ᴛʜᴇ ɢɪʀʟ ɪ ɴ̶ᴇ̶ᴠ̶ᴇ̶ʀ̶ ʟᴏᴠᴇᴅ

The morning air in Shimla carried a crisp chill, curling around the pine trees that lined the roads. Sunlight pierced through the mist, casting a golden glow over the town's colonial-era buildings, their wooden balconies adorned with beautiful flower pots. The faint scent of damp earth and addictive aroma of brewing chai drifted from the small roadside stalls, where vendors set up their shops for the day.

At the very top of the hill, away from the bustling markets and narrow lanes, Malhotra Mansion stood like a opulent palace. The grand estate, with its elegant glass windows, huge garden and sprawling lawns, screamed the wealth and power of Malhotras. But inside, it was too quiet. Too dark, too depressing.

Money can buy happiness but not peace and the Malhotra’s proved it right with theor arrogance and cruel behavior which was usually witnessed by their staffs as well.

They were a family in front of the world but but behind close doors both Rihaan and Sakshi Malhotra shared a relationship full of malice and hate. The only thing binding them together was society and their wealth other than that the couple didn't even shared a room.

The couple had multiple affairs. They had mistresses and men who satisfied the Malhotra couple all they wanted. Their affairs were something which even people around were aware of by now. Even the wind of Shimla whispered their lust and selfishness in the air.

Their one and only son was brought up by servants and nannies around the house. The only person who truly cared for the boy was his grandfather who also passed away when the boy was eleven years old.

The little boy would remember his grandfather while his parents gave him looks of disdain. He was only born because of a drunken one night stand his parents did in their youth which trapped them into marriage leading for them to even dislike the innocent child born through it.

The boy grew lonely after his grandfather's death. His parents disliked him, he would never scolded for even wanting to celebrate his birthdays with them. The boy wanted some love, a little bit of affection which he started getting from Tanya, his friend who gladly manipulated him into taking drugs, alcohols and cigarettes to gain attention of his parents and soon the boy's life started to depend on cruelty.

Tattoos, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes and sex became a routine for him as Tanya and his other friends encouraged him to join them in the immoral acts they called as adventures.

And soon the once innocent boy turned into a heartless player who cared for no one but himself.

Revansh Malhotra didn't needed his parents affection or attention anymore. He was satisfied with his world of sex and drugs. He didn't needed anyone or so he thought.

Sitting in his sleek black Maserati, Revansh Malhotra tapped his fingers against the steering wheel, his expression unreadable.

He had everything a life people envied. But it all felt… dull, depressed.

His breakup with Tanya Kapoor, the school’s ‘it girl,’ and his own close friend should have bothered him. But it didn’t. It didn't bothered him at all.

She’d been just another person, just another predictable chapter in his privileged life. He knew she’d come running back the moment she saw him with someone else.

And that’s exactly what he planned to do.

His phone buzzed. Kabir Mehta, his best friend, had sent a message.

Kabir: You skipping school again?

Revansh: Tempting, but no. Need a distraction.

Kabir: A new girl?

Revansh: Something like that.

A slow smirk tugged at Revansh’s lips. He needed something or rather someone.to keep things interesting for him.

With that thought, he revved the engine and sped off toward St. Michael’s High, the most elite school in Shimla, where his next distraction was unknowingly waiting for him.

***

At the Other Side of Shimla…

In a quaint two-story house nestled between two old deodar trees, Aarini Joshi tied her hair into a simple and neat ponytail, adjusting the sleeves of her woolen sweater.

Unlike the glass palaces in the upper town, her home was small but filled with warmth and love of her parents. The faint sound of her mother humming a bhajan drifted from the kitchen, while her father read the newspaper in the living room.

"Aarini didi!" her younger brother, Ishaan, called out. "Mom said to finish your breakfast before you leave!"

"Aarahi hun!" she laughed, slinging her bag over her shoulder.

Her family wasn’t rich, but they had something far more valuable then riches. They had love. Her parents had raised her to believe that kindness was a strength, not a weakness. And unlike many in her school who flaunted their last names, she never felt the need to prove herself.

As she walked toward school, the cold air nipped at her red cheeks, but she didn’t mind. The sight of mall road coming to life, vendors setting up woolen shawls, the scent of roasted peanuts, tourists clicking pictures, it always made her smile.

She didn’t need extravagant wealth. Her world was simple, and she was happy in it.

Life was simple beautiful. Life was like a hope to move forward with a smile, no matter what happens next.

What she didn’t know was that her simple world was about to collide with Revansh Malhotra’s twisted one.

***

At St. Michael’s High

The school was a massive, ivy-covered building, a remnant of the British era, filled with children of the elite. Ferraris, Audis, and BMWs lined the parking lot, their owners stepping out in designer clothes wearing branded accessories and holding expensive bags.

Aarini walked in quietly, unnoticed. She was used to it. She wasn’t part of the rich, reckless world that revolved around people like Revansh Malhotra.

But today, things were different then before.

As she entered the hallway, whispers surrounded her.

"Revansh Malhotra is actually in school today."

"Woah. He rarely comes to school!"

"Do you think he’s here to win Tanya back?"

"Maybe he’s already found someone else."

Aarini ignored the chatter, making her way to her locker. She had no interest in the drama that revolved around Shimla’s golden boy.

But as fate would have it, golden boys don’t like being ignored.

***

Revansh leaned lazily against his locker, his gaze scanning the hallway until it landed on her.

Aarini Joshi.

She wasn’t like the others. No expensive handbags, no desperate need for attention. Just a girl with kind and simple brown eyes and a quiet presence.

Perfect.

"That’s the girl?" Kabir muttered beside him.

"Yeah," Revansh murmured. "She’ll do."

Kabir raised an eyebrow. "But she’s nothing like your type."

Revansh smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets. "That’s the point. She's a new flavour of this month."

"You sure that she will fall for you?" Kabir asked with a frown.

"Bet. she will fall for me within three months." Revansh smirked.

And with that the bet which changed everything began.

He took slow, deliberate steps toward her, stopping just as she was about to close her locker.

"Hey."

Aarini turned, slightly startled to find Revansh Malhotra standing next to her. His presence was overwhelming. Tall, broad-shouldered, with sharp features and dark blue, unreadable eyes.

"Uh… hi?" she said hesitantly.

"You’re Aarini, right?"

She blinked. Why was he talking to her? "Yes…"

Revansh tilted his head, a lazy smirk playing on his lips. "I need a partner for the English project. Partner up with me?"

Aarini frowned. "You never do projects."

He chuckled. "True. But I think I’ll make an exception this time."

Something about his tone put her on edge. But before she could reply, the school bell rang.

"I’ll take that as a yes, then." he said smoothly before walking away.

Aarini stood there, feeling like she had just stepped into something she didn’t fully understand.

And she was right.

Because she had just become part of Revansh Malhotra’s latest game.

***

Later That Night

Sitting in his dimly lit bedroom, Revansh tossed a basketball in the air, catching it effortlessly. His mind replayed Aarini’s surprised expression, the way her brows furrowed slightly when he spoke.

She wasn’t like Tanya. She wouldn’t fall for his.game easily and that made it more interesting.

Kabir’s voice broke his thoughts. "You’re really going through with this?"

"Of course," Revansh said, stretching his arms.

"You think she’ll fall for you?"

Revansh scoffed. "They always do."

"And when she does?"

Revansh’s smirk faded slightly, his gaze turning cold.

"Then I’ll break her heart infront of the whole school."

Because love was nothing but a game.

And in this game, Revansh Malhotra never lost.

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So how was the chapter yall?

Any thoughts of the characters?