After Radika left, Rudra went back home.
At the home...
He finished dinner quietly and went to the room.
As usual, he walked towards the sofa to sleep.
Then he suddenly stopped.
Radika was not here.
He stood there for a second, then quietly went and laid on the bed.
It felt strange.
The room was too silent.
No random talks.
No "sir…"
Nothing.
Just then, his phone buzzed.
It was a message from Radika.
She shared a photo from the train.
Radika:Sir, are you sleeping?
Rudra looked at the message for a moment before replying.
Rudra:No.
Radika:Did you have dinner, sir?
Rudra:Yes. Did you?
Radika:We ate too, sir 😊
After a small pause—
Radika:Okay sir, good night.
Rudra:Good night, Radika.
He kept the phone aside and looked at the empty room.
For some reason… sleep didn't come that easily that night.
In the moving train, after chatting for some more time with her friends, Radika slowly fell asleep too.
The next morning…
It was 9 in the morning.
Radika and her friends finally reached their destination, Pondicherry.
At the same time, Rudra reached the college.
After getting down, they took an auto and went to the hotel they had already booked.
They had booked two rooms, one for the girls and another for Rohan.
Everyone quickly freshened up.
Meanwhile, Radika called aunty.
"Aunty, we reached Pondicherry. We are staying in a hotel now," she said happily.
Aunty smiled hearing her voice. "That's nice, dear. But did you eat breakfast?"
"No, aunty. We ordered food."
They talked for a while before ending the call.
By then, Sara, Hima, and Rohan were also done freshening up.
Radika checked the time.It was already 10 in the morning.
She quickly took her phone and messaged Rudra.
Radika:Good morning, sir. We reached and are staying in a hotel.
At that time, Rudra was in class.
His phone vibrated.
He quietly checked it and secretly replied.
Rudra:Okay. Enjoy well.
Radika looked at the message for a second before putting her phone aside.
Just then, their ordered food arrived.
Everyone sat together and had breakfast.
After eating, they went back to their rooms and took some rest.
In the afternoon, they decided to go out for lunch and entered a restaurant.
They all sat together, ordered their food, and started planning the rest of the day.
After lunch, they planned to stroll through the market, visit a café with beautiful streets and colorful paintings on the walls, and spend the evening at the beach.
Everyone agreed happily.
And so, they spent the day exactly as they had planned.
By evening, they enjoyed the café and the colorful streets around it. Later, they went to the beach and spent some time there, taking pictures and enjoying the cool breeze.
At night, they went to another restaurant and had dinner while trying different flavors.
Hima suddenly said, "It's night already. How about we go for a walk?"
Radika smiled. "That sounds good. We might find some beautiful views."
"Then let's go," Rohan said.
They walked for a while before finally returning to the hotel.
After reaching their rooms, everyone sat in a corner with their phones, updating their parents.
Radika called aunty and happily shared everything they had done that day.
After ending the call, she was about to sleep when a message popped up.
Rudra:Are you asleep?
Radika smiled.
Radika:No, sir.
Rudra:This morning I was in class, so I couldn't talk to you.
Radika:It's okay, sir.
Rudra:How was your day?
Radika happily shared everything with him and even sent some photos.
Rudra:Looks like you are enjoying a lot.
Radika:Yes, sir.
After chatting for some more time, they wished each other good night.
Rudra kept looking at the photos she had sent before putting his phone aside and going to sleep.
Another day passed.
Radika was enjoying her vacation.
But for Rudra, the nights felt strangely empty.
One evening, Rudra and his mother were having tea together. His mother was talking to him, but he was lost in his own world.
She noticed his silence and asked softly, "What are you thinking, Rudra?"
For a moment, his mind drifted elsewhere.
Radika...?
He came back to his senses and quickly said, "Nothing, Mom. Just work."
His mother looked at him with a knowing smile and casually joked, "Are you really not thinking about Radika?"
Rudra frowned slightly. "Why would I, Mom?"
She set her cup aside and said gently, "If you really miss her, then say it out, Rudra. Don't regret it later."
Those words hit him hard.
Back in his room, he sat quietly.
For the first time, he stopped fighting his thoughts.
Why shouldn't I admit it?
I miss her.
And why am I pretending otherwise?
After thinking for a long time, he made a decision.
The next morning, he submitted a leave application for two days at college and completed his pending work.
Then he packed his bag.
Rudra came out of his room and looked at his mother.
"Mom, I'm going to a conference for two days," he said.
His mother looked surprised.
"All of a sudden?"
"One of the professors couldn't make it, so I have to go instead."
His mother nodded.
"Okay then. Take care."
"Hmm," Rudra replied.
As he walked back to his room, a small smile appeared on his face.
He felt relieved that his lie had worked.
Back in his room, he booked an early morning flight ticket and finished packing his things.
Meanwhile, in Pondicherry...
Radika and her friends decided to wake up early and watch the sunrise at the beach.
By five in the morning, they were already walking along the shore.
The cool breeze brushed against their faces while the sound of waves filled the air.
Slowly, the sun began to rise above the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and gold.
"It's so beautiful," Hima said softly.
Everyone stood there enjoying the view.
Radika took several pictures and, without thinking much, sent a few of them to Rudra.
After spending some more time there, they decided to head back to the hotel.
They laughed, talked, and teased each other on the way back.
As they reached the hotel entrance, Radika suddenly slowed her steps.
A familiar figure was standing near the reception desk.
Only his back was visible.
For a moment, she frowned.
Why does he look so familiar?
Sara and Hima also noticed him.
The man slowly turned around.
Everyone froze.
"Rudra sir...?"
to be continued.....