Zahir, Zian, and Amar sat together under a large oak tree, grumpily watching Ryan get fawned over by Khushi, Zada, and Neha. Ryan, clearly loving the attention, was the picture of charm — laughing, making jokes, and generally being the centre of the girls' universe. The three guys sat in stony silence, arms crossed, each looking more annoyed than the other.

"Look at him," Amar grumbled, glaring daggers at Ryan. "Just standing there, all smug, like he owns the place."

"I swear, if Neha calls him Ry-Ry one more time, I am going to lose it. Ry-Ry! Seriously? What is he, a cartoon character?" Zian huffed, leaning back on his elbows.

"He doesn't even do anything special. He is just standing there, smiling like some damn prince, and they are all swooning over him." Zahir, who had been staring moodily in Ryan's direction, chimed in.

"Right? I mean, what's so great about him anyway? His jokes are lame. That whole 'first love' crap—who says that? He is not even that handsome." Amar, still fuming, scoffed.

"Exactly! Not to mention, what's with Neha and that nickname? She has never given me a cutesy nickname like that. Where is my damn nickname?" Zian asked furiously.

"She is always calling you 'Zi-Zi.'" Zahir pointed out slightly. Zian's face scrunched up in irritation.

"That's not the same. 'Ry-Ry' is... affectionate." Zian complained grumpily.

Amar, who had been glaring at Ryan like he was trying to set him on fire with his mind, let out a low growl.

"Affectionate, my ass. And Zada just stands there, letting him call her his first love, and smiles at him like he is some hero. Like, what the hell?! I am her boyfriend!"

Zahir crossed his arms, shifting uncomfortably as he watched Khushi laugh at something Ryan said. His jaw clenched involuntarily.

"And what's with Khushi being so... touchy with him? They haven't stopped laughing since he got here. It's like he has got some secret spell over them."

"It's sickening. Look at her! Zada hasn't smiled like that in ages. And for him. I swear, if he brings up that kindergarten crush one more time—" Amar groaned.

"And why is Neha standing so close to him? She is acting like they are long-lost best friends, and he has been in the picture forever. I am supposed to be the guy she fawns over, not that clown!" Zian cut in, his voice dripping with frustration.

Zahir was staring at Khushi again, his brow furrowed. He knew something was off about the way he felt, but he wasn't quite ready to admit it.

"Yeah, well, Khushi's all over him too. I mean, sure, they have known each other forever, but still... laughing like that, inside jokes, ugh. It's annoying."

"Seriously, what does this guy have? Some kind of Ryan superpower? They are acting like they haven't seen a guy before." Amar threw his hands in the air, exasperated.

"Maybe he is secretly a wizard or something. Has to be the only explanation." Zian muttered under his breath.

"It's just—look, he is not even that funny. And why is Khushi hanging on to every word he says like it's the most fascinating thing ever? It's... weird." Zahir clenched his fists, trying to keep his voice casual but failing.

"You are being awfully invested in Khushi and Ryan's dynamic there, Zahir." Zian shot him a side-eye.

"I am not invested. I just don't like the guy. He is too... friendly." Zahir's eyes flicked to Zian, his tone defensive.

"Too friendly, huh?" Zian raised an eyebrow, trying not to laugh. "Sounds like you are a bit too interested for someone who doesn't care."

"Wait a second. Hold up." Amar looked between them, brow furrowing as if he'd just put the final piece of the puzzle together.

"What?" Zahir looked at him, confused.

"I just realised something." Amar pointed an accusing finger at him.

"What are you talking about?" Zahir frowned.

"One sec. I am jealous because my Mirrie had a freaking crush on him some lifetime ago. Zian's jealous because Neha keeps calling him Ry-Ry and stuff." Amar shook his head in disbelief, leaning back and crossing his arms.

"Exactly! Ry-Ry! It's infuriating!" Zian nodded, throwing his hands in the air.

"But why are you acting like a jealous boyfriend, Zahir?" Amar looked directly at Zahir, a teasing grin spreading across his face.

Zahir's eyes widened at Amar's accusation, and he immediately straightened up, looking like someone had just accused him of a serious crime.

"Jealous? Me? Are you out of your mind?" His voice went a pitch higher than usual, betraying the cool front he was trying to put on. "I am not jealous of anyone. Least of all Ryan."

"Yeah, sure, you are not. You have been glaring at him like he stole your lunch." Zian smirked, nudging Amar.

"I have not been glaring!" Zahir snapped back, arms crossing defensively. "I am just... observant. That's all."

"Observant, huh? You have been 'observing' Khushi's every laugh and smile like it's a crime scene. And for someone who doesn't care, you have been keeping really close tabs on every word Ryan says." Amar snorted.

Zahir scoffed, his jaw clenching as he tried to keep his cool.

"Oh, please. Ryan's jokes aren't even that funny. He's just... you know, trying too hard. And Khushi? She is probably being polite because they are old friends. As it is, it's none of my business.."

"Right, because 'polite' means hanging on to someone's every word," Zian quipped, raising an eyebrow. "You are practically burning holes through the guy with your eyes, bro."

"I am not burning holes in anyone! I just don't like him, alright? He is too... smug. That's all there is to it." Zahir shot them both with a look of irritation.

Amar and Zian exchanged amused glances.

"Oh yeah, definitely not jealousy," Amar said sarcastically, shaking his head. "You are totally cool with him being all chummy-chummy with Khushi."

Zahir's face flushed slightly, but he held his ground.

"Look, I am just saying — someone needs to keep an eye on him. That's it. No jealousy, no weird feelings. Just... being protective of my sister. It has got nothing to do with Khushi." Zahir said and the other two laughed.

"Sure, buddy. Whatever you say."

A/N

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