⛧°。 ⋆༺ ＳＡＲＡ'Ｓ ＰＯＶ ༻⋆。 °⛧

I arrived at school on time, walked into my class, and let out a sigh when I saw that the teacher hadn't yet arrived. Since it was Physics, I took out my books, preparing for the lesson.

Just then, Mrs. Khurana, our Physics teacher, walked in. "Children, before we begin the lesson, please welcome a new student, Rohan Mehta," she announced.

Rohan? Rohan Mehta? My best friend from 10th grade? I watched as he made his way to an empty seat, and just as I was processing the surprise, Shanu nudged me and asked, "You know him?"

I nodded, still a bit stunned. "He was my best friend in 10th grade." Shanu gave a quick nod, and the class began.

After three periods, it was finally lunch break. I headed to the canteen, and as I walked in, Rohan spotted me and immediately hugged me. I returned the hug and grinned. "It's been so long, Ro!"

Soon Shubman and Bhai came and Bhai hugged Rohan. Bhai said, "Shub, this is Rohan. Sara's best friend and my partner in crime."

Shubman nodded and Bhai said, "Rohan, this is Shubman. The head boy and my best friend."

I looked at Shubman who was glued to his phone. What's wrong with him? I looked at Shanu and whispered, "What's wrong with your brother?"

Shanu shrugged and I continued eating. While eating, Rohan placed his hand on mine and said something. But before I could say anything, Shubman stood up and walked away.

I watched him walk towards the class. I sighed and finished my 

꧁・┆✦ʚ 𝚂𝚑𝚞𝚋𝚖𝚊𝚗'𝚜 ♡ 𝙿𝚘𝚟 ɞ✦ ┆・꧂

I stepped out of the canteen, Rohan holding Sara's hand repeating in my mind like a loop. As I walked into the classroom, a bucket of water was suddenly dumped on me.

I sputtered, "What the hell?"

I stood there, drenched, trying to process what had just happened. The room fell silent for a split second, then bursts of laughter echoed around me. My clothes clung to my skin, cold and uncomfortable.

I scanned the room, my eyes narrowing as they landed on the group near the back. I knew who was behind this.

"Really?" I muttered, wiping my face with my sleeve.

One of them, Raj, grinned. "Guess you got a little... surprise," he said, his tone dripping with mockery.

I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lash out. Instead, I took a deep breath and looked around. The last thing I wanted was to give them the satisfaction of seeing me lose my cool.

But inside, a storm was brewing.

AUTHOR'S POV

Shubman's anger was a storm now, and it wasn't something anyone in the room dared to ignore. His fists were still clenched at his sides, but he didn't need to throw another punch. His presence alone was enough to make everyone shrink back.

He glared at Raj, who was still standing there, unsure of how to react to the fury in Shubman's eyes. "You think this is funny?" he snarled, his voice cutting through the stillness of the room like a knife. "You think you can get away with this?"

Raj opened his mouth, probably to say something smart, but Shubman didn't give him the chance. Without another word, he turned sharply and stormed toward the table where his jacket lay. The room watched, a mix of awe and fear hanging in the air, as he pulled it on—his broad shoulders flexing as he slid his arms into the sleeves.

The damp fabric clung to his torso, outlining the muscles of his chest and arms more clearly, and the jacket, which had once been just a casual piece of clothing, now seemed to emphasize the intensity of his presence. As he buttoned it up, his calm yet intense expression was the only sign he was still holding back. But only just.

He didn't waste another second. He gave one last cold look around the room, scanning the faces that had once laughed at him, now silent and frozen. The girls, especially, seemed taken aback, their eyes lingering on his powerful frame, but Shubman didn't notice—or care. His focus was entirely on getting out of there.

Without saying another word, he turned on his heel, walking toward the door. The sound of his boots hitting the floor echoed through the tense silence, each step seeming to mark the end of the confrontation. As the door swung shut behind him, the noise in the classroom slowly began to rise again, but it was different now. The laughter was gone, replaced by an uneasy murmur that filled the air like the aftermath of a storm.

