.

— “Who’s that?” Tina whispered.

Titir stood up. “Let me check…”

Two men in salwar pants and shirts entered through the door. Behind them came Titir’s father… and Rudra.

Titir froze in place. Seeing him face-to-face after six years made her heart race, even if she didn’t want to admit it. She quickly looked away, keeping a stern face.

Rudra looked up at her. In his eyes were a mixture of hurt, familiarity, and something unspoken.

— “Titir, how have you been?”

Titir bit her lip and said coldly, “Fine. You’ve been so busy, you didn’t think of us for years. Now that you’re here, I assume you have some very important business to take care of.”

Rudra smiled slightly.

— “Yes, I do. But there are also a few old relationships I thought I should see again…”

Tina laughed nervously and said, “Alright, you two catch up. I’ll go tell mom to make some tea.”

Rudra and Titir stood silently for a moment, looking at each other. The air between them felt thick with unresolved emotion.

Titir looked away.

— “Why do you speak like everything’s so full of memories? I’ve changed. I just find it funny now.”

Rudra smiled.

— “You’ve changed, yes. But your eyes haven’t. Still the same fire, the same stubbornness... just like before.”

Titir stayed silent. Rudra always knew exactly where to strike. Just then, Seema returned from school.

— “Oh! Dada (big brother) is back!” she exclaimed excitedly, running to hug Rudra.

Titir looked even more uncomfortable.

Seema said, “Didi, why are you acting so cold? It’s been years since you saw Dada. Can’t you be a little nice?”

Titir snapped, “How I behave is my business. And please, don’t enter my room without knocking.”

Seema looked down, hurt. Rudra also realized how deep Titir’s resentment still ran.

Later that night, even though the whole family sat together for dinner, Titir stayed in her room. Tina brought her food.

Tina knocked on the door.

— “Titir, I’m leaving your food here. Please eat something, okay? Rudra didn’t say much today, just asked about you.”

Titir peeked through the half-open door but said nothing.

After Tina left, Titir slowly looked at the plate.

— “Why did you come back, Rudra? I had already erased you from every chapter of my life.”

A tear welled up in her eye.

Outside, the soft patter of rain.

Inside, complete silence.

A long sigh… and a wait for an answer that may never come.

---

Next Morning

Birds chirped, a soft breeze blew, and the big house bustled with the beginning of a new day.

Titir stood in front of the mirror, tying her hair. She wore a blue salwar-kameez, light kohl around her eyes, and a bag on her shoulder. With a serious face, she came downstairs.

In the living room, Tina sat reading the newspaper.

— “Heading to college today?”

Without looking up, Titir said, “Yes. I’ve missed enough already. If I don’t go today, my registration might get canceled.”

Her mother was busy in the kitchen. Breakfast was laid out on the table.

— “Titir, have some milk before you leave. Don’t go on an empty stomach.”

Titir picked up the glass of milk and quietly sat down.

Just then, footsteps near the door.

It was Rudra. They hadn’t spoken the night before. Now he sat down at the other end of the table.

Titir turned her face away.

Rudra asked calmly,

— “Going to college? Want a ride?”

Titir finished her glass in one gulp and stood up.

— “Thanks, but I’ll take a rickshaw.”

Rudra smirked.

— “Rickshaw? A girl from this house taking a rickshaw? Interesting choice!”

Titir replied sharply,

— “My path, my choice. I don’t need you to come with me.”

Rudra said nothing more, but his eyes sparkled with mischief and curiosity.

Titir walked out through the main gate, but Rudra’s eyes stayed locked on her retreating figure.

---

Outside the House

As Titir stepped out, she saw Meena waiting on her red bike, sunglasses on, headphones dangling from her ears, the usual playful grin on her face.

Meena said, “Madam, do you know what ‘time’ is? I thought you’d be hiding in your room again today!”

Titir laughed and ran to climb onto the bike behind her.

— “Nope, I saw Rudra’s face and realized—I need to escape! Let’s go!”

Meena started the bike, and the cool wind blew Titir’s hair.

Titir muttered, “Every time I stand near Rudra, I feel sick. That look in his eyes—like he’s a prince and I’m just a maid!”

Meena laughed,

— “You’re such a baby sometimes! He didn’t even say anything to you!”

Titir, serious now, said, “Exactly. And still I can’t stand him. My mom, uncle, even the family dog is thrilled to see him!”

Meena grinned,

— “My jealous queen! Let’s just get to college now. If we’re late to Sir’s class, I won’t be able to save you!”

Their laughter and the roar of the bike filled the morning air with life.

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