"Never love anyone who treats you like you are ordinary." -Oscar Wilde

AS the evening settled into an uncomfortable quiet, Siya guided Ram back toward her tent, her gaze downcast but intense. Sidharth Kapoor followed close behind, a quiet storm of anger simmering as he trailed them. He couldn't wrap his mind around Siya's reaction-a simple, meaningless kiss between Sana and Ram, and Siya had reacted as if something profound had been shattered.

Once inside the tent, Siya turned to Ram, her voice tight. "We need to talk."

Kapoor cut in before Ram could respond, his tone clipped. "There's nothing to talk about, Siya. It was a dare. Ram did it. End of story."

Siya's eyes flashed as she turned to him. "I want to talk to Ram, Sidharth. Alone. Please leave us."

Kapoor's jaw clenched, and a flicker of hurt crossed his face as he glanced at Ram, who seemed reluctant to be pulled into the tension.

Ram shifted uncomfortably but finally spoke, his voice calm, almost indifferent. "Sidharth's right, Siya. It was just a game. A dare. I kissed Sana. It didn't mean anything. Not to her, not to me."

But Siya wasn't listening, her gaze darting between the two men. "There's still something we need to discuss," she insisted, her voice carrying an unsettling urgency.

Kapoor's patience snapped, his anger spilling over. "What's there to discuss, Siya? Ram isn't hiding anything, and neither is Sana. They're friends. It was just a dare." His tone softened slightly, a hint of disbelief creeping in. "Why are you acting like this?"

Ram's expression mirrored Kapoor's frustration, but there was something else too-a sting, an unexpected bitterness. "Siya, why are you acting like this jealous, possessive... girlfriend?" he asked, shaking his head. "You're my best friend. Sidharth is your boyfriend, your love. Why does this bother you so much?"

Siya's voice was firm, her eyes steel as she glanced back at Kapoor. "This is between me and Ram," she said, her tone brooking no argument. "I need to talk to my best friend. Alone."

The final word seemed to cut through Kapoor, his face dark with hurt. He looked at her for a long moment, anger and disappointment flickering in his gaze, before he finally spun on his heel and stormed out of the tent.

"What do you want to talk about?" Ram asked, his tone sharp, frustration simmering beneath the surface.

"Why did you kiss her?" Siya demanded.

"It was a dare. I did it. Simple," he replied, his irritation barely concealed.

"Simple?" Siya sneered. "You used your mouth and tongue. That's simple?"

Ram's jaw clenched. "What do you want, Siya?"

Her gaze hardened, crossing her arms. "I want you to stay away from Sana."

Ram shook his head. "I can't. She's my friend."

"Why not?" Her voice rose, frustration edging into anger. "Why are you acting like this?"

"I'm acting normal. You're the one being weird here," he shot back, irritation flaring.

Siya's expression faltered, hurt flashing across her face. "You've never talked to me like that."

"That's because you've never acted like a possessive girlfriend before," he retorted.

She bristled. "I'm not acting like your girlfriend. We're best friends, Ram."

"I remember that," he said coolly.

She narrowed her eyes. "What happened to your whole 'saving myself for my wife' plan? You were supposed to have an arranged marriage, right? Now you're kissing Sana?"

Ram exhaled, his patience wearing thin. "My life, my rules. And for the last time, it was just a game-a dare. Now drop it."

He turned to leave, but her voice stopped him cold.

"Stay away from other girls, Ram. Or else."

He spun back around, eyes narrowing. "Or else what?"

She smiled, a sweetness to it that sent a chill down his spine. "It won't end well for you... or her."

Ram stepped closer, gripping her arms, his expression dark with anger. Siya winced in pain but smiled slightly, knowing he cared.

"You think I'm Sidharth?" he asked, voice taut. "That I'll dance to your tune? I'm not your puppet, Siya."

Her smile stayed, unfazed. "You're right, you're not Sidharth. And he's no puppet; that's why I love him. But you, Ram-you're my best friend. You always listen to me, don't you? And you'll listen to me now."

"In your dreams," he said, pulling back; ready to leave but her next words froze him in place.

"I'll ruin Sana's chances. One word to my dad, and she's gone."

