The university campus was buzzing with excitement as Confluence 2024, the much-anticipated inter-university cultural and sports fest, kicked into high gear.

Students from across the country had gathered for the five-day extravaganza, representing universities from all corners of the nation. Banners fluttered in the breeze, music echoed through the halls, and the energy in the air was palpable.

On the sprawling grounds, clusters of students were gathered, some rehearsing their dance routines for the cultural performances, while others cheered for their favourite teams in various sports events.

The main stage had become a hub of creativity, showcasing vibrant dance battles, dramatic theatre performances, and soulful musical competitions. Everywhere you looked, there was an explosion of colour—students dressed in beautiful attires for the cultural events while athletes wore their team jerseys with pride.

In the sports arenas, fierce competitions were underway, from football, basketball and volleyball matches to athletics and martial arts. The audience roared with excitement, supporting their teams with chants and banners.

Food stalls lined the pathways, offering everything from street food to local delicacies, providing the perfect fuel for the competitors and spectators alike.

Khushi was the most excited one. She had taken leave from her institute for the next five days and she was planning to spend these five days here. She was practically jumping around in joy.

"Why is she so awfully happy?" Zahir asked with a frown, as the whole gang had gathered in a place. Vansh chuckled seeing his sister's excitement.

"Her best friend is coming over. She is excited because she can spend the next five days with him." Vansh said with a smile.

"Him?" The words came out of Zahir's mouth without even his permission.

"OMG! Are you talking about Ryan?" Zada asked excitedly and Amar frowned up at her.

"Now why are you so excited?" Amar asked furiously.

"He was my kindergarten mate, Amar. I am meeting him after so many years.." Zada said with a sheepish smile.

"And he was our little Zada's first crush.." Zian said teasingly and Zada's cheeks reddened, making Amar more angry.

"What the hell! Why the hell are you blushing?" Amar asked angrily.

"I am not.." Zada said defensively.

"You were.." Amar accused. Zian and Zahir looked at him in amusement.

Amar's eyes darkened with a mixture of irritation and jealousy as Zada continued to blush. His fists clenched at his sides as he struggled to keep his composure. Zada, oblivious to the effect her words were having on him, was chatting happily with Vansh about her 'kindergarten friend.'

"Kindergarten friend, my foot," Amar muttered under his breath, shooting a glare at Zian, who had brought up the topic in the first place. He couldn't believe how casually Zada was talking about Ryan, and the fact that she was blushing? That didn't sit well with him at all.

"What is happening here?" Neha asked, as she came to them.

"Khushi's best friend is coming for the fest. That's it." Zian said with a smile and Neha's eyes widened in joy.

"You mean Ry-Ryn is coming?" Neha asked excitedly. Zian frowned at her.

"Why are you excited? And what is this Ry-Ryn?" Zian asked angrily.

"I call him Ry-Ryn. Ry-Ryn is the best." Neha declared happily and Zian's frown deepened.

"You always say Zi-Zi is the best. Now you are saying that Ry-Vry is the best." Zian said in a pissed off tone.

"Zi-Zi is the best. Ry-Ryn is also the best." Neha said nonchalantly, not catching upon Zian's foul mood. Zian was openly annoyed.

"Ry-Ryn?" He scoffed, mimicking Neha's playful tone. Since when did she start giving other guys cute nicknames? He crossed his arms, glaring at Neha. "What's so great about this Ryan anyway?"

Neha, noticing the tension in Zian's voice, giggled.

"Oh come on, Zi-Zi. You are the best in your own way. Ry-Ryn is just different. He is funny, sweet, and he always knows how to cheer everyone up."

"Funny?" Zian shot back, his voice rising slightly. "I am funny. Sweet? I am sweet too. You don't need someone else to cheer you up when you have got me, right?"

Neha bit her lip, trying not to laugh at how worked up Zian was getting.

"You are right. You are sweet, Zi-Zi," she said, placing her hand on his arm, but it didn't seem to calm him down.

Meanwhile, Zahir was silently fuming next to Vansh. Ryan? The name grated on his nerves for some reason. It wasn't like he cared who Khushi spent her time with, but the thought of some guy waltzing in and spending five whole days with her? That made his blood boil. He tried to brush it off, telling himself that it didn't matter. 'You don't even like her like that,' his mind kept repeating, but the more he thought about it, the more the words sounded like a lie.

Amar, now visibly irritated, couldn't stay silent anymore.

"I don't see why Ryan coming here is such a big deal," he muttered loudly enough for Zada to hear. "It's just a fest. He is not some celebrity or something."

"Why are you acting like this, Amar? He is just an old friend." Zada raised an eyebrow at him.

"An old friend?" Amar snapped, his tone sharper than he intended. "You were blushing when you talked about him! And don't act like you weren't."

Zada's cheeks flamed up again, which only fueled Amar's frustration.

"I am not blushing," she shot back, though her voice lacked conviction.

Across the group, Zahir tried to keep a cool expression, but internally, his thoughts were running wild. 'Ryan... great. Just what we need. Some random guy who thinks he can swoop in and steal the show.' He glanced over at Khushi, who was practically glowing with excitement. He hated the way his stomach twisted at the thought of her spending time with someone else.

"Well, I guess it's cool that Khushi's friend is coming," Zahir said, trying to sound casual, though his voice came out clipped. "But don't get too caught up, Khushi. It's just a fest."

Khushi, catching on to Zahir's tone, turned to him with a smirk.

"Why do you sound so grumpy, Zahir? Don't tell me you are jealous?" Khushi asked and Zahir scoffed.

"Jealous? Of what? I just don't want you all getting distracted for nothing special. We have got a lot of events to enjoy."

"Riiight," Khushi said, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "Whatever you say, Zahir."

The tension between all of them was palpable now. Zian was sulking, glaring at Neha every time she mentioned Ry-Ry, while Amar couldn't stop scowling at Zada, who was clearly enjoying making Amar sweat. After all he was a bloody playboy and everywhere she turns, she is left wondering if Amar has slept with the girl. First time she was getting a chance to make him worry over something and she was going to take full advantage of it.

Zahir, though trying to remain indifferent, couldn't shake the tight feeling in his chest at the thought of Ryan monopolising Khushi's attention.

The group, which had been lively and excited just moments before, now felt weighed down by an invisible cloud of jealousy. All thanks to one name — Ryan.

A/N

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