The Morning After — A Knock on the Door
Ruhi was brushing her hair when there was a knock on Rudra's hotel suite door.
Rudra opened it.
His father stood there.
No driver. No assistant. Just him — in a crisp cream kurta and a sharp expression.
"I want her to attend the investors' brunch today," he said, eyes on his son.
Rudra frowned. "Why?"
"To see if she can handle the world you'll live in," his father replied coolly. "This isn't about charm. It's about pressure."
Rudra hesitated. Ruhi stepped out of the room behind him.
"I'll go," she said softly.
Rudra turned. "You don't have to—"
"But I want to."
She smiled.
And Rudra saw it — the same determination he'd seen on the basketball court, on study nights, during every storm they'd weathered together.
She was ready.
🍽️ The Investors' Brunch — A Social Minefield
The venue was luxurious — chandeliers, long white tables, and business tycoons discussing mergers over mimosas.
Ruhi wore a pastel peach saree, simple diamond studs, and quiet confidence. Her only accessory: a pen tucked inside her clutch, just in case inspiration struck.
Rudra's father introduced her to the table as "a family guest."
One of the investors' wives leaned in. "So, you're not from Mumbai?"
"No, Delhi," Ruhi replied.
"Oh. But you don't sound Delhi. Not posh."
Ruhi smiled politely. "Maybe because I prefer clarity over polish."
A few laughed. Even Rudra's father smirked.
Later, an older gentleman asked her, "Do you read finance?"
"I read people," Ruhi said with a gentle shrug. "They're more complex than numbers anyway."
Rudra, from across the room, couldn't stop smiling.
She wasn't just surviving the test.
She was owning it.
💬 Devika's Last Move
After the brunch, Ruhi went to the ladies' room to breathe. As she washed her hands, Devika stepped out of a stall.
"Impressive," Devika said, drying her hands. "You do well in a sari."
"Thanks," Ruhi replied, not looking at her.
Devika tilted her head. "But don't forget. They may applaud your grace, Ruhi. But they'll never give you the crown."
Ruhi turned to face her. "I'm not here for their crown. I'm here for him."
Devika's smile dropped for the first time.
And Ruhi walked out — leaving the door swinging behind her.
📓 Beyond the Buzzer – Page 105
"You don't have to win everyone.Just the one who sees youEven when the room tries to blur your shine."
📦 That Evening — A Package From Delhi
Back in the hotel room, Rudra handed Ruhi a small box wrapped in brown paper.
"What's this?" she asked.
"From Simran," Rudra replied. "She said it's something you forgot in the PG."
Ruhi opened it.
Inside: her journal — Beyond the Buzzer.
She gasped. "I thought I left this on my desk..."
Rudra watched her. "She said you might need it."
🔥 A Burned Letter
As Ruhi flipped through the pages, she found something odd.
An extra page — folded.
She opened it.
It wasn't hers.
It was Kunal's handwriting.
Ruhi,You may never read this. Maybe you shouldn't.But if I vanish from your life, it's because I can't bear to watch love bloom where I once planted hope.
Still, your words gave me light.Even if they never belonged to me.
—Kunal
She stared at it, stunned.
Rudra reached for the letter. Read it.
And something changed in his face.
"What is this?" he asked.
"I didn't even know this was here," Ruhi said quickly.
He looked at her, quiet, conflicted.
"Why didn't you tell me he still had feelings for you?"
"I didn't know he wrote this—"
"But he left for a reason. And now he's writing you letters?"
She stepped closer. "You think I wanted this? That I hid something?"
"I don't know," Rudra said tightly. "You're here with me — but your words belong to everyone."
That hurt.
Deep.
Ruhi clutched the journal to her chest. "Then maybe I shouldn't write anymore."
She turned, walked to the balcony, and—before she could think twice—tore the page out.
Lit a match.
And let the letter burn.
📓 Beyond the Buzzer – Page 106
"Sometimes you burn a pageNot to erase the past —But to protect the present."
🧡 Simran's First Job Offer
Back in Delhi, Simran got a call.
She had landed an internship with a publishing house — her dream field.
She ran to Aarav, jumped into his arms.
"We can do this," she whispered. "We're building something. From scratch. Together."
🧘🏽 That Night — Silence in the Suite
Rudra and Ruhi sat in silence, both staring at the ceiling.
No letters.
No pages.
Just silence and space and questions they didn't know how to ask.
But even then, they didn't leave the room.
They stayed.
Together.
Because sometimes, even love needs to cool before it speaks again.
🌧 End of Chapter 21