🎤 The Venue — Full Circle at College
The college auditorium was decked in fairy lights and soft banners.
"Book Launch: Beyond the Buzzer by Ruhi Verma & Rudra Sharma"
It was poetic — their love story was launching right where it all began.Where they once fought over class notes and lecture seats.
The dean, their old professors, juniors, seniors, media, and even local book clubs had gathered.
Simran stood backstage with them.
"You two nervous?"
"Not at all," Rudra lied.
"Completely," Ruhi admitted.
Simran squeezed their hands. "Perfect. That's balance."
📚 The Crowd Arrives
By 6:15 PM, the seats were full. Some people were standing along the walls.
Old friends from college had shown up.Even the canteen guy waved at them with pride.
One group had T-shirts that read:
"Team Ruhi ❤️ Team Rudra — Same Page Now."
Ruhi gasped when she saw a small section of fans holding signs:
"We read your love. Now we believe in ours."
🎤 The Launch Speech
The host welcomed the couple to the stage.
As Ruhi stepped forward, she saw her parents seated in the front row — smiling.
Rudra's mom sat next to them.
No tension. No cold looks.Just soft acceptance.
Ruhi took the mic.
"We didn't write this book to become authors.We wrote it because we had to.Because our story demanded to be heard —not because it's perfect, but because it's real."
Rudra added:
"From classroom fights to chai break confessions,from diaries to dreams —this book is about love that survives… even when it gets messy."
The applause was thunderous.
📖 A Special Reading — Page 247
They read an excerpt from the chapter titled "Her Diary and His Silence":
*She wrote about him.He didn't know.
She inked the words he was afraid to speak.
And between every page she hid —
was a world where they already loved each other,long before they admitted it aloud.*
As Ruhi read, Rudra's hand found hers.Tight. Warm. Silent.The entire auditorium held its breath.
📓 Beyond the Buzzer – Page 211
"The loudest love stories aren't shouted.They're whispered through shared pages,folded corners, and unspoken glances."
💌 A Letter from a Reader
After the event, a young woman walked up to Ruhi.
"I came from Jaipur," she said. "I read your book in one night."
She handed Ruhi a small envelope.
Inside was a letter:
"Thank you for writing what I was too afraid to say to the boy I loved.
Your words gave my heart a language.
I didn't get the ending you did.
But I no longer feel foolish for loving deeply."
— Rhea, 19
Ruhi's eyes filled with tears.
"That's why we wrote," she whispered.
💬 Aarav & Kavya — Finally, a Beginning
Backstage, Aarav stood beside Kavya, holding a cup of lemonade.
"I think we're...a thing now," he said awkwardly.
Kavya grinned."You think?"
He looked at her."No. I know. I just... didn't want to mess it up."
"You won't," she said, sipping."I edit men like I edit books. But I won't change your chapters. Just… highlight them."
🌟 Simran's Secret Announcement
Later that night, as the crowd cleared out, Simran sat with Ruhi and Rudra on the auditorium stairs.
"I have news," she said, barely containing her grin.
"Please tell me it's not another literary award," Ruhi teased.
"Nope. It's bigger."She took a deep breath.
"I've been offered a six-month residency in London.To write a solo collection."
Rudra blinked. "Whoa."
Ruhi squealed. "Simran! That's amazing!"
Simran smiled softly."I was scared to leave.But then I remembered something Ruhi once wrote:
'Courage isn't leaving behind what's familiar —it's trusting you'll find yourself wherever you land.'"
They hugged tightly.
✉️ A Final Letter — This Time, Delivered
Later that week, Ruhi received a postmarked envelope.
From her father.
Inside was a simple note:
"Dear Beta,
I saw myself in your words.
For the first time, I realized —
I don't have to understand everything to support you.
I'm proud.
With love,Papa"
Ruhi sat quietly for a long time after reading it.
Then folded the letter and placed it next to her first diary — the one that once hid feelings.
📸 Book Launch Photo
Ruhi holding the book high
Rudra looking at her, smiling like it's still their first confession
Simran and Aarav cheering behind them
Banner in the background: "Beyond the Buzzer — A Story That Found Its Voice"
Caption:
"We wrote a book.But more than that —We lived it. Together."
💫 End of Chapter 49