Confession in Disguise

...Chapter 4 – Confession in Disguise...

Ananya had made it her mission to drag emotions out of Ruhan—one grumpy reply at a time.

But lately, something felt different.

He didn’t just respond anymore; sometimes he was the one to start the conversation. Sometimes, late at night, she’d see his “typing…” bubble appear even before she sent anything.

And tonight was one of those nights.

---

Ruhan: “Did you eat?”

Ananya almost dropped her phone. Ruhan—the same man who once replied with single letters—was now checking on her like an old married husband.

Ananya: “Who are you and what have you done with Mr. Ice Cube?”

Ruhan: “Answer the question.”

She grinned.

Ananya: “Yes, I ate. Maggie and tea. Don’t judge.”

Ruhan: “Not healthy.”

Ananya: “Oh please. Coming from Mr. Omelette-everyday? Hypocrite.”

She could practically imagine him sighing at the screen.

---

A few minutes later, she sent another message.

Ananya: “Hey… be honest. Why do you even talk to me? You could’ve blocked me ages ago.”

The typing bubble appeared. Stopped. Appeared again.

Finally—

Ruhan: “Because you don’t give up.”

Her heart thudded. She chewed on her lip, reading the words again and again.

Ananya: “So… you like me?”

No reply. One minute. Two minutes.

She flopped back on her bed, groaning. “He’s going to ignore me. Typical Ruhan.”

But then—

Ruhan: “Yes.”

Her eyes went wide. She sat bolt upright, staring at the screen in disbelief.

Ananya: “Wait. WHAT. Did I just get a confession out of the great ShadowWalker??”

Ruhan: “Don’t make it dramatic.”

Ananya: “I will ABSOLUTELY make it dramatic. Hold on, I’m literally squealing right now.”

She buried her face in her pillow to muffle the sound, kicking her feet like a teenager.

---

When she calmed down enough to type again, her fingers flew over the keyboard.

Ananya: “Okay but… seriously. Do you mean it?”

The reply came, slower this time.

Ruhan: “Yes. I don’t know how it happened. But I do.”

Her throat tightened. For once, she didn’t joke or tease.

Ananya: “I like you too, Ruhan. I think I fell first, honestly.”

For a long time, the chat stayed silent. She wondered if she’d ruined it, if she’d gone too far.

Then her phone buzzed again.

Ruhan: “Then stop wasting time.”

Ananya: “What do you mean?”

Ruhan: “Be mine.”

Her jaw dropped. She reread the words ten times, half convinced she was hallucinating.

Ananya: “This is the most unromantic confession ever. No flowers, no candlelight, just ‘Be mine.’”

Ruhan: “Do you want the flowers or the truth?”

Ananya laughed so hard her stomach hurt.

Ananya: “I’ll take the truth. So… yes. I’m yours.”

---

That night, as she lay in bed staring at the ceiling with a ridiculous grin plastered across her face, she whispered to herself, “Mission accomplished, Ananya.”

On the other side of the city, Ruhan stared at the glowing screen, his normally stoic face softened by something new.

Warmth.

He didn’t know how long this would last. His life didn’t allow for such distractions. But for the first time in years, he didn’t care.

For now, she was his.

And that was enough.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***