Outside, Shubman didn't stop. He didn't look back. He kept walking, his jacket flaring slightly with each determined step, leaving behind the chaos and the eyes that had witnessed the first crack in his calm.

Arjun grinned, clearly not ready to let Shubman off the hook. "So, Mr. Cool Guy," he teased, nudging him lightly, "you just happened to throw on a jacket in the middle of a heatwave? You sure you didn't plan this whole thing—get soaked, walk out looking like a hero in a wet T-shirt, and then finish it off with a dramatic exit?"

Shubman rolled his eyes, a reluctant smile tugging at his lips. "You're insufferable, you know that?"

Arjun shrugged with mock innocence. "Hey, I'm just saying, maybe this whole 'mysterious, wet-jacketed hero' look might catch some attention. I'm sure some of the girls are loving it."

Shubman scoffed, turning away slightly, trying to hide the slight blush creeping up his neck. "Shut up, Arjun."

But before Arjun could get another word in, Shubman took a step back, already done with the teasing. "I've got to go," he said, his tone a little sharper, as if trying to make a clean break from the conversation. "I'll catch you later."

As he walked off, feeling a little more at ease, he wasn't paying close attention to where he was going. And then, bang—he felt a light collision and a small gasp.

Shubman instinctively reached out, his hand catching a slim, familiar figure before they could hit the ground. His heart skipped a beat when he looked down and saw Sara, her wide eyes meeting his with a mixture of surprise and embarrassment.

"Whoa, sorry about that," she said quickly, her face flushing. "I wasn't looking where I was going."

Shubman grinned, his protective instincts kicking in as he steadied her. "No harm done," he said, his voice softer than usual. "I've got you."

Sara blinked, momentarily frozen in place as she realized how close they were. His hand was still around her waist, the warmth of his fingers sending an unexpected flutter through her. Her heart thudded louder in her chest, but she forced herself to break the silence.

"Thanks," she murmured, a shy smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "I almost... um... fell."

Shubman's smile softened as he straightened up, letting go of her waist but still hovering just close enough to make sure she was steady. "It's nothing. You good?"

"Yeah," she said, laughing nervously now, her hand brushing her hair out of her face. "I didn't see you coming."

For a moment, neither of them said anything, caught in the shared awkwardness of the situation. The air between them felt charged, like something unspoken hung there, just out of reach. Shubman looked at her for a second longer than usual, noticing the way the sunlight caught her hair, the way her smile seemed to make the world around them fade just a little.

"Glad I was here," he said, his voice a little lower than normal, his tone more sincere than he intended.

Sara, caught off guard by the softness in his voice, looked up at him. There was something in his eyes—something more than the usual teasing or casual friendship. Her heart skipped again.

"Me too," she replied quietly, her gaze lingering on him for just a second too long before she quickly looked away, a blush creeping up her neck. "Anyway, I should go. I've got to get to class."

Shubman nodded, though his gaze followed her for a moment, as if he wasn't quite ready for her to walk away.

"Yeah," he said with a small smile, "take care, Sara."

As she started to walk past him, she glanced back one more time. "You, too, Shubman."

And just like that, he stood there, watching her go, a strange warmth settling in his chest that had nothing to do with the sun beating down on them. There was something about that moment, about the way she'd looked at him—something that felt different. Like maybe they'd just shared something more than a simple encounter.

Shubman didn't quite know what it was yet. But he couldn't shake the feeling that something had just shifted, and for once, he didn't mind the change.

Shubman stood there for a few moments, watching Sara walk away, his mind still replaying the small, unexpected moment they'd shared. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but one thing was clear: it had left a mark. He shook his head, trying to push the thought aside, but the warmth in his chest remained.

Just as he was about to turn and head in the opposite direction, he heard a voice behind him—one he wasn't exactly eager to hear right now.

"Shubman, hey!" Rohan called, his voice casual but with a slight undertone of something Shubman couldn't place. He turned around to find Rohan approaching, his usual confident swagger in full force.

