ᴘʟᴀʏ ᴡɪᴛʜ ꜰɪʀᴇ

The days following the party and school had been… strange.

Aarini wasn’t sure how to explain it, but something had shifted. Maybe it was the way Revansh had held her during the dance, or the way his words had lingered in her mind longer than she wanted to admit.

But she told herself it was nothing.

That he was still the same arrogant, entitled, rich brat who loved playing with people like they were his toys. That whatever she felt was just irritation and nothing else.

And yet, irritation shouldn’t make her heart race every time she caught him looking at her.

She shouldn’t still feel the warmth of his touch even days after he had last touched her.

She shook her head, trying to push away the thoughts as she focused on her book. She was sitting in the library, away from the noise of the school, hoping to find some peace. But even here, her mind was restless.

And then, as if the universe was mocking her, the peace shattered with his same deep and husky voice again.

"Skipping classes already, Joshi?"

That deep, infuriating voice made her tense amd annoyed at the same time.

Aarini closed her book, sighing. "What do you want, Malhotra?"

Revansh smirked as he slid into the seat across from her, his usual confidence oozing from every movement. "What, no warm welcome? I thought after our little dance, after the way I chase after you everyday we were past formalities."

She rolled her eyes. "In your dreams."

He leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "You know, you’ve been avoiding me."

Aarini’s heart skipped a beat, but she masked it with a scoff. "Maybe you’re just too used to people throwing themselves at you, Malhotra."

"Maybe," he admitted, eyes gleaming with amusement. "But you’re not like the others, remember?"

Her stomach twisted at his words. That was exactly what was bothering her. Because deep down, she knew he was right.

There was something about him that made her want to keep running.

And yet, here she was. Still trapped in this stupid game.

Still playing along, even though she knew she shouldn’t.

Revansh watched her closely, sensing the hesitation in her eyes. He wasn’t used to this feelin, the need to keep someone’s attention, to make them stay. Usually, people fought for his attention, not the other way around.

But with Aarini, it was different.

He wanted to break past the walls she kept building.

And he would.

A slow smirk curved his lips as he tapped his fingers against the table. "How about a deal, Joshi?"

Aarini narrowed her eyes. "I’m not interested."

"You don’t even know what it is."

"And yet, I know it’ll be something ridiculous as always."

He chuckled. "Smart girl. But hear me out, please."

She sighed, crossing her arms. "Fine. What is it?"

Revansh’s smirk deepened. "Give me a a few days."

Her brows furrowed. "A few days for what?"

"A week to change your mind about me," he said smoothly. "You think you have me figured out, but you don’t. So let me prove it."

Aarini stared at him, her pulse quickening. "And if I say no?"

"Then I’ll leave you alone," he said, his tone light but his gaze unwavering. "For good."

She swallowed hard.

He was giving her a way out. A clean escape from whatever this drama was.

And yet, something inside her hesitated for a moment. Because, despite everything… she wasn’t sure she wanted him to leave her alone.

It was dangerous...

But maybe… just maybe… she wanted to play with fire.

She took a deep breath, meeting his gaze. "Fine, Malhotra. Just a few days."

Revansh grinned at her. "Good girl."

As soon as she agreed, Aarini regretted it instantly.Because the way he was looking at her… like he had already won…

It made her wonder if she had just made the biggest mistake of her life.

***

The next morning, Aarini found herself waiting by the school gate, adjusting the strap of her bag as she looked around.

She had no idea why she felt like someone was watching her. And then, a sleek black car rolled up in front of her.

The window slid down smoothly, revealing Revansh’s smug face. "Hop in, sweetheart. "

Aarini’s brows shot up. "Excuse me?"

"You agreed to a few days, sweetheart. That means you don’t get to avoid me," he said, tilting his head. "Now, unless you want to walk all the way, I’d suggest getting in."

She hesitated for a second.

Everything in her screamed don’t do it.

But then she caught sight of Tanya and a few other girls staring at them from across the parking lot, their whispers obvious to her.

With a sigh, she opened the door and slid in.

"Atta girl," Revansh murmured as he shifted gears and drove off.

Aarini folded her arms. "Where are we going? School’s the other way."

"Relax, Joshi. Just taking a slight detour."

She turned to glare at him. "Malhotra, if you think I have the time to waste-"

"Relax," he repeated, smirking. "Trust me a little, won’t you?"

She scoffed. "Not in this lifetime."

Revansh laughed. "You’re so dramatic."

"You’re so annoying."

"You’ll learn to love it."

She groaned, leaning back in her seat. "A few days, Malhotra. That’s all you have."

Revansh shot her a grin. "It's all I need."

Aarini didn’t respond, but as she stared out the window, she felt something uneasy settle in her chest.

Because something told her that whatever this was…It was only just beginning.

***

The car sped down the road, taking turns that Aarini didn’t recognize. The morning sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a golden glow inside the sleek vehicle.

Aarini tapped her foot impatiently, arms crossed. "Revansh, where exactly are we going?"

He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned the wheel smoothly, his jaw tightening ever so slightly. "You’ll see."

Aarini sighed in frustration. "You’re seriously kidnapping me now?"

He let out a low chuckle. "Sweetheart, if I wanted to kidnap you, I wouldn’t have asked you to get in. You’re here because you chose to be."

That statement made her stomach twist for the moment.

