Ruhi walked out of the café first, pretending she wasn't hyper-aware of Abhi following behind her. The air between them was charged, but she wasn't about to let him think he'd won whatever game they were playing.
"Need me to drop you somewhere?" Abhi asked casually, catching up to her stride.
Ruhi scoffed. "Need you? No. But I'll admit, it's cute that you think I would."
Abhi chuckled, unfazed. "And here I thought we were making progress."
"Progress?" She stopped and turned to face him, tilting her head. "In what, exactly? You trying to psychoanalyze me over overpriced coffee?"
He leaned in slightly, hands in his pockets. "If I wanted to analyze you, Ruhi, I'd do a much better job than that."
Before she could fire back, a voice interrupted them.
"Abhi!"
Ruhi turned to see a girl-tall, gorgeous, and oozing confidence-walking towards them. She had the kind of elegance that only came with privilege, dressed in designer from head to toe, her makeup flawless. And she was looking at Abhi like he was the only thing in the world worth noticing.
Ruhi folded her arms. Great. Another rich girl.
"Ah, Ananya," Abhi greeted smoothly, his smirk still intact.
Ruhi didn't miss the way the girl's gaze flickered toward her, assessing. Dismissing.
"Didn't see you at the last event," Ananya pouted slightly, placing a hand on Abhi's arm. "You know everyone missed you, right?"
Ruhi raised an eyebrow, her irritation bubbling beneath the surface. Everyone missed him? What is he, a celebrity?
Abhi smirked but didn't pull away. "Had other plans."
Ananya glanced at Ruhi again, this time with a more obvious curiosity. "And who's this?"
Before Abhi could respond, Ruhi smiled sweetly. "Oh, I'm no one important. Just someone Abhi forced to have coffee with him."
Ananya blinked, clearly thrown off by the response. Abhi, however, just grinned, clearly enjoying the show.
"Ruhi," he said smoothly. "This is Ananya, an old... friend."
"Emphasis on old?" Ruhi quipped, tilting her head innocently.
Abhi let out a low chuckle while Ananya's smile tightened. "Charming," she said, though the warmth didn't quite reach her eyes.
Ruhi's own smile widened. That's right, sweetheart. I can play this game too.
Abhi, looking far too entertained, finally spoke. "Ananya, I'd love to chat, but Ruhi and I were actually just-"
"Leaving," Ruhi cut in, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "But you two enjoy your little reunion. I'm sure Abhi has plenty of stories to share."
And with that, she turned on her heel and walked away, not bothering to look back.
She didn't need to. She already knew Abhi was watching her leave.
And she hated that she liked it.
.....to be continued...
Author's Note:
Oh Ruhi. Jealousy's not your color—but it looks damn good on you.
Abhi's caught between fire and fire, and neither's planning to burn quietly.
Ananya enters like the storm she is, but Ruhi?
She doesn't back down. She plays—and better than anyone expected.
But what happens when the game stops being fun?
Keep your heart guarded and your claws sharp, darling readers.
The next chapter might just leave someone bleeding.
– With a wink and a dagger behind the smile,
Your author.