On a random day
The stadium roared with noise.
Cheer chants echoed through the massive indoor arena while bright lights flashed over the audience. The final badminton match of the inter-university tournament had just ended.
And as always— Arjun Malhotra had won.
He stood in the center of the court breathing heavily, sweat rolling down his neck while cameras flashed around him. His racket rested on his shoulder lazily.
The audience screamed his name.
But his attention was somewhere else entirely.
Kiara.
She stood near the sidelines wearing the university cheer uniform—dark blue mid thigh dress, hair tied into a bow clip.
And unfortunately for Arjun… Every guy in the arena seemed obsessed with her.
"Kiara! One picture please!"
"You’re coming to the after-party right?"
"Can I walk you back to your dorm?"
Arjun’s jaw tightened.
He hated the sound of their voices around her.
Not because he liked her.
No.
He hated her because she smiled at everyone. Because she laughed too loudly. Because she walked around campus like she owned it. Because she acted like his cold glare didn’t affect her at all.
And worst of all— She constantly ruined his focus.
Kiara turned while fixing her ponytail and accidentally made eye contact with him.
A grin spread across her face.
"Congratulations, captain," she called teasingly.
Arjun stared blankly.
"Move."
The boys around her immediately stepped aside when he approached.
The air shifted.
That was the effect Arjun had.
Even the loudest people became quiet near him.
Kiara folded her arms. "You know, one day you should try smiling. It won’t kill you."
"One day you should stop talking."
"And one day you should stop acting like you own the campus." She replied
His eyes darkened.
"Maybe I do."
Her smile faded slightly.
For a second, she looked nervous.
Arjun noticed.
And strangely… he liked it.
Then one of the boys beside her suddenly placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Ignore him, Kiara. He’s always angry at something."
Silence.
Dead silence.
The entire atmosphere changed instantly.
Arjun slowly looked at the hand resting on her shoulder.
Then at the boy.
The poor guy immediately removed it.
"I—"
"Run along," Arjun said coldly.
The boy left without another word.
Kiara frowned.
"What is wrong with you?"
"Nothing."
"You literally scared him away."
"Good."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You’re insane."
Arjun leaned slightly closer.
"And you’re annoying."
The tension between them was sharp enough to cut skin.
Kaira was Arav's best friend, Arav - Arjun's younger brother,this was the reason everyone thought they were close too but reality was different.
They hated each other.Besides their parents being business partners,they never thought of becoming friends.
Nobody knew why.
Maybe because they were complete opposites. Maybe because they fought every time they spoke. Or maybe because every argument between them felt too intense to be normal.
Kiara stepped back first.
"You seriously need therapy."
"You need better friends."
She rolled her eyes and walked away.
But Arjun kept staring at her.
At the way boys immediately followed after her again. At the way she never once looked back.
Something dark twisted in his chest.
Possessive. Violent. Dangerous.
And he hated it.
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