She had chosen this herself.

And that was the problem.

The car finally came to a slow stop, and Aarini turned her head to see where they were. Her breath hitched slightly.

They were at the edge of a hill, overlooking the entire city below. The morning mist still lingered in the air, making everything look softer, almost unreal. The sky was painted in hues of soft pink and gold, the first rays of sunlight stretching over the horizon.

Aarini blinked. "What…?"

Revansh leaned back in his seat, one hand on the steering wheel as he watched her reaction. "Beautiful, isn’t it?"

She turned to him, suspicion clear in her eyes. "What are we doing here, Malhotra?"

He smirked, tilting his head as if considering his words carefully. "Do you always question everything?"

"Yes," she said flatly.

"Figures." He chuckled, finally stepping out of the car.

Aarini hesitated before sighing and opening her door, stepping out onto the slightly damp grass. The cool breeze brushed against her skin, sending a shiver down her spine.

Revansh walked ahead, his hands in his pockets. "You’re always so wound up and bitter, Joshi. Thought I’d show you something different."

She frowned. "You expect me to believe you did this for me?"

He turned slightly, a smirk playing on his lips. "Maybe I just wanted to see the sunrise with you."

Aarini stared at him, her heart skipping a beat before she quickly pushed the thought away.

No...

This was Revansh Malhotra.

The same guy who saw her as nothing but a game.

"You’re wasting your time," she muttered, looking away.

But before she could take another step, she felt his fingers wrap around her wrist, stopping her.

The contact sent an unexpected jolt through her body. She felt some unknown feelings in the pits of her stomach.

She turned sharply, ready to snap at him, but the look in his eyes made the words die in her throat.

It wasn’t playful. It wasn’t teasing either.

For the first time, Revansh looked... serious.

"You don’t get it, do you?" His voice was lower now, almost as if he was speaking more to himself than her.

Aarini swallowed. "Get what?"

He took a step closer, closing the distance between them. The wind blew through his hair, and for a brief second, she saw something unguarded in his expression.

"You think this is just a game for me," he murmured. "And maybe it was, at first. But you-" He exhaled sharply, his grip tightening ever so slightly. "You’re making it harder for me to play."

Aarini’s breath caught in her chest.

He was too close to her now.

This moment...It felt too real.

Too dangerous...

She forced herself to look away, yanking her wrist free. "You’re still the same, Revansh," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "And I’m not falling for this."

He smirked, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes this time. "We’ll see."

Aarini turned away before he could say anything else, her heart pounding louder than she’d ever admit.

Because, for the first time…

She wasn’t entirely sure who was winning anymore.

***

The drive back was silent.

Aarini sat stiffly in her seat, arms crossed as she stared out of the window, refusing to acknowledge the man beside her. Revansh, on the other hand, was far too relaxed, one hand on the steering wheel, the other resting casually on the gear shift.

"You’re awfully quiet," he mused, breaking the silence.

Aarini clenched her jaw. "I have nothing to say to you."

He smirked. "That’s a first."

She turned to glare at him. "What exactly was the point of that little detour? To mess with my head?"

Revansh chuckled, eyes fixed on the road. "If that’s what it did, then maybe you should ask yourself why."

Her nails dug into her palm. "You’re impossible."

"And yet, you always give in to me," he murmured.

She hated how effortlessly he could get under her skin, how he always twisted her words, how he made her feel things she should not be feeling.

The car pulled into the driveway of her house, and before he could say anything else, Aarini quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and grabbed the handle.

But just as she was about to step out, his voice stopped her.

"Wait."

Something about the way he said it made her pause. Not demanding, not teasing too.  Just… firm and authoritative.

Aarini sighed and turned her head slightly. "What?"

There was a moment of silence.

Then he said it....

"You looked beautiful on my birthday night."

Her heart slammed against her ribs hard.

She blinked, stunned for a second, before quickly regaining her composure. "Don’t you-."

Revansh tilted his head. "Don’t what?"

"Don’t say things like that."

"Why not?" His voice was lower now, almost as if he was testing her. "Does it bother you?"

Yes.

It did bother her.

Because when Revansh Malhotra said things like that, he never meant them. It was always a game, always a move in whatever twisted plan he was playing.

And yet, her fingers tightened around the door handle.

"I have to go," she muttered, pushing the door open.

But before she could step out, Revansh caught her wrist again, gently this time, not like before. His grip was warm, firm, and annoyingly steady.

She turned to him, exasperation in her eyes. "Revansh-- you motherf-"

"Oh yeah keep calling me that. Infact call me parents fucker, its not like I give a damn, Joshi." Revansh smirked.

"Revansh...I'm so-" Aarini spoke up but Revansh cut her off in between.

"That's OK, Aarini. I don't care. You can call me anything. I don't care what people call me and I certainly don't care of what they call my sperm and birth givers."

His gaze was unreadable as he looked at her, his thumb brushing against her skin for the briefest moment before he finally let go.

"See you in school, Joshi," he said, leaning back in his seat.

Aarini swallowed, stepping out of the car quickly before he could see the effect he was having on her.

She slammed the door shut behind her and walked towards her house without looking back.

But even as she reached the front door, even as she tried to push him out of her mind, she could still feel his touch lingering on her wrist.

And she hated that a part of her didn’t mind it at all.

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