The annual charity gala of Artemis Academy was nothing like school.
Crystal lights. Soft violin music. Students dressed like they belonged to business families already.
Apurva stood near the balcony, wearing a simple black dress. No heavy makeup. No effort to impress.
Still… eyes followed her.
Rithvik noticed.
Of course he did.
He walked toward her slowly. Calm outside. Storm inside.
"Tum yahan akeli kyun khadi ho?" he asked.
Apurva didn't look at him.
"Crowd se headache hota hai."
"Ya mujhse?"
Now she looked at him.
Straight. Unblinking.
"Tum itne important nahi ho."
Lie.
He stepped closer. Not touching. Just close enough that the air shifted.
"Phir bhi har jagah mujhe hi dekh leti ho."
Silence.
The violin music grew softer.
Apurva turned toward the balcony railing.
"Rithvik… why do you act like you hate me?"
That hit him.
He didn't expect that question.
He exhaled slowly.
"Because if I don't… I won't be able to control what I actually feel."
Her fingers tightened on the railing.
"What do you feel?"
He stepped closer.
"Apurva, main—"
"Rithvik!"
A sharp voice interrupted.
It was the principal calling him to meet the sponsors.
The moment broke.
He clenched his jaw.
Apurva's heartbeat was loud in her ears.
He looked at her one last time.
"Yeh conversation khatam nahi hui hai."
And he walked away.
Later That Night
Apurva sat in her room, replaying his words.
If I don't hate you… I won't be able to control what I feel.
What did that mean?
Why did it feel dangerous?
Why did it feel… right?