Heartstring

Chapter 4

Agastya's POV

These days, everyone is busy with the upcoming competitions. The buzz around the college is almost palpable, with groups huddled together, strategizing, practicing, and stressing over every detail. Me? I stay far away from all that hustle. Competitions have never been my thing. Too much effort for too little reward, in my opinion.

And then there's Shanaya. She's convinced she's the most popular girl on campus, and maybe she is. She's been hounding me to date her, but I'm not interested. Dating isn't on my agenda.

Speaking of annoying, it's been a while since I last saw Amaira. She's been avoiding me ever since that fight in the cafeteria. It was a stupid argument, really, but she's been giving me the cold shoulder ever since. I've noticed a lot of guys proposing to her lately. Little Miss Debate Champion has gotten quite the fan following.

Today, I went to the library to grab a book. The quiet was a nice change from the usual chaos. As I walked in, my eyes immediately found Amaira. She was sitting there, alone, deeply engrossed in her studies. A perfect opportunity.
I smirked to myself and decided to have a little fun. After all, it had been too long since I last teased her. I approached her table and slid into the seat across from her.

"Amaira, aaj toh library ko bhi tumhara saath mil gaya," I said, leaning back in my chair.

She looked up, clearly startled, and then her expression shifted to one of annoyance. "Agastya, main padh rahi hoon. Tumhe kuch aur kaam nahi hai?"

I chuckled. "Tumhe distract karna hi toh mera kaam hai. Waise, kaafi popular ho gayi ho, hmm? Saw a bunch of guys lining up for you."

Amaira rolled her eyes. "Mujhe tumhari bakwaas sunne ka bilkul mann nahi hai. Agar padhna nahi hai toh yahan se jao."

"Tum itna gussa kyun karti ho? Main toh bas baat kar raha hoon," annoyed she says "I'm studying, tumhe kuch kaam nahi hai kya?"
I pretended to think "Hmm, actually, nahi. Socha tumhe thoda distract karu"
finally looking up, annoyed Amira says "Seriously? Library mein aake tumhe bas mazaak sujhta hai"
Grinning I said "Tumhe dekh ke toh waise bhi mazaak sujhta hai. By the way aren't you excited for today's voting results for most popular girl?
rolling her eyes "Agastya, tumhara bina baat ka muje pershaan karna mujhe bilkul pasand nahi. Go away"
I leaned forward "Arey, why so rude? Par gusse mein toh aur bhi pyari lagti ho" Sarcastically she replied "Wow, how original, Tumse kisne kaha ke ladkiyan aise flirting pasand karti hai?"
Going with the flow I said "Maine toh suna tha tumhare dil ka rasta kitabon se hoke guzarta hai. Socha yahin try karu"

Smirking she says "Tumhe pata hai na, main tumhe ignore bhi kar sakti hoon" Laughing softly "tum kar toh rahi thi, but clearly itna asaan nahi hai"
She sighs, looking back at her book " seriously, agar tumhe padhna nahi hai toh yahan se jao please"
Pretending to be hurt "Hayee kitni zaalim ho tum yaar" Getting up, still grinning I said " let's see who is the winner Miss Amira or Miss Shanaya" with that I left

Amair's POV

Agastya managed to find and annoy me. He finally left after a prolonged session of teasing, leaving me to enjoy the brief peace. I had been avoiding him, partly because he was too unpredictable, and his persistence unnerved me.

As I gathered my things and stepped out, my friends came running toward me, their faces lit up with excitement. "Our girl won!" they shouted, their voices echoing in the quiet hallway. "You beat Shanaya Kapoor!"

I stopped in my tracks, stunned. Shanaya was my senior, and a fierce competitor. She already despised me for winning the debate competition. Winning against her again felt surreal and a bit terrifying. I hugged my friends, their joy infectious, but a part of me was anxious about the inevitable confrontation with Shanaya.

I headed towards my class, trying to calm my racing thoughts, when Shanaya appeared, blocking my path. Her eyes were cold, her posture radiating hostility. "You think you're cool?" she sneered. I stayed silent, but my heart pounded in my chest.

She stepped closer, her voice low and menacing. "Khud ko bahut cool samaj rahi hogi tum after winning two competitions, par yaad rakh, tuje toh main ab har competition mein harane wali hu. Tuje teri aukat dikha dungi."

I felt a surge of anger rise within me. I didn't want to respond, but her arrogance was infuriating. "Awww, little baby is hurt," I taunted, forcing a smile. "Don't worry, just sit and watch me win."
Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned in, her voice dripping with venom. "This time, you will watch, bitch. And stay away from Agastya. I saw you talking with him many times. Better stay in your shoes, or else."

I crossed my arms, my gaze steady. "Else what?"
She smirked, a cruel glint in her eyes. "You will see." With that, she turned and walked away, leaving me fuming.

Why do people from rich families think they can treat everyone else like dirt? I shook my head, determined. If Shanaya wanted a fight, she would get one. I would win this next competition, no matter what it took.

But my determination wavered as I entered the class and asked my friends, "What competition is in one month?"
"It's a dance competition," one of them replied, "it also has a cash price because all colleges are going to participate, it will be so fun" excitement in her voice. My heart sank. Dance was not my forte, and worse, I didn't have a partner. It also has a cash prize? I tried ignoring the cash prize part. But everyone else had been preparing for months, and I was starting from scratch.

I tried asking a few friends to be my partner, but they all already had theirs. Panic began to set in. How was I going to pull this off? The odds were stacked against me, but I couldn't let Shanaya win. I had to find a partner, and fast.

A week passed by in a blur of stress and anxiety. My friends, bless them, had been trying to find a suitable dance partner for me, but no one seemed up to the task. Every potential partner either lacked the skills or the commitment, leaving me more tense with each passing day.
I was sitting in the cafeteria, staring blankly at my lunch tray, when Agastya sauntered in. His hands were casually tucked into his pockets, his stride relaxed and confident. He spotted me and made his way over, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"What's up?" he asked, dropping into the seat across from me.

Agastya's POV
I saw Amaira sitting with her friends, all of them looking unusually tense. Curiosity piqued, I strolled over and asked, "What's up?"
Amaira's friend, Zoi, was quick to respond, "There's a competition Amaira wants to participate in, but she can't find a partner."
Amaira shot Zoi a glare that clearly said, "Why are you telling him this?"
"Looks like someone is going to lose to Shanaya Kapoor," I teased, knowing it would hit a nerve.
Amaira's eyes flared with anger. "I never lose, and I definitely won't lose to her!"
"Oh yeah? Without a partner, you think you'll win?" I challenged.
She fell silent, the frustration evident on her face. Suddenly, Zoi sprang up from her seat. "Agastya sir, you should be her partner!"
Amaira looked mortified. "What is wrong with you all?" she exclaimed.
I smirked. "She won't accept my help even if I offer. What are you talking about, Zoi?"
"I will rather die than take your help," Amaira snapped. "I'll show every one of you what a perfect partner is. I'll find him myself, and I'll win the competition without your stupid suggestions!" With that, she shot me a final, fiery look and stormed off.
I watched her go, a smirk still playing on my lips. Little did she know she wouldn't be able to find anyone. This was going to be entertaining.