"Our greatest joy and our greatest pain come in our relationships with others."-Stephen R. Covey

AFTER reaching their destination, everyone busied themselves with setting up tents in groups, the crisp mountain air filling their lungs. The campsite buzzed with activity as students hammered stakes into the snow-covered ground, making sure their tents were securely in place. Once their temporary homes were set up, the exhaustion from the journey set in. Many collapsed inside their tents for a brief rest, some even stealing a few hours of sleep.

By the afternoon, the camp began to stir once more. The students emerged from their tents, refreshed and ready to explore the snow-covered hilltop. The sun had begun its slow descent, casting a golden glow over the landscape. Tonight, there were plans for fun activities, followed by a BBQ dinner. The thought of grilled food under the stars had everyone excited.

The tents had been assigned in pairs: Sana and Julia were sharing one, Ram was partnered with a guy named Rohan, and Siya had been paired with her boyfriend, Sidharth Kapoor. Technically, Siya was supposed to have her own tent, as her overprotective father had insisted she be given privacy.

Mr. Shukla's instructions to the teachers were clear: Siya was not to be disturbed, and she would stay alone.

Of course, reality differed from the plan. Siya had her own ideas and had already confided in her friends about her real intentions. Kapoor would sneak into her tent once the teachers retired for the night.

Ram, ever the cautious one, had initially disapproved. "Siya, you should really just stick to the plan. If something happens, your father will kill me."

Siya, with a teasing smile, had waved off his concerns. "Relax, Ram. My dad's not going to find out. Everything will be fine."

Ram sighed, shaking his head. "You don't know your father like I do. I've heard rumours about what he did to the guy who messed with your mom."

Siya's playful expression faltered slightly. "Rumors?"

"Six bullets, Siya. Both eyes, both hands, one in the forehead, and the last one in the heart. I don't care if it's a rumor-I believe it," Ram said, his tone was deadly serious.

Siya laughed, though uneasily. "You're exaggerating, Ram. My dad's just... protective."

"Yeah, and that 'protection' extends to making sure no one lays a finger on you," Ram muttered, clearly unconvinced but relenting to Siya's plan with a shake of his head. He knew there was no point in arguing further.

Now, the group was sitting on the ground, enjoying snacks while they waited for the sunset. Chips, cold drinks, and fruits were passed around as Julia, Siya, and Ram chatted about their excitement for the camp trip.

"I can't wait for the campfire tonight," Julia said, her eyes gleaming. "It's going to be so much fun!"

"I'm more excited for the barbecue," Siya added with a grin. "And the games! I heard the teachers have planned some really cool activities."

Ram smiled at their enthusiasm but stayed quiet, his mind still partially occupied by his earlier conversation with Siya.

But while they chatted away, Sana was lost in her own world. Her thoughts had drifted far from the conversation, occupied by the one person she was trying to avoid thinking about.

Sidharth Vyas.

Her enemy. Her nightmare. Her current... unwanted desire and obsession.

She hadn't spoken to him since they arrived. In fact, she hadn't even seen him after getting off the bus. A part of her was relieved, but another part-a part she hated to acknowledge-was bothered by his absence.

"Why hasn't he come to talk to me? Why hasn't he teased me? Poked at me?" Sana's mind raced with questions she didn't want to ask.

Normally, Sidharth would have found a way to provoke her by now, but he had been eerily quiet. Then she remembered seeing him earlier, talking to that girl-the one in the mini skirt and tank top, who looked all too eager to get his attention.

"Of course he's busy with her," Sana thought bitterly.

The image of the girl throwing herself at him replayed in her mind, and she could practically feel her blood boiling. She had heard that Sidharth was supposed to stay with Karan, one of his friends, but apparently, there had been a last-minute change. Now, he had a tent all to himself.

And, conveniently, the mini-skirt girl's tent was right next to his.

"Perfect. Just perfect," Sana fumed.

She tried to shake off the frustration but couldn't. The idea of Sidharth hooking up with that girl made her feel... something. Anger? Jealousy? She didn't want to name it. Her friends, unaware of her internal turmoil, continued chatting as the sun inched closer to the horizon.

"Ram, do you have a girlfriend?" Julia asked, her tone carrying more interest than necessary.

Sana shot her a disapproving look, but Julia ignored it entirely. Lately, Julia seemed far more interested in Siya and Ram than in anyone else, and this moment was the perfect opportunity to get to know more about them-especially with Sidharth out of the picture, still resting in his tent.

Before Ram could respond, Siya jumped in with a playful grin. "As far as I know, Ram doesn't have a girlfriend. But..." She looped her arms around his neck, mischief dancing in her eyes. "He has me. Right, Ram?" She winked at him, teasingly.

Ram gave her a tight smile, shaking his head. "Shut up."

Siya laughed, clearly amused by her own joke. "Actually," she added thoughtfully, "Ram has never had a girlfriend. Why is that, Ram?"

Ram flushed slightly but stayed quiet.

"If only she knew," Sana thought, feeling a pang of sympathy for him.

