A Web of Love and Deceit

Enchanted

Shivada stormed through the dorm, her emotions a storm of rage, frustration, and sheer disbelief. It was as if the universe had conspired against her, picking the absolute worst time to mess with her life. First, the unwelcome arrival of her period, twisting her insides with cramps that only added fuel to her fire. Second, her 4th semester exams—a battle she'd just barely survived. And now, to top it all off like some cosmic joke, Ram and Shiva, her two closest pillars of sanity, had decided to drop into India for a mere blink of two weeks. And just as suddenly, they were leaving tonight. Tonight.

Her exams had finished yesterday. They couldn't have waited one more day?!

Her emotions surged uncontrollably. She shouted into the phone at Ram, "Don't you dare call me again! I swear, this time, I mean it!" A threat she had issued a hundred times before, a threat even Ram knew was as hollow as her current state of being. Still, she clung to it, as though her anger could somehow tether them to her.

Swati and Avantika, her friends who normally dared to make light of anything, stayed far, far out of her radar. They knew better than to even make eye contact with her in this volcanic mood. One wrong word or a casual glance, and she'd erupt.

The clock was ticking. Her mind kept replaying that inevitable goodbye at the airport like a cruel taunt, a reminder that no amount of anger would stop the flight.

As Shivada sat fuming, her phone rang, startling her from her storm of thoughts. A small smile fought its way to her lips when she saw the caller ID—Aadhi. She answered, her tone still sharp but softening slightly.

Aadhi's familiar voice came through, playful as ever, "What happened to my chatterbox?"

Shivada sighed. "Got my periods."

There was a pause before Aadhi responded with a caring, "Ohh... do you want anything to eat?"

Her irritation flared again. "Even if I wanted, you're not here, right? You're too busy enjoying with Shiva and Ram, aren't you? Having fun without me?"

Aadhi's laugh echoed through the phone, making her heart clench. "Ohhh, someone's jealous."

"I'm not in the mood, Aadhi! Wait..." Shivada's sharp ears caught something. "Are you driving? Did I just hear Ram's laugh in the background? Oh, don't tell me you guys are going somewhere!"

Aadhi, with a teasing tone, admitted, "Yep, we're travelling."

That was it. Shivada snapped. "You assholes! Fuck all of you!" She hung up abruptly, hot tears spilling down her cheeks in frustration.

Her phone buzzed again. Aadhi was calling back. She answered, her voice dripping with anger. "What?!"

But Aadhi's reply made her freeze. "Come outside, we're here."

Shivada's heart skipped a beat. "WHAT?! WAIT—"

She didn't even finish her sentence. She flew down the stairs, almost tripping in her haste. Throwing open the door, her eyes widened as she saw Aadhi, Shiva, and Ram standing there, grinning like mischievous kids. Without thinking, she ran straight into Ram's arms, letting all her frustration melt away in his familiar embrace.

"I hate you," Shivada murmured softly, her voice barely audible as she clung to Ram, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her emotions were raw, her words trembling with the weight of everything she had felt for the past few days. Ram, ever the steady presence, gently shushed her, his hand moving to her head, stroking her hair with that same affectionate touch that always calmed her down.

Aadhi stood nearby, watching the scene unfold, his heart tightening. The moment he saw her tears, an overwhelming urge surged through him—to pull her away from Ram, to hold her in his own arms, to kiss her cheeks and wipe away those tears himself. It was a feeling so intense, it almost shocked him. But he restrained himself. He couldn't. Not in front of Ram, her brother. Not now.