Sacred Games Of Twisted Fate {18+}

* THE CAMP *

***author's pov***

At the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the group of students arrived at the airport, excitement buzzing around them. Daksh, as usual, was beside Maya, leaning into her, effortlessly flirting with his signature charm. Maya giggled, clearly enjoying the attention.

Not far behind, Payal walked with Rayansh, her face betraying a mix of emotions. Though she was supposed to be focused on Rayansh, her thoughts were clouded with jealousy, her gaze frequently drifting towards Daksh and Maya. Every laugh, every flirtatious gesture between them stoked the fire of envy burning inside her. Despite her best efforts to suppress it, her feelings for Daksh were undeniable, and seeing him so close to Maya only intensified the ache.

Rayansh, oblivious to her inner turmoil, kept talking, but Payal’s mind was elsewhere, consumed by the sight of Daksh’s playful smirks directed at Maya.

At the camp, the teacher gathered all the students and began pairing them into groups of four. As fate would have it, Daksh, Maya, Payal, and Rayansh were placed in the same group. A tension hung in the air, especially for Payal, who forced a smile, trying to mask her discomfort.

Maya seemed thrilled, standing close to Daksh with her usual flirtatious energy, while Rayansh, completely unaware of the awkward undercurrent, remained cheerful. Payal, on the other hand, felt her heart sink further. The thought of spending more time with Daksh and Maya together made her jealousy even harder to control.

Daksh, as carefree as ever, didn't seem to notice the awkwardness. He just gave a casual shrug and flashed his charming smile, as if everything was perfectly fine. The group set off to their assigned tasks, but Payal couldn’t help but wonder how she would handle the situation without letting her true feelings show.

As they approached the little two-bedroom bamboo house assigned to them, Maya’s smirk grew wider. She was already plotting how to maneuver the situation so she could share a room with Daksh. She was confident he wouldn’t mind, given their flirty history.

Payal, walking just behind, noticed Maya’s expression and felt her stomach tighten with unease. Her jealousy flared at the thought of Maya staying close to Daksh, but she kept her feelings hidden, determined not to let it show.

Daksh, seemingly unaware of the tension between the girls, casually strolled up to the house and threw his bag on the porch, glancing around. Rayansh, always upbeat, suggested they pick rooms quickly and settle in before dinner.

Maya was quick to speak up, “I think Daksh and I should take one room, right?” Her tone was playful, but the intent was clear.

Payal’s heart raced, her mind screaming in protest, but she said nothing, watching Daksh’s reaction carefully.

As Rayansh pulled Payal towards him with a playful grin, Daksh clenched his jaw, his eyes narrowing. Watching them together stirred something inside him, a flash of possessiveness he hadn’t anticipated.

"This bastard," Daksh thought, annoyed at how Rayansh was always trying to get close to Payal, even though she seemed to tolerate it more than enjoy it.

Maya noticed Daksh's reaction, her smirk fading slightly as she glanced between him and Payal. She had always sensed that there was something more between Daksh and Payal, something unspoken but powerful. Trying to regain control, she quickly looped her arm through Daksh’s, leaning in closer as if to remind him she was there.

“So, it’s settled then?” Maya asked, her voice a bit more forceful. “You and I will take this room, Daksh?”

Daksh didn’t answer immediately, his gaze still fixed on Rayansh and Payal, tension brewing in the air.

Daksh shook his head firmly, his voice cold and decisive. "No, the boys will be in one room, and the girls in the other."

Maya's smile faltered, confusion flashing across her face. She had been so sure that Daksh would want to share a room with her, but his sudden change of heart left her speechless. Meanwhile, Payal, who had been trying to avoid Rayansh’s advances, felt a wave of relief wash over her. She glanced at Daksh, a brief moment of understanding passing between them.

Rayansh raised an eyebrow, clearly displeased. “Oh, come on, Daksh, why so uptight? We’re just here to have fun, right?” he said, his tone playful but laced with irritation.

Daksh shot him a warning look. “I said, boys in one room, girls in the other. End of discussion.”

Rayansh backed off, sensing the seriousness in Daksh’s voice, while Maya huffed in frustration. Payal, though, couldn’t help but feel a strange warmth in her chest—Daksh had just protected her from Rayansh’s unwanted attention, even if he didn’t realize it.

Maya scoffed loudly, her eyes rolling dramatically as she shot a glare at Payal. "Guess you're getting all the attention now," she muttered sarcastically before walking into the bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

Payal, feeling the tension from Maya’s words, stood there awkwardly, unsure of how to react. She had never asked for Daksh’s protection, yet here she was, caught in the middle of a silent battle between Maya’s possessiveness and Daksh’s unexpected concern. Rayansh, noticing Payal's discomfort, smirked, clearly amused by the tension.

Daksh, observing everything quietly, clenched his jaw. Maya's reaction didn’t sit well with him, but he chose not to respond, focusing instead on keeping things in order for the rest of the camp.

Payal froze as she felt Daksh's breath on her neck, her pulse quickening at his unexpected closeness. His low voice sent a shiver down her spine.

"Are you sad I didn’t let you stay with that bastard?" Daksh whispered teasingly, his tone holding a mixture of amusement and possessiveness. Before she could respond, he smoothly took her suitcase from her hand, his fingers brushing hers briefly. Opening the door to her room, he stepped aside, allowing her to enter.

Payal’s heart raced, unsure how to respond to his sudden attention. She was torn between the confusing feelings Daksh stirred within her and the rising jealousy she felt seeing him with Maya.