The next week started differently for Kashvi.

Not painfully.

Not emotionally.

Just differently.

She had stopped expecting things now.

And maybe that was why she looked calmer.

“Kashvi.”

She looked up from her notebook as their professor entered the classroom.

“There’s a cultural event next month. Since you topped last semester, you’ll coordinate the presentation team.”

A few students groaned immediately.

Kashvi blinked. “Sir, alone?”

“No. Aarav will help you.”

Almost everyone turned toward the door.

A tall boy entered casually, holding a file in one hand.

Black shirt. Calm expression. Sharp features.

Senior.

Kashvi recognized him instantly.

Aarav Malhotra.

Final year topper.

Very famous in college for academics and debate competitions.

He gave a small nod toward the professor before looking at Kashvi.

“So you’re my partner.”

The class immediately became interested.

Aditya, sitting two benches behind, frowned slightly without realizing it.

After class, Kashvi walked out carrying files when someone took half of them from her hands naturally.

“I can carry those.”

She looked up.

Aarav.

“You don’t have to.”

“And yet I already did.”

His voice was calm.

Easy.

Not forceful.

Kashvi gave a small awkward smile. “Thanks.”

From the corridor behind them, Aditya watched silently.

Rohini noticed immediately.

“You know him?”

“Who?”

“The guy you’re staring at.”

“I’m not staring.”

Rohini looked unconvinced.

In the auditorium later, Aarav sat beside Kashvi while discussing presentation ideas.

“You write well,” he said while reading her notes.

Kashvi adjusted her spectacles lightly. “Thanks.”

“You’re quieter than people describe.”

She looked at him. “People describe me?”

Aarav smiled faintly. “You’re Aditya Singh’s best friend. Half the college knows you.”

That made her pause for a second.

Best friend.

Still that.

Always that.

She quickly pushed the thought away.

“And what exactly does half the college know?” she asked lightly.

“That he talks about you a lot.”

Kashvi blinked.

Before she could respond, a familiar voice interrupted.

“Kashu.”

Both turned.

Aditya stood near the stage stairs, hands in pockets.

Expression unreadable.

“You disappeared.”

“I told Rohini I had work.”

“You didn’t tell me.”

Aarav quietly looked between them.

Kashvi closed her file calmly. “I’m telling you now.”

Aditya’s eyes shifted toward Aarav.

“And you are?”

“Aarav.”

“Oh. Senior topper guy.”

Aarav smiled slightly. “That’s one way to introduce me.”

Kashvi almost smiled.

Aditya noticed instantly.

And for some reason, it irritated him.

“We’re working on the event,” Kashvi explained.

“Hmm.”

That was all he said.

But his eyes stayed on Aarav longer than necessary.

Later in the canteen, Rohini sat across from Aditya while he stirred cold coffee absentmindedly.

“You’ve been quiet since morning.”

“I’m normal.”

“You looked ready to interrogate that senior.”

Aditya scoffed lightly. “Please.”

Rohini leaned back slightly. “Then why were you glaring?”

“I wasn’t glaring.”

“You absolutely were.”

He looked away toward the canteen entrance automatically.

And there she was.

Kashvi walking in with Aarav beside her.

Talking.

Actually talking.

Not forced responses.

Not polite answers.

She was smiling softly at something he said.

Aditya’s fingers tightened around his coffee cup unconsciously.

Rohini noticed everything.

Every little reaction.

A few minutes later, Kashvi reached their table.

Aarav stood beside her.

“Guys, this is Aarav. We’re coordinating the event together.”

Rohini smiled politely. “Hi.”

Aditya nodded once. “Yeah. We met.”

Aarav looked amused by the tone.

Kashvi sat down beside Rohini instead of Aditya.

That tiny thing bothered him more than expected.

Aarav looked toward Kashvi. “You forgot your pen in the auditorium.”

He handed it to her.

“Oh. Thanks.”

“You lose things often?”

Kashvi smiled faintly. “Mostly around stressed days.”

“Then I’ll prepare myself.”

She laughed softly.

Aditya immediately looked up.

That laugh again.

Comfortable.

Easy.

And not because of him this time.

Something twisted strangely inside his chest.

