Author pov...

Divya, Ishani, and Prachi walked toward the playground.

The place was packed so crowded that it felt as if the entire college had gathered to watch the football match.

Cheers and noise filled the air.

Just then, Virendra spotted Divya.

A slow smile spread across his face as he walked up to her and said,"So... you finally came."

Divya replied lightly, "Well, you begged so much that I thought why should I break a poor guy's heart?"

Virendra chuckled. "Thank you for not breaking my heart."

Ishani stood there watching them, utterly confused, her eyes moving between the two.

Before she could say anything, Virendra's teammates started calling him.

He turned to Divya. "Okay, I should go."

"Good luck for the match," Divya said politely.

Virendra smiled wider. "Now that you're here, luck is already on my side."

With that, he gave her a playful wink and walked away.

Divya and Ishani stared after him, stunned.

"What is all this?" Ishani finally blurted out. "What's going on between you two?"

Divya snapped out of her shock and said quickly, "I honestly don't know. From my side, there's nothing."

"But from his side," Ishani said seriously, "there's definitely something. Divya, be careful."

Divya nodded silently.

What she didn't know was that Vaibhav had seen everything.

He had watched Virendra wink at Divya.

His jaw clenched, anger burning inside him.

The football match began.

Virendra stood on one side of the field.

On the other side Vaibhav.

Divya and Ishani were shocked.

"Bhaiya is playing too?" Ishani said in surprise.

Divya turned to her. "You knew Vaibhav was playing in the match?"

Ishani shook her head. "No yaar, I had no idea."

And as the whistle blew, tension hung thick in the air far beyond just a game.

The match had begun, and Vaibhav was burning with anger anger directed straight at Virendra.

Every time Virendra tried to push toward Vaibhav's side to score a goal.

Vaibhav intercepted the ball effortlessly, snatching it away and charging forward.

And then goal.

The crowd erupted.

"Vaibhav! Vaibhav!"

The chants echoed across the ground.

Virendra's frustration began to rise.

It no longer felt like a team match; it felt like a personal duel between the two of them.

The ball barely reached the other players everything revolved around

Vaibhav and Virendra.

Virendra finally managed to score a goal.

Divya jumped up excitedly and shouted, "Virendra! Virendra!"

Virendra looked toward Divya, happiness flashing across his face.

Then, without hesitation, he blew a flying kiss in her direction.

The entire crowd turned to look at

Divya.

She froze in shock.

Virendra smirked his eyes drifted toward Vaibhav.

Vaibhav felt like punching him.

His anger surged, sharp and uncontrollable.

The match restarted.

This time, Vaibhav scored.

He didn't celebrate.

He simply looked straight at Virendra.

The crowd went wild again.

"Vaibhav! Vaibhav!"

Divya turned to Ishani and said softly, "I didn't know your brother was this famous in college."

Ishani blinked, surprised. "Honestly, I didn't know either."

The girl standing beside them Shivani spoke confidently, "Vaibhav wins every football match. And this time too, he'll be the one who wins."

Divya and Ishani looked at her.

Divya asked, "How can you say that with so much confidence?"

Shivani smiled. "Because I've seen Vaibhav play every time. Virendra loses every single time. Yet he still shows up, stubborn as ever, just to get humiliated again."

She paused, then added casually, "I' am Vaibhav's classmate."

"Oh," Divya murmured, understanding dawning on her face.

And on the field, the rivalry burned hotter than ever no longer just about football.

The final break of the match was announced.

Exhausted players from both teams scattered some sat on the benches to catch their breath, some went to splash water on their faces, and a few headed toward the washrooms.

Virendra walked toward the washroom with one of his teammates.

As they stood there, another boy asked with a teasing grin,

"So tell me... is there something going on between you and that girl, Divya?"

Virendra smiled slowly, confidence dripping from his voice.

"Not yet," he said. "But soon-very soon."

The teammate laughed. "Makes sense. She's the most famous girl in college. But you know how it is once a girl becomes popular, she doesn't even notice the boys around her."

"Divya isn't like that.She came to college today because I asked her to," Virendra continued. "And one day, she'll be my girlfriend."

The boys chuckled awkwardly, not realizing how serious Virendra sounded.

But outside the washroom, someone had heard everything.

Vaibhav.

Every word echoed in his head.

His jaw tightened, fists clenched.

Anger rushed through his veins like fire.

So that's why, he thought bitterly.

That's why she was talking yesterday about taking permission from her parents... about coming to college.

The thought drove him mad.

Virendra stepped out of the washroom.

The very next second-Punch.

Vaibhav's fist slammed into Virendra's face.

Blood instantly started flowing from Virendra's nose.

"Vaibhav! What are you doing?!" one of the teammates shouted in shock.

Virendra staggered back, eyes blazing with rage as he looked at Vaibhav.

Vaibhav moved closer, his voice low but dangerous.

"Stay away from Divya," he warned. "Or next time, I won't stop."

Virendra wiped the blood from his face and laughed bitterly.

"I won't stay away," he snapped. "What will you do about it?"

Vaibhav answered with another punch harder this time.

Blood spilled from the corner of

Virendra's mouth.

That was it.

Virendra swung back, punching Vaibhav with all his strength but it barely affected him.

They lunged at each other, fists flying, anger exploding without control.

It was no longer about football.

It was pride.

Possession.

Ego.

Teammates rushed in, trying desperately to pull them apart.

"Stop it! Both of you!" they yelled.

But neither of them listened.

One of the boys ran to call the captain and the rest of the team.

With great difficulty, several players finally managed to drag Vaibhav and

Virendra away from each other.

Both stood there, breathing heavily, eyes burning with hatred.

