🏠 A Place to Call Theirs
Their new apartment was on the 4th floor of a cozy building in South Delhi — not fancy, not huge, but with the perfect morning light.
Two bedrooms, one small balcony, and a kitchen that could fit exactly one and a half people at a time.
As they stepped inside for the first time, Rudra said:
"Here it is… our little chaos kingdom."
Ruhi smiled, looking around at the empty walls, still echoing."I've dreamt of this moment since we fought over whiteboard markers in class."
"And now we'll be fighting over cupboard space," he said.
They high-fived.And just like that — home began.
🎨 The Decor Dilemma — Chaos or Calm?
Ruhi wanted earthy tones. Plants. A small library. Floor cushions.
Rudra wanted framed jerseys. A bean bag. And a fridge stocked with energy drinks.
The negotiation began.
The compromise:
Half wall for framed poems
Half wall for Rudra's basketball medals
A "vibe corner" with fairy lights and bean bag
Kitchen shelf labeled "herbs & protein powder"
Bathroom shelf: One side face masks, one side muscle spray
Simran (on a video call):
"It's giving… functional romance with a dash of gym rat."
Aarav (in the background):
"Perfect metaphor for their marriage."
🪴 A Plant Named "Chintu"
They bought their first plant together — a money plant with oddly curly leaves.
Ruhi: "Let's name him Chintu."Rudra: "Why?"Ruhi: "Because he looks like he needs therapy and approval. Like you in first year."
Rudra: "Chintu it is."
Chintu sat on the balcony.Sometimes thriving.Sometimes dry.Just like love — needing sunlight, attention, and patience.
📦 The Box of Memories
While unpacking, Ruhi found an old shoebox.
Inside:
Rudra's first library card
Ruhi's poetry contest badge
Their Spain museum ticket
A crumpled tissue from the night of their first fight
The pink friendship band Simran gave her in first year
They sat on the floor, sifting through it like archaeologists of their own love story.
"I'm so glad we didn't give up," Ruhi whispered.
"Even when it got hard."
"Especially when it got hard," he corrected.
📓 Beyond the Buzzer – Page 200
"Home isn't walls.It's what you choose to carry inside them."
☕ Two Cups. One Routine.
Every morning, without fail:
Rudra made chai (mild sugar for her, strong for him)
Ruhi played soft instrumental music
They sat on the balcony — sometimes silent, sometimes dreaming
On one such morning, Ruhi looked at him and said:
"You know we'll fight again, right?"
"Of course," he replied. "And I'll lose. On purpose."
She laughed."I'm serious."
"So am I."
📞 Simran's Housewarming Surprise
During the virtual housewarming party, Simran mailed a gift — a hand-painted wooden board that read:
"This house runs on poetry, patience, and panic-cleaning before guests arrive."
They placed it above the doorway.
Simran added on video call:
"I'll visit this madness one day. But for now, make it so warm that even your arguments echo love."
💻 Aarav's Deal — A New Chapter
That same evening, Aarav messaged:
"Got a call from Penguin.
They want to turn Half Time Diaries into a book.
I think I'm going to say yes."
Ruhi called him instantly."Aarav, this is huge!"
"I'm scared," he confessed.
"That means it's real."
"I wish Simran were here."
"She will be," Ruhi promised. "In every line you write."
🖋️ Ruhi's Writer's Block
Despite all the joy, Ruhi was struggling.
She stared at blank pages for hours. The pressure of their first book deal was getting to her.
"I think I forgot how to write," she said one night.
Rudra gently pulled out one of her old diaries.
"Then let me remind you."
He read aloud:
"*I hate him.
His smirk, his walk, the way he thinks he owns the classroom.*"
Ruhi blushed."That's from first year."
"And now you own me," he grinned.
They both laughed.And somehow — the next line came easier.
📝 That Night — First Page, Again
Ruhi finally wrote:
"This isn't the second chapter of our love story.
This is the beginning of something new.A home.A heartbeat shared.A story lived between two toothbrushes and a plant named Chintu."
📸 The Housewarming Photo
Rudra set the timer and took a picture:
Ruhi holding chai
Rudra with his arm around her
A messy living room
A plant, a poster, and a promise in the background
Caption:
"We built a home.Now watch us live in it."
💫 End of Chapter 44