In the recent few days ,
Riddhi was too attached with Nitya , roaming around her like her soulmate , trying to know every small things about Nitya and her big brother,  Devesh.

One day , Nitya invited Riddhi along with all the friends to Agarwal's house for group study .

Devesh brought snacks after few hours of study .Keeping the plate of snacks on the table , Devesh again starts to study.

After sometimes ,
Riddhi shifts uneasily in her seat, glancing at Devesh who is busy scribbling on his notebook, completely absorbed in his assignment. She hesitates for a moment, then gathers the courage to speak up.

"Uhh, Devesh...?" she begins, her voice barely above a whisper.

Devesh looks up, his brow furrows in confusion, "Yeah?"

Riddhi bits her lip, trying to formulate her words, "Devesh, I can't solve this question. Will you help me?"

He looks around at their group of friends, his expression puzzled, "Which question are you struggling with?"

Riddhi shifts uncomfortably in her seat, "It's... um, it's just... uhhh, you’re sitting too far. Can I sit beside you and show you the problem?"

Kiara, who has been listening intently, let out an exaggerated sigh from across the table, "Guys, you're sitting just one table apart."

Riddhi shoots her a look, her cheeks flushing, "That's the problem, Kiara. It's too far!"

Shivani, who has been whispering to Nitya, suddenly raised her eyebrows, "Isn’t Riddhi acting a little... strange today?"

Nitya leans closer and whispers back, "More than Riddhi, I was looking at Rasika."

Shivani turns around, scanning the room, "Rasika?"

Before Nitya can answer, both of them turns to find Rasika glaring daggers at Devesh from across the room. Her eyes are cold, her jaw clenches as she glares at him with such intensity that it is hard to ignore. Devesh, oblivious to her stare, looks at his brothers for some guidance, his expression asking what to do.

Sakhi, noticing the tension, leans over to Mahi,"I think the place is about to blow."

Mahi frowns, glancing back and forth between Rasika and Devesh, "But Rasika’s a quiet girl. She hardly shows interest in anyone at college."

Sakhi, however, has a knowing smirk, "Yeah, but everyone’s seen the way she looks at him. Those silent eyelocks? Can't miss that."

Mahi raises an eyebrow, finally understanding, "Uhhhh... looks at both Devesh and Rasika... then I think I’m the one who's getting mixed signals here."

Kiara, who has been eavesdropping, chimes in with a perplexed frown, "Not just you. I’m confused too. What’s going on with those two?"

Shivani raises her hands dramatically, "Love triangle?"

Nitya, always the bookworm, pipes up, "Inspired by Shakespeare, perhaps?"

Jay, who has been quietly observing, laughs and shakes his head, "Damn! You girls are practically writing a whole history of love right here."

Shivani shoots him a playful glare, "Oh, shut up, Jay! There’s a whole world outside of your books, you know."

Jay gives her a mocking grin, "A world with trust issues and mixed feelings. No thanks, dear. I'm good."

Shivani rolls her eyes, "And I’m sure your fictional women are so much better, huh? Not that I care about them."

Jay raises an eyebrow, "What do you mean?"

Shivani leans back in her chair, crossing her arms, "The thing you heard."

Kiara raises a brow, "And now these two started again..."

Mahi giggles, nudging Kiara, "It’s normal in couples, right?"

Shivani who is frozen for a second, her face turning red, "What? We’re just friends!"

Sakhi, unable to hold back, teases, "Yeah, yeah, sure."

Shivani gritts her teeth, "It’s trueee."

Mahi snickers, "Yeah, I agree. Just friends."

Riddhi, still trying to get Devesh's attention, finally speaks again. "Devesh... can I... sit beside you now?"

Devesh giving his most awkward smile ever says ," Okay."

And a cracking sound comes from Rasika's side.

The three brothers along with others look at her .

Rasika in a guilty voice ," Oh sorry  by mistake I broke the pencil."

A cold shivering runs down the spine of Devesh .

Reyansh understanding the situation, " Uhh Riddhi , you can ask your question to me ~"

Riddhi denying, "But I ask Dev at first!"

Hritesh shockingly murmurs to Devesh's ears ," From Devesh to Dev? Bro , it's going somewhere else"

Devesh whispers ," It's not what are you thinking Hrit."

Hritesh murmurs again ,"Hope so!"

Riddhi slides into the seat next to Devesh, her presence too close for comfort, but neither of them seems to mind. She opens her notebook, showing him a complicated problem she has been struggling with.

"Arreh, it’s easy. Look, in this way, you’ll solve it," Devesh says, pointing at the page with a confident smile.

Riddhi's eyes widens in realization

"Ohhh, I didn’t know it worked like that!" She places her hand gently over his, her fingers brushing against his skin, "You’re great at everything, Devesh!"

Devesh chuckles a little embarrassed, "Thanks, but I’m not that intelligent. Jay is the topper in our group."

