The soft rain of the last few days had cleared, leaving behind the smell of wet soil and sunlight streaming through the clouds.
It was supposed to be a normal morning.
But Meera didn't know — today would change everything.
---
In the campus garden, Meera was waiting with her notes, flipping through pages. Aarav had promised to come early for project discussion, but as usual, he was late.
Meera (muttering): "If he thinks I'll keep waiting forever, he's wrong."
Just then, a voice behind her said, "Still impatient, I see."
She turned — and froze.
Standing there with his familiar grin and playful eyes was Kabir Malhotra, Aarav's childhood friend. Tall, confident, with that effortless charm that could light up a crowd.
Meera: "Kabir? You study here too?"
Kabir (smiling): "Transferred last week. Looks like destiny wanted us to meet early."They laughed, catching up like old acquaintances, but from afar, Aarav saw them talking — and something in his chest tightened.
He didn't like the sight.
Not because he didn't trust Meera… but because he didn't understand why it bothered him so much.
---
Later, during the project meeting, Meera was cheerful, humming softly while arranging papers. Aarav's mood, however, was cold and distant.
Meera: "What's wrong with you today?"
Aarav: "Nothing."
Meera: "You sure? You've said exactly two words since morning."
Aarav (flatly): "Make that four now."
She sighed, frustrated. "Fine. Stay grumpy."
He looked up sharply. "I saw you laughing with Kabir today."
Her brows rose. "So?"
"Nothing. You just… seemed happy."
Meera blinked, surprised. "And that's a problem because…?"
He didn't answer. Instead, he turned away, jaw tight.
For the first time, Meera saw something in his eyes — jealousy.
---
That evening, Kabir joined them at the campus café.
He was friendly, talkative, and easily likable.
Meera found him funny; Aarav found him annoying.
Kabir (to Aarav): "Still the same serious face, huh? Relax, man. You might scare her away."
Aarav (dryly): "Maybe that's the point."
Meera: "Okay, stop it, both of you."
But even as she tried to ease the tension, a strange silence fell between the two men — a silence heavy with unspoken rivalry.When Meera finally left for home, Aarav walked alone through the quiet path behind the library. His phone buzzed — a message from Kabir:😉
> She's interesting. Don't mind if I get close, do you?
Aarav's fingers tightened around the phone.
He stared at the message for a long time, then locked the screen and whispered to himself—
"Don't play games with her, Kabir… She's not like the others."
But deep inside, Aarav knew —
The real battle wasn't with Kabir.
It was with his own heart.Kabir starts getting closer to Meera, Aarav's jealousy grows, and a misunderstanding creates the first real distance between Aarav and Meera.