The Plan — Serene Hills, Spa Days & Silence
Ruhi had imagined their honeymoon as a peaceful escape into the hills of Himachal — pine trees, fireplaces, snowfall if they were lucky, and no signal for miles.
Rudra, on the other hand, had imagined something totally different.
"You booked Manali, right?" Ruhi asked as they packed.
"I booked… sort of near Manali," Rudra replied, not quite meeting her eyes.
"Define 'sort of.'"
Rudra paused.
"…Rishikesh."
"Rishikesh?!"
He grinned.
"They have ziplining. And white-water rafting. It'll be fun!"
Ruhi narrowed her eyes."I married a mountain goat."
🛶 Day One — Drenched, Doomed, and Deliriously in Love
The river rafting was not the honeymoon she had in mind.
They capsized once.Ruhi lost a slipper.Rudra swallowed half the Ganga.
But when they finally reached the shore, soaked and shivering, she looked at him — hair plastered to his forehead, eyes wide with laughter — and couldn't help but laugh, too.
"I take it back," she said.
"Take what back?"
"You're not a mountain goat. You're a tsunami in human form."
🏨 That Night — A Power Cut and a Promise
Just as they were about to settle into bed, the power went out across their hotel.
Ruhi lit a candle, Rudra pulled a blanket over both of them, and they sat on the floor, heads pressed together.
"We're 0 for 3 on romantic moments," Ruhi muttered.
"No spa, no soft music, no roses," Rudra admitted.
Then he held her hand. "But you're still smiling."
"Because I'm stuck with you."
"Forever."
And in the dark, with only a candle and the distant roar of the river, they kissed.Not perfect.Just real.
📓 Beyond the Buzzer – Page 198
"Honeymoons aren't made in rose petals.They're made in leaky tents, wrong bookings, and someone who still holds your hand through it all."
🌍 Meanwhile in Delhi — Goodbyes & Good Luck
Simran packed her bags for Paris.Her scholarship was confirmed. A year-long program in global literature.
But her fingers trembled as she folded the sari Ruhi gave her.
Aarav walked in and stood by the door silently.
"Are you going to say it?" she asked.
"Say what?"
"That you want me to stay."
"I don't," he replied honestly.
She turned around.
"Because you staying would break you. And I'd rather miss you than watch you shrink."
Simran teared up.
Then said the one thing she knew was true:
"One day, I'll write about you.Not as a chapter…But as a whole book."
🏥 Aarav's Recovery — A New Passion Rises
While his body healed, Aarav found something unexpected.
He started journaling.
At first, just about the accident.Then about the wedding.Then about his childhood. His love for coaching. His hidden fear of failure.
One day, Ruhi read a page.
"Did you write this?"
"Yeah. For me."
"Don't hide it."
Rudra agreed."Bro, you've got a voice. Let people hear it."
That night, Aarav created a blog."Half Time Diaries" — stories from a coach, a friend, and a fighter.
Within a week, thousands of readers followed.
📝 An Unexpected Opportunity — A Letter from a Publisher
Two days before returning from Rishikesh, Ruhi checked her email.
A message stood out.
Subject: "We loved Half a Sky Each — Let's talk next steps."
A major Indian publishing house wanted to turn her and Rudra's letters into a full book.
Not self-published. Not a passion project.
National release. Bookstores. Promotions. Everything.
She showed Rudra.
"You ready to be a published co-author, Mr. Sharma?"
He blinked.
"Do I get snacks at book signings?"
She laughed."You get to sit next to me. That's the reward."
💔 One Misstep — The Fight They Didn't See Coming
On the train back from Rishikesh, Ruhi was writing. Focused. Inspired.
Rudra, exhausted, tried to joke, tried to kiss her cheek — but she kept brushing him off.
"Just five minutes," he muttered.
"I'm in the middle of a thought," she replied, distracted.
He snapped."You've been in the middle of a 'thought' since Spain."
Ruhi looked up. Hurt. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means… sometimes I feel like I married your pen, not you."
The silence after that hurt more than the words.
They didn't speak for two stations.
☕ Reconciliation — Over Cold Coffee & Warmer Words
They sat in a café when they reached Delhi. Still quiet. Still hurt.
Ruhi broke the silence first.
"I'm sorry I pushed you away."
"I'm sorry I made you feel like your passion isn't worth time."
They looked at each other.
Then Ruhi added:
"I'll always need words.But I'll never write a line that doesn't include you."
Rudra replied:
"And I'll always make noise.But I promise to pause when your words begin."
That was it.
Not a dramatic apology.
Just… understanding.
📸 One Last Honeymoon Photo
Back in Delhi, they took a photo on their terrace.
Ruhi in his oversized hoodie.Rudra holding two mugs of coffee.Both grinning like fools.
Caption:
"Not perfect. But perfectly us."
💫 End of Chapter 43