The campus was buzzing with energy as usual, but Ruhi barely noticed. Ever since that encounter with the mysterious girl, a storm of questions had been brewing in her mind. She hated how easily doubt had crept in. Hated how a single conversation had left her questioning things she had never thought twice about before.
She spotted Abhi across the courtyard, leaning casually against his car, surrounded by a group of friends. He was laughing, flashing that effortless smile that had every girl in college weak in the knees.
Including her.
But today, Ruhi felt something different.
Jealousy.
The source of it stood right next to him-Alisha, one of the most popular girls on campus. Tall, gorgeous, and always clinging to Abhi whenever she got the chance. She was laughing at something he said, placing a hand on his arm like she belonged there.
Ruhi's fingers curled into a fist.
"Are you seriously fuming right now?" A voice teased from beside her.
She turned to see her friend, Aisha, smirking. "He's literally surrounded by girls every day, Ruhi. You should be used to it by now."
Ruhi forced a casual shrug. "I don't care."
Aisha gave her a knowing look. "Sure you don't."
Ruhi turned back, just in time to see Alisha whisper something into Abhi's ear. He smirked, nodding slightly, and Ruhi felt something snap inside her.
Before she could think twice, she strode across the courtyard. The moment Abhi noticed her, his smirk widened. "Look who finally decided to grace us with her presence."
Ruhi ignored his teasing tone and glanced at Alisha, her smile sickeningly sweet. "You seem awfully close to my boyfriend."
Alisha raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Oh, we're just friends. Right, Abhi?"
Abhi chuckled. "Right."
Ruhi's jaw clenched. "Funny, because last time I checked, friends don't whisper in each other's ears like that."
Alisha smirked. "You're cute when you're jealous."
"I'm not jealous," Ruhi shot back, too quickly.
Abhi leaned in slightly, his voice laced with amusement. "You sure about that, sweetheart?"
Ruhi glared at him before turning to Alisha. "Stay in your lane."
Without waiting for a response, she grabbed Abhi's wrist and pulled him away from the group. He followed without resistance, still grinning.
Once they were out of earshot, Ruhi let go of his wrist and folded her arms. "You enjoy this, don't you?"
Abhi tilted his head. "Enjoy what?"
"Girls throwing themselves at you."
He smirked. "Can I help it if I'm irresistible?"
Ruhi rolled her eyes. "You could at least set some boundaries."
His smirk faded slightly, replaced with something unreadable. "And what about you, Ruhi? Do you have boundaries?"
She frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
He studied her for a moment before shaking his head. "Forget it."
Ruhi grabbed his wrist again, this time firmer. "No, say it."
He hesitated, then sighed. "You don't like when girls flirt with me. But do you ever think about what I feel?"
Ruhi blinked, caught off guard. "What?"
Abhi ran a hand through his hair, looking almost... vulnerable. "You're not the only one who gets jealous, Ruhi."
She stared at him, her heart pounding. She had never considered that possibility.
Before she could respond, he stepped closer, his voice lower. "I'm yours, Ruhi. But are you really mine?"
For the first time, Ruhi had no answer.
....to be continued.....
Author's Note:
Oof, things are heating up, huh? Ruhi out here pulling wrists like it's tug of war, and Abhi's out here casually dropping emotional truth bombs. One moment we're glaring at Alisha, the next we're questioning entire relationships. Classic college drama, but make it intense. Stay tuned, because this golden boy and his firecracker girlfriend are only just getting started.
—Your drama-loving author who's totally not sipping tea while watching Ruhi spiral.