The moment their car pulled up at the lounge, FLASHES exploded.
Reporters.
Paparazzi.
"ARAV! Is she your girlfriend?"
"Who is she?"
"What about the engagement rumors?"
"Is this serious?"
Riya nearly fainted.
Arav placed a hand on her lower back, pulling her close.
"Just smile," he whispered.
"I CAN'T!"
"You can," he said, teeth clenched, "or I'll kiss you right now and give them something REAL to talk about."
She smiled instantly.
The lounge was overflowing with expensive perfume, dim lights, and people wearing clothes that probably cost more than Riya's house.
Arav's rich friends spotted him first.
"BROOO!" one shouted, hugging him.
Then his eyes slid to Riya. "So this is the famous mystery girl? Aww pretty!"
Before Riya could even say thank you, another guy leaned forward, taking her hand.
"I'm Kabir… and you are way too cute to be with him."
Arav shot him a death glare.
"She's with me," Arav said.
Riya smiled awkwardly.
Kabir winked. "For now."
Arav almost punched him.
His friends were waiting,more and more friends come again—
rich, good-looking, nosy.
And unfortunately, very flirty.
One leaned in. "So you're the famous girlfriend? Wow, Arav's luck…"
Another lightly held Riya's hand. "You look stunning tonight."
Arav froze again
Froze.
Then wrapped an arm around her waist so tight she squeaked.
"Her hand is not for holding," he said, voice low.
His friends exchanged oooh looks.
Riya whispered, "Stop being jealous."
"I'm not jealous."
He said it immediately—too immediately.
Riya smirked.
He glared.
Riya swallowed hard, clutching Arav's arm like a lifeline.,because she is deep into pretending or mocking at him.
And then—it happened.
A girl walked toward Arav. Tall. Beautiful. Smiling sweetly.
"Arav!" she said, hugging him.
Riya froze.
Arav froze more.
The girl turned to Riya.
"Oh! And you must be—"
"My girlfriend," Arav said quickly.
The girl's smile faded a little—maybe jealousy, maybe shock.
But Riya…
Riya misunderstood entirely.
Oh no. Arav likes her. That's why he looked weird. He's uncomfortable introducing me. I'm ruining everything.
She stepped back slightly.
Arav held her hand tighter.
"Stay," he whispered.
She looked up at him, surprised.
Maybe… maybe she wasn't ruining everything.
A tall, flawless girl walked over, eyes scanning Riya like she was dirt on her designer heels.
"Arav," she purred, touching his arm, "Finally… you brought someone."
Riya smiled politely.
The girl did not.
"Oh you're from his school?"
Her voice dripped insult.
"How… simple."
Riya raised her brow.
"Simple is fine," she said sweetly. "At least it's real."
The girl blinked, taken aback.
Kabir laughed. "Ohhh she's FIRE!"
Female friend scoffed, "Sweetheart, this place might be too fancy for you."
Riya smiled again.
"Don't worry. I'll try not to break anything… including egos."
Kabir spit out his drink laughing.
Arav… looked proud
The female friend suddenly grabbed Arav's hand.
"Come dance with me. One song. Old times sake."
Riya blinked.
Arav did not look excited… but he didn't refuse either.
They went.
The girl placed her hands on his shoulders… way too comfortably.
Riya's stomach twisted.
Kabir whispered,
"Jealous?"
"No," Riya said instantly.
Then added softer, "Maybe."
Kabir grinned. "Wanna dance?"
She shook her head.
Until he placed his hand on her waist.
Riya jerked. "HEY—!"
Arav turned so fast the wind moved.
He stormed to them, grabbed Kabir's wrist and pulled Riya behind him.
"Don't touch her."
Kabir raised his hands, "Chill bro! Just dancing—"
"Not with her."
Everyone stared.
Riya's heart banged in her chest.
Arav turned to her, voice low, "If you want to dance… you dance with me."
And he pulled her to the dance floor.
Hand on her waist.
Her hand in his.
Lights dim.
Music slow.
"Jealous?" he murmured.
She glared.
"You were dancing first!"
"Because I wanted to see if you'd react," he smirked.
Riya wanted to slap him.
And kiss him.
And slap him again.
Friends gathered around them again.
"To Arav and his new girlfriend!"
"CHEERS!"
Glasses clinked.
Someone pushed a drink toward Riya.
"Drink, sweetheart. Celebrate!"
"I don't drink," she said.
"Oh come on—just one—"
"NO," Arav said sharply. "She said no."
Everyone stared.
Arav wasn't a soft drink person. He grabbed the glass and drank it himself.
Then another.
And another.
"Arav stop—"
"I'm fine," he muttered, already slightly unstable.
Riya sighed.
Fake boyfriend or not, babysitting him was now her job.
"Stay here," she told him.
"Where are you going?" he slurred.
"Washroom."
"Take Kabir."
"I'd rather walk into a lion's mouth."
She left.
As she turned the corner toward the dim corridor, she froze.
Two silhouettes kissing against the wall.
She almost rolled her eyes.
Drunk rich couples. Great.
But then—
The guy moved.
She saw his face.
Vihan.
Her kind of ex—
her almost everything—
the boy who looked heartbroken today.
And the girl kissing him—
Ananya.
Arav's sister.
The tornado girl.
The girl who just came to the school ,
The one who always behaved rude with me and i never know the reason
Riya's breath cracked inside her chest.
Her heart squeezed painfully.