Tension in the air
Author's pov-
The party had only just begun, but for Divya, the moment purv entered, everything else faded into the background.
He wasn't supposed to be here.
Or maybe she was the one who wasn't supposed to be here.
His dark eyes held hers for a moment too long before he finally looked away, as if she didn't matter. But the clenching of his jaw and the way his hands slid into his pockets told a different story.
Kaashi, oblivious to Divya's inner turmoil, nudged her. "Damn, why does he look hotter every time I see him?"
Divya shot her a look. "Seriously, kaashi?"
Kaashi grinned. "What? I'm just saying."
Aryan, standing beside them, followed their gaze and smirked. "Ah, the great Purv Rathore. Always makes an entrance."
There was something in Aryan's tone that made Divya uneasy. It wasn't admiration. It was something dark-something territorial.
Before she could process it, Aryan placed a hand on the small of her back. "Come on, let's get you a drink."
Divya stiffened at his touch. It wasn't aggressive, but it was unwelcome.
And someone else noticed it too.
Purv's grip tightened around the glass in his hand as he watched Aryan lead divya away.
"Dude, you're literally burning holes into Aryan's back," Rudra said, amusement lacing his tone.
Purv ignored him. His jaw ticked as he saw Aryan lean in, whispering something into Divya's ear that made her shift uncomfortably.
Purv exhaled sharply, setting his drink down with more force than necessary.
"Relax, man," Rudra continued. "It's just a party. What's the worst that could happen?"
Purv didn't answer.
Because deep down, he knew exactly what kind of guy Aryan was.
And he knew exactly how this night was going to end.
Divya sipped on her drink, trying to ignore the feeling of being watched. Or maybe, she didn't want to ignore it.
She could feel him.
His gaze on her.
Even from across the room, purv's presence was suffocating.
"Enjoying yourself?" Aryan asked, stepping closer.
Divya forced a small smile. "Yeah, it's nice."
Aryan studied her for a moment before smirking. "You know, I don't usually take an interest in just anyone."
Something about his words sent a shiver down her spine.
Before she could respond, Aryan suddenly reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
That was it.
Before Divya could even process what was happening, another hand shot forward, gripping Aryan's wrist tight.
The air in the room shifted.
Purv stood there, his expression unreadable-but his grip on Aryan's wrist spoke volumes.
"Careful," Purv said, his voice low and dangerous. "You shouldn't cross line."
Aryan let out a short laugh, pulling his hand back. "Relax, Rathore. We are just talking."
Purv didn't respond. His gaze flickered to Divya for a brief second before he turned and walked away.
Divya exhaled a breath she didn't even realize she was holding.
What the hell just happened?
The rest of the night passed in a blur. Divya tried to focus on anything but him, but it was impossible.
Purv stayed in the shadows, watching. Observing.
And every time Aryan came too close, there he was.
By the time the party ended, Divya was exhausted-not from dancing or drinking, but from the constant tension surrounding her.
As she and kaashi got into the car, kaashi finally broke the silence.
"That was... Intense."
Divya didn't answer.
Because she knew kaashi was right.
And she knew this was only the beginning.