You Are Only Mine

37-Arav's Uneasy Heart

As Summer and Sriya stepped aside to talk, Arav couldn’t help but stare at them. His fingers tapped anxiously against the table, and his jaw clenched slightly. He wanted to trust Summer, he *did* trust him—but that didn’t stop the strange, uncomfortable feeling in his chest. 

**Saurav (noticing Arav’s expression, nudging him):** "Relax, man. Summer’s just clearing things up." 

Arav blinked, realizing he had been staring too intensely. He tried to force a small smile. 

**Arav (muttering):** "I know… but still…" 

**Subham (grinning):** "Ohh, someone’s jealous~" 

Arav shot him a glare. 

**Arav (defensive):** "I’m *not* jealous!" 

**Prachi (teasing):** "Then why do you look like you’re about to go and snatch Summer away?" 

Arav sighed, rubbing his temple. 

**Arav (softly):** "It’s not jealousy… it’s just…" 

He trailed off, unable to put his feelings into words. He knew Summer had already rejected Sriya, but seeing them talk alone, seeing Sriya smile at him—it still made his stomach twist. 

**Saurav (patting Arav’s shoulder):** "I get it. Even when you know there’s nothing to worry about, it still makes you uneasy, right?" 

Arav nodded silently. 

**Subham (smirking):** "Well, if it makes you feel better, Summer looks way more in love when he looks at *you*." 

That made Arav’s cheeks heat up slightly, but he still kept glancing toward Summer and Sriya. He couldn’t wait for this conversation to be over. He just wanted Summer to come back—to reassure him. 

And when Summer finally turned around, flashing Arav a grin, that uneasy feeling in his chest melted away just a little.

Summer took a deep breath as he stood in front of Sriya. He knew this conversation was necessary, but he also knew it wouldn’t be easy. Sriya, with her usual confident smile, looked at him expectantly. 

**Sriya (crossing her arms):** "So, what did you want to talk about, Summer?" 

**Summer (serious tone):** "Sriya… I wanted to clear things up between us. About what happened that day when you proposed." 

Her smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly masked it. 

**Sriya (lightly chuckling):** "Oh, that? Don’t worry, Summer. I understand. If you’re here to say no, you don’t have to be so serious about it." 

**Summer (shaking his head):** "It’s not just that. I wanted to tell you that… I love someone else." 

Sriya’s fingers clenched slightly, but she kept her expression neutral. 

**Sriya (tilting her head):** "Oh? And who’s the lucky girl?" 

**Summer (firmly):** "It’s not a girl. It’s Arav." 

For the first time, Sriya’s smile completely disappeared. Her eyes widened slightly, and a brief flicker of disbelief crossed her face before she quickly masked it with a small laugh. 

**Sriya:** "Oh, wow… I didn’t see that coming." 

She forced a chuckle, pretending to be unfazed, but inside, her emotions were boiling. She didn’t just like Summer—she *needed* to win him. Losing was not an option. Not after the bet. 

**Sriya (putting on a kind smile):** "Well, if that’s the case, I’m happy for you, Summer. Truly." 

Summer sighed in relief. "Thank you for understanding, Sriya. I didn’t want to hurt you." 

She shook her head. "No worries, Summer. It’s just… surprising." 

As she said that, she subtly glanced at Arav, who was watching them from a distance, looking nervous. *So this is my competition?* she thought bitterly. 

**Sriya (softly, pretending to be thoughtful):** "Are you sure about this, Summer? I mean, what if Arav doesn’t feel the same way?" 

**Summer (without hesitation):** "He does." 

That response made her fists clench, but she quickly let out a small sigh and smiled again. 

**Sriya (pretending to be supportive):** "Then I wish you both the best." 

**Summer (gratefully):** "Thank you, Sriya. That means a lot." 

**Sriya (sweetly):** "Of course! Now go, your boyfriend looks like he might pass out from worrying." 

Summer chuckled and turned to leave, completely unaware of the storm brewing inside Sriya. 

As she watched him walk back to Arav, her fake smile dropped. Her nails dug into her palm. 

*"I won’t lose so easily, Summer. You’re mine.*"

As Summer walked back to Arav, he felt lighter, relieved that the conversation with Sriya had gone well—or at least, that’s what he thought. 

Arav, however, was still tense. His fingers gripped the edge of the canteen table as he watched Summer approach. 

**Saurabh (patting Arav’s shoulder teasingly):** "Relax, yaar. He’s coming back in one piece. No need to look so stressed." 

**Prachi (grinning):** "Yeah, Summer isn't going to suddenly change his mind just because he talked to Sriya." 

Arav forced a smile, but something inside him still felt uneasy. 

**Summer (sitting next to Arav and smiling):** "It’s done. I told her everything." 

**Subham:** "And?" 

**Summer (shrugging):** "She said she understands and that she’s happy for us." 

Arav looked at him, searching his expression. "She took it… that easily?" 

Summer nodded. "Yeah. She was surprised, but she was supportive." 

Prachi exchanged a quick glance with Saurabh, both of them slightly doubtful. 

**Prachi (leaning in slightly):** "Are you sure she was okay with it? Sriya doesn’t seem like the type to just let things go." 

Summer frowned slightly. "What do you mean?" 

**Saurabh:** "Well, she’s always been competitive. If she really liked you, I doubt she’d just step aside so easily." 

Summer hesitated. "I don’t think she’s like that. She was really understanding." 

Arav, still feeling uneasy, finally spoke. "I hope you’re right, Sammy." 

Meanwhile, across the canteen, Sriya sat with a forced smile as her friend, Anika, whispered to her. 

**Anika (smirking):** "I can’t believe Summer just turned you down for *him*." 

Sriya clenched her jaw, her nails digging into her palm under the table. 

**Anika (giggling):** "I thought you said you were going to win the bet?" 

**Sriya (smirking, voice dangerously sweet):** "Oh, I *will*. Summer is just confused right now. He thinks he loves Arav, but feelings change." 

Anika raised an eyebrow. "You have a plan?" 

**Sriya (smirking):** "Of course. If Arav is in the way, then I just need to… remove the obstacle." 

She casually sipped her juice, her eyes darkening as she watched Arav laughing with Summer. 

*"This isn’t over, Arav. Not by a long shot."*