My Ex - Crush

Episode 54

Arjun's POV:

"Bonfire? Really?" Vinoth raised an eyebrow as he slid into the seat next to me, grabbing a bite of his food.

"Apparently Sri Devi ma'am's idea," Arul chimed in, shrugging.

Dinner had just started, and we were all buzzing about the bonfire planned for tonight. It felt like a much-needed break. Just as I was thinking of how the night might go, I noticed Deepika entering the dining hall with an unusually downcast expression. I frowned. For all her usual fire, she looked like a lost duckling. Considering the stunt she pulled earlier, she was lucky she didn’t break a bone.

I grabbed my plate and ambled over to the buffet, pretending to pile on some rotis. Standing beside her, I nudged her gently. "Still upset that I saved you?" I teased.

She gave me a small, weary smile. "No... just... nothing, really," she mumbled, her voice unusually soft.

"Where's Meera?" I asked, hoping she’d open up a bit.

"She’s not feeling well. Ate in the room and went to sleep." She looked down at her plate, sighing.

Before I could invite her over to my table, Sanjay appeared. "Deepika, come sit with us!" he called, motioning her over to a table with Daniel, Manoj, and a few others, including that irritating duo, Rahul and Joshitha.

Deepika hesitated, her hand fidgeting around her plate. "No, Sanjay," she murmured.

"Why not?" he asked, clearly surprised.

"I'm fine, really," she forced a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. Sanjay shot me a confused look, but I shook my head—this wasn’t on me.

"Sit with me, then," I offered, watching her expression.

She looked at me and, after a moment, nodded, moving over to our table and sliding into the chair beside Arul, directly across from me. She picked at her food quietly, clearly lost in thought.

I was just about to ask her what was bothering her when Anusha strutted over, tray in hand, and planted herself right next to me, the smug grin on her face almost begging for a reaction. I bit back an annoyed sigh as a few people nearby glanced our way, smirking.

"Anusha, don’t you want to sit with your friends?" I asked, trying to keep it casual.

“Oh, I’m sitting with my friends,” she chirped, glancing over at Deepika with a raised eyebrow. "But speaking of... Deepika, interesting choice sitting here. Couldn’t get a seat with anyone else?"

Deepika barely looked up, but I caught a flicker of annoyance in her eyes. "I’m good right where I am, thanks."

Anusha chuckled. "So, Arjun, I wanted to know," she turned to me with that mischievous smirk, "how do you feel about our team?"

"We’re working well together," I replied simply.

"Oh, really?" she shot back, that smirk widening. "So, you’re pleased to have me around?" She winked, and a few of the guys nearby whistled and clapped, clearly eager for some drama.

Just then, Deepika's spoon clattered loudly against her plate, snapping Anusha’s attention her way.

"Jealous, are we, Deepika?" Anusha taunted, cocking her head.

Deepika raised an eyebrow, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Jealous of your team? Hardly. Why would I be envious of a team where the guys are breaking their backs while the girls are... well, just sitting back and enjoying the show? That kind of ‘teamwork’ isn’t exactly my style," she said, each word pointed.