I want her

*“She is my personal bird”*

"Not happening, seriously. You won’t get married. You’ll go there, understand? I’m Rupa, I’m saying no."

Rupa’s voice trembled on the other end of the phone. Anger, fear, or helplessness—impossible to tell which.

Brishti let out a long sigh. "Have you lost it? You broke up with Rahul last night, and today your mom has the groom’s family sitting in the living room? This isn’t a movie, Rupa."

"I’m not your ‘honey’! I’m dying here!" Rupa screamed. "Do something, Brishti. You said you’d be there if I ever needed you."

Brishti rubbed her eyes and sat up. "Okay. The guy’s name, what he does, his weakness—tell me everything. We need a plan."

The second she hung up, Brishti’s mind drifted elsewhere. She had to catch Arpita at college. After what happened on the field yesterday... throwing flower petals at Faysal and humiliating him in front of everyone. The guy’s ego must be shattered for sure.

*College Gate, 8:45 AM*

Arpita, Rupa, Brishti—all three walked in together. The second they entered, the air felt heavy. Every girl’s eyes were on them. Whispers hit their ears.

"...that’s the girl... she said no to Faysal..."

"...did you hear? Last night Faysal apparently went to her house..."

"...no way, Faysal’s telling everyone they’re getting married!"

Arpita froze mid-step. Her jaw clenched tight. "What? Married?"

Rupa grabbed her hand. "Don’t listen to them. Let’s go to class."

But it was already too late. At the end of the corridor, Faysal stood there. Jersey number ten, Coke can in hand. Eyes red. He clearly hadn’t slept all night.

The moment he saw them, he walked straight toward them. Only two arms’ distance left between them.

"Arpita," his voice was calm, but there was a storm underneath. "Sorry about yesterday. But let me clear one thing. I didn’t spread any rumors about you."

Arpita let out a sarcastic laugh. "Really? Then why is the whole college saying you and I already said ‘yes’? Who was under my house last night, Faysal?"

Faysal went still. "I didn’t go. I swear—"

"Liar!" Arpita screamed. Shaking with rage, she grabbed an empty Coca-Cola can from the nearby bench. Crushed it in two seconds. Then she hurled the crumpled can straight at Faysal’s chest.

_Thang!_

The can hit and rolled on the floor. Faysal didn’t move an inch. He just stared at Arpita like he wanted to devour her with his eyes.

The next second, Arpita grabbed him by the collar. His white shirt stretched tight. "How dare you spread these lies? You bastard! You think just because you’re captain, every girl will fall at your feet?"

The entire corridor went dead silent. A hundred pairs of eyes, a hundred phone cameras.

Faysal slowly covered Arpita’s hand with his own. Her hand was ice cold, his was burning hot.

"I don’t lie, Arpita," he whispered, low enough that only she could hear. "And I’m not scared of you. I want you. You’re my first ‘no.’ And I’m not used to hearing ‘no.’"

Arpita yanked her hand away with a jerk. The top two buttons of Faysal’s shirt tore off.

"I’m shocked at your audacity," Arpita spat the words out. "Don’t you dare cross my path again."

She turned and walked away. Rupa and Brishti ran after her.

Faysal just stood there. Torn shirt, Coke stain on his chest, and a crooked smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

Dip ran up to him. "Bhai! You okay? That girl is straight-up fire!"

Faysal didn’t even try to fix his shirt. His eyes were still locked on the end of the corridor, where Arpita had disappeared.

"Fire is exactly what I needed, Dip," Faysal whispered. "Until now they were all wax dolls. This is the first time someone actually burned me."

He paused, then added, "I need her. She is bird. She is my personal bird. I won’t cage her. But the sky will be mine."

Dip’s throat went dry. "Bhai you... are you serious...?"

"I will marry her," Faysal said without breaking his stare. "Whether she agrees or not. Arpita Banerjee will become Arpita Rahman."

---

To be continued..

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