Shock and disbelief filled his eyes. "I never thought you'd stoop this low. She's our friend. She... we don't even like each other that way. But you... I wish you were more like your mom-sweet, innocent. But..."

She leaned closer, her smile darkening. "Unfortunately, I'm my father's daughter-a little psycho, who gets what she wants."

He stared at her, struggling to hold back his disgust. He never saw this side of her.

"Does she act like this with Sidharth too?" He wondered.

"Ram,"

"What do you even want, Siya?" he snapped.

Her eyes softened, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through. "Right now, I want you to stay away from girls, including our friend Sana."

Ram let out a bitter laugh. "You've lost your mind, Siya. You're in love with Sidharth, and you want me to stay away from other girls when I'm just your friend."

Her gaze grew softer as she took his hand. "Who said you're just my friend? You're more than that, Ram. You're my family. My bestie. I care for you. I love you."

"As a friend," he snapped, pulling his hand away. "You love me as a friend, Siya. So act like one. In a few years, I'll be getting married to someone else. Are you going to act like this then, too? Will you try to ruin my wife's life because you're jealous?"

Siya looked at him in shock. "Why would you even marry so soon? You're still young."

"That's what you choose to focus on?" he scoffed, irritation clear in his voice.

Siya's frustration broke through as she clenched her fists. "I don't know, Ram. I hated seeing you with Sana. I felt like..."

"Killing her?" he asked softly, lifting her chin so she'd meet his gaze. "Don't overthink it, Siya. You love Sidharth. He loves you. But reacting like this? It'll only hurt him."

"Why?" she asked, desperation slipping into her voice.

"Because, he'll think you love me" he answered quietly.

"I what?" She was shocked.

"Friends don't act like this with their friends. They don't feel jealousy and... threaten to kill people."

Realization dawned in Siya's eyes, her expression softening in shock. "So... I love you?" she whispered, her eyes widening as she looked up at him.

Ram released her face, a conflicted look in his eyes. "Don't be ridiculous, Siya."

"No," she insisted, tears welling up as she clung to him. "You're right. I do love you. I've always loved you!" She broke down, burying her face against him, her arms clutching tightly around his neck.

"Siya!" He pushed her back gently but firmly. "Sidharth is your boyfriend, dammit. You love him."

But Siya gripped him tightly. "I want you too, Ram. Don't ever leave me."

He pried her off with a sudden force, making her stumble back, stunned.

"What the hell, Ram!" She winced, looking up at him, a mix of hurt and shock in her eyes. He'd never acted like this.

"You'll have me," he said, his voice low and filled with steel, "when you love me, truly. Not out of some pathetic obsession. Like Sidharth is for you."

"What are you saying?"

"If you want me, Siya, then it's all or nothing. No 'ifs,' no 'buts,' and no 'you too.' Just me. There will be no place for another guy. I don't want to be an option for you, when I can have someone who will only want me." With that, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing alone, bitter confusion swirling in the air.

On the other hand, after coming outside, Kapoor tried to steady his breathing, but his mind was racing. He had enough on his plate already with his parents' separation looming over him, a quiet pain he was still struggling to process. And now, here he was, caught in this mess, watching Siya's strange attachment to Ram, her possessive reaction that felt more than friendly. It stung.

As he headed down the path, he spotted Julia nearby, her eyes immediately catching his. Her presence only fueled his irritation. Before she could say anything, Kapoor brushed past her. Yet he sensed her trailing behind him, and it only made him angrier. He halted abruptly, spinning around to face her.

"Stay away from me, Julia," he warned, voice low and seething. "Unless you want me to do something you won't like."

But Julia, unshaken, kept pace, trying to keep her tone light as she caught up. "Kapoor, wait. Just hear me out. I didn't mean for things to turn out this way."

"Oh, didn't you?" He scoffed, bitterness creeping into his voice. "Don't act innocent, Julia. I know exactly what you were up to. Trying to provoke Siya, to get a reaction. And guess what? It worked. Congratulations."

Julia swallowed, visibly uncomfortable under his gaze but still pressing forward. "I wasn't trying to hurt anyone. I knew Ram wouldn't actually kiss Siya. I just wanted to see how she reacted to... seeing him with someone else."

"Well, now you know," he said sharply, his eyes narrowing. "And so do I. I see exactly what you're doing, Julia. It's all a game to you, isn't it? You think you know people's limits, but you don't. Not really."

