The storm within
Author's pov-
The drive back home was eerily silent. Kaashi, for once, didn't bombard Divya with questions. She could sense the storm raging inside her bestfriend.
Divya's mind, however, was anything but quiet.
Purv.
The way he had held Aryan's wrist. The intensity in his eyes. The way he had looked at her for a brief moment before walking away.
Why did he do that?
Why did it bother him?
She shouldn't think about it. She shouldn't care.
Yet, as she lay on her bed later that night, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts were tangled in him.
She turned to her side, hugging the pillow closer.
Maybe it was just a coincidence.
Maybe he didn't care at all.
But deep down, she knew-Purv Rathore didn't act without a reason.
And that realisation sent shivers down her spine.
The next morning, Divya entered the campus, feeling the weight of the previous night still lingering. Kaashi had left early for the class, leaving Divya to walk alone to hers.
She adjusted the strap of her bag and kept her gaze down, trying to avoid unnecessary attention.
But fate had other plans.
As she turned the corridor, she nearly bumped into him.
Purv.
Tall, intimidating, and completely unfazed, he stood there as if he had all the time in the world.
Divya's breath hitched, but she quickly composed herself.
"Sorry," she muttered, stepping aside.
But purv didn't move.
Instead, he studied her-really studied her-with those piercing eyes.
"Stay away from Aryan."
His voice was calm, yet it sent an involuntary shiver down her spine.
Divya frowned. "Excuse me?"
Purv took a step closer, his scent-a mix of expensive cologne and something uniquely him-invading her senses.
"He's not a good guy," he stated, voice firm.
Divya crossed her arms. "And you are?"
Something flickered in his eyes. Amusement? Annoyance? She couldn't tell.
"I never claimed to be."
She let out a bitter chuckle. "Then why do you care?"
A long silence stretched between them. The tension was suffocating.
Purv exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair before stepping back. "Do whatever you want," he muttered before walking past her.
Divya stood there, heart pounding.
What the hell was that?
And why did it felt like a warning?
As the day progressed, Divya tried to push the encounter aside. But fate wasn't on her side.
During lunch, Aryan found her again.
"Hey, beautiful," he greeted, sliding into the seat beside her.
Divya forced a small smile. "Hey."
Aryan leaned in, a little too close. "You seemed a little tense last night. Everything okay?"
She hesitated. "Yeah, just tired."
He smirked. "Well, if you ever need someone to help you unwind, you know where to find me."
Before she could reply, a sharp voice cut in.
"She's not interested."
Divya turned just in time to see kaashi seeting beside her, giving Aryan a pointed look.
Aryan laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Damn, protective bestfriend mode on, huh?"
Kaashi rolled her eyes. "Always."
Aryan chuckled but didn't push further. "Alright, I'll see you around Divya."
As soon as he left, kaashi turned to her. "I don't like him."
Divya sighed. "I know."
Kaashi studied her for a moment before smirking. "But I do like the fact that Purv Rathore is suddenly interested in your life."
Divya groaned. "Oh my god, kaashi, stop."
Kaashi laughed. "I'm just saying. First, he stares at you at the party. Then, he stops Aryan from touching you. And now, he's telling you to stay away from him? If that's not a sign, I don't know what it is."
Divya shook her head. "It's nothing. He just doesn't like Aryan."
Kaashi wiggled her brows. "Or he doesn't like Aryan around you."
Divya huffed. "You read to many romance novels."
Kaashi grinned. "And you're living in one."
Divya had no response to that.
Because as much as she wanted to deny it, a small part of her wondered the same.
Why did purv care?
And more importantly...
Why did she care that he did?