“Bro why do you look angry?” one of his friends whispered beside him.

“I’m not angry.”

“You look ready to punch someone.”

Aditya rolled his eyes. “Shut up.”

His friend followed his gaze toward Aarav and suddenly smirked.

“Oh.”

“Oh what?”

“You’re jealous.”

Aditya immediately scoffed. “Of him?”

“Very convincing reaction.”

“I’m serious.”

“Then stop staring at Kashvi every five seconds.”

Aditya opened his mouth to argue.

Then stopped.

Because before he even realized it…

He looked toward her again.

And found her already smiling at something Aarav said.

For the first time in days…

Kashvi looked light again.

Relaxed.

Present.

And instead of feeling happy seeing her smile…

Aditya felt strangely left out.

That evening, while leaving college, Aarav stopped beside Kashvi near the gate.

“You waiting for someone?”

She shook her head. “Dad’s sending the driver.”

“Good. It’s getting late.”

Before she could reply, a bike stopped sharply nearby.

Aditya removed his helmet.

“I’ll drop you.”

Kashvi blinked slightly. “You left already.”

“I came back.”

“For what?”

His answer came too quickly.

“For you.”

Silence followed.

Even Aditya looked slightly caught off guard by his own words.

Aarav quietly observed both of them.

Then smiled faintly.

“I should leave.”

Kashvi nodded politely. “Bye.”

After Aarav walked away, Aditya looked at her.

“You could’ve called me.”

“You were busy.”

“With what?”

She looked at him calmly.

“Rohini.”

That answer shut him up for two seconds.

Then he muttered softly, “You still notice that?”

Kashvi almost laughed at the irony.

Of course she noticed.

She noticed everything about him.

That had always been her problem.

Ch 11 jealous

The entire next week became frustrating for Aditya.

And the worst part was...

He didn’t even understand why.

Everywhere he went, Aarav was there beside Kashvi.

Auditorium.

Library.

Canteen.

Practice hall.

Always calm. Always composed.

And Kashvi actually looked comfortable around him now.

That irritated Aditya more than it should have.

“Kashvi, these designs look better.”

Aarav shifted closer beside her during event practice, showing something on his laptop.

Kashvi leaned slightly toward the screen. “Yeah, this one is nice.”

“You finally agreed with me.”

“Don’t get emotional.”

Aarav laughed softly.

From across the room, Aditya looked up immediately.

His jaw tightened slightly.

Rohini, sitting beside him, noticed.

Again.

“You’re staring.”

“I’m literally working.”

“You typed the same line three times.”

Aditya frowned at the laptop screen.

He had.

Annoyed, he shut the laptop.

“I’m bored.”

“No,” Rohini corrected calmly. “You’re jealous.”

He scoffed immediately. “Of Aarav?”

“Very much.”

“Please.”

Rohini looked toward Kashvi again.

Aarav was saying something while Kashvi smiled softly.

Then Rohini looked back at Aditya.

“You hate seeing her attention somewhere else.”

“That’s not true.”

“Then why do you keep interrupting them?”

Aditya opened his mouth.

Then stopped.

Because even he had noticed it now.

Every time Aarav and Kashvi sat together...

He somehow appeared there.

Without planning to.

That afternoon, Kashvi sat near the auditorium stairs arranging files when Aditya suddenly dropped beside her.

“So this is where you disappeared.”

She adjusted her spectacles lightly. “I told everyone I had practice.”

“You didn’t tell me.”

“You knew.”

He leaned closer slightly. “Still.”

Before she could answer, Aarav walked toward them holding coffee cups.

“I got yours too,” he said, handing one to Kashvi.

“Thanks.”

Aditya immediately spoke. “You didn’t ask me.”

Aarav looked amused. “You seemed busy glaring at me.”

Kashvi coughed trying to hide her laugh.

Aditya looked offended. “I don’t glare.”

“You do,” both Kashvi and Aarav said together.

That somehow made it worse.

Later, while arranging props backstage, Kashvi struggled carrying a large stand alone.

Before Aarav could reach her, Aditya appeared instantly beside her.

“Leave it.”

“I can manage.”

“You’ll drop it.”

“I won’t.”

The stand slipped slightly from her grip at the exact same moment.