Julia hesitated, her bravado faltering, and for a moment, he thought she might finally leave him alone. But she stepped forward, her expression earnest. "Sid, I know what it looked like, but I wasn't trying to hurt anyone. I just... wanted to understand."

He let out a harsh laugh. "Understand what? How far can you push people before they break? Guess what, Julia-don't push me. Or you'll see just how much I can break back."

And with that, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing alone, the weight of his words lingering in the heavy, silent night.

Julia watched him storm off, something clicking in her mind as she saw the raw pain in his eyes. She called after him, "Sidharth!" But he kept walking, his strides growing faster as he headed toward the edge of the hill.

A pang of worry shot through her, and she broke into a run, closing the gap between them. Just as he neared the drop, she grabbed his arm, pulling him back forcefully.

"What do you want, Julia?" he snapped, irritation flaring in his eyes.

"We need to talk," she insisted, her voice filled with urgency.

His expression hardened. "There's nothing to talk about. Leave me alone."

He ran a frustrated hand through his hair, the weight of everything crashing down on him. Seeing his own girlfriend get jealous over another guy-a guy she called her best friend-stung deeper than he cared to admit.

"Just go, Julia. Leave," he said, voice laced with anger and hurt.

But she didn't budge. "It's about Siya," she pressed.

A flicker of emotion crossed his face, but he shook his head, backing away from her words. "I don't want to hear anything. Please, just leave me alone."

Julia knelt down on the ground, her tone softening to a plea. "It's for your own good, Sid. Please... trust me. Just sit, and listen."

He hesitated, frustration battling with curiosity as he looked at her, but finally, he gave in, sinking down beside her with a weary sigh.

"Bark," he said dryly.

Julia frowned. "Who talks like that?"

"I do," he snapped. "Now, say whatever you need to say before I walk away. I don't have all day for your nonsense."

Julia rolled her eyes. "You're a real jackass. Just like Vyas."

He smirked, leaning in just a bit. "Guess all Sidharth's are jerks, huh?"

"I disagree." She said, thinking about Siya's father, Mr. Shukla.

"Whatever! Now bark, since you seem so eager to share." He said.

She shot him an irritated look, but steadied herself. "Listen, Sidharth," she began seriously, "don't take this the wrong way, but... I think Siya genuinely loves Ram. But she doesn't know about it."

His expression darkened as he glared at her. "Do you have any shame in telling a boyfriend his girlfriend loves her best friend, not him?" His voice was cold, yet she could sense the hurt underneath.

Deep down, Julia knew he had wondered the same thing. He just wouldn't admit it. He is selfish. Selfish to let her go, and become all alone.

"I'm only saying what I saw," Julia continued, undeterred. "Look, Siya is obsessed with you. Obsessed, not in love."

"Don't talk nonsense," he snapped. "She loves me, okay?"

"Then tell me, how did you two first meet?" she asked, crossing her arms.

He looked at her like she'd lost her mind. "Seriously?"

"Yes, seriously."

He sighed, conceding with irritation. "We were ten. I met her at her house. Our fathers had just signed some business deals, so my parents and I were invited over for dinner."

As he spoke, a small, reminiscent smile appeared on his face. "She was wearing this pink dress with a ponytail, and she looked... cute, I guess. But she was calling me 'Superhero' and following me around like a shadow. It was annoying as hell. At one point, I told her to just 'go away.' I was so irritated." He let out a small laugh, despite himself.

Julia found it cute, but the story confirmed her point. "See, Sidharth, she's obsessed with you."

His smile vanished. "Not again, Julia," he growled. "Everything has its limits."

"I know." She nodded, holding his gaze. "But how long will you keep living a lie, Sidharth? You don't want to leave her because you enjoy the attention she gives you, the kind your parents don't."

He tensed. "Watch it, Julia. You're crossing a line."

"I know I am," she replied calmly, but firmly. "But sometimes the truth needs to be spoken. Siya likes the idea of loving you because of her childhood trauma-story of losing her grandparents. I've heard, her mom used to call her dad 'Superhero' when she was her age. And your name? It matches her father's, Sidharth."

