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Jemimah Rodrigues leaned against the made-up bar, her fingers gripping the cool glass tightly as she took another sip of her cocktail. The liquid burned its way down her throat, but the numbness she was chasing was slow to settle in. She exhaled sharply, glancing around the party. Laughter, music, and conversations buzzed in the background, but it all felt distant, as though she was stuck in a different world.

A world where Arjun, the one person she had secretly hoped would notice her more than just as a friend, was now occupied with someone else. She hadn't realized how much she'd wanted him to see her until now. The bitter taste of jealousy mixed with her drink.

"Rodrigues," a voice cut through her thoughts, low and steady.

Yashasvi.

She didn't even need to look to know it was him. He had followed her, of course. He always did, in his own quiet, brooding way, just like tonight. Always showing up, yet never saying enough.

She took a deep breath, willing herself to remain composed before turning around. "I thought I told you to stay at your precious view."

Yashasvi stepped closer, his expression unreadable, hands still shoved in his pockets. He didn't answer her quip, instead studying her face. His silence made her uncomfortable. It always had. He had this annoying ability to see right through her defenses.

"You don't have to pretend with me," he finally said, his voice calm but firm. "I know you're upset."

Jemimah scoffed, lifting her drink as if to toast him sarcastically. "Upset? Please, I'm having the time of my life." She took a sip, her eyes daring him to challenge her words.

Yashasvi's gaze never wavered. "I saw your face when Shafali mentioned Arjun."

Her grip tightened around the glass, but she kept her smile plastered on her face. "Oh, so now you're an expert on my facial expressions?"

"No, but I know you," he replied, his voice softer now. "You think I don't notice, but I do."

Jemimah stared at him for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. The way he looked at her, the way his words seemed to slip past all her defenses, made her feel exposed. Vulnerable. And she hated it.

"You think you know me, Jaiswal, but you really don't." Her voice wavered slightly despite her best efforts to keep it steady. She turned away from him, staring into her drink as if it held the answers to all her problems.

"I know enough to see you're hurting," Yashasvi said quietly, stepping closer. He was beside her now, and his presence was both comforting and maddening.

Jemimah bit her lip, fighting the urge to let her emotions spill out. She hated that he was right. She hated that he could see through her when she was trying so hard to keep it together. "Why do you care, Jaiswal?" Her voice was small, almost fragile.

For a moment, Yashasvi didn't respond. The silence stretched between them, heavy with unsaid words. Then, finally, he spoke, his voice low and sincere. "Because you are my partner in this mess at the end of the day." He gestured between them indicating about the fake relationship

She glanced up at him, her heart catching in her throat at the raw honesty in his eyes. There was no sarcasm, no teasing. Just... Yashasvi.

Once again like the night at hilltop but this was more personal , he wasn't hiding behind his usual aloof demeanor, and that scared her more than anything. It was easier when he was distant, when their interactions were filled with playful banter and sarcasm. This... this was different. It was real.

"Jemm!" A voice suddenly interrupted the moment, snapping them both out of whatever had been building between them.

It was Yashika, rushing over with an excited grin, completely oblivious to the tension hanging between them. "We're starting another game. Come on, you have to join! You too, Yashasvi "

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 ( 𝐘𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐯𝐢 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐥 )Where stories live. Discover now