**Season 2 — Episode 10
"THE RUMOR THAT SET EVERYTHING ON FIRE"**
The morning after the almost-kiss was the most terrifying day of Bhanu's life.
She barely slept.
Every time she closed her eyes, she felt Yashwin's hands on her waist…
His forehead resting against hers…
His breath mixing with hers…
She kept touching her lips unconsciously.
*We almost kissed.*
The thought refused to leave.
She tried shaking it off as she walked into college, clutching her bag tightly.
Maybe she could act normal.
Maybe no one would even know—
"*Oye Bhanu!*"
Trisha came running, eyes wide, face glowing like someone who had found the hottest gossip of the century.
Bhanu froze.
"…What?"
Trisha grabbed her hand.
"Tell me right now.
Did you and **Yashwin** actually get locked alone on the terrace last night?"
Bhanu's soul left her body.
"W-What?! Who told you—?"
"So it's TRUE?!" Trisha squealed.
Bhanu slapped a hand over her mouth.
"Keep your voice down, idiot!"
But it was too late.
Two girls nearby already turned and whispered to each other.
Her stomach dropped.
**Rumors had started.**
---
### **CLASSROOM – 10 minutes later**
Bhanu entered the classroom trying to act normal, but half the students turned to look at her.
Some smirked.
Some whispered behind notebooks.
One girl giggled, "Terrace romance aa?"
Bhanu wanted to disappear.
She sat down, burying her face in her hands.
Then she heard it.
A familiar voice.
Deep. Calm.
But today… tense.
"Bhanu."
She looked up slowly.
Yashwin stood at her bench.
His eyes scanned her face carefully.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
She nodded too fast. "Yes… yes I'm fine."
But he didn't move.
Instead, he leaned slightly closer.
"Are people talking?"
Her silence answered for her.
His jaw tightened.
His eyes darkened.
"Who started it?"
She gulped. "I don't know."
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
"I'll handle it."
Bhanu panicked.
"No! Please don't do anything. It'll only get worse!"
He hesitated.
Then he sat down beside her.
Not in his usual place.
Right next to her.
Their shoulders brushed.
Bhanu's breath caught.
"Why are you sitting here?"
He looked straight ahead.
"…You looked uncomfortable sitting alone."
Her heart thudded.
The class watched them silently.
Whispers spread like wildfire again.
But then—
**Arjun walked in.**
He stopped dead at the sight of Yashwin sitting beside Bhanu.
His face changed instantly.
Something sharp flashed in his eyes.
He walked slowly to them.
"New seat?" he asked, forcing a smile at Yashwin.
"No," Yashwin replied coldly.
"Just sitting with her today."
Arjun's jaw clenched.
"And why is that?"
Yashwin finally looked up at him.
"Because she needed me to."
Bhanu's breath stilled.
Arjun stared at her. "Is that true?"
Bhanu opened her mouth—but no words came out.
She didn't want to hurt anyone.
Arjun's eyes softened.
"Bhanu… am I losing you?"
Her chest tightened painfully.
Before she could respond—
Yashwin leaned forward slightly, voice low but firm.
"This isn't about you, Arjun."
Arjun shot him a glare.
"Oh it is. Totally is."
The air grew heavy.
People stared, sensing tension crackling between the two boys.
Bhanu stood up abruptly.
"Stop!"
Her voice shook.
"Both of you… stop fighting. Please."
Silence.
Her hands trembled.
Her eyes stung.
"Because of one small rumor, everyone's acting crazy. I can't… I can't deal with all this today."
Yashwin's face softened.
Arjun's expression fell.
Bhanu grabbed her bag and walked out of the classroom.
She needed air.
She needed space.
She needed—
"Bhanu!"
Two footsteps followed behind her.
She panicked.
Not again.
"Please," she whispered without turning. "Just… leave me alone for now."
Both footsteps stopped.
But only one voice answered.
Not Yashwin.
Not Arjun.
A third voice.
Calm. Deep.
Unexpected.
**"I'll walk with you."**
Bhanu turned slowly.
Goutam stood there, hands in pockets, eyes steady and gentle.
No drama.
No jealousy.
No anger.
Just calm concern.
She sighed in relief.
Goutam walked beside her silently for a moment.
Then he said quietly—
"So… terrace, huh?"
Bhanu groaned.
"Not you too—"
He raised his hands.
"No teasing. I know rumors are blown-up nonsense."
She looked at him gratefully.
"But…" he added casually,
"You and Yashwin… something definitely changed."
She nearly tripped.
Goutam smirked slightly.
"You don't have to tell me. I just noticed."
Bhanu's cheeks heated.
He continued walking with her.
"Don't worry," he said softly.
"I'm here. Whatever happens between the three of you… I'll make sure no one hurts you."
Her chest warmed.
For the first time that day… she felt safe.
But behind them, unseen, someone else was watching from the corridor…
Yashwin.
His jaw clenched.
His fists tightened.
He murmured under his breath—
**"She asked me to leave. But she let him stay…"**
Something new and sharp flickered inside him.
A feeling he never expected:
**Jealousy.**
**End of Episode 10 **