The evening air was crisp as Ruhi strolled through the college campus, her mind restless. The encounter with Ananya still lingered in her thoughts, though she'd rather die than admit why.
Her phone buzzed. A message from her roommate: "Party at Karan's place. Abhi's here. You coming?"
Ruhi stared at the screen. Was she going? Of course not. Why would she? It wasn't like she was keeping tabs on Abhi.
But somehow, she still found herself at Karan's house an hour later, stepping into a space filled with laughter, music, and the scent of expensive cologne. She moved through the crowd, keeping her expression neutral as her eyes instinctively searched for him.
She found him too quickly.
Abhi was leaning against the bar, a drink in hand, flashing his signature smirk at a group of girls who giggled too easily.
Ruhi's stomach twisted. Not in jealousy-definitely not-but in irritation. She didn't even understand why.
"Didn't expect to see you here," a voice interrupted her thoughts.
She turned to see Ahaan, one of Abhi's close friends. He was watching her with amused curiosity.
Ruhi gave him a lazy smile. "Just exploring my options."
Ahaan chuckled. "And yet your eyes keep going in one direction."
She huffed, rolling her eyes. "Please. Abhi's not that special."
"Tell that to the dozen girls trying to impress him right now."
Ruhi gritted her teeth, shifting her gaze back to Abhi. One of the girls-a particularly clingy one-was laughing at something he said, her hand brushing against his arm.
Ruhi's fingers clenched around her drink. Oh, hell no.
Before she could stop herself, she was already walking toward them. Ahaan followed, clearly enjoying the scene unfolding.
Just as she reached Abhi, she didn't hesitate-she slid between him and the girl, turning to face him as if she hadn't just barged in. "I'm bored."
Abhi blinked in surprise before grinning. "Oh? And I'm supposed to fix that?"
"Obviously." She tilted her head, smirking. "Unless you're too busy entertaining your fan club."
The girl behind her scoffed, but Abhi was already focused solely on Ruhi. He leaned in slightly. "Didn't peg you for the jealous type."
She smiled sweetly. "I'm not. I just hate seeing people waste their time."
Ahaan snickered, but Abhi only grinned wider, lifting his glass in mock surrender. "Far be it from me to ignore such a direct request."
The girl huffed and walked away, and Ruhi barely resisted the urge to smirk in victory.
Abhi leaned closer, voice dropping just enough to make her breath catch. "Admit it, Ruhi. You like having my attention."
She took a sip of her drink, masking her reaction. "Let's just say I don't like sharing."
And with that, she turned, disappearing into the party.
She didn't have to look back to know Abhi was watching.
She already knew he was.
....to be continued....
Author's Note:
So much for "not jealous," hmm Ruhi?
The party may be loud, but nothing's louder than unspoken tension—and Ruhi just turned up the volume.
She says she doesn't care.
Abhi knows better.
Ahaan's just here for the drama.
In this game of glances, interruptions, and uninvited territory claims… who's really falling first?
Spoiler: It's not the one walking away.
Stay tuned, darlings. The heart's a messy battlefield—and this party's just getting started.
— Yours in chaos and cocktails,
Your author.