**SEASON 2 – EPISODE 4**
## **"THE JEALOUSY HE CAN'T HIDE"**
*(Long episode — 2000+ words)*
The next morning, Bhanu leaves her house early — trying her best to avoid thinking about last night's hug.
But how can she forget?
The warmth of his arms.
The steady heartbeat she heard.
The words he whispered:
**"If you keep hugging me… I won't be able to pretend anymore."**
Her chest tightens at the memory.
She shouldn't think about him like this.
She shouldn't want his closeness.
She shouldn't wait for him—
But she does.
She looks down the road quietly, hoping to see him walking toward school.
But he isn't there.
And it hurts more than she expects.
---
## **1. The Unexpected Morning**
When she reaches school, she heads straight to class.
As she enters, she nearly collides with someone.
"Ah—sorry!"
She looks up.
It's **Aarav**, a cheerful boy from another section.
Tall, bright, smiling with that harmless friendliness that makes everyone like him.
He grins.
"Bhanu! You came early today."
She blinks. "You know my name?"
"Of course," he laughs. "You tutored my friend last year. I've seen you around."
Bhanu nods awkwardly.
He continues, "Listen… I noticed you're helping in the festival performance. Are you free after classes today?"
"Huh?"
"I was hoping you could help me practice my lines for the drama event."
He rubs his neck shyly. "You're good at expressions and reading… I mean—your voice is soft but soothing."
Bhanu blushes lightly.
"I—I don't know if I'm—"
Before she finishes, a shadow falls over them.
A colder voice speaks:
"She's not free."
Bhanu freezes.
Aarav turns.
And standing right behind them is—
**Yashwin.**
Hands in pockets.
Expression blank.
Eyes unmistakably sharp.
Aarav frowns. "Oh… Yashwin. I didn't ask you."
"You didn't need to," Yashwin replies calmly.
"She's busy."
Bhanu stares at him in shock.
She wasn't busy.
Nothing was planned.
Aarav looks confused but shrugs.
"Well… Bhanu, if you're free later, let me know, okay?" He smiles and leaves.
Bhanu exhales shakily.
The moment Aarav steps away, Yashwin turns to her.
His voice drops.
"What was that?"
She blinks. "What?"
"Why was he standing so close?"
"He wasn't that close—"
"He was," he says firmly.
Bhanu folds her arms defensively.
"He just asked for help."
"You don't need to help him."
"Why?"
"He's annoying."
"He's not," she says softly. "He's actually nice."
Yashwin stares at her like she just stabbed him with a pencil.
"Nice," he repeats, voice flat.
"Yes."
A muscle in his jaw twitches.
"Oh," he says quietly. "So you like nice guys?"
Her heart stutters.
"I didn't say that!"
"You didn't need to."
She huffs.
"You're being unreasonable."
"I'm being realistic," he shoots back.
He steps closer — too close — and she instinctively steps back until her hip bumps the desk.
He leans down slightly, voice soft but intense.
"Stay away from him."
"Yashwin—"
"I'm serious, Bhanu."
Her breath trembles.
"Why?" she whispers, barely audible.
His eyes darken.
He doesn't answer.
He doesn't need to.
His clenched fists, the tightness in his jaw, the sharp glare in his eyes—
It's jealousy.
Pure jealousy.
He swallows hard.
"You know why."
Bhanu's chest tightens.
She tries to look away but he gently tilts her chin up with one finger.
A shock runs through her.
"You know exactly why," he repeats softly.
Her pulse races.
She whispers, "You're… jealous?"
He freezes.
Then—
He looks away, ears turning slightly red.
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
He shoots her a glare.
"Don't get bold all of a sudden."
She bites her lip to hide a smile.
He stares at her lips.
Her smile fades instantly.
She looks down, shy.
He exhales slowly, almost painfully.
"Next time someone asks you to help… tell me first."
"That's controlling," she mutters.
"Good," he replies without hesitation.
"I want to control who gets close to you."
Her breath disappears.
He whispers the next words softer—
"And who you hug."
Bhanu's entire body heats up.
She turns away, cheeks flaming.
Yashwin smirks faintly, satisfied.
---
## **2. The Rehearsal Disaster**
After school, festival rehearsal continues.
Today, the group dance needs close movements.
Very close.
Bhanu tries to hide behind other performers, but the instructor sees her.
"Bhanu, step forward. You're with Yashwin again."
Of course.
Of course.
Yashwin walks towards her slowly, twirling the pendant around his neck.
When he reaches her, he stops a little too close.
"We're partners again," he says softly.
"I know," she whispers.
"You don't look happy."
"That's not true."
"Really?"
He raises an eyebrow.
"Because your face says 'God save me.'"
She blushes.
"That's not— I mean— I'm just nervous."
He smirks slightly.
"Nervous around me?"
She looks away.
"Yes."
