Ruhi had always been good at controlling her emotions, at keeping her true feelings hidden behind a perfectly crafted mask. But ever since that night at the party, something inside her had shifted.
She told herself it didn't matter-that Abhi was just another spoiled rich boy who thought he could have anything he wanted. And yet, his words kept echoing in her mind. "Maybe I just like a challenge."
Was that all she was to him? A challenge? A game?
If that was the case, she had no intention of losing.
---
The next morning at college, the campus buzzed with the usual chatter. But there was an unspoken energy in the air, one that Ruhi was all too aware of.
"Looks like your golden boy is at it again," Meera whispered, nodding toward the courtyard.
Ruhi followed her gaze, her jaw tightening. Abhi was there, leaning against his bike, surrounded by a group of girls. He laughed at something one of them said, his signature smirk in place. Effortless. Charming. Just as he always was.
She shouldn't care.
But when one of the girls placed a hand on his arm, laughing a little too loudly, something in Ruhi snapped.
She turned away, flipping her hair over her shoulder. "Let's go. I have better things to do than watch him flirt."
Meera gave her a knowing look but didn't say anything as they walked past the crowd. But just as they were about to enter the main building, Ruhi heard his voice.
"Leaving so soon?"
She paused, schooling her expression into one of indifference before turning around. Abhi stood there, hands in his pockets, his gaze locked onto hers. The girls around him had gone quiet, watching the exchange with interest.
Ruhi lifted a brow. "Why? Do you need an audience?"
Abhi chuckled. "You always have something to say, don't you?"
She smiled sweetly. "And yet, you keep listening."
His eyes flickered with amusement. "Maybe because you're more fun than the rest."
Ruhi tilted her head, stepping closer. "Or maybe you're just bored."
Abhi grinned, leaning in just enough to make her breath hitch. "You think I get bored that easily?"
Ruhi refused to step back. She met his gaze head-on, challenging. "I think you enjoy the chase."
He smirked. "And what if I do?"
She shrugged, pretending to be unimpressed. "Then I hope you're ready to lose."
Without waiting for his reply, she turned and walked away, leaving him standing there with that same infuriating smirk.
But as she disappeared into the building, Abhi's smirk widened.
This was getting more interesting by the second.
...to be continued...
Author's Note:
Oh, Ruhi. You say you don't care, but your eyes tell a different story. And Abhi? He's not used to girls who walk away—especially not with that much sass.
The game has officially begun, and neither of them plans to lose.
Who's playing who? Stick around, my lovely readers—because the golden boy just met his match, and sparks are about to fly!
—With love and drama,
Your author who's sipping tea while watching the tension unfold like it's a Netflix binge