Episode4

The lunch break bell rang and the corridors of the college buzzed with chatter, the shuffling of bags, and footsteps hurrying toward the cafeteria. Aarohi, as always, walked quietly with her three friends, half-listening to their excited banter about what to eat. She never liked noisy spaces, but their presence made her feel safe.

Just as they were about to step inside the cafeteria, a familiar voice called from behind.

“Aarohi.”

She froze. That voice belonged to Vivaan. The very Vivaan she had been trying to avoid for weeks, ever since fate had unfairly pushed them into the same project group. Her heart skipped a beat, though she wasn’t sure if it was because of nervousness or because she still remembered his confident introduction from the first day of college.

Her friends exchanged curious glances, but Vivaan walked past them, stopping directly in front of her. His tall figure blocked her way, and for a moment, she couldn’t meet his gaze.

“Can we talk?” he asked, his tone calm yet insistent.

Aarohi swallowed and nodded once. “Okay.”

The two of them walked to the far end of the cafeteria, where fewer people sat. The usual aroma of freshly fried snacks and the clattering of trays surrounded them, but between them, the air was tense and heavy.

Vivaan leaned slightly closer, his eyes holding a mischievous glint as he said, “You are looking beautiful today.”

Aarohi blinked at him, surprised but not impressed. She folded her arms and frowned. “That line is not going to work on me, Vivaan.”

He tilted his head, clearly amused by her bluntness. “What do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean,” she said firmly. “You’re trying to charm your way out of responsibility. But this time, it won’t work. You need to contribute to our group project.”

Vivaan leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms in a relaxed manner, as if he had all the time in the world. “I’m not good with projects,” he replied smoothly.

“Don’t lie.” Aarohi’s voice was sharper than even she expected. “I’ve seen your progress card.”

Vivaan’s smirk faltered. He raised an eyebrow. “You saw my grades?”

“Yes.” Her gaze didn’t waver. “You’ve scored excellently in every subject. Don’t pretend otherwise. If you put in even half the effort, this project could be outstanding.”

Vivaan chuckled, though there was no humor in his voice. “So you already saw everything about me.”

Her lips tightened. “Not everything. Only enough to know that you’re capable. So stop acting like you’re not.”

For a moment, silence stretched between them. Aarohi could see a flicker of something in his eyes—irritation, maybe, or curiosity. She couldn’t tell.

Vivaan leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. His voice dropped slightly. “Do you know why I don’t bother anymore? Why I don’t try with things like group projects?”

Aarohi hesitated. She remembered the whispers her group member had shared: about Vivaan’s past, about a girl who had betrayed him. But she didn’t want to use that against him, nor did she want to pry.

“It’s not my business,” she said quietly. “But whatever happened with your ex… it shouldn’t be the reason you give up on everything else. You can’t let someone else’s betrayal decide your worth.”

Her words were firmer now, cutting through the air like sharp glass. “If she cheated on you, then make her regret that decision by proving how wrong she was. Don’t give her the satisfaction of being right. You’re only proving her point by holding yourself back.”

Vivaan stared at her, stunned. No one had ever spoken to him like this—not his classmates, not his friends. Most people treated him either with admiration or caution, because of his looks, confidence, and popularity. But Aarohi, the quiet introvert who usually blended into the background, was scolding him as though she had known him for years.

“And if you really don’t want to work,” Aarohi continued, her voice unwavering, “then at least do us a favor—exchange with another group member. Don’t waste our time. We need someone willing to contribute.”

She stood up then, gathering her courage in one breath, and looked down at him. “Think about it, Vivaan. Don’t ruin your own chances just because of one person’s betrayal.”

Without waiting for his reply, she walked away, her friends already waiting for her near the entrance.

Vivaan sat there, stunned into silence. He had expected her to beg, to try to coax him sweetly like others often did. But instead, she had confronted him, challenged him, even dared to throw his own scars back in his face—not to wound him, but to shake him awake.

Her words lingered in his ears like a stubborn echo:

“Don’t make her decision right. Prove her wrong.”

For the first time in a long while, Vivaan felt unsettled—not because someone had dismissed him, but because someone had seen through him. Aarohi hadn’t tried to win his favor. She hadn’t been intimidated by him. She had spoken to him as if she expected more from him, as if she believed he could still do better.

Vivaan leaned back in his chair, staring at the ceiling of the cafeteria. His lips curved into a faint, almost incredulous smile. “She’s different,” he murmured to himself.

And from that moment, he knew Aarohi was no longer just another quiet face in his class.

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