A game of control
Author's pov-
The tension at the table was palpable. Rehan and purv continued staring at each other, neither backing down. Divya shifted uncomfortably, glancing at Aditya and Kaashi, who were equally aware of the silent challange hanging in the air.
"Right," kaashi cleared her throat, breaking the moment. "So, uh, how does everyone know each other?"
Rehan smiled easily, leaning back in his chair. "Oh, Divya and I just met. But I'm hoping we'll get to know eachother better."
Purv's grip on the back of Divya's chair tightened. His gaze didn't waver. "I doubt that."
Divya turned toward him, surprised by the sharp edge in his voice. "Purv-"
But rehan only chuckled, as if entertained. "Relax, man. I was just being friendly." He turned to Divya, his voice softer. "I didn't mean to make things awkward."
Divya forced a polite smile. "It's fine."
But purv wasn't done. His stare didn't move from Rehan, his expression cold and unreadable.
Rehan smirked. "I heard you have quite a reputation, purv. People say you don't like sharing what's yours."
Silence.
Divya's breath hitched. She saw the way purv's jaw clenched, how his hands curled into fists at his sides.
Purv tilted his head slightly, his voice dangerously low. "That depends."
Rehan raised an eyebrow, still calm, still in control. "On what?"
Purv's eyes flickered to Divya for the briefest second before returning to Rehan. "On whether or not someone forgets their place."
The weight of his words settled over the table. A clear warning.
Rehan's smile didn't falter, but there was something sharper in his gaze now. "Good to know."
With that, he stood up, giving Divya one last glance before walking away, his movements slow, deliberate.
The second he was gone, Divya exhaled, not realising she'd been holding her breath. "What the hell was that?" She asked, turning to purv.
His eyes were still trained on Rehan's retreating figure. "Stay away from him."
Divya frowned. "Purv, you don't even know him-"
"I know enough." His voice was firm. "Just trust me on this."
Divya studied him, her frustration warring with concern. But before she could press further, purv turned to her, his gaze softer now. "Please."
That single word made her pause.
She didn't know what it was about Rehan that had purv so on edge. But something told her this wasn't the last time their paths would cross.
And that scared her more than she wanted to admit.