My Ex - Crush

Episode 9

**Deepika's POV**

What a jerk!

Was Arjun flirting with Anusha?

Why did she touch his hand?

And Arjun didn’t stop her!

I thought, fuming as I turned away. The class ended, and I walked out to the bus stop with Meera and Lavanya.

Horoscopes? Libra?

Seriously, as if that would help Anusha!

She flirts with nearly every guy in class. I come from an all-girls school, so I know a thing or two about how some girls act. Anusha seems to be the type who puts on a sweet facade just to catch boys' attention and bask in it.

I shouldn’t judge her solely based on my assumptions, but she just doesn’t sit right with me.

Maybe they were just joking about the horoscopes. Yeah, that’s probably it.

"Deepika, why do you look so angry?" Lavanya asked.

"I’m not," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

"You do look a bit upset," Meera chimed in.

I shook my head, trying to shake off the irritation.

"By the way, did you guys hear? All the hostel girls are saying Arjun likes Anusha. Apparently, he mentioned she was his first love," Lavanya said.

I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Deepika," Meera said, shaking me gently.

I gulped hard and forced myself to breathe. "Did Arjun really say that?" I asked Lavanya, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Most likely. Anusha seems like his type—both are extroverted and stand out. I’ve seen Arjun act differently around her," Lavanya explained.

My mood sank. Why did this bother me so much?

After Meera and Lavanya left, I walked alone to my bus stop.

The bus was crowded as usual. I stood clutching my bag.

As the bus was about to leave, I saw a familiar face getting on—Arjun. He was panting slightly and made his way through the crowd to stand next to me.

I tried to keep my face impassive.

"Did your review go well?" he asked.

"Yeah, it went well. Thanks for your help," I said, keeping my gaze fixed on the window, unable to meet his eyes.

"You seem angry. Did I do something wrong?" he asked, sounding concerned.

"This is just my resting face. I’m not angry, and why would I be angry with you?" I replied with a forced laugh.

"You seem a bit distant today. Everything alright?" he continued, his eyes searching mine.

"Oh, yeah. Everything’s fine. Just lost in thought," I said, trying to sound casual.

He bit his lower lip and hid his mischievous smile. With the wind blowing through the open window, his hair danced on his forehead. He ran his fingers through it, trying to tame it.

"Well, I hope those thoughts include me somehow. Wouldn’t want to be left out of the loop, would you?" he said with a smirk.

What is he up to? Was he blushing? I couldn’t hold back my irritation any longer.

"You wish! Anyway, what was that horoscope talk with Anusha about?" I asked abruptly.

"Oh, you heard that, did you? Just some harmless banter. Nothing serious," he said, his smile fading slightly.