A 22-YEAR-OLD GIRL, with long black hair, which glowed in the sunlight adjusted her grip on the tennis racket, her muscles tensing as she prepared for another powerful serve. The morning sun beat down on the court, casting long shadows across the green surface. Dressed in a short skirt and tank top, her running shoes gripping the ground with each step, she looked every bit the athlete she was.

That is Aratrika Vishwanath for you. 3rd year student majoring in Literature. Topper of all her classes. Tennis player. The girl who lost her family at the age of 6. 

All the guys like her. Some even had the guts to ask her out, but she politely rejected them. There were also times when she had seen some guys approach her, but then they saw their phone for a message or get a call, and after that never approached her.

Ishpitha, her close friend and occasional tennis partner, stood across the net, her own racket poised and ready. The sound of their hits echoed through the air, a rhythmic symphony of athletic prowess.

As they played, the chatter of other girls drifted over from the sidelines. Aratrika couldn't help but overhear snippets of conversation.

"...did you see Shubman's six yesterday? He's so freaking hot..."

"...Ishan's abs though, I swear I could stare at them all day..."

And HIM. YES. THAT MOTHERFUCKER. 

Shubman Gill, her all-time academic rival. She hated him to the core. He somehow manages to score marks though he spends a lot of time on the cricket field. He was also, to her luck, a literature major as well. Girls swoon around him like a moth to a flame. Yeah, well that happens when you happen to be the heartthrob of the campus. 

Aratrika exchanged a knowing glance with Ishpitha, rolling her eyes at the predictable gossip. It seemed the boys, Shubman Gill and Ishan Kishan, were the talk of the campus yet again.

Just then, as if on cue, the object of their discussion strolled by the court. Shubman, dressed in a sweaty jersey clinging to his toned torso, and Ishan, his equally athletic friend, walked past with their kit bags slung over their shoulders.

Aratrika couldn't help but notice Shubman's eyes linger on her for a moment longer than necessary. She suppressed a smirk, knowing full well his penchant for shameless flirting. 

"Hey, Aratrika! Nice serve!" Shubman called out, flashing her a charming smile. Aratrika scoffed, feigning indifference. "Save your compliments for someone who actually cares, Gill."

Ishan chuckled, nudging Shubman playfully. "Looks like someone's in denial about her admirers, eh?"

Aratrika shot Ishan a playful glare before returning her attention to the game. 

Shubman Gill and Aratrika Vishwanath never saw eye to eye. Every time, they were in the same room, all the students, and even the professors expected a heated debate, an argument. Oh, but those days, when answer sheets were distributed? 

Those were days that even the professors dreaded. Why do you ask? It is because Aratrika and Shubman could be seen, arguing the most, the one who scores the mark, even a per cent more, triumphantly smirking, and mocking the other.

Let's not talk about that now. Their classmates even expected one of them to slam their lips on the other to shut them up. But that wish was never fulfilled.

Anyway let's get back to the present day.

As Shubman and Aratrika exchanged banter, Ishan's gaze drifted to Ishpitha, who was trying to focus on the game but couldn't help stealing glances in his direction. Her cheeks flushed pink as their eyes met, and she quickly looked away, pretending to adjust her grip on the racket.

Ishan grinned, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "Hey, Ishpitha, need a hand with your serve?"

Ishpitha's heart skipped a beat at the sound of her name on his lips. She cleared her throat, trying to maintain her composure. "I-I'm good, thanks," she managed to stutter out, her voice betraying her nerves.

Aratrika shot her friend a knowing smirk, recognizing the telltale signs of Ishpitha's crush on Ishan. She decided to intervene, hoping to spare Ishpitha any further embarrassment.

"Come on, Ishpitha, let's focus on the game," Aratrika said, sending Ishan a playful glare. "We don't need any distractions from the peanut gallery."

Ishan laughed, raising his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright, I'll leave you two to it. Just remember, if you ever need any coaching, I'm here."

With a wink, Ishan sauntered off, leaving Ishpitha flustered and Aratrika rolling her eyes. But despite her attempts to brush it off, Aratrika couldn't shake the feeling of Shubman's lingering gaze on her. 

After their tennis practice, Aratrika and Ishpitha quickly changed into their university uniforms, a full-sleeved shirt paired with a knee-length skirt, topped off with their blazers. Aratrika, always one to add her own flair, rolled up her sleeves to her elbows and slung her blazer over her arm, while Ishpitha wore hers properly.

With their bags slung over their shoulders, they made their way to the courtyard, where they found a group of their friends gathered. Aratrika's eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on her senior and good friend, Varya, who was locked in a passionate embrace with Shreyas, her boyfriend. Aratrika couldn't help but roll her eyes at the public display of affection.