Julia, however, wasn't about to let the question drop. "Why not?" she pressed, her curiosity evident.

Ram cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the attention. "I don't have a girlfriend because I haven't found anyone who's right for me," he explained. "I'll probably just marry someone my parents choose for me."

"Old-fashioned Ram," Siya said absentmindedly, plucking at the grass.

"Yeah, old-fashioned Ram," he echoed softly, looking at her with an expression that betrayed the longing he usually tried so hard to hide. But Siya was too preoccupied with the grass in her hands, oblivious to the weight of his gaze.

Ram glanced away, then shot a small smile at Julia, who returned his look with sympathy. He knew Sana had probably already told her about his feelings for Siya, so there was no point in hiding it now. The understanding look on Julia's face only confirmed his suspicion.

"Let's enjoy the sunset," Ram suggested, trying to shift the conversation away from himself.

"Yes, let's," Julia agreed eagerly.

The snow-covered hills around them seemed to glow under the golden light of the setting sun. The sky, painted in soft hues of orange and pink, reflected off the snow, making the entire landscape look almost magical. There was a serene stillness in the air as they watched the sun slowly descend, casting long shadows across the snow and turning the distant mountains into a silhouette against the fading light.

Julia nudged Sana, breaking her out of her reverie. "Isn't it beautiful?" she asked, gesturing toward the horizon. "This view... it's worth everything."

Sana blinked, taking in the sight. The sun, now hovering just above the mountain peaks, bathed everything in a warm, golden glow. For a moment, the beauty of the scene soothed her restless mind.

"Yeah," she murmured softly. "It's stunning."

But even as she admired the sunset, her thoughts drifted back to Sidharth. Why did he always have to ruin things? One minute, he was all over her-teasing, taunting, always in her space. The next, he acted like she didn't exist. Since arriving at the camp, he had ignored her entirely. And now he was likely planning to spend the night with some random girl in the tent next to his.

"Why does that even bother me?" she wondered, frustrated with herself for caring.

"Hey, Sana, you alright?" Ram asked, noticing her silence.

She forced a smile, shoving the thoughts of Sidharth and that girl aside. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired from the trip."

"Good," Ram said with a grin. "Tonight's going to be fun, so rest up while you can."

Sana nodded, though her mind was elsewhere, already wondering what Sidharth Vyas was up to-and hating herself for even thinking about it. As she glanced at Ram, who was watching Siya with a soft expression, a sudden thought crossed her mind.

What if I become like Ram one day? What if I fall in love with Sidharth... but he never loves me back? Could I handle that kind of pain?

She shook her head. I can't. I'm not as strong as Ram. One-sided love destroys people, and I don't want that to happen to me. I need to stay away from him. I will stay away from him... to protect myself.

She nodded in quiet agreement with her decision. But her resolve was interrupted by a gentle nudge from Julia.

"What?" she snapped, her irritation getting the better of her.

"Look over there," Julia said excitedly, tilting her head to the right.

Sana followed her gaze and froze. From where she sat, it looked like Siya was nestled against Ram's chest, her arms wrapped around his neck. Ram had one arm loosely around her waist, holding her close. The scene, framed by the sunset, made them look like a couple sharing an intimate moment.

Her eyes widened as she watched Siya look up at Ram with a sweet smile, her innocent brown eyes-eyes that resembled her mother's-filled with affection. Sana quickly shifted her gaze to Ram, already knowing what she would see. His hands were clenched into fists, his jaw tight as he fought the urge to hold Siya the way he wanted to. His eyes, however, were soft, filled with a yearning that he couldn't hide. It was the look of a man deeply in love, staring at the girl he wanted more than anything, but knowing he could never have her.

He doesn't deserve this, Sana thought, her heart aching for him. He deserves happiness. He deserves love.

In that moment, she said a silent prayer, asking for Ram's happiness. If not with Siya, then with someone else-someone who would love him deeply, just as Siya's father loved her mother. Someone who will give him the love he deserves.

Siya gave Ram a quick kiss on the cheek and said goodbye to them before heading toward her tent. Sana and Julia exchanged a glance, then both looked at Ram expectantly.

"Don't say a word," he warned, giving them a stern look before following behind Siya-though he headed to his own tent which was next to Siya.

"They're perfect together," Julia said in a dreamy voice.

"Shut up," Sana snapped, getting up from the ground and walking toward her tent. "Siya loves Kapoor."

"Yeah, right." Julia nodded, and quickly followed behind her.

As Sana and Julia made their way toward their tent, they both paused, drawn by a familiar voice coming from their left. Instinctively, they turned their heads and saw the girl in the mini-skirt-one of the girls from earlier-standing far too close to Sidharth.

She was flirting with him, her voice low and sultry as she ran her fingers up and down his arm and chest. Sidharth stood there, silent, looking bored, his expression unreadable. But that didn't stop the girl. With a playful smirk, she leaned in even closer, her intentions clear as she moved toward his face, her lips dangerously close to his neck ready to kiss or leave a mark on him.

