For the next few days, Nitya tried her best to ignore the growing thoughts in her mind.It was just a phase, she told herself. It wasn't real, she reminded herself. And most importantly, it didn't matter.Because Mohak didn't feel the same way.
Mohak's POV
Mohak couldn't shake off the weirdness in the air.Nitya had always been annoying, but consistent. But now? Now, she wasn't.She wasn't arguing as much. She wasn't rolling her eyes as often. And for some reason, that bothered him.Not because he missed their fights. Not because he wanted her to yell at him. But because something about her silence made him feel like he was...losing something.And Mohak didn't like losing.
—
At Cafe As usual, they met at cafe to work on their project.Nitya was already there, flipping through her notes when Mohak walked in. She barely looked up.
"You're late," she said, her voice neutral.
Mohak shrugged, dropping his bag onto the chair. "And you're early. As always."
This time, she didn't respond with her usual sarcastic comeback.She just...smiled.
It was small, barely there, but he noticed it.And for some reason, that smile unnerved him.
—
Nitya's POV
For the first time, she was hyper-aware of every little thing.The way Mohak tapped his fingers on the desk absentmindedly. The way his hair was always slightly messy, like he never bothered to fix it. The way he leaned in just a little too close when they were discussing something.She hated that she noticed.She hated that her heart reacted.And most of all, she hated that she didn't know how to make it stop.
"You've been weird lately," Mohak said suddenly, making Nitya glance up.
She frowned. "What?"
"You heard me." He tilted his head.
"You don't argue with me as much anymore."
She snorted. "Oh, so you miss our fights now?"
"Maybe." His response was too quick.
Something flickered in her chest.She shook her head, forcing herself to focus on the work in front of her.
"We should finish this before it turns dark "Mohak didn't argue.
But for the rest of the evening, the words they didn't say hung between them.
YOU ARE READING
Beneath The Rivalry
Short StoryNitya Verma and Mohak Agarwal have been rivals since fifth grade-she, the quiet Behavior Incharge, and he, the brilliant but indisciplined boy with a temper. While Nitya found comfort in books and transformed into a top student, Mohak remained reckl...