Shubman's stomach tightened. The last thing he wanted right now was to deal with Rohan. After everything that had happened earlier with Sara, and the chaos in the classroom, the last person he needed was him. But Rohan didn't seem to care, walking up to Shubman like it was any other day.

"I was wondering if I could talk to you for a second," Rohan said, his tone almost too friendly.

Shubman crossed his arms, his gaze cool. "What's up?"

Rohan hesitated for a moment, his eyes flicking down to the ground briefly before looking back at Shubman. "I've been thinking. You know the cricket team's short on players, right?"

Shubman raised an eyebrow, a small, knowing smirk forming on his lips. "Yeah. What's that got to do with you?"

Rohan shuffled a little, clearly nervous for the first time. "Well... I've been practicing a bit. And I was thinking, maybe you could give me a spot on the team? I mean, you know my skills, right? I could add something—"

Shubman's eyes hardened before he could stop them, the smile on his face fading. There was a momentary flicker of jealousy deep in his chest—unwelcome and raw. Rohan? He wanted a spot on the team?

Shubman's mind was suddenly filled with memories: Rohan and Sara. The way they'd looked at each other earlier. The way Rohan had always seemed to effortlessly slip into places Shubman had worked hard to get. And now this. Asking for a spot on his team?

Shubman crossed his arms tighter, his expression unreadable. "You want to join the team?" he asked, his voice deliberately casual, though the edge was clear. "What makes you think you've got what it takes?"

Rohan blinked, clearly thrown by the sharpness in Shubman's tone. "Come on, man, I've been practicing. I can hold my own. I've got good reflexes and—"

"I didn't ask for a list of your skills," Shubman interrupted, his words cutting through the air like a blade. "I know you can play. But this team's not a charity. If you want in, you have to earn your place. And frankly, I'm not sure you're up to it."

Rohan's face shifted, confusion and frustration flashing in his eyes. "What? You're telling me no?"

Shubman felt a small, twisted satisfaction at the discomfort he saw in Rohan's expression. "Yeah," he said, the word coming out harsher than he meant. "No."

Rohan's jaw tightened, and for a moment, there was silence between them, the air thick with tension. Shubman could feel the weight of Rohan's gaze, but he refused to flinch. He didn't know why he was acting like this, but the jealousy gnawing at him was something he couldn't shake. The thought of Rohan, with his easy charm and effortless way of fitting in, stealing another thing that Shubman had worked for... it hit too close to a nerve he wasn't ready to admit.

After a long pause, Rohan finally spoke, his voice quieter now, tinged with disbelief. "Fine. If that's how you want it." He took a step back, looking at Shubman with a mixture of hurt and frustration. "But don't say I didn't ask. I thought we were friends, man."

Shubman felt a twist in his gut at the words, but he didn't show it. Instead, he forced a cold, indifferent expression onto his face. "Friends or not, this isn't about that. It's about the team. And you're not ready for it."

Rohan looked at him one last time before shaking his head, as if to clear the disappointment from his mind. "Alright, whatever," he muttered, turning away. "You'll regret this. Mark my words."

Shubman watched him go, his chest tight, the bitter taste of jealousy still lingering. But something else gnawed at him too—a sense of guilt. But it was more than just the team. It was everything that had been simmering under the surface. The way Rohan seemed to effortlessly win people over. The way he'd stolen Sara's attention. And now this—asking for a place on his cricket team.

As Rohan disappeared into the distance, Shubman stood there, his thoughts a whirlwind. Maybe he did regret it. But he wasn't ready to admit that just yet.

With a deep breath, Shubman turned and walked off, trying to push the complicated mess of emotions aside. The day had already been more than enough to handle.

As Shubman made his way down the hallway, trying to shake off the lingering frustration from his interaction with Rohan, he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. He pulled it out to check the message, only to find a text from Sara:

Hey, can we talk for a minute? It's important.

