Music was thumping through the house, lights flashing across the crowded living room. People were laughing, dancing, and shouting over the noise.
Meera stood beside Rohan and his group of friends, holding a plastic cup she barely touched.
At first everything had seemed fine.
Rohan had introduced her to people, pulled her into a quick dance, even kissed her cheek.
But as the night went on, the teasing started.
"Guys," Rohan said loudly, slinging an arm around Meera's shoulders, "did I ever tell you how terrible she is at football?"
His friends laughed.
Meera forced a small smile.
"Oh come on," Kaiser said. "She can't be that bad."
Rohan grinned.
"You should've seen the match last month. We basically lost because of her."
More laughter.
Meera shifted uncomfortably.
"Rohan…"
"I'm just joking," he said quickly.
Someone added, "So she's not the sporty girlfriend then?"
Rohan smirked.
"Definitely not."
Meera felt heat rising to her cheeks.
"Okay, that's enough," she said quietly.
But Rohan continued.
"And don't even get me started on her studying. If Harsh didn't babysit her with homework, she'd probably fail everything."
That one hurt.
The laughter grew louder.
Meera's smile finally disappeared.
"Stop," she said.
Rohan looked down at her, amused.
"What?"
"You're embarrassing me."
He scoffed.
"Relax. It's a joke."
"It's not funny."
His friends suddenly looked awkward.
"Wow," Rohan said sarcastically. "Someone's sensitive tonight."
"I'm serious," Meera replied.
Rohan rolled his eyes.
"God, you're acting like I insulted you."
"You did."
"Meera," he said loudly, "if you can't take a joke, that's your problem."
The room felt suddenly too small.
Meera put her cup down.
"I'm leaving."
She started toward the door.
Rohan followed her outside onto the quiet balcony.
"Are you seriously mad right now?" he asked.
"Yes."
"For what? For joking around?"
"You weren't joking," Meera said, her voice shaking slightly. "You were humiliating me."
Rohan laughed in disbelief.
"Oh my god."
"What?"
"You're making a huge scene over nothing."
"It wasn't nothing!"
"Yes it was!" he snapped.
Meera stepped back.
"You don't get to decide what hurts me."
Rohan's frustration exploded.
"Why are you always so dramatic?"
"Because you keep treating me like this!"
He stepped closer, his voice rising.
"I treat you like this because you act like a child!"
Meera felt tears prick her eyes.
"You don't respect me."
Rohan's face hardened.
"You know what? Maybe you should be grateful I even like you."
The words hit like a slap.
"What does that mean?"
"It means," he said coldly, "you're lucky someone like me wants to date you."
Meera stared at him in disbelief.
"That's a horrible thing to say."
Rohan was breathing heavily now, anger taking over.
"You always twist everything I say!"
He grabbed her arm roughly.
"Let go," she said.
"Stop acting like a victim!"
"Rohan, you're hurting me!"
But he didn't stop.
His hand lifted suddenly in frustration—
Before it could come down, someone grabbed his wrist.
Hard.
"Don't."
Rohan froze.
Harsh stood between them.
His grip on Rohan's arm was firm, his expression darker than Meera had ever seen it.
"Step away from her," Harsh said quietly.
Rohan yanked his arm back.
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same thing," Harsh replied.
The tension between them was electric.
Rohan scoffed.
"Oh, look who came to play hero."
Harsh didn't react.
He simply glanced at Meera.
"Are you okay?"
Meera nodded quickly, though her hands were still shaking.
Rohan laughed bitterly.
"This is exactly what I'm talking about. You run to him the second we argue."
"I didn't call him," Meera said.
"I don't care," Rohan snapped.
Harsh stepped slightly in front of her.
"You should leave."
Rohan stared at him.
"You don't get to tell me what to do."
Harsh's voice stayed calm.
"You're right."
Then he added quietly,
"But you're not touching her again tonight."
For a moment, it looked like Rohan might start a fight.
But people from inside were starting to notice the commotion.
Rohan scoffed and stepped back.
"Unbelievable."
He looked at Meera.
"If you want to run around with him, go ahead."
Then he turned and walked back into the house.
Silence fell over the balcony.
Harsh looked at Meera again.
"Are you hurt?"
Meera shook her head, though tears had started to fall.
Harsh didn't ask more questions.
He just stood there beside her.
For the first time that night, Meera felt like she could breathe again.