As Sneha stood there, frozen in place, her heart ached as she watched Rudra walk away, and a deep, unsettling feeling began to stir inside her."Go after him," Komal's voice came softly from behind.
Sneha turned to look at her, brows furrowed, lips slightly parted in uncertainty.
Komal, Akansha, and Shumaila stood together, their eyes filled with silent encouragement.Sneha clenched her fists. Why did her chest feel so heavy?
"Just go," Shumaila added, nudging her lightly.
Without another word, Sneha spun on her heels and followed Rudra.
She found him standing near the edge of the beach, staring at the waves crashing against the shore. The moonlight reflected in his eyes, but there was no playful glint this time.
Rudra appeared completely lost, something that had never happened before.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Sneha demanded, marching straight toward him.
Rudra let out a breath, shaking his head. "Not now, Sneha."
"Yes, now!" she snapped, stepping in front of him. "You've seen me pull pranks a hundred times before, but never—not once—have you ever reacted like this. What is your problem?"
Rudra looked at her then, and Sneha's breath hitched.
Because his eyes weren't just angry.
They were pained.
His jaw clenched. "I thought—" His voice wavered for a second before he composed himself. "I thought I lost you."
Sneha stilled.
Rudra exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair. "For one damn second, Sneha, I thought something actually happened to you, and I—" He sucked in a breath, his fists clenching at his sides.
Sneha blinked. She had never seen him like this.
Not Rudra—the one who laughed the loudest, who never took anything too seriously.
And yet, here he was, looking at her as if he was falling apart.
"Why?" she whispered, searching his face.
Rudra's lips parted, but no words came out.
Sneha's heart pounded.
"Rudra." She reached forward, grabbing his wrist. "Tell me."
He swallowed. "Don't make me say it, Sneha."
Her grip on him tightened. "Say what?"
Rudra closed his eyes for a brief second before looking at her again. And this time, he didn't hold back.
"I like you," he admitted, voice low, raw. "Not as your best friend, not as a childhood idiot who always had your back—but as a man who is absolutely, fucking terrified of losing you."
Sneha froze.
Her mind went blank.
Rudra… liked her?
More than a friend?
More than just their usual banter, the casual shoulder bumps, the effortless teasing?
She must've taken too long to react because Rudra sighed, forcing a small chuckle.
"It's fine," he said, voice softer now. "I'm not telling you this to pressure you or to ask you for anything in return."
Sneha opened her mouth, but no words formed.
Rudra smiled—a sad, heart-wrenching smile. "I just needed you to know. And now you do."
Then, before she could say anything, he stepped back.
"I'll give you some space for a while." He nodded at her, as if convincing himself, then turned away.
And just like that, he walked away.
Sneha stood there, heart hammering in her chest, completely, utterly stunned.
Meanwhile, back at their spot, the group sat around, processing everything that had happened.
"I still can't believe it," Aarav muttered. "Rudra, of all people, just went and—"
"Snapped?" Siddarth finished, smirking. "Yeah. Big shocker."
Akansha folded her arms. "What do you mean?"
"I mean, it was obvious as hell," Siddarth said. "The guy's been in love with Sneha for ages."
Komal grinned. "He finally snapped."
Shumaila leaned back, exhaling. "Sneha's in for some serious shit."
The group shared a look.
"Should we… check on her?" Akansha asked.
Komal shook her head. "Not yet. Let her process whatever is going on there."
The group sat for a while discussing what could have happened between them.
As the night settles in, painting the ocean in shades of deep indigo and the sand in shadows, the secrets of the beach, both above and below the tide, seemed to grow bolder, waiting for the cover of darkness to reveal themselves.