The smirk vanishes.
His expression softens.
"Good," he says gently.
"Me too."
Her eyes widen.
But before she can react, the instructor claps.
"Okay! Partner closeness practice. Hold your partner's waist."
Bhanu nearly dies.
Yashwin doesn't hesitate.
His hand slides to her waist.
Warm.
Firm.
Careful.
She gasps, grabbing his sleeve for balance.
His breath stutters.
"Don't hold my sleeve," he whispers.
"It kills my self-control."
She immediately lets go.
He catches her wrist before her hand drops completely.
"Not like that," he says, voice rough.
"Hold me properly."
Her heart somersaults.
She places her hand on his shoulder timidly.
He leans closer.
"Closer."
She scoots an inch.
"Closer, Bhanu."
She steps closer until their bodies nearly touch.
He closes his eyes briefly like he's fighting something.
Then he opens them again and says softly—
"Good girl."
Bhanu almost forgets breathing.
The music starts.
They move together perfectly — surprisingly in sync.
Her waist in his hand.
Her hand on his shoulder.
Their steps matching effortlessly.
Until—
Bhanu's foot slips.
She cries out softly—
And falls forward—
Right into him.
He catches her instantly.
But because of the momentum—
She ends up in his arms, both hands on his chest, his arm wrapped around her waist tightly.
They freeze.
Their faces inches apart.
Their breaths mixing.
His heart pounding against her palms.
Her pulse racing against his hand.
He whispers, barely audible—
"You're going to kill me."
She swallows.
"Sorry," she whispers.
"Don't say sorry," he mutters, tightening his hold.
"Say… don't let go."
Her eyes widen.
She doesn't speak.
Her silence is enough.
He slowly helps her stand but doesn't let go immediately.
Even when the instructor scolds them for stopping the dance—
His hand stays on her waist.
Possessive.
Protective.
Unashamed.
And Bhanu lets it stay.
---
## **3. The After-Practice Jealousy Explosion**
When rehearsal ends, Bhanu walks toward the exit gate, tired.
But Aarav appears again, running toward her.
"Bhanu! I'm glad you're still here."
Bhanu smiles politely.
"Hi."
He pulls out a chocolate bar.
"For you! Just a thank-you gift in case you decide to help me practice sometime."
Bhanu hesitates.
Before she can answer—
A hand reaches between them and snatches the chocolate.
Bhanu gasps.
Aarav blinks.
Yashwin stands there, looking at the chocolate bar with detached boredom.
Then he takes the wrapper, rips it open…
And takes a bite.
Aarav stares.
"Bro… what—"
Yashwin interrupts calmly, "She doesn't eat this brand."
Bhanu whispers, "I do eat it—"
He ignores her and takes another bite.
Aarav sighs, awkward. "Okay… anyway, Bhanu, if you're free—"
"She's not," Yashwin cuts in.
Bhanu glares softly. "Yashwin—"
He steps closer to her, lowering his voice.
"You are NOT practicing with him alone."
Aarav watches the tension rising.
He raises his hands.
"Uh… I think I'll just… go."
He exits fast.
Bhanu rounds on Yashwin.
"What is wrong with you?!"
He bites the chocolate again, chewing calmly.
"You accepted his chocolate."
"You didn't give me a choice!"
"You smiled at him."
"I smile at everyone!"
"You never smile at me that much."
Her cheeks heat.
"That's because you never let me breathe around you!"
He steps closer slowly until her back hits the wall behind her.
"And you like it."
She stops breathing.
His eyes darken, voice low.
"You like when I'm close.
You like when I hold you.
You like when I get jealous."
She opens her mouth—but nothing comes out.
He presses one hand beside her head on the wall.
"But I…"
He swallows.
"I hate seeing another guy look at you."
Silence.
Thick.
Hot.
Crackling.
He steps even closer, bending down until their faces almost touch.
"Bhanu," he whispers,
"tell me to stop."
She can't.
She won't.
She doesn't want him to stop.
Her lips part softly.
And that tiny reaction—
That small, breathless surrender—
Makes his eyes darken completely.
He leans in—
Just an inch—
Just enough to feel her breath—
Just enough to know she would let him—
And whispers against her lips—
"Don't give anyone else what's mine."
Bhanu's knees nearly buckle.
Before the moment crosses into a real kiss—
The security guard calls loudly,
"Students! Gate closing!"
Bhanu jerks.
The tension shatters.
Yashwin steps back, jaw tight, breathing hard.
"Go," he says softly.
"Before I drag you back."
She runs off, face burning, heart racing.
But halfway down the path, she dares to look back.
And finds him still standing there—
Watching her again.
His eyes unreadable.
His expression dangerous.
And his voice, barely audible, carried on the wind:
**"Next time… I'm not stopping."**
---
# 🌸 **END OF SEASON 2 – EPISODE 4**