EP-3
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
“Morning, sunshine.”
Preeti turned around at the sound of that voice — and nearly dropped her water bottle.
Aarav. Again.
He leaned casually against the wall beside the classroom door, grinning like he owned the whole hallway.
Preeti Sharma/FL
“Y-You again?” she asked, already flustered. “Why are you always standing near me like a lost dog?”
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
“Lost?” He placed a hand dramatically over his heart. “That’s cruel. I’m not lost. I just keep finding myself where you are.”
Preeti Sharma/FL
“You’re impossible.”
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
“And you’re pretty. But here we are.” he winked.
Her cheeks went red. Not pink. Red.
She stomped into the classroom without replying, plopping down in her seat — only to hear footsteps following her.
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
“You forgot your pen yesterday.” he said, appearing beside her, holding it like it was a rose.
Preeti Sharma/FL
“That’s not even mine.”
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
“I know. But it could be. If you take it, it’ll have meaning.”
She grabbed the pen and shoved it into her bag just to make him stop talking.
Across the room, Riyan sat frozen, staring like he was watching a slow-motion horror movie.
He watched as Aarav pulled the chair in front of Preeti, sat backwards on it, resting his arms on the backrest — completely blocking her view of the board.
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
“Can I help you with notes today? I’m very good at passing paper. And passing time with beautiful girls.”
Preeti Sharma/FL
“Are you always like this?”
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
He leaned closer, lowering his voice, “Only when I like someone.”
Her heart skipped.
She looked away, pretending to focus on her notebook.
Days passed.
And every day, Aarav Mehta made it his mission to win Preeti’s heart.
Or at least pretend like he was trying to.
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
“Here, I got your favorite chips,” he said, sliding the packet onto her desk with a wink.
Preeti Sharma/FL
“How do you even know that?”
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
He grinned. “I know everything about you now.”
He didn’t. But she blushed anyway.
And that was all he wanted.
Every morning: “You look prettier than yesterday.”
Every afternoon: “Wanna go to the canteen together?”
Every evening: “Text me when you reach home, okay?”
He was sweet. Caring. Cute.
But it all felt too perfect.
Like a script.
Meanwhile, Riyan Malhotra sat two benches behind, jaw tight, fists clenched, trying to not murder his best friend.
He watched as Aarav leaned in a little too close. Called her “cutie” a little too often.
And worst of all?
Preeti smiled back.
She laughed at his jokes. She saved a seat beside her. She even defended Aarav during group discussions.
Riyan couldn’t take it anymore.
One afternoon, as they all left the class, he stopped Aarav by grabbing his collar.
Riyan malhotra/ML
“Enough!” he hissed, pulling him into a corner.
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
He smirked. “Jealous, much?”
Riyan malhotra/ML
“You’re using her.” he growled. “I know you too well.”
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
He Scoffed. “And since when do you care about her?”
Riyan didn’t answer.
His silence was loud.
Aarav leaned closer, voice low..
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
“Relax, bro. She had a crush on me. I’m just giving her a little attention. It’s harmless.”
Riyan malhotra/ML
“You’re breaking her heart."
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
“She’ll move on.”
Aarav smirked and leaned back against the wall, arms crossed as if he owned the damn world.
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
“You’re getting worked up over nothing, Riyan,” he said coolly. “It’s just fun.”
Riyan’s jaw flexed, eyes narrowed like daggers.
Riyan malhotra/ML
“She’s not your toy.” he gritted out.
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
“Come on, bro. You’ve seen her, haven’t you?” He licked his lips like a complete pervert. “That innocent face, that perfect little body… Damn, sometimes I just wanna have a taste—”
CRACK.
Aarav didn’t even finish the sentence before Riyan’s fist slammed into his jaw with a force that echoed through the corridor.
He staggered, eyes wide in shock, blood spilling from his lip.
Aarav Mehta/ML's bestfriend
“What the f—”
But Riyan wasn’t done.
He grabbed Aarav by the collar, slammed him against the wall, and punched him again.
And again.
And again.
Riyan malhotra/ML
“You talk about her like that again.” he growled, “I’ll break every bone in your pathetic body.”
Aarav tried to fight back, but Riyan was gone. His rage, pure. His eyes, dark with fury.
Riyan malhotra/ML
“You think it’s funny?”
Riyan malhotra/ML
“She trusted you.”
Riyan malhotra/ML
“She liked you, you piece of sh*t.” One more, this time to the gut.
“Riyan, stop!” someone yelled from afar—but he didn’t care.
Riyan malhotra/ML
“You don’t deserve her name in your mouth,” he spat, shoving him to the ground.
Aarav groaned, bloodied and shaking.
Riyan malhotra/ML
He straightened, breath heaving. “Stay the hell away from her.”
Then he walked away.
Fists aching.
Heart thundering.
He didn’t care if Aarav was his best friend.
He didn’t care if he got suspended.
All he knew was—
Nobody talks about Preeti like that.
Not when he was around.
Not ever.
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