Aditya caught it immediately.

“Told you.”

Kashvi rolled her eyes lightly. “Happy now?”

“A little.”

Aarav watched them quietly.

Then after a moment, he looked toward Kashvi.

“Your friend doesn’t like sharing your attention.”

Kashvi blinked immediately. “What?”

Aarav smiled faintly. “Relax. It’s obvious.”

“He’s just protective.”

“Hm.”

“What?”

“You’re the only one denying things around him.”

The words hit unexpectedly.

Kashvi looked away instantly.

Because a part of her hated how much she wanted that statement to be true.

That evening, event practice became crowded.

Students moved around backstage carrying lights, props, wires and decorations.

The atmosphere was chaotic.

Kashvi stood near the side curtains checking notes while Aarav discussed stage entries with someone.

Aditya leaned against a pillar nearby pretending not to watch her.

But still watching.

Always watching.

Suddenly a group of boys carrying a large backdrop rushed carelessly through backstage.

Someone pushed hard from behind.

Kashvi lost balance instantly.

Everything happened too fast.

Before she could fall, a strong hand grabbed her waist sharply and pulled her backward.

Directly against a solid chest.

Aditya.

His arm wrapped tightly around her waist while the heavy stand crashed loudly right where she had been standing seconds ago.

The sound echoed backstage.

For a moment nobody moved.

Kashvi’s breath got stuck.

She could feel his heartbeat.

Fast.

Very fast.

Aditya’s grip on her waist tightened instinctively.

Almost possessively.

Like letting go wasn’t even an option.

“Are you insane?” he snapped at the boys angrily. “Can’t you see properly?”

“Sorry bhai,” one of them muttered before leaving quickly.

Silence followed.

Heavy silence.

Because Aditya still hadn’t let her go.

Kashvi slowly looked up at him.

Too close.

Again.

But this time felt different.

Intense.

His jaw was tight.

Eyes dark with anger and something else she couldn’t name.

“You okay?” he asked quietly.

The anger disappeared instantly while looking at her.

Only concern remained.

Kashvi nodded slowly.

But neither moved.

His hand still rested firmly against her waist.

Warm.

Protective.

Burning through her entire body.

Around them, a few students exchanged looks silently.

Even Rohini noticed the way Aditya held her.

Like instinct.

Like fear.

Like she mattered far more than he admitted.

Aarav looked at them quietly too.

And for the first time, his expression changed slightly.

Understanding.

Complete understanding.

Then suddenly Aditya realized how close they were.

His eyes flickered downward briefly.

Kashvi’s breath hitched softly.

He stepped back immediately.

Too quickly.

Like he had touched fire.

“You should be careful,” he muttered.

Kashvi stared at him silently.

Because her heart was still racing uncontrollably.

And judging from the way he avoided looking directly at her now...

His was too.

CH 12 CLOSE

The backstage incident refused to leave Aditya’s mind.

No matter how much he tried distracting himself.

The feeling of Kashvi against him.

The fear that hit him when she almost fell.

The way his hand had tightened around her waist without thinking.

None of it felt normal anymore.

And that bothered him badly.

The next morning, he reached college earlier than usual.

Mostly because he couldn’t sleep properly.

He leaned against his bike near the gate, scrolling through his phone absentmindedly.

Then he saw her.

Kashvi walked inside the campus with Aarav beside her.

Talking.

Smiling faintly.

Again.

Something inside him immediately soured.

“You’re early today,” Aarav said casually to Kashvi.

“Practice work.”

“You’re becoming responsible.”

“Shocking, right?”

Aarav laughed softly.

Aditya looked away irritably.

His friend beside him noticed instantly.

“You look angry again.”

“I’m normal.”

“You’ve been normal very aggressively lately.”

Aditya ignored him and walked straight toward Kashvi.

“Kashu.”

She looked up.

“Morning.”

Aarav nodded politely toward him. “Aditya.”

“Senior topper guy,” Aditya replied dryly.

Kashvi closed her eyes briefly. “Adi.”

“What?”

Aarav actually laughed.

That irritated him more.

“We’re going to the auditorium,” Kashvi said.

“I’ll come.”

Aarav looked amused. “Do you suddenly care about event management too?”

