Rumours & Whispers 🌌
383 Words
NEXT DAY IN SCHOOL
During break, whispers followed Aanya like shadows.
“Kiara warned her,” one girl whispered. “She’s avoiding Atharv now. Poor girl.”
“Yeah… but Atharv? He’s acting… weird. Like he actually cares.”
Aanya stiffened but didn’t reply. She felt like everyone was watching, judging. The lunchroom chatter sounded distant, muffled by her own racing thoughts.
Atharv, sitting across the hall, overheard the same whispers. For a moment, his hands curled into fists.
She’s avoiding me. Because of Kiara.
He didn’t like that. He couldn’t like that.
Later that afternoon, Aanya left school through the side gate, hoping to avoid Kiara. But fate had other plans.
Atharv was leaning against the fence, waiting. His expression unreadable. Not angry. Not sad. Just… quiet.
She froze. “Uh… hi.”
He didn’t speak immediately. Just stared, his gaze soft yet intense.
Finally, he said, “Why?”
Aanya frowned. “Why what?”
“Why avoid me?” he asked simply, voice low.
She wanted to shrug, to brush it off. “Because I was told to. Because… it’s easier.”
Atharv’s jaw tightened. “Do you think I’ll let someone else dictate… what happens between us?”
Her stomach flipped. Wait… what did he just say?
Before she could respond, a black car pulled up suddenly near the gate Kiara’s emblematic presence filling the air like a storm. She stepped out with a menacing glare.
“New bee,” Kiara said, eyes blazing. “Thought you could hide? You have no idea what’s coming.”
Aanya stepped back. Atharv moved slightly in front of her, a subtle protective gesture.
Kiara’s lips curled. “I’ve warned you. But you… you’re persistent.”
And then… she paused, giving a wicked smile that promised chaos.
---
Aanya’s heart raced.
Atharv’s hands twitched, but he stayed silent.
The air between them was thick with tension, danger, and unspoken emotions.
Neither knew what the other would do next.
Would Atharv finally speak up and defend Aanya openly?
Would Aanya defy Kiara and risk everything for him?
The gates of St. Claire High seemed smaller now, the world around them frozen.
All anyone could see was the silent, dangerous pull between Aanya and Atharv…
and the storm that was just beginning.
TO BE Continued........
- Writer