He hesitated, his anger faltering. "What are you saying? That she's just obsessed with me, with the idea of me being her hero, like her father was for her mom? That she doesn't really love me?" His words were supposed to be an accusation, but they sounded like a question he was scared to answer.

"Yes," Julia nodded, her expression unwavering.

He shook his head and stood up, his voice unsteady. "I don't believe this theory."

Julia reached out, gripping his hand to keep him from leaving. "Sidharth," she said softly, rising to stand eye-to-eye with him."I know this is hard to hear, but deep down, I think you believe it too. Siya loves Ram, but she loves the idea of you as her perfect hero, her savior. Accepting the truth might make it easier to move forward."

"No, Julia, you're lying," he said, voice cracking as he looked down at his shoes. "We love each other."

"Then say it looking into my eyes," she challenged.

He tried to turn away, but she pulled him back, forcing him to face her.

Julia's heart sank seeing the tears forming in his eyes. She placed a hand on his shoulder. "You believe it."

He looked down again, shaking his head slightly. "It's... not that easy."

"What's not easy?" she pressed.

"Moving on," he whispered, barely audible. "I really like her, Julia."

Julia cupped his face gently, giving him a soft, reassuring smile. "There's a difference between like and love, just as there is between love and obsession. You like her, not love. And she's obsessed with you. But she truly loves Ram."

"Don't say that," he muttered, brushing her hands away, frustration evident in his face. "I don't want to hear it."

"Understandable." She nodded, her tone softer. "It's hard for you. But I'll pray that someday it gets easier for you to move on, and that you find someone who will truly love you. Someone who will keep you above everyone else."

"There's no one like that," he replied bitterly, shaking his head. "My parents don't care. Siya doesn't love me." He paused, his own words hitting him with sudden realization.

Julia smiled gently and pulled him in a friendly hug to console him. "You just accepted it. Now, it will get easier to move on. And as for that girl, I'm sure someone out there will give you the love you deserve."

"I don't believe in that. I don't believe in love anymore," he said quietly, surprised by his own words, hugging her back.

"Maybe she'll make you believe in it too," Julia replied with a soft smile.

He scoffed, though a painful smile flickered on his face. "What are you, some kind of relationship advisor?"

"Kind of," she replied, stepping back from their hug with a soft smile. "Single people give the best relationship advice, after all. If you ever need more in the future, just call me. I'll be happy to help."

"I won't need your help," he replied confidently. "Because I'll never fall for anyone." His voice held a note of finality.

"We'll see about that, Mr. Kapoor." She winked, her voice warm and assured.

For the first time, a genuine laugh escaped him, and she joined in, the tension between them dissolving.

As they calmed down, Sidharth smirked, his gaze shifting a few feet away to where professor Rajveer stood, observing them with an unreadable expression.

"I hope you get your guy too," he teased, nodding subtly in professor Rajveer's direction.

Julia's eyes widened in alarm. "Do you think he heard us?"

"Maybe?" He shrugged, then added with a mischievous grin, "He might think you just broke up a perfectly happy couple. So in love." He cringed as he said the last words.

"Oh, God!" Julia muttered, dashing toward her tent, desperately avoiding professor Rajveer's approaching gaze.

Kapoor chuckled, feeling a surprising sense of lightness as he turned to head back to his tent. But his path was suddenly blocked by professor Rajveer, who looked at him sternly.

"Need something?" Sidharth asked politely, though his tone held a slight edge.

"Stay away from her," Professor Rajveer said curtly before walking off.

"Oh! Jealousy," Sidharth muttered with a bitter laugh, though it faded when he noticed a clearly agitated Ram leaving Siya's tent, lost in thought.

Sidharth smiled sadly as he whispered to himself, "From now on, I'll keep my distance from Siya... for my own sake."

With a heavy sigh, he retreated into his tent, the weight of unspoken words settling around him.

✿✿✿

I know there's no SidNaaz in this part, but there's a reason behind it. You'll get know about it in the next chapter. Moreover, I wanted to give a closer to Ram, Siya and Sidharth Kapoor characters. No, they'll still be in this story, will be seen but not much like till now. My main focus will be on Sidharth, Sana and their relationship from here on.

(⁠☞⁠ ⁠ಠ⁠_⁠ಠ⁠)⁠☞ Do vote and comment.

Thank you.