"I know," Riddhi says , her voice soft, "but the way you explained it... it was amazing. Really."

Devesh smiles feeling a warmth spread , "Thanks. Any more questions?"

Riddhi shakes her head, looking at him with a mix of gratitude and affection, "Aww, no, thank you. Can I just sit here for the rest of the day?"

Devesh looks up, a bit surprised by the question, but nods, "Uh, okay."

Riddhi shifts even closer, her body almost brushing against his as she makes herself comfortable on the chair beside him. She leans in, her head resting on his shoulder, not caring that their proximity has drawn curious glances from the others in the room.

A few moments later, Riddhi sits up suddenly looking a little anxious, "I need to go to the washroom. Dev, can you show me the way?"

Devesh glances toward the door, "It’s across the hall," he said, pointing casually.

Before he can offer to walk with her, Nitya, who has been sitting nearby, stands up,"Let me take you to the washroom, Riddhi," she offers, flashing a smile.

Riddhi hesitates but nods, "Uh, okay."

After sometimes, 
Devesh turns back to the group, shrugging off the moment. "Did she know the way back?" he asks casually.

"Yeah, I guess she’s not a nursery kid," Nitya teases as she enters and the others laugh.

"Yeah, but why do you care so much?" Rasika chimes in, raising an eyebrow at Devesh.

"Chill, ladies, I was just asking," Devesh replies with a grin.

Reyansh leans in with a mischievous smile, "Brother, stop playing."

"I’m not playing. You’re the one who’s always up to something," Devesh shoots back, though there is a playful glint in his eyes.

"True," Reyansh agrees but then his tone turns serious, "But can’t you understand it?"

Devesh frowns , puzzles "Understand what?"

Reyansh shakes his head. "Never mind."

Hritesh, who has been listening in, finally speaks up, "Arreh, he means the bond between you and—"

Suddenly, a loud scream echoes from outside, cutting him off. Everyone jumps up in alarm and rushes toward the door.

Outside, Riddhi is running full speed toward them, her face pale with fear. Without a second thought, she jumps into Devesh’s arms, wrapping her arms tightly around him. Devesh staggers back, caught off guard by the force of her embrace.

"What happened?" he asks, his voice full of concern as he tries to steady her in his arms.

Riddhi squeezes her eyes shut, clinging to him desperately, "There’s a cockroach outside the door! Please, Devesh, kill it! Ahhh!" she shrieks, her voice trembling with panic.

Nitya sighs "Relax, Riddhi," she says, though it is clear she finds the situation amusing.

Hritesh, however, doesn’t waste any time. "Wait a minute," he says, heading straight for the door. A few moments later, he stomps down on the offending cockroach, crushing it under his boot.

"I murdered an insect today!" Hritesh announces with mock grandeur.

Reyansh grins, "Damn, bro! Hope you can do the same with humans."

Hritesh laughs giving a playful shrug, "Yeah, if there was no jail, I'd take care of my haters."

Devesh, still holding Riddhi, speaks softly, "See, it’s dead now. Open your eyes."

Riddhi slowly opens her eyes, her gaze first meeting Devesh’s warm brown eyes before flicking over to Hritesh, who is holding the lifeless cockroach in his hand, "Please, throw it somewhere!" she pleaded, her voice still shaky.

Without a word, Hritesh tosses the insect out the window.

Reyansh chuckles, "Well, that's the first time I’ve seen an insect in our house."

Jay, who has been silent until now, added, "Maybe it came from the window."

Shivani nods,"Seems like it."

Devesh, still holding Riddhi, grins ,"It’s gone for good. Shall I hold you like this all day long?"

Riddhi’s eyes widens, her face flushing a deep shade of red, She quickly pulls away from Devesh’s arms, stammering, "Uh, ahem, sorry. I was... afraid."

Devesh chuckles a soft laugh ,"No need to apologize."

At this moment,  Rasika enters with her bag pack on her shoulder and holding one hand of Devesh says ," I need to talk , alone!".

The silence prevails all of a sudden .

Devesh knowing the seriousness of the words of Rasika tells Nitya to take everyone inside, Nitya does as her brother told.

After everyone left,
Rasika in her deep , serious , hurted voice," I thought you are a heartthrob person for others but a soft , understanding,  loyal person for your only one !

And may be I am not that only one , you deserve better ."

Devesh to his shock, " Wait,  Rasika , It was not something you are thinking.."

Rasika continues ," Eyes cannot lie Devesh."

Devesh trying to convince her ,"But it's not like that Rasika you know me more than anyone."

Rasika says nothing but once again ," You deserve better!"

And she increases her speed down the hall and Devesh runs behind her requesting ," Wait , Rasika! Please!"

Rasika doesn't look back she gets outside the house as soon as possible and slams the main door on the face of Devesh hardly walking away from his house.

Devesh standing in shock with his eyes at the door and cold hands.

(To be continued...)

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