He didn't move. He didn't stop her. He just stood there unfazed, unbothered, and bored.

The girl moved towards his ear and whispered, "Let's have some fun tonight, Sid?"

This made him irritated, but he quickly made a serious expression when he noticed her-standing and watching him with an expression of jealousy and something... more. He can't name it. And, whatever he saw he liked it. So, he stayed quiet and left the girl doing what she wanted.. just for that moment. Just in front of her. To see her reaction.

"I swear, I'm good at riding." The girl continued. "Be it a horse or a cock."

He cringed at her words but stayed quiet, looking at Sana with an unreadable expression. He held the girl's waist, giving her a cue to continue her shit-talk.

Sana's heart clenched painfully at the sight. Jealousy flared, hot and sharp, followed by an unexpected wave of possessiveness. Her fists tightened at her sides as she watched the girl shamelessly flirt, trying to seduce him with her touch. The anger brewing inside her only worsened as the girl leaned in, ready to kiss him.

I can't watch this.

Her throat tightened, and before she knew it, she turned away and hurried into the tent, her eyes stinging with tears she had no control over.

Once inside, she threw herself onto the bed, burying her face in her pillow as the tears began to flow freely. She sobbed quietly, muffling her cries, not wanting Julia-or anyone-to hear her pain.

"Why does it hurt so much?" she asked herself, her chest tightening with every thought of Sidharth with that girl.

She hated herself for caring this much, for feeling this way about someone she was supposed to despise. Someone who toyed with people, who didn't believe in love.

How did I end up here? Falling for someone like him?

The thought that he might kiss that girl-or worse-cut deep, twisting her heart in ways she wasn't prepared for. She couldn't bear the idea of him being with someone else.

Why does it even matter? He doesn't care. He doesn't care about anyone. But it hurts so much.

The thought only made her heartbreak, and she cried even harder, keeping her voice in check. She didn't want Julia to know about her distress, about her secret-that somewhere deep down, she was not only attracted to her enemy but might be falling for him as well. And she hated herself for it.

She was falling for someone she should despise, someone she should stay far away from. But here she was, falling for her enemy. Someone who didn't even believe in love or relationships. He just used people and moved on, without caring about how they felt.

"I hate myself."

Outside, Julia stood frozen for a moment, watching the interaction between Sidharth and the mini-skirt girl. To her surprise, Sidharth didn't respond to the girl's advances. Instead, he pushed her away, causing her to stumble, nearly falling to the ground. Julia couldn't help but snicker as the girl stormed off, humiliated.

"You are an asshole, Sidharth."

"As if I care. And, don't come after me, Puja. It won't go well with you." Shouting at her, he looked at Julia for a moment before he left from there.

Julia entered the tent a few moments later, talking in a tone of frustration. "Can you believe that? Vyas just pushed that girl away. She literally fell on her face!" Julia huffed, missing the drama she had anticipated. "I swear, I thought-" She stopped mid-sentence when she saw Sana lying face-down on the bed, her body shaking with silent sobs.

Concern immediately washed over her. "Sana?" Julia's voice softened as she climbed onto the bed beside her best friend. She wrapped her arms around Sana from behind, pulling her into a comforting hug. "Hey, what happened? Why are you crying?"

But Sana didn't answer. Instead, she turned toward Julia, burying her face in her friend's shoulder as fresh tears spilled from her eyes. Julia didn't push for an explanation; deep down, she already had a feeling about the source of Sana's pain. She had noticed the tension between Sana and Sidharth lately-the lingering stares, the way Sana was always affected when he was around. And now, seeing her best friend crying over him after witnessing that scene with the girl, Julia was almost certain.

"She's falling for him," Julia realized with a sinking heart. And that's dangerous.

She knew exactly what kind of guy Sidharth Vyas was-he didn't do relationships, didn't care about people's emotions. He played with hearts, toyed with affections, and left destruction in his wake. And now, her best friend was caught in the crossfire.

"Shh," Julia soothed, tightening her hold on Sana, gently stroking her hair. "It's okay, baby. Everything's going to be okay."

Sana's sobs quieted a little, but she still clung to Julia, seeking the comfort only a best friend could offer.

Julia sighed softly, hating that Sana was hurting like this. "You'll be fine," she whispered, her voice full of reassurance. "You're strong, and you don't need someone like him to make you happy."

But as she held Sana close, Julia's own worries gnawed at her. She had seen this kind of heartbreak before-the kind that comes when you fall for someone who could never love you back. And she feared that Sana was headed down that very same path.

For now, though, all she could do was let her cry it out. Julia gently caressed her friend's head, continuing to murmur soothing words. "It'll be alright," she promised. "I'm here, and I've got you. You'll get through this."

Sana nodded against her, though her heart still felt like it was breaking. She wanted to believe Julia's words. But deep down, the growing feelings she had for Sidharth terrified her more than she could admit. Because loving someone like him-someone who didn't believe in love-would only lead to heartbreak. And she wasn't sure she was strong enough to survive that.

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