"Seriously, can they get a room?" Aratrika muttered under her breath to Ishpitha.  Ishpitha stifled a giggle. "They're just in love, Aratrika. Cut them some slack."

Aratrika shook her head, unconvinced. "They make out like they're in a Bollywood movie. It's nauseating."

Before Ishpitha could respond, Shreyas pulled away from Varya, a smug grin on his face. "Well, if you're so bothered by it, maybe you should ask Shubman for a make-out session. I'm sure he'd be more than willing to comply."

Aratrika's jaw dropped in disbelief, while Ishpitha stifled a laugh. Shubman, who had just joined the group, raised an eyebrow in amusement.

"Is that so, Aratrika?" he teased, his grin widening.

Aratrika felt her cheeks flush as she shot Shubman a playful glare. "Don't flatter yourself, Gill. I wouldn't kiss you if you were the last guy on earth."

Shubman chuckled, unfazed by her retort. "Oh, come on, Aratrika. You know you can't resist me."

Aratrika shook her head, trying to brush off Shubman's playful banter. "In your dreams, Gill."

Ishpitha nudged Aratrika with a grin. "Oh, come on, Aratrika. We all know you secretly swoon over him."

Aratrika shot Ishpitha a mock glare. "Don't you start, Ishpitha."

Shubman leaned in closer, his smile turning into a smirk. "I'm just saying, Aratrika, if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me."

Aratrika rolled her eyes, unable to suppress a smile despite her best efforts. "Yeah, yeah, keep dreaming, Gill."

Aratrika walked briskly back to her flat, her mind still buzzing with the day's events. The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon, casting a warm golden glow over the campus. As she rounded the corner, she spotted Shubman leaning against his sleek black car, a cocky grin on his face.

"Hey there, princess," he called out, his tone dripping with mock charm.

Aratrika rolled her eyes, resisting the urge to groan audibly. "What do you want, Gill?"

Shubman pushed off the car and sauntered over to her, his confidence oozing with every step. 

"Just thought I'd offer you a lift. Wouldn't want my favorite rival to have to walk home alone, now would I?"

Aratrika scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest. "I'm perfectly capable of walking, thank you very much. I don't need your charity."

Shubman flashed her a boyish grin, undeterred by her sharp tone. "Aw, come on, sweetheart. Don't be like that. It's not every day I get to play the gallant knight in shining armour for you."

Aratrika resisted the urge to gag at his endearing nickname, shooting him a withering glare instead. "I told you, I don't need your help. Now if you'll excuse me, I have better things to do than stand here and listen to your nonsense."

With that, she turned on her heel and continued walking, leaving Shubman standing there with a bemused expression on his face. As she made her way back to her flat, she couldn't shake the feeling of irritation that lingered in the pit of her stomach.

 Shubman Gill may be charming, but he was also infuriatingly persistent.

As Aratrika walked away, Shubman watched her retreating figure with a mixture of amusement and admiration. Leaning against his car, he couldn't help but let out a low whistle under his breath.

"Damn, she's hot," he muttered to himself, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "And feisty too. Gotta love a woman who can hold her own."

Running a hand through his tousled hair, Shubman couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his banter with Aratrika than just friendly rivalry. 

Sure, they traded insults and competed fiercely in their academics and sports, but there was an undeniable chemistry between them that he couldn't ignore.

"She drives me crazy, that's for sure," he muttered, his mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. "But damn if I don't find her intriguing."

Shubman shook his head, trying to clear his mind of the confusing emotions swirling inside him. 

He had always prided himself on being able to charm any girl he wanted, but Aratrika was different. 

She wasn't like the other girls who fawned over him; she challenged him, pushed him to be better.

Maybe, just maybe, there was more to their dynamic than he had realized. And as he watched her disappear into the distance, Shubman couldn't help but wonder if there was a chance for something more between them.

itsrika  has posted!

liked by ishpithasingh, varyakhuranna, anushkasharma, virat.kohli., kl_rahul, anahirakalyan, ishankishan, shreyasiyer, shubmangill and 2.3k others

This flat is way better than the previous one ngl @anushkasharma
The view is so pretty

530 comments

anushkasharma Real

virat.kohli. can I also move in
       anushkasharma look babe ily but no

shubmangill flip the camera. The view will be prettier
       Fuck off gill

ishpithasingh omg send address ASAP

athiyashetty omg im in love

soup rants!

- so here we have the first chapter of getaway car!

- Shubman's a pure flirt and has every girl on their knees well except for our girls and especially Aratrika

- aratrika is such a sass girl

- anyway comments on the chapter?

- hope you guys enjoyed!

- love, supraja