**SEASON 2 — EPISODE 12
"THE ACCIDENTAL HUG THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING"**
The atmosphere around Bhanu hadn't calmed since the rumor.
If anything… it was getting worse.
People whispered more boldly now.
Some smiled knowingly.
Some teased her softly.
Some girls in class watched her like she was suddenly interesting.
But the worst part…
Bhanu felt suffocated by **the distance between her and Yashwin.**
Ever since the lunch drama, he barely spoke.
He didn't sit near her.
He didn't tease her.
He didn't look at her for long.
But he always *noticed* her.
Every time she walked by, his eyes followed her.
Every time she laughed with someone, his shoulders stiffened.
Every time Goutam spoke to her, his jaw tightened.
He wasn't ignoring her.
He was controlling himself.
And that… hurt Bhanu more.
---
## **AFTER CLASS — THE RAIN BEGINS**
As Bhanu walked toward the campus gate, dark clouds rolled overhead.
Wind picked up, scattering leaves.
She didn't bring an umbrella.
*Perfect.*
Just another awful day.
Thunder cracked.
She flinched.
A few drops fell.
Then a heavy downpour.
Students ran for shelter.
Bhanu hugged her bag to her chest and dashed toward the shaded side of the building.
But a wet tile made her foot slip.
She gasped—
And suddenly—
**Strong hands grabbed her waist.**
She collided with a hard chest.
Warm. Familiar. Secure.
Her fingers clutched onto a shirt instinctively.
She looked up slowly, water dripping from her lashes—
And her breath hitched.
**Yashwin.**
His face inches from hers.
Hair damp.
Jaw clenched.
Eyes burning with something raw and unguarded.
He held her tightly.
Too tightly.
Like he couldn't let her fall ever again.
"You okay?" he whispered, voice shaking slightly.
Bhanu couldn't speak.
She could only feel the heat of his hands on her waist…
his chest rising against her palm…
his breath mixing with hers.
"Yashwin…" she whispered, trembling.
His eyes softened.
Then—
He pulled her into a **full, desperate hug.**
Not an accident.
Not a mistake.
A real hug.
Rain poured behind them.
But they were frozen together under the building shade.
His arms wrapped around her.
Her face pressed against his heartbeat.
She felt every rapid thud.
He wasn't angry anymore.
He wasn't jealous.
He was worried.
Desperate.
Scared of losing her.
His voice was muffled against her hair.
"I'm sorry."
Bhanu's eyes widened.
"For what…?"
"For acting like an idiot," he whispered.
"For saying stupid things.
For hurting you.
For making you cry.
For letting rumors bother you.
For getting jealous.
For… everything."
She closed her eyes, heart melting.
Her arms slowly rose—
and she hugged him back.
He stilled.
Then he hugged her even tighter.
Rain blurred the world around them.
It felt like time had stopped.
Bhanu whispered softly into his chest.
"Why are you acting like this…?"
He breathed in shakily.
"Because I'm scared."
She pulled back slightly to look at him.
"Scared of what?"
He looked into her eyes.
His voice cracked.
"Scared of losing you to someone else."
Bhanu's entire body froze.
She stared at him, stunned, breathless.
He ran a thumb gently across her cheek, wiping off a raindrop — or maybe a tear.
"That day on the terrace," he murmured, "I wanted to kiss you."
Her heart exploded.
"And after seeing you with Goutam…
after seeing you cry…
after you pushed me away…
after everything…"
He leaned his forehead against hers.
"I realized how much you mean to me."
Bhanu's voice trembled.
"Yashwin…"
He swallowed hard.
"If you tell me to stay away…
I will."
Her eyes widened.
"But if there's even a small chance…"
His thumb brushed her lower lip softly.
"…that you feel something too…"
Bhanu's pulse skyrocketed.
"…then tell me," he whispered.
"Because I can't keep pretending anymore."
The rain slowed.
Silence surrounded them.
Bhanu stepped back slightly.
His face fell, thinking she was pulling away.
But she wasn't.
She just needed to breathe.
Needed the courage to look into his eyes.
And when she did…
She whispered the words that changed everything—
**"I didn't push you away because I didn't want you."**
Her voice cracked.
"I pushed you away because… I liked you too much."
Yashwin's breath stopped.
Completely.
He stared at her like he had never seen her before.
"Bhanu…"
She looked down, shy, cheeks burning.
"I was scared," she whispered.
"You're confident. Popular. Bold. And I'm… just me."
He lifted her chin gently.
"And you think I'd want anyone else?"
Her knees nearly gave out.
He took her hands in his.
"Bhanu," he said softly,
"For the first time in my life…
someone makes me nervous."
Her chest tightened painfully.
"And that someone is you."
Tears filled her eyes.
They stared at each other.
Close. Breathless. Shaking.
Yashwin whispered…
"Let me prove it."
He moved closer.
Slowly.
Carefully.
Their lips didn't touch.
But the space between them disappeared.
Bhanu closed her eyes.
She thought he would kiss her—
But he stopped.
His breath warm against her lips.
"I'll wait," he whispered, voice full of love, want, and restraint.
"Until you're ready."
Her heart melted completely.
Rain stopped.
But the moment didn't.
The hug…
the confession…
the closeness…
Everything has changed.
**End of Episode 12**