Episode 2:Lovebyte

Shaina walked toward her car in the parking lot and spotted Amit waiting beside it, hands in his pockets, eyes flicking nervously between his shoes and the passing cars.

“Well, well, well… if it isn’t the shy boy himself,” she teased playfully, striding up to him with a smirk.

Amit looked up, startled. “What??” he said, clearly confused.

“Don’t even pretend, man,” Shaina said, crossing her arms. “I have friends in your class. They told me how you froze up and couldn’t present your presentation.”

Amit chuckled sheepishly. “For the record, I let you go first. And second—who’s the new guy? Someone told me he’s your boyfriend.”

Shaina rolled her eyes and smiled. “Of course not! Why is everyone saying that?”

Amit exhaled in relief. “Thank God, I almost had a concussion from overthinking.”

They laughed together, the tension between them dissolving.

Shaina leaned closer, teasing. “Now tell me, how’s it going with your girlfriend Mahika?”

Amit groaned, gently squeezing his own face in mock frustration. “I’ve told you a million times—she’s not my girlfriend. Come on, I’m not even single!”

Shaina burst into laughter. “You’re such a clown!”

Meanwhile, in her room, Nithya was on her bed, re-editing a short, funny video. It featured a guy who had tried to stop his ex-girlfriend’s wedding while wearing a bright yellow smiley-face mask. Nithya had recreated the scene, mocking him without showing her own face.

She reviewed the clip one last time, smirking.

Without hesitation, she hit upload.

“Posted to Satgram.”

She watched the screen for a moment and whispered, “Let’s see how viral this one goes…”

KHAN'S MANSION

Mahika had just returned from school, her backpack swinging as she ran into the house.

“Mummy!” she beamed. “I presented so well today. I wish you were there… I know you’d have been proud.”

Zoya's face softened, pride twinkling in her eyes. “I am proud of you, baby.”

“Now go freshen up,” she said warmly. “Dinner’s almost ready.”

Mahika nodded and turned to leave, her smile wide. Zoya stood at the doorway, watching her with a quiet, distant look—her thoughts still lingering elsewhere… perhaps on Shaina.

*PARKING LOT*

"Wow, who's the lucky girl then?" Shaina teased.

"You," Amit said quietly.

Shaina blinked, thrown off. “What?” she asked, her voice uncertain.

Amit wasn’t smiling. “I like you, Shaina. And I’m tired of pretending.”

Shaina froze, caught completely off guard. Speechless, she stared at him for a moment before silently opening her car door, slipping inside, and driving away—leaving Amit standing there, anxious and regretful.

*MEANWHILE, AT ZAHIR’S RESIDENCE*

Zahir, a wealthy and influential politician, was pacing furiously in his mansion, fuming over something on his phone.

“That low-class girl is tagging us now?” he shouted.

Jay, his son, lounged nearby, sipping a drink, unfazed. “Who?”

“Nithya! Look at her username!” Zahir tossed the phone to Jay. “She’s mocking you with that video from last night!”

Jay glanced at the screen, then smirked. “Interesting…”

Zahir glared at him. “Clean this up before it turns into a scandal.

*Sharma’s Villa*

Arjun sat on the edge of his bed, his phone pressed to his ear as he audio-called his aunt, *Juwi*—Shaina’s mother. His voice trembled with urgency.

“Please, Aunt Juwi,” he pleaded, “you know I can’t ask Mum or Dad for that kind of money.”

On the other end, Juwi’s tone was calm but firm. “Exactly, Arjun. That’s why I need to know what you’re using the money for.”

He hesitated, glancing down. “It’s for Neeks,” he admitted quietly. “I don’t want to lose her.”

*Amit’s Car*

Amit sat silently in the driver’s seat, his fingers tapping the steering wheel while Avik listened. The weight of disappointment was heavy in his voice.

“I thought she actually liked me,” Amit said. “But it turns out I was just someone to pass time with.”

Avik scoffed. “I knew it, man. That arrogant girl was never serious. She used you.”

“What do I do now?” Amit asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Avik leaned back. “Forget her. Stay away. Mahika’s the one who’s been there for you. She actually gives a damn.”

Amit nodded, trying to fight the feeling of being played. The truth stung more than he expected.

*Khan’s Mansion – Dining Room

Shaina sat between Zoya and Mahika, barely touching her food. The tension at the table was thick.

“I don’t even know what to say, Aunt,” Shaina murmured.

Mahika’s voice was sharp. “You knew he was my boyfriend, Shaina. And still, you chose to betray me.”

Shaina looked up, shocked. “What? I don’t even love him, Mahika.”

But Mahika had heard enough. She stood, anger radiating off her.

“Go to hell, Shaina.”

Shaina slammed her palm on the table, her voice sharp and trembling.

"How dare you say that to me?"

Zoya stood quickly, her voice cutting through the tension.

"Both of you, that’s enough!" she said sternly, trying to calm the rising storm.

Shaina pushed her chair back and glared at Mahika.

"Enjoy your lunch, brat," she snapped, storming off in anger. Her footsteps faded down the hallway.

Mahika clenched her jaw, still fuming, while Zoya remained seated, eyes locked on Mahika—disappointed, hurt.

*ARJUN’S ROOM*

Arjun sat hunched on his bed, holding the phone tightly to his ear. His aunt, Juwi, spoke from the other end of the call.

“The truth is, Arjun, it’s better to accept it now. That girl doesn’t love you. She only wants your money.”

Arjun’s brows drew together. “No, Aunt Juwi… Neeks loves me. She really does.”

There was a long pause before Juwi finally sighed.

“Alright, I’ll transfer the money. But Arjun—you must be wise.”

Arjun smiled faintly, gratitude in his voice. “Thank you, Aunt. And don’t worry, I will.”

Then, with a playful tone, he added, “I’ll go check on your daughter soon.”

That made Juwi laugh. “Oh, you!”

They both chuckled together—a brief lightness in Arjun’s otherwise heavy day.

*KHAN’S MANSION – DINING ROOM*

Zoya’s voice cut through the silence.

“How could you say that to her?”

Mahika slammed her spoon down, rage flickering in her eyes.

“I knew you’d side with her!”

Without another word, she stood and left, the sound of her footsteps echoing in the stillness.

Zoya stared after her, upset and uncertain.

*MEANWHILE…*

Jay had been trailing Nithya since the afternoon. His curiosity sharpened as he watched her park near a huge stadium. She got out, blending into a crowd of excited fans.

Jay followed.

The stadium lights glowed in the distance, music pulsing through the air. Then it clicked.

He found out that Nithya is a musician.

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