The match wasn't just paused anymore.

Everything has changed.

The captain burst into the Washroom like a storm, his face red with fury.

“What the hell is going on here?” he shouted, his voice cutting through the silence.

His eyes locked onto Vaibhav.

“Vaibhav… I never expected this from you. Never.”

The words hit harder than any punch.

“Enough,” the captain continued coldly. “Everyone, leave. Right now. The match ends here.”

Some of the teammates hesitated. “But captain, the match—”

“I said !” he roared. “Get out. All of you. This match is over.”

No one dared to argue anymore.

One by one, the boys walked out of the washroom, the air thick with shame and unfinished anger.

Vaibhav leaned against the wall, blood slowly dripping from his knuckles and forehead.

It hurt but not as much as what was burning inside his chest.

Virendra’s condition was far worse.

Blood streamed from his nose and mouth, his face swollen, his eyes already turning dark with bruises.

Every breath felt heavy.

Within minutes, whispers spread like wildfire through the college corridors.

Vaibhav and Virendra fought.

It got really bad.

The captain ended the match.

Ishani’s heart skipped a beat the moment she heard.

Fear wrapped tightly around her chest.

“Bhaiya…” she whispered, running through the corridors, her eyes searching desperately.

Finally, she spotted him standing with Shivani and Akash.

She rushed toward him, and behind her, Divya followed.

“Bhaiya,” Ishani said, her voice

shaking as she looked at his injuries. “How did all this happen?”

“It’s nothing,” he replied flatly.

Nothing.

Divya stood frozen.

The sight of him was bruised, bleeding, silent sent a shock through her body.

For a moment, she wanted to step closer, to ask if he was okay, to say something… anything.

But Vaibhav didn’t even look at her.

Not once.

The distance between them felt louder than words.

Shivani broke the silence, trying to sound practical.“Virendra got hurt much more than him.”

The moment Divya heard Virendra’s name, her heart twisted.

Worry rushed in, overpowering everything else.

Without looking back, she turned and walked away.

Ishani stayed behind.

Vaibhav’s eyes followed Divya as she passed him, his fists slowly clenching.

Anger, hurt, and disappointment collided inside him.

She didn’t even ask me once if I’m okay, he thought bitterly.

Not even once.

On the other side of the college, Divya searched frantically corridors, ground, common areas.

Panic crept into her steps.

Finally, she stopped a boy passing by.

“Do you know where Virendra is?”

“They took him to the first-aid room,” he replied. “He got badly hurt.”

Divya didn’t waste another second.

She pushed open the door of the first-aid room and froze.

Virendra sat on the bed while the nurse cleaned the blood from his face.

His lips were cracked, his eyes swollen, pain clearly etched into his features.

For a moment, Divya couldn’t speak.

Virendra noticed her and let out a weak, crooked smile.

“See,” he said softly, almost bitterly, “what your Vaibhav did to me.”

Her eyes snapped at him. “Why did the fight happen?” she asked, her voice tight.

His expression hardened.

“He attacked me for no reason,”

Virendra said. “He warned me to stay away from you. And when I refused… this is what happened.”

Each word pierced her mind.

Anger slowly rose inside Divya not loud, not explosive, but sharp and suffocating.

Even now… he’s interfering in my life, she thought.

Even now, he thinks he has the right.

She took a deep breath, forcing her emotions down, and looked at

Virendra.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly. “I apologize on his behalf.”

Virendra looked at her, surprised. He shook his head slowly.

“Why are you apologizing, Divya?” he asked gently. “You haven’t done anything wrong.”

And in that moment, standing between guilt, anger, and silence,

Divya felt heavier than ever caught.

Just then, her phone rang.

It was Rani.

Divya’s heart skipped a beat as she answered.“Hello, Maa?”

“Divya, come home immediately,” Rani said, her voice tense and hurried.

Divya’s grip on the phone tightened. “What happened, Mummy?”

“I’ll tell you after you reach home,” Rani replied firmly. “Just come quickly.”

The call disconnected.

Fear crept into Divya’s chest. Her breath grew shallow.

Her mother had never called her like this before never without an explanation.

Something was wrong. Something serious.

She looked at Virendra and said softly, “Take care of yourself, okay? Mummy called… I think there’s some problem at home.”

Virendra straightened a little. “Should I drop you home?”

“No,” Divya replied quickly. “First focus on your condition. Please.”

Virendra nodded. “Alright. But if there’s any problem, call me.”

Divya nodded back and stepped out.

The moment she reached outside, her fear grew heavier.

Maa has never called me this way… something must have happened.

She decided to inform Ishani before leaving.

Searching around, she finally saw

Ishani standing beside Vaibhav, carefully cleaning the blood from his wounds.

Divya ran toward her.

Vaibhav looked up and their eyes met for a brief second.

“Ishani,” Divya said breathlessly, “I’m going home. Mummy called… I think something’s wrong.”

Ishani turned toward her, instantly worried. “What happened?”

“I don’t know,” Divya replied, her voice trembling. “She didn’t explain. She just asked me to come home immediately.”

Before Ishani could say anything,

Vaibhav spoke up.

“Where are you going alone?” he said firmly. “I promised Aunty yesterday. Come on, I’ll go with you.”

Divya shook her head. “No. You bring Ishani later. I’ll go now.”

Vaibhav frowned. “Do you not understand what I’m saying even once? If there’s a problem, maybe I can help.”

Divya swallowed her anger and fear together.

After a pause, she exhaled sharply.

“Fine,” she said. “Let’s go.”

They stepped outside together.

Divya and ishani quickly stopped an auto and sat inside, her heart racing with unease.

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