Laksh's smile faltered. The irritation was starting to show in the tight set of his jaw.
"I already told you," he snapped, trying to keep his cool. "Love and all that drama? Not my thing. That should be enough of an answer—I don't love Aarohi."
But Armaan didn't blink. His voice was steady, almost too calm.
"If you don't love her… then why do you get jealous every time I'm around her?"
That hit a nerve.
Laksh let out a long breath, trying to hold on to his patience. He wasn't doing a great job of it. "I'm not jealous," he said through clenched teeth. "I just don't like you. Simple as that. So no, I don't exactly enjoy it when the people around me—especially the ones I've grown up with—suddenly start acting like you're the center of their universe. Got it?"
He stepped back, his tone turning cold and dismissive.
"Anyway, if your little midnight interrogation is over, I'm heading out. I'm sleepy—and definitely not in the mood for this dramatic nonsense."
Without waiting for a response, Laksh turned around and walked out of Armaan's room. But the moment he stepped into the quiet corridor, that confident, carefree mask he wore so well… slipped.
He leaned back against the wall, breathing hard—like he'd just run a marathon, or like the truth was chasing him too fast.His hands clenched at his sides. Armaan's question played on loop in his head:
"Why do you get jealous every time I go near her?"
Laksh closed his eyes, pressing his fingers to his temples. "Do I really get jealous when Aarohi's around him?" he muttered under his breath. "Am I… actually falling for her?"
A long pause.
He shook his head immediately, almost angrily, as if shaking the thought out of existence.
"No. No way. I already told him—I just don't like him, okay? It has nothing to do with Aarohi. It's just… he gets under my skin. That's all."
But even he didn't sound convinced.
He muttered again, this time a little softer—like trying to calm a voice only he could hear.
"Just stop overthinking it and go to sleep. That's it. You're tired. That's all this is."
With a final, heavy sigh, Laksh pushed himself off the wall and walked back into his room. He shut the door quietly behind him, climbed into bed, and closed his eyes—hoping sleep would come fast enough to drown the noise in his chest.
But deep down, he knew—sleep wouldn't save him tonight.
—————
The next morning arrived with a gentle breeze and golden sunlight pouring in through the curtains. Birds chirped softly outside, as if announcing the start of a new day.
Aarohi woke up on time for once, feeling surprisingly fresh. After getting ready for university, she joined her mom and dad at the breakfast table. They laughed over little things, the warm clinking of cutlery filling the silence between conversations.
Just then, her phone lit up with a message.
She glanced at the screen—
and a bright, wide smile instantly spread across her face.
It was from Armaan.
"good morning cupcake, Get ready quickly and come outside."
Without wasting a second, she finished her breakfast, gave her parents a cheerful goodbye, and rushed outside—her heart just a little lighter than usual.But as she stepped out through the main gate, her steps slowed. Laksh was already there, leaning casually against his car, his arms folded, looking like he'd been waiting for her.
The moment he saw her, his lips curled into that signature smirk. "Look who's early today—Miss Aarohi Rajput, on time and even a little ahead," Laksh teased as he walked up to her, gently patting her head with a grin.
"Good girl."
Then, pulling open the passenger door for her with an exaggerated bow, he added, "Come on, hop in. And since you've done the impossible today, I'll even treat you to ice cream on the way."
Aarohi stepped forward, reached for the car door—then calmly pushed it shut again. She looked him right in the eye.
"Actually, I'm going with Armaan today," she said, voice cool and controlled. "And from now on, I'll be going with him every day. So you can drive yourself to university without delays. Peacefully."
Laksh's jaw tightened the second the words left her mouth. His eyes darkened, but he somehow managed to stay composed—barely.
"Aarohi, stop being dramatic and get in the car," he said, his tone clipped but firm. "You're going with me."
Aarohi let out a sarcastic laugh and crossed her arms.
"Are you deaf, or just pretending not to hear me? I said I'm going with Armaan. So quit this controlling behavior and leave. I'm not coming with you."
That was it.
Laksh snapped.
Without thinking, he stepped forward and grabbed her arm tightly, his eyes burning with rage.
"What's so hard to understand?" he hissed. "I said you're coming with me—and you are coming with me."
His grip on her arm was forceful—enough to make her wince. Aarohi winced in pain, trying to free herself.
"Laksh! What the hell are you doing?" she gasped, struggling against his grip. "Let go of me! You're hurting me!"
But Laksh was too blinded by rage to realize what he was doing. His chest rose and fell rapidly, and his eyes bore into Aarohi's, sharp and intense. It was as if the world around him had gone silent, and all he could see was her—and his own uncontrollable anger.
Just then, Armaan arrived. Without hesitation, he stepped in between them and forcefully freed Aarohi's arm from Laksh's grip. He gently held Aarohi by the shoulders, examining her with concern in his eyes. "Aarohi... are you okay?" he asked softly.
Aarohi nodded, still slightly shaken, her eyes avoiding both of theirs. Armaan tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear with the gentlest touch, offering her a reassuring smile. "Alright, go sit in the car. I'll be there in a minute."
She gave a small nod and walked away in silence.
Only then did Laksh seem to snap out of it—realization hitting him like a wave. His gaze followed Aarohi, regret flashing in his eyes. He took a step forward, intending to go after her and apologize.
But before he could move any further, Armaan grabbed his wrist and yanked him back to the same spot where everything had just unfolded.
"Don't even think about going after her,"
Armaan gave Laksh a hard stare, his grip tightening just enough to make a point. "Consider this a warning, Laksh. Learn to control your anger... or stay away from her." The air between them grew heavier, the silence louder than words—as if the real storm was just about to begin.