🌈✨Aarohi tried to forget.
She really did.
She avoided the terrace.
Stopped replying quickly.
Kept conversations short.
Because whatever was happening between her and Meher…
it wasn't simple anymore.
And Aarohi didn't know how to survive something complicated.
But Meher?
She noticed everything.
"You're ignoring me."
Aarohi didn't look up from her book.
"I'm studying."
Meher leaned closer, her voice lower.
"You've studied before. This is different."
Aarohi sighed. "Why does everything have to mean something with you?"
Meher's jaw tightened.
"Because it does."
Silence.
Sharp. Tense.
"Say it," Meher whispered.
Aarohi finally looked at her.
"Say what?"
Meher's eyes searched hers.
"What changed after that day?"
Everything.
But Aarohi couldn't say it.
"You did," Aarohi replied softly.
Meher froze.
"Me?"
"Yes," Aarohi stood up, her voice trembling now.
"You act like nothing happened. Like it didn't matter."
Meher scoffed lightly, but it didn't reach her eyes.
"You're overthinking."
That word.
It hit harder than it should.
"Maybe I am," Aarohi nodded slowly.
"Because I thought… for a moment… that I wasn't the only one feeling it."
Meher's expression changed.
Just for a second.
But Aarohi saw it.
Before Meher could respond—
"Meher! Come here!"
A girl's voice.
Sweet. Confident.
Too familiar.
Aarohi turned.
A girl stood there, smiling like she belonged.
"Who's she?" Aarohi asked quietly.
Meher hesitated.
Just for a second.
But that second… was enough.
"She's… nothing," Meher said quickly.
But the girl walked up anyway.
Wrapped her arm around Meher's shoulder like it was natural.
Like she had the right.
"Nothing?" the girl laughed.
"Wow, that's rude. I'm Rhea."
She turned to Aarohi, still smiling.
"And you are?"
"Aarohi," she replied, her voice calm… too calm.
Rhea's eyes flickered between them.
Then she smirked slightly.
"Ohhh… so you're Aarohi."
Something about the way she said it…
felt wrong.
"I've heard a lot about you," Rhea added.
Aarohi glanced at Meher.
But Meher wasn't looking at her.
That hurt more than anything.
"I should go," Aarohi said quietly.
"Aarohi—" Meher called.
But she didn't stop.
Didn't turn.
Didn't trust herself to.
Because for the first time—
She felt it clearly.
Jealousy.
Pain.
And something worse…
The fear that maybe…
she was never the only one.
That night—
Aarohi didn't text.
Didn't call.
Didn't wait.
But Meher did.
Meher: It's not what you think.
Meher: Rhea doesn't matter.
Meher: Talk to me.
Aarohi stared at the messages.
Her chest heavy.
Eyes burning.
Then finally replied—
Aarohi: Then why did it feel like I already lost you?
Seen.
No reply.
Because this time…
Meher didn't have an answer.