When Rivals Fall

Chapter 23 - The Real Confession and Game

"Aj se teri sari galiyan meri hogyi ,
Aj se mera ghar tera hogyaa,
Aj se meri sari khushiyan teri hogyi,
Aj se tera gam mera hogya"
~ Aj se teri

Author's Pov

It was midnight, and the whole house was quiet, with everyone fast asleep. Chelsi and Vedika were resting peacefully in one room, while Anayra and Kashvi slept in another. But Kashvi couldn't sleep-her mind was restless, thinking about Kaustubh.

She had made a decision tonight-she was going to confess her feelings to him. After hesitating for a few minutes, she picked up her phone and messaged him:

Kashvi: "Terrace pe milo" !

Kaustubh responded almost immediately: "Itni raat ko ? Kya hogyaa ??"

Kashvi: "Please, Kaus it's urgent."

Kaustubh: "Okay, I'm coming."

Taking a deep breath, Kashvi quietly got out of bed, making sure not to wake Anayra. But as she reached the door, Anayra stirred and woke up, blinking sleepily.
"Aree kashvi di kahan jare ho itni raat ko " she asked, her voice groggy.
( "Kashvi... where are you going at this time?" )

Kashvi froze for a moment, her mind racing to come up with an excuse.
"Voh .... Mein pani peene ja rahi hu , pyaas lagri hai" she said, trying to sound casual.
( "I'm just going to get some water... I'm really thirsty," )

Anayra frowned and said , " Pr pani toh hai na room me"
("There's water right here in the room." )

Thinking quickly, Kashvi smiled nervously , " Haan pr mujhe thanda pani peena hai , bohot pyaas lagri hai"
("Yeah... but I want cold water. I'm super thirsty.")

Before Anayra could ask any more questions, Kashvi slipped out of the room, her heart pounding like she'd just gotten away with something forbidden.

After kashvi got out of the room , anayra muttered, " Ajeeb hai ye bhi " but she quickly drifted in sleep.

As she quietly made her way toward the terrace, her pulse raced-not just because she was sneaking out, but because in a few minutes, she would be face-to-face with Kaustubh, ready to tell him how she really felt.

Kashvi quietly stepped out of the room, her heart pounding faster with each step. The cool night air brushed against her skin, but it did nothing to calm the storm brewing inside her. Her mind was racing with thoughts-How am I going to tell him? What if he doesn't feel the same? What if this ruins everything?

She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. "Calm down, Kashvi... tu kar legi. You've got this," she whispered to herself, giving a small nod as if convincing her own heart.

With her nerves still on edge, she climbed the stairs to the terrace, her footsteps light but her thoughts heavy. The terrace was quiet, bathed in soft moonlight. She stood there, taking in the peaceful night sky, waiting for Kaustubh to arrive.

As she stood by the railing, her fingers nervously fidgeted with the ends of her dupatta. Every passing second felt like an eternity, and she kept glancing toward the door, wondering how he would react.

"Just be honest, Kashvi," she murmured to herself. "It's now or never."

Kaustubh was lying in bed, scrolling through his phone when he saw Kashvi's message asking him to meet her on the terrace. His eyebrows raised slightly-what could be so urgent at this hour? He replied "Okay, I'm coming" and quietly got up, careful not to make any noise. But just as he was heading toward the door, he heard Ayaan's sleepy voice from behind.