𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐫𝐲𝐬𝐭

Part 6

POV AUTHOR

Tara and the crew reached the canteen, and as they walked in, they noticed all the boys waiting for them. It was like a scene straight out of a movie—just missing the dramatic background music. They all made their way to the table, with tiya plopping down beside manav, while Rajveer sat beside him. Ishita was seated right across from Tara, with Rahul next to her, then Tarun beside Rahul, Tara next to Tarun, and Mahi beside her. Last but definitely not least, Shivi took her seat at the end, looking like she had just seen her celebrity crush.

Everyone was busy chatting and having breakfast when suddenly Mahi leaned toward Tara and whispered, "Tara, see that guy? He's soooo handsome."

Tara turned her gaze toward the boy she was referring to, and for once, Mahi wasn’t exaggerating. He really was pretty good-looking.

"Haan, how handsome he is!" Tara said, completely forgetting about her food. She and Mahi were ogling him like they were in a movie theater watching the latest heartthrob.

Meanwhile, Tarun, who was sitting next to Tara, noticed her not-so-subtle admiration from the corner of his eye. He watched as Tara and Mahi continued to stare at the guy, and his jaw clenched. Tarun didn’t like this. Not one bit.

He leaned toward Tara, his voice dangerously low and serious. "Tara, it's not good to gawk at other boys when I’m sitting right next to you. You never know... the consequences might not be pleasant."

Tara almost choked on her food. Her face went bright red, like she was about to burst into flames. Her heart raced, and she grabbed her water glass, but it was like she couldn’t catch her breath. She coughed a couple of times, turning even more crimson with embarrassment.

"What happened, Tara?" Shivi said, half-laughing, half-glaring. "I keep telling you not to talk while eating, but do you ever listen?"

Mahi was patting Tara on the back, trying to help, while Tarun looked like he might implode from worry. As soon as Tara had stopped choking, Tarun quickly passed her the water, which she gratefully accepted.

Tara finally calmed down, but now she was staring at the table, too embarrassed to look anyone in the eye. She could still hear Tarun’s words in her head. *"Consequences."* Was this some kind of warning or... a threat?

“Are you okay, shorty?” Rohan’s familiar voice cut through the tension as he strolled over to the table.

"Rohan! Come sit with us!" Manav said, motioning for him to take a seat beside Shivi, who had practically turned into a puddle of happiness at the sight of him. It was as if she’d seen her celebrity crush walking into the room, and suddenly, the entire canteen had turned into a love story.

"Manav bhai, how do you know him?" Mahi asked, her curiosity piqued.

"Oh, Rohan’s Tarun’s cousin," Manav explained. "He’s around our age, but due to some transfer issues, he missed a year. He moved in next door to us two days ago."

Shivi was practically swooning. "He’s Tarun’s cousin? That’s like...wow"

“Hey, shorty, you good?” Rohan asked, his smirk returning as he sat next to Shivi, who was now in danger of fainting from happiness.

“Shut up, chimpanzee,” Tara scoffed, trying to act casual as she continued to eat her food.

Rohan chuckled. "Seriously though, guys, are you all joining us this Saturday? We’re planning a trip to the amusement park!"

All the girls immediately perked up. "Yes!" they all chorused in excitement. There was no way they were going to miss out on that.

“Ooh, sounds like shorty will have some company there," Rohan teased, causing everyone at the table to burst into laughter. But, of course, his comment earned him glares from Manav, Tara, and Tarun. They were not having it.