The campus buzzed with its usual morning energy-students rushing to classes, laughter echoing from groups huddled together, the scent of fresh coffee wafting from the nearby café.
Ruhi sat under a tree, pretending to scroll through her phone, but her mind was elsewhere. Specifically, on a certain someone who had been occupying her thoughts more than she liked. Last night at the party had been... interesting. She had acted on impulse, staking her claim in a way she hadn't fully processed yet.
And now, here he was. Abhi Rathod.
He walked across the lawn with his usual effortless confidence, a few friends trailing behind him. Girls turned to stare, whispering as he passed, their admiration painfully obvious.
Ruhi scoffed to herself. They act like he's some kind of god.
Yet, despite her internal eye roll, she found herself unable to look away. His gaze swept across the area until it landed on her. The smirk that followed was slow and knowing.
Damn it.
Before she could react, he was already making his way toward her, leaving his group behind. She debated ignoring him, but before she could, he was standing right in front of her.
"You stalking me now?" he teased, leaning against the tree.
Ruhi raised an unimpressed brow. "Oh, please. This campus isn't your personal kingdom."
He chuckled. "Could've fooled me."
She fought the urge to roll her eyes. "What do you want, Abhi?"
"Just curious." He tilted his head, watching her with those sharp eyes of his. "You seemed pretty... possessive last night."
Ruhi's stomach twisted, but she refused to show it. Instead, she let out a light laugh. "Possessive? That's a stretch."
"Oh? So you don't care who I talk to?"
"Not even a little."
He hummed, unconvinced. "Then why did you pull me away?"
She met his gaze, unflinching. "Because watching a bunch of girls make fools of themselves over you was painful."
His smirk widened. "So you saved me?"
"Think of it as a favor."
"How generous."
Ruhi pushed herself up from the grass, dusting off her jeans. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than feed your ego."
But as she walked past him, he caught her wrist, stopping her. His grip was gentle, but enough to make her pause.
"Ruhi." His voice was lower, more serious now. "You can pretend all you want, but you and I both know-last night meant something."
Her heart thudded annoyingly fast. She swallowed, forcing herself to scoff. "Don't flatter yourself, Rathod."
She yanked her wrist free and walked away without looking back.
She wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
But as she turned the corner, she nearly collided with someone waiting for her.
A girl.
With an oddly knowing smile.
"You must be Ruhi," she said, tilting her head. "I've heard so much about you."
Ruhi frowned. Something about her felt... off.
"Who are you?" she asked, suddenly alert.
The girl's smile widened. "Let's just say I know things about Abhi that you don't."
Ruhi's stomach twisted again-but this time, it wasn't because of jealousy.
This time, it was something much worse.
.....to be continued....
Author's Note:
Ah, Ruhi. You were doing so well—holding your own, walking away, pretending you don't care.
But fate? Fate has a habit of slipping in just when you think you've regained control.
Who is this mysterious girl with secrets about Abhi?
Is she bluffing? Or does she hold the match that could set everything ablaze?
And more importantly—what will Ruhi do when the line between possession and paranoia starts to blur?
Buckle up, loves. The games are fun... until someone gets burned.
—Always watching,
Your ever-curious narrator.