His brows furrowed. What does she want to talk about? The confusion and irritation from earlier with Rohan were still gnawing at him, but he figured he should at least hear her out.

He replied quickly: Sure. Where?

Out by the basketball courts. Meet me there?

Shubman agreed, shoving his phone back into his pocket as he made his way outside. The warm afternoon sun hit him, but he didn't mind it as much now. His thoughts were too busy to care about the heat.

When he reached the basketball courts, he saw Sara leaning against the fence, her arms crossed, her usual easy smile replaced by a more serious expression. She noticed him walking toward her and straightened up, her eyes meeting his with a look of determination.

"Hey," Shubman said, his tone neutral, though the events from earlier still weighed on him. "What's up?"

Sara sighed, glancing down for a moment as if trying to figure out the right words. Finally, she looked up at him, her gaze steady. "I need you to reconsider your decision about Rohan."

Shubman blinked in surprise. "What? You're actually asking me to let him join the team?" His voice was more incredulous than he intended, a mix of confusion and irritation slipping through. "Sara, he is new. I don't trust him. He's not right for the team."

Sara shook her head, her expression firm. "I get why you're concerned, but you're not being fair to him. Rohan is a good player. He's been practicing."

Shubman's eyes narrowed, a sense of frustration building in him again. "It's not just about skills. It's about the team dynamic."

Sara's gaze softened slightly, but she held her ground. "I know what you're saying, but Shubman, he's trying. You have to give him that. And, honestly? He respects you. He's not trying to undermine you, not like you think. He just wants a chance."

Shubman clenched his jaw, resisting the urge to snap. "And you think he deserves one?"

Sara took a deep breath, her voice quiet now. "Yes. I do. But it's not just about what he deserves. It's about what's best for the team. If you really want the team to succeed, you can't let your feelings for Rohan cloud your judgment."

The words hit Shubman harder than he expected. His stomach twisted as a wave of guilt washed over him. Feelings for Rohan? He had been so consumed by jealousy and frustration that he hadn't stopped to think about what was best for the team.

He ran a hand through his hair, trying to process her words. "I'm not influenced by my feelings," he said, though his voice wavered slightly.

Sara took a small step toward him, her expression softening. "I get it, Shubman. I really do. But sometimes, people change. Rohan might not have shown it before, but he's trying now. And the team? It could be stronger with him in it."

Shubman took a deep breath, trying to shake off his irritation, but it wasn't easy. "You just think I'm being unreasonable about Rohan, don't you?"

Sara blinked in surprise, taken aback by the sudden change in tone. "What? No, I never said that. I just—"

"You think I'm being too hard on him, like I'm holding onto some grudge," Shubman interrupted, his voice edging toward frustration again. "But you don't understand. He doesn't deserve a spot on the team. Not like this."

Sara's brows furrowed as she stood her ground, feeling the conversation shifting to something more personal, more heated than before. "I'm not saying you should just hand him the spot, Shubman. I'm saying you need to give him a chance. You're being unfair."

Shubman's jaw tightened, and his voice dropped, barely concealing his irritation. "Unfair? I'm the one who's been working hard for the team, making sure it stays together. And then he just waltzes in, thinking he's entitled to a spot just because you say so?"

Sara's expression hardened, and she shook her head, frustrated by the way he was dismissing her thoughts. "That's not what I'm saying, Shubman. He's been putting in effort. Why can't you see that? Maybe he's finally growing up, but you're so caught up in your own... emotions that you can't see it."

The word hit like a slap. Shubman recoiled, his eyes flashing. "Emotions?" His voice was low, but the anger was unmistakable now. "You think I'm jealous of him? Of Rohan?"

Sara took a step back, surprised at his sudden outburst. She hadn't meant to push him this far. "It's not about Rohan. It's about you, Shubman. About how you always act like you're the only one who matters in this team. You can't just control everything because you think you're the best!"

Shubman's fists clenched, his frustration boiling over. "I am the best! You want to talk about effort? I've worked my ass off for this team. Rohan has just been playing games. You're too blind to see it!"

