Chapter Six – When Two Worlds Collide
1342 Words
Aarohi’s POV – Home
The night after the café felt heavier than any exam or deadline I’d ever faced. My heart carried Arjun’s voice like a secret melody. His compliment still buzzed in my ears—blue suits you.
Nicole, of course, couldn’t stop smirking the whole way home.
“You looked like a love-struck sparrow,” she teased, nudging me. “One smile from him and you nearly spilled your tea.”
“Shut up,” I muttered, hugging my dupatta closer.
By the time we entered my house, Amma was already waiting in the living room with her folded hands and sharp eyes. “Aarohi, where were you so late?”
I opened my mouth, but Nicole leapt in like the shield she always was. “Auntie, don’t worry, I was with her! We just had a study group and, um… then tea.”
“Study group?” Amma narrowed her gaze.
“Yes,” Nicole nodded vigorously. “We were studying… Shakespeare. Very romantic man. Lots of tragedies.”
I almost choked at her terrible save. Amma sighed and turned to me. “You’re growing up fast, beti. Don’t forget, people in this city talk too much. You must be careful.”
Her words carried weight I couldn’t ignore. My father’s voice echoed suddenly from the next room. “Careful? She should be focusing on her studies, not wasting time outside!”
His heavy footsteps entered the room, his presence as commanding as ever. My father, Rajesh Mehra—businessman, perfectionist, and the man Arjun Rathore wanted to destroy.
He looked at me, his eyes sharper than knives. “Remember, Aarohi. Our family’s reputation is not a toy. You cannot go wandering around like… like those modern girls.”
I lowered my gaze, my pulse racing. Nicole squeezed my hand under the sofa cushion, whispering, Don’t cry.
“Papa,” Amma said gently, “she’s responsible. Don’t be so harsh.”
But he only harrumphed and walked away. His voice, however, lingered like a shadow. “No mistakes, Aarohi. Not in this house.”
I swallowed, my throat tight. And somewhere deep inside, I wondered: If Papa ever discovered Arjun… would he still call me his daughter?
---
Arjun’s POV – Penthouse Night
Meanwhile, my own night was far from quiet.
Kabir was sprawled across my leather sofa, drinking my whiskey like it was water. “You’re glowing, bro,” he declared with a dramatic wave of his hand. “Either you found religion or you found a girl.”
I lit a cigarette, rolling my eyes. “Shut up.”
“You shut up,” he retorted, grinning. “Do you know how weird it is to see Arjun Rathore come home without a woman hanging off his arm? Usually, you can’t walk ten steps without some model screaming your name.”
I smirked faintly. “Maybe I’m evolving.”
Kabir nearly spit out his drink. “Evolving? Into what? A saint?” He slapped the sofa. “Man, don’t lie. You’re thinking about her right now, aren’t you? The innocent one. The untouchable one. The one you should never, ever touch.”
My silence was answer enough.
Kabir whistled. “Ohhh, this is rich. The wolf wants the lamb. The playboy wants the virgin. Arjun Rathore is turning into Devdas.”
“Don’t push it,” I warned, though the corner of my lips betrayed me.
Kabir leaned in, lowering his voice. “So… what’s the plan tonight? You usually call one of your girls after a date like this. Balance it out, you know. Lust and love on opposite sides. But today? Nothing. Don’t tell me you’re actually done with them.”
I exhaled smoke slowly. The truth surprised even me. “Yeah. I’m done.”
Kabir blinked. “Wait—you’re serious?”
I stubbed out the cigarette. “I don’t want them anymore. Not when… she’s in my head.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “God save us all. The devil just fell in love.”
I didn’t correct him. But lying awake later, staring at the ceiling, I knew I wasn’t in love. Not yet.
What I was… was obsessed.
---
Aarohi’s POV – Next Morning
College was buzzing louder than a marketplace when I arrived. Posters hung everywhere: “Business Conclave 2025 – Sponsored by Rathore Group.”
My stomach dropped at the name. Rathore.
Nicole was the first to notice my panic. “Don’t tell me this is your Rathore?”
I clutched my books tighter. “It can’t be… right?”
But then the sound of expensive engines filled the campus, and all doubt shattered. Black cars, men in suits, and at the center of it all—him.
Arjun stepped out like he owned not just the college, but the entire city. A crisp grey suit, sunglasses shielding eyes I knew too well, confidence dripping from every movement.
Girls whispered. Boys stared. Professors practically bowed.
And me? I couldn’t breathe.
He spotted me almost instantly. His lips curved into the faintest smirk, as if he had orchestrated this entire event just to see me squirm.
Nicole grabbed my arm. “Oh my god. He’s dangerous. And also way too hot. Aarohi, what are you doing with him?”
“I don’t know,” I whispered truthfully.
But when his gaze locked with mine across the courtyard, I felt like every answer in the world belonged to him.
---
Arjun’s POV – College
Her shock was delicious.
I had planned it perfectly. Becoming the college’s new sponsor wasn’t difficult when money flowed like blood in my veins. But watching her eyes widen, her lips part, her entire world tilt just because of me? That was priceless.
Kabir, of course, couldn’t shut up.
“Smooth entrance, bro. Very Bollywood villain vibes. All you need is background music.”
“Shut up,” I muttered, adjusting my cufflinks.
“I mean it,” he teased. “The poor girl nearly fainted. Are you trying to impress her or terrify her?”
“Both,” I said simply.
Because wasn’t that the truth? My revenge demanded fear. My heart demanded love. And somehow, both tangled whenever she looked at me.
---
Author’s POV – Kabir & Nicole
While Arjun and Aarohi’s silent war of glances burned like wildfire, another battle erupted nearby.
Kabir spotted Nicole across the hall, waving her phone like a sword. “You again? Don’t you ever get tired of babysitting?”
She shot back instantly. “Do you ever get tired of being a pain?”
“Not at all,” he grinned. “It’s my cardio.”
Nicole scoffed. “You’re unbelievable.”
“And you’re irresistible when you’re angry,” he replied smoothly.
“Ugh!” She threw her hands up. “Someone marry this man off so he stops breathing near me.”
Kabir leaned closer, whispering, “Careful what you wish for, sweetheart.”
Her blush betrayed her anger, and Kabir’s grin widened in triumph. Around them, students whispered more about this fiery pair than even Arjun’s grand arrival.
---
Aarohi’s POV – Afternoon
Inside the auditorium, Arjun took the stage as chief guest. His speech was polished, charming, powerful. He spoke about youth, ambition, and dreams. But every time his gaze slid to me, my heart stuttered.
Was it coincidence? Or was every word secretly for me?
When the applause erupted, Nicole leaned over. “If your father sees this man near you, he’ll explode.”
I swallowed hard. If Papa ever knew…
But in that moment, when Arjun smiled directly at me, I wasn’t thinking about Papa.
I was only thinking about him.
---
Arjun’s POV – Closing
As the event ended, I slipped away from the crowd and texted her:
“Meet me after class. Alone.”
I didn’t know whether she’d obey or run.
But I knew one thing for certain:
This game was no longer just revenge.
It was fire.
And fire didn’t care whom it burned.
- Writer