“No. I care about bad planning.”

Kashvi stared at him suspiciously. “You don’t even know the plan.”

“Exactly. Dangerous.”

She almost smiled despite herself.

In the auditorium, Aarav and Kashvi sat near the front stage discussing entries while Aditya somehow occupied the seat directly beside Kashvi.

Without invitation.

Without shame.

“Move a little,” Kashvi muttered softly.

“There’s space.”

“You’re literally pushing me.”

“Adjustment is important in life.”

Aarav watched both of them silently before shaking his head faintly.

Then he handed Kashvi a paper. “Check this sequence once.”

As Kashvi leaned toward Aarav to read it, Aditya leaned too.

Deliberately.

Their shoulders collided immediately.

Kashvi looked at him.

“What are you doing?”

“Checking.”

“You’re breathing on the page.”

“I’m involved.”

Aarav laughed softly again.

“You really do interrupt constantly.”

Aditya looked offended. “I’m helping.”

“No,” Aarav replied calmly. “You’re hovering.”

Kashvi immediately looked down to hide her smile.

Because Aarav wasn’t wrong.

Not even slightly.

During lunch break, Rohini sat beside Aditya in the canteen.

“You know Aarav asked me something interesting.”

Aditya kept scrolling through his phone. “Hmm?”

“He asked if you and Kashvi ever dated.”

His head snapped up instantly.

“What?”

Rohini watched him carefully.

“I said no.”

“Good.”

“But then he asked another thing.”

“What now?”

She leaned back calmly.

‘Then why does he react like a jealous boyfriend every time someone talks to her?’”

Aditya went completely silent.

For the first time... truly silent.

“That’s stupid,” he muttered eventually.

“Is it?”

“Yes.”

“Then why were you glaring when he walked her to class?”

“I was not glaring.”

Rohini gave him a look.

“Adi.”

He exhaled irritably and stood up.

“I’m leaving.”

“You’re proving my point beautifully.”

That evening, event practice ran late again.

The auditorium became crowded and noisy.

Lights.

Music.

People shouting instructions.

Kashvi stood near the stage trying to fix decoration sheets above while balancing carefully on a small ladder.

“Careful,” Aarav warned from below.

“I’m fine.”

“You said that yesterday too.”

Before she could reply, someone accidentally bumped into the ladder while rushing backstage.

The ladder tilted suddenly.

Kashvi gasped softly.

Before anyone else could react, Aditya reached her instantly.

One arm grabbed her waist while the other held the ladder steady forcefully.

The sudden pull made Kashvi stumble directly against him again.

Hard.

This time even closer than yesterday.

His grip around her waist tightened automatically.

Protective.

Possessive.

Like instinct had completely taken over now.

“Are you out of your mind?” he snapped angrily. “Why are you standing this carelessly?”

“I was handling it,” she replied breathlessly.

“Clearly not.”

His face was extremely close.

Too close.

Kashvi could feel his breath now.

Warm against her skin.

Around them, noise slowly faded into background.

Neither noticed people staring.

Neither noticed the silence forming nearby.

Aditya was still holding her tightly.

His thumb pressed slightly against her waist unconsciously.

Kashvi’s heartbeat became impossible to control.

“Adi,” she whispered softly.

Something in her voice affected him instantly.

His eyes flickered toward her lips for one brief dangerous second.

Then back to her eyes.

The air changed.

Completely.

Heavy.

Intense.

Almost frightening.

And then Aarav spoke quietly from beside them.

“I think she’s safe now.”

The moment shattered instantly.

Aditya stepped back immediately.

Too quickly.

Like waking up from something dangerous.

Kashvi looked away first this time.

Trying to breathe normally again.

Trying to calm her heartbeat.

Failing completely.

Aarav watched both of them silently.

Then after a moment, he spoke calmly.

“You know what your problem is, Aditya?”

Aditya frowned slightly. “What?”

“You only realize your feelings when someone else gets close to her.”

Silence.

Absolute silence.

Kashvi froze.

Aditya stared at Aarav.

Then scoffed lightly.

“You’re overthinking.”

Aarav smiled faintly.

“No. You are.”

And for the first time since all this started...

Aditya had no immediate answer.