The argument was escalating now, and the voices were rising, their words sharp and cutting through the air. The tension between them was thick, like a storm waiting to break.

What neither of them realized was that they had an audience. From behind a nearby pillar, Rohan stood with his arms casually crossed, watching them argue with a knowing smirk tugging at his lips. He had been walking by when he overheard the sharp exchange, and instead of intervening, he leaned back, crossing his arms in a relaxed manner, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and something darker.

"This is exactly what I wanted, he thought, watching the scene unfold. Shubman's acting like a jealous fool, and Sara... she's falling for it."

Rohan knew that Shubman was holding onto something much deeper than just the cricket team. There had been a tension between him and Sara that Rohan had picked up on the moment he started observing their interactions. And now, watching them fight so openly, Rohan could practically see the undercurrents of something brewing between them. The way Shubman was getting defensive and Sara was standing her ground—it wasn't just about Rohan anymore.

He smirked to himself, a quiet, self-satisfied grin forming on his lips as he watched Shubman's fury grow and Sara's frustration mount. It won't be long before he messes this up, and I can swoop in.

Meanwhile, Sara and Shubman were now standing just a few feet apart, their faces tense with anger. The argument wasn't just about Rohan anymore—it was about everything unsaid, the things that had been building up between them for weeks. And neither of them could back down.

"Do you think I'm trying to control everything?" Shubman's voice was shaking with emotion, though his anger was evident. "You don't get it. This is my team. I've earned it."

Sara took a deep breath, trying to steady her own emotions, but the words stung. "I don't get it? Maybe you don't get it. This isn't about you or your 'control.' It's about us working together. The team, Shubman. Not just you and your ego!"

"Don't talk about my ego," he shot back, his voice harsh. "I'm not the one who's blind to what's going on right in front of me!"

Sara was silent for a moment, her chest rising and falling with each breath. There was no way to ignore the pain in his voice, but it only made her more frustrated. This wasn't the Shubman she knew—the calm, collected one who didn't let things like this get to him.

Rohan's smirk deepened as he took a step closer, his voice breaking through their tense silence. "Wow, guys. Calm down. You're making a scene."

Shubman whipped around, his glare icy. "What do you want, Rohan?"

Rohan shrugged, still wearing that infuriating grin. "I just thought I'd add my two cents. Since it seems like everyone has an opinion about the team these days." His eyes flicked between Shubman and Sara, knowing he was pushing the right buttons. "Maybe we should all just take a step back, huh?"

Sara looked between them, clearly fed up, her patience on the edge. "Rohan, this isn't helping."

Shubman's expression darkened even further. "You're always the one who swoops in, aren't you? Taking advantage of situations."

Rohan raised his hands in mock innocence. "Hey, I didn't ask for a fight. But if you're both done making everything about you, maybe we can all just... move on?"

Sara felt the tension between the two men, and it hit her that the argument had gone too far. She took a deep breath, stepping in between them. "Both of you, enough," she said firmly, her voice cutting through the growing hostility. "This is stupid. We're all part of this team, and I'm tired of seeing you two act like you're in competition with each other."

Shubman looked at her, but the anger still smoldered beneath the surface. "I'm not competing with him. I just want what's best for the team. But it's obvious that's not what he's about."

Rohan chuckled softly, as if the entire situation were just entertainment. "Yeah, you're right, Shubman. I'm not about the team. I'm just here to cause trouble." His tone dripped with sarcasm as he turned and walked away. "But I'll let you both sort this out. Enjoy."

Shubman watched him go, his frustration only building. Sara turned back to face him, her expression softening but still tinged with frustration.

"Shubman," she said quietly, "I get that you're upset. But don't let this ruin everything. We're supposed to work together. All of us."

Shubman met her eyes, his chest tight, but the argument wasn't over. Not by a long shot. The distance between him and Sara had only grown, and the one thing Rohan couldn't ignore anymore was that something was definitely brewing between Shubman and Sara.