The Right Kind of Wrong

9. Post-Debate Confrontation

The college courtyard was still abuzz from the excitement of the debate. Students gathered in small groups, discussing the key points and celebrating the winners. Savi, feeling a mix of relief and satisfaction, was heading towards the cafeteria with her friends when she heard a familiar voice behind her.

"Well, if it isn't our resident debate champion," Rajat called out, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Savi paused mid-step, her shoulders tensing. She took a deep breath before turning around, already bracing herself for the inevitable verbal sparring.

"Oh, please. Don't start with me, Katkat Thakkar," she said, rolling her eyes. "Can't you just give me a break for once?"

Rajat walked up to her with that infuriating smirk of his. "Katkat Thakkar? Where did that come from?"

Savi narrowed her eyes at him. "The one who speaks nonsense is called Katkat Thakkar. Fits you perfectly, don't you think?"

"Maybe I'm just trying to keep you grounded," he said with a teasing grin. "Don't want all that applause going to your head, Chavan."

Her friends, sensing the tension and the familiar banter between the two, exchanged glances before discreetly walking away to give them space. Savi sighed, crossing her arms defensively as she stared Rajat down.

"Right. Because you're the expert at keeping people humble," she shot back, sarcasm lacing her words.

"I'm just doing my part," Rajat said, stepping closer. "But hey, I'll admit, you didn't totally bomb it."

"Gee, thanks," she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "That's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

Rajat raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in his eyes. "Who said I was trying to be nice?"

Savi opened her mouth to retort, but something about his expression made her pause. There was something different in the way he looked at her now. His usual arrogance was still there, but there was a softness in his gaze, an almost imperceptible shift in his tone.

"Wait," she said, squinting at him suspiciously. "Are you... complimenting me? Like, for real?"

Rajat's smirk faltered for a brief moment, and he quickly masked it with his usual bravado. "Don't get too excited. I just said you weren't bad. Doesn't mean I'm ready to crown you queen of the debates."

Savi tilted her head, watching him closely. She could sense the underlying change in their dynamic, even if he wouldn't admit it outright. "You're so weird sometimes, you know that?"

"Weird? Me?" Rajat scoffed, crossing his arms. "You're the one who gets all worked up over every little thing."

"Because you're always provoking me!" Savi exclaimed, throwing her hands up in frustration. "It's like you go out of your way to get under my skin."

"And you make it so easy," Rajat shot back, though there was no real malice in his tone.

They stood there, staring at each other, the usual fiery tension between them now tempered by something else—something unspoken and confusing. Savi didn't know how to describe it, but it left her feeling unsettled.

"I don't get you, Rajat," she said after a moment, her voice softer now. "One minute you're mocking me, and the next... you're kind of... I don't know, not a total jerk?"

Rajat's smile faltered again, and for a brief moment, he looked almost vulnerable. He quickly recovered, though, leaning in slightly as he spoke. "Well, maybe you're finally growing on me."

Savi blinked, caught off guard by the statement. She couldn't tell if he was being serious or if this was just another one of his sarcastic remarks. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Rajat shrugged casually, but there was something about the way his eyes lingered on her that made Savi's heart skip a beat. "Maybe you're not as insufferable as I thought."

Savi's mouth opened and closed as she tried to form a response. Was this his way of giving her an actual compliment? Or was he just toying with her again?

"You are so confusing," she muttered, shaking her head.

Rajat chuckled, clearly enjoying the fact that he had thrown her off balance. "Confusing? I'm just being honest. I figured you'd appreciate that."

"I'd appreciate it more if you didn't always have to make everything sound like an insult," Savi retorted, though her tone had softened slightly.

Rajat's smirk returned, though this time it was less arrogant and more playful. "Where's the fun in that?"

Savi narrowed her eyes at him again, but she couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. "You're impossible."

"And you're stubborn," Rajat countered, his voice light with amusement. "But I guess that's why we clash so much."

"Or maybe it's because you always think you're right," Savi said, raising an eyebrow.

Rajat grinned, but there was a new warmth in his eyes. "Maybe. But it doesn't mean I'm always wrong."

They fell into a strange silence, the usual bite in their conversations fading. It was as if the sharp edges of their words had dulled, leaving behind a subtle warmth neither of them could fully understand. Savi felt an odd flutter in her chest, a sensation she wasn't used to when it came to Rajat. She was used to being angry, frustrated, and annoyed by him—but this? This was new.

"I should go," Savi said after a moment, feeling the need to break the tension.

"Yeah," Rajat agreed, though he made no move to leave.

Savi hesitated, casting a curious glance at him. "So... you're not going to say anything snarky before I go?"

Rajat smirked. "Wouldn't want to ruin the moment."

Savi laughed, a genuine sound that surprised even her. "Well, that's a first."

"Don't get used to it," Rajat warned, though there was no bite in his words.

Savi shook her head, still smiling as she turned to walk away. But just as she was about to leave, Rajat's voice stopped her.

"Hey, Savi?"

She turned back to face him, her heart inexplicably skipping a beat. "Yeah?"

"You really were good up there," he said, his voice softer now, almost sincere.

Savi blinked, momentarily stunned by the uncharacteristic compliment. "Thanks," she said quietly, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "That... means a lot."

Rajat nodded, his usual cocky expression replaced with something far more genuine. "See you around, Chavan."

Savi smiled, giving him a small nod before turning and walking away, her mind racing with a hundred different thoughts. As she rejoined her friends, they immediately started asking her what had happened between her and Rajat, but Savi barely heard them. Her thoughts were still stuck on the unexpected shift in their dynamic.

She had always assumed that Rajat was just a source of irritation in her life, a rival she had to contend with. But now, she wasn't so sure. Beneath the sarcasm and the arrogance, there was something more—something she couldn't quite put her finger on yet.

For the first time, Savi found herself questioning whether their animosity was as simple as she had once believed. And as much as she hated to admit it, a part of her was curious to see where this strange new development would lead.

As for Rajat, he watched her disappear into the crowd, his own thoughts in turmoil. He had never expected to feel anything other than annoyance toward Savi, but the more time he spent with her, the more she surprised him. Her intelligence, her passion, her drive—it was all starting to get under his skin in a way he hadn't anticipated.

And for the first time, Rajat wasn't entirely sure if that was a bad thing.

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