The next morning, the school corridors buzzed with hushed whispers and curious glances. The basketball match drama and Ridrakshika’s injury were the hottest topics of discussion. But for Adyansh, the chatter around didn’t matter. His mind was still stuck on the image of Ridrakshika — pale, weak, struggling to stand — and the thought boiled his blood.

As he adjusted the strap of his bag and walked towards his locker, a hesitant voice called behind him.

"Adyansh... wait!"

He turned sharply to find Meher standing there, fidgeting nervously with the hem of her sleeve, biting her lip.

"What?" His voice came out sharper than intended.

Meher flinched but stood her ground. "Mujhe tumse ek zaroori baat karni hai... jo kal hua uske baare mein."

Adyansh raised a brow, folding his arms. "Bol Meher... time waste mat kar."

Meher took a deep breath. "Woh ball... jo Ridrakshika ko lagi thi... woh main guarantee se bol sakti hoon ki Tanisha ne feki thi. Maine apni aankhon se dekha tha. Uske bag ke paas ek spare ball tha... aur usne jaanbujhkar Ridrakshika pe feka tha."

A long, dangerous silence fell.

Adyansh’s jaw clenched, the muscle in his cheek ticking furiously. His fists tightened by his side.

"You’re sure?" he asked, his voice low and threateningly calm.

Meher nodded slowly, guilt flooding her face. "Yes... I should've told you kal hi... but I was scared... Tanisha mujhe warn kar chuki thi."

Without another word, Adyansh turned on his heel, anger burning in his veins.

“Adyansh! Kahan jaa rahe ho?” Meher called after him.

“To fix this.”

His strides were long, furious, as he made his way straight to the classroom where Tanisha sat, giggling with her friends like nothing ever happened. But as soon as her gaze met his — ice cold, lethal — her smile faded.

Adyansh marched right up to her desk, slamming his hand down hard enough to make her jump.

“Tumhi thi na?” he said darkly. “Kal Ridrakshika pe ball fake thi... bolo Tanisha... kyun kiya ye sab?” His voice was dangerously low, sending shivers down the spine of everyone in the class.

Tanisha stiffened, eyes wide. "W-what nonsense Adyansh? Why would I—"

"Stop. Lying." he snapped, leaning closer, voice now a deadly whisper. "Tumhe laga koi nahi dekhega? Tumhe laga tum bach jaaogi is baar bhi?"

The class had fallen dead silent — all eyes glued to the unfolding drama.

"Main tumhe last warning de raha hoon Tanisha," Adyansh growled. "Stay. Away. From Her. Warna jo ho sakta hai uska andaza bhi nahi hoga tumhe."

Tanisha’s fake confidence crumbled under the weight of his glare.

“And haan… OG4 ki planning abhi bhi intact hai… tumhara asli chehra sab ke saamne laane ka waqt bas aane wala hai,” he added coldly, before turning sharply and walking out, leaving a stunned Tanisha frozen in her seat.

The tension in the air crackled like electricity.

The game wasn’t over.

It had only just begun.

----------

Ridrakshika quietly settled on her usual seat — the one she unfortunately had to share with Adyansh. Her hands were fine now — no bandage, no injury — but the embarrassment of yesterday’s basketball drama still lingered.

As she adjusted her books, a small, neatly wrapped chocolate slid onto her notebook.

Startled, she turned to her right.

Adyansh was already seated beside her, leaning back casually with that devilish smirk playing on his lips.

“Tumhare liye...” he said softly, voice just enough for her ears. “Special recovery gift.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Main tumse nahi lungi. Aur waise bhi, main perfectly fine hoon.”

He leaned in closer — so close that their shoulders almost touched — and murmured,

“Mat lo... waise bhi tumhare liye chocolate kam hai. Real treat toh main hoon na?”

Her breath hitched, and she instantly glared at him — cheeks warming. “Shut up, Adyansh!”

He chuckled low. “Tum jitna gussa hoti ho na... utni hi cute lagti ho. Sorry — cute dushman lagti ho,” he winked.

Before Ridrakshika could retort, Esha and Sanskaar peeked from the bench behind.

“Arre arre...  chocolate romance?” Sanskaar teased loudly.

Ridrakshika groaned and smacked her forehead. “Sanskaar... tu chup reh sakta hai please?”

Adyansh grinned, turning slightly towards her again, their knees brushing lightly under the desk — a tiny jolt she felt but tried to ignore.

“Chocolate kha lena, Miss Thunder. Tumhare liye hi laya hoon... maano ya na maano,” he whispered again, dangerously close to her ear.

Ridrakshika sat frozen, clutching the chocolate — her heart doing strange somersaults.

And behind them, Tanisha watched silently from her bench — jealousy burning in her gaze.

-----

Rehan leaned casually against the court railing, smirking as Adyansh passed by. His voice dripped with mockery.

“So, Adyansh... where’s your so-called reputation now? The great Adyansh Sachdeva — who once never skipped a match — left the court midway for a girl? Kya ho gaya bro? Hero banne ka bohot shauk chadh gaya hai kya?”

Adyansh stopped in his tracks, eyes darkening. He turned slowly, fixing Rehan with a cold glare.

“Main tere jaisa nahi hoon Rehan... jo jab kisi ko chot lagti hai toh usse ignore karke apne silly se game ke peeche pada rehta hai. Game se badi hoti hai insaaniyat... jo tujhme kabhi thi hi nahi.”

Before Rehan could snap back, a sharp voice cut through the tension.

“Aree Rehan… tum yahan ho?” she said, eyes sparkling with mock pity.

“Mujhe laga tum apni ghatiya soch ke saath kachre ke dabbe ke paas miloge... but look at you... still trying to drag others down because tum khud kabhi upar ja hi nahi paaye!”

The nearby students chuckled under their breath.

Ridrakshika leaned a little closer, lowering her voice but sharpening her words like a blade.

“Tumhe problem kya hai Rehan? Ki Adyansh kisi ke liye court chhodh kar gaya? Kam se kam usme kisi ko importance dene ki himmat toh hai... unlike you... jo bas ball ke peeche bhaagta hai... aur real life mein kabhi goal hit kar hi nahi paaya... chahe game ka ho ya life ka.”

Ouch.

Rehan stiffened, jaw clenched tight, his ego burning in front of half the court.

Ridrakshika smiled sweetly, “Next time apni aukaat dikhane se pehle... thoda apni soch bhi upgrade kar lena. It’s 2025... cheap mindsets are out of fashion.”

She casually flipped her hair, turned on her heel, and walked away — leaving Rehan fuming, silenced, and totally roasted in front of everyone.

Adyansh — watching this whole scene — couldn’t help the grin spreading across his face.

“Thanks... Thunder,” he said, chuckling.

Ridrakshika raised a brow. “Thanks ki zarurat nahi... tumne mere liye itna kiya... main tumhare liye ek loser ko shut-up toh kar hi sakti hoon! But what’s this Thunder now?”

Adyansh smirked, eyes gleaming. “Tumhara naya naam. Har waqt garajti rehti ho... badi interesting lagti ho jab aise jala ke jaati ho kisi ko.”

Ridrakshika rolled her eyes, biting back a smile as Adyansh strolled away — and for once, she let him have the last word.

__________________________________

Stay tuned for further updates 🎀

~shanshya🧿