ᴛʜᴇ ɢᴀᴍᴇ ʙᴇɢɪɴꜱ

The moment Aarini agreed to Revansh's ridiculous bet, she regretted it.

She didn't believe in games like this. Love wasn't something to be played with. Love was simple and pure. But looking into his smug, arrogant eyes, she knew he thought he had already won. That alone was reason enough to go through with it.

She wouldn't fall for him.

She couldn't fall for him.

Never.

And if playing along meant proving that to him, then so be it. She would play with the player itself.

She was finding a cab to her way back home when Revansh again requested her to sit baci in his car. At first Aarini rejected but at the end he did managed to make her agree.

The car ride back was silent except for the low hum of the engine. Revansh's fingers tapped against the steering wheel as he glanced at her every few minutes, amusement dancing in his dark blue eyes.

"So, tell me, Aarini," he finally spoke, breaking the silence. "What do you do for fun?"

She didn't even look at him. "Study."

He chuckled. "Of course.... you do."

Aarini sighed, crossing her arms. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Revansh smirked, shifting gears smoothly as they glided down the winding Shimla roads. "It means you're damn predictable."

She clenched her jaw. "And you think you're unpredictable?"

"I know I am."

Aarini scoffed, shaking her head. "You're like every other spoiled rich kid I've seen, thinking you own the world, playing with people's feelings like it's a game."

Revansh let out a low laugh, his voice teasing yet sharp. "And yet, you agreed to play my game. Didn't you?

She turned to him, meeting his gaze head-on. "Only because I know I'll win, Mr. Malhotra."

Something flickered in his expression. Interest maybe? He didn't respond immediately, just smirked and focused on the road ahead.

"I like confidence," he mused. "It makes the fall even more entertaining."

Aarini gritted her teeth. He was so sure of himself. So full of himself as if he was god.

Fine. Let him believe whatever he wanted. She had nothing to lose.

Or at least, that's what she thought.

***

The rumors spread fast among the students.

By the time Aarini stepped into St. Michael's High, everyone was looking at her as if she was the 8th wonder of the world.

Revansh Malhotra took Aarini Joshi for coffee?

They spent time alone together?

Is she his new girlfriend?

The whispers followed her like shadows.

Aarini kept her head down, trying to ignore the murmurs, but she could feel the eyes on her, especially from one specific person.

Tanya Kapoor.

Revansh's ex.

The actual queen bee of the school.

She was standing by the lockers, arms crossed, her perfectly manicured nails tapping against her elbow. Her group of followers and blind worshippers stood behind her, all waiting for the inevitable showdown.

Aarini barely had time to react before Tanya stepped in her path, blocking her way.

"So," Tanya's voice was sweet, too sweet. "I hear you've been spending time with my Revansh. I hope you won't take him seriously. Because if you do...then you'll end up embarrassing yourself. "

Aarini blinked. "Your Revansh?"

Tanya smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "He always comes back to me, sweetheart. You're just his latest distraction. Nothing more, nothing less."

Aarini should've ignored her. She wanted to ignore her. But something about the way Tanya looked at her like she was nothing made her stand a little taller.

"I don't care about him," Aarini said firmly. "And I'm not interested in whatever game you two play."

Tanya's smile wavered for just a second before she scoffed. "Good for you. Then stay out of his way."

Aarini clenched her jaw but nodded, stepping past her.

She didn't notice Revansh leaning against the staircase nearby, watching the exchange with an unreadable expression.

***

Aarini buried herself in books for the rest of the day, hoping to escape the unwanted attention. But her peace was short-lived.

Just as she was putting away a book, a familiar voice drawled from behind her.

"You handled Tanya well, sweetheart."

Aarini turned to see Revansh leaning against the bookshelf, his usual smirk in place.

She frowned. "Were you watching the drama unfold?"

He shrugged. "Maybe."

Aarini sighed, putting the book back on the shelf. "I meant what I said. I don't care about whatever's going on between you two."

Revansh tilted his head. "Then why do you look so annoyed?"

