A game of fire
Author's pov-
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Divya tried to focus on her lectures, but her mind kept wandering back to purv. Why did he keep stepping in? He barely knew her.
Kaashi, of course, had plenty of theories.
"He likes you," she whispered during their lunch break.
Divya nearly choked on her water. "Don't be ridiculous."
"Then explain why he keeps saving you," kaashi countered.
"He's just... used to controlling things," Divya muttered, stirring her food absentmindedly. "Maybe he doesn't like Aryan, or maybe he just doesn't want any drama on campus."
Kaashi smirked. "Or maybe, just maybe, you've caught his eyes."
Divya shook her head, refusing to entertain her thought. She had already decided-Purv Rathore was not someone she would allow herself to think about.
But fate had another plans.
The Basketball court.
Later that evening, Divya and kaashi were walking past the college's sports complex when they noticed a crowd gathering around the basketball court. Curious, they stopped to see what was going on.
A game was in full swing, but this wasn't just any match. It was purv and his friends playing against another group of guys. The energy was intense, and purv, with his tall frame and effortless skill, dominated the game.
Divya had never paid much attention to basketball, but watching him play was... Different. He moved with precision, every step calculated, every shot smooth. It was hard to look away.
"Damn," kaashi murmured. "No wonder the girls are crazy about him."
Divya rolled her eyes but didn't respond.
Just then, the game came to an end, and purv's team won. His teammates patted him on the back as he grabbed a towel and wiped off his sweat.
That's when his eyes met hers.
It was brief, but in that moment, something flickered between them-an unspoken challenge, a silent acknowledgement.
Then, as if nothing had happened, purv turned away, heading towards the benches.
Divya exhaled, realizing she had been holding her breath.
Kaashi nudged her. "You sure you're not interested?"
Divya ignored her and started walking away. But before she could get too far, a voice called out behind her.
"Divya."
She froze.
Turning around slowly, she saw Rudra, purv's bestfriend, walking towards her with an easy smile.
"Purv wants to see you," he said casually.
Divya frowned. "Why?"
Rudra shrugged. "Beat me. But if I were you, I wouldn't keep him waiting."
Divya hesitated. She didn't owe purv anything. But curiosity gnawed at her.
Finally, with a deep breath, she nodded. "Fine. Lead the way."
Rudra took her to the empty stands, where purv was sitting, still catching his breath from the game.
He glanced up as she approached. "You came."
"You called," divya replied, crossing her arms. "What do you want?"
Purv studied her for a moment before speaking. "Stay away from Aryan."
Divya's jaw clenched. "Excuse me?"
"He's not a good guy."
"I can handle myself."
Purv's lips curled slightly. "Sure you can."
Divya narrowed her eyes. "Why do you care?"
Purv leaned forward slightly. "I don't."
Divya let out a frustrated laugh. "Then stop acting like you do."
For a second, something flickered in his expression-something unreadable. But it was gone just as fast.
"Do whatever you want," he finally said, standing up. "But don't come running to me when you get hurt."
And just like that, he walked away.
Divya stood there, staring at his retreating figure, her emotions tangled in a mess she didn't understand.
Why did it feel like she had just lost some sort of battle?