"I'm annoyed," she said, facing him, "because my life was fine before you dragged me into whatever this is."

Revansh chuckled, taking a step closer. "I didn't drag you into anything. You agreed to the bet."

Aarini exhaled sharply. "Yeah, and I will win it."

He grinned. "I look forward to seeing you try."

She glared at him before turning to leave.

But just as she reached the door, Revansh's voice stopped her.

"Oh, and Aarini?"

She hesitated but didn't turn around.

"I like challenges."

Her fists clenched in anger and she had the urge to smack Revansh Malhotra hard.

This was going to be harder than she thought.

***

The air inside St. Michael's High was thick with murmurs and stares especially after tje drama between Tanya and Aarini.

Revansh Malhotra and Aarini Joshi together at a café last evening?

It was the topic of discussion yet again.

Aarini hated this attention. She hates this drama. She kept her head low, gripping the strap of her backpack as she walked down the corridor. The weight of curious gazes pressed against her, but she ignored them.

Do these students have nothing to study? All they do is gossip and talk about the new foreign trips they we're planning.

It wasn't like anything happened.

It was just a stupid bet with a cocky rich brat.

The thoughts kept swirling inside Aarini's mind until she heard that deep husky voice yet again.

"Afternoon, sweetheart."

Her steps faltered at the sound of his voice as his voice echoed in her ears.

There he was, Revansh Malhotra, leaning lazily against the lockers, his white school shirt half-buttoned, blazer draped over his shoulder, tie hanging loose around his neck.

He was effortlessly messy yet perfect.

It has not even been 4 hours at school and this guy is already a mess. Aarini thought holding the urge to roll her eyes are him.

Aarini clenched her jaw. "Don't call me that."

Revansh smirked, pushing himself off the locker. "What should I call you then? Miss Joshi?" He drawled, amusement dancing in his dark blue eyes.

She rolled her eyes. "How about not calling me at all?"

Before he could respond, Tanya strolled toward them, her short navy-blue skirt swaying as she clung onto Revansh's arm like a leech.

"Babe, why are you wasting time on her?" Tanya pouted, giving Aarini a pointed look.

Aarini inhaled deeply. Typical Tanya behavior.

Revansh pulled his arm away, barely sparing Tanya a glance. His eyes stayed locked on Aarini.

"I'll see you in class, partner," he murmured before walking past her, his shoulder barely grazing hers as he left without even giving g Tanya a simple glance.

Aarini hated how that simple touch sent an unfamiliar shiver down her spine. And she hated it.

***

The last bell rang, and Aarini was relieved. Finally she will be free from that brat. He kept starting at her during the whole class lile a fool and she really wanted to pull hid hair hard infront of the whole class. What a creep. Aarini thought.

As she walked toward the school gates, she saw the sleek black Maserati parked outside.

Of course he was here...again.

She kept walking, pretending not to see him but Revansh had other plans.

The window rolled down. "Need a ride, sweetheart?"

She groaned. "No."

He chuckled. "Come on, Aarini. It's a long walk home."

She didn't stop. "I like walking."

The car moved alongside her as she walked.

"Aarini," his voice was softer, almost teasing. "Don't be stubborn, sweets."

She finally stopped, glaring at him. "What do you want, Revansh?"

His smirk widened. "You."

Her breath caught for a second, but she quickly masked it with irritation. "Too bad. I'm not interested in you."

Revansh sighed dramatically. "Come on, Aarini. You're really making this bet difficult."

She folded her arms. "Good."

For the first time, his smirk dropped slightly, replaced by something unreadable.

He exhaled and leaned on the steering wheel. "Fine. I'll see you tomorrow, Aarini."

And with that, he drove off, leaving her standing there, heart pounding.

Why did it feel like she had just lost something?

Maybe a part of her heart... or is it?

࿇ ══━━━━✥◈✥━━━━══ ࿇

So how was the chapter yall?

Hope yall liked it.

Revansh is such a tease. Lmao.

Don't forget to like, comment and follow. It makes my day fr.