'ACCEPTED'-, but it's hurt....

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Veeraj POV -

I was feeling bored-really bored. My friends had gone on family trips with their siblings and cousins, and without them around, things just felt too quiet. Usually, after college, I'd be at the racetrack with my sports car, feeling alive. But now, with semester break on and nothing to do, life just felt... dull. I'm in the second year of my B.Tech, but books? Not my thing. My heart belongs to fast cars, engines that roar louder than my thoughts.

After lunch-okay, I overeat, but who can resist their favorite dishes?-I just slumped into the usual silence of our house. My brothers were too lost in their business talks to notice, so I sank into the sofa, letting boredom wash over me.

And then, her face crossed my mind. That little brat. Ugh. Just the memory ruined my mood. But at the same time... it was kind of fun to mess with her. The way her nose turns red when she fake cries, how she pouts like a baby-it was funny. Ugly or not, she always gave me something to laugh at.

I do feel a little regret about that morning. Maybe I was too harsh. My big brother asked me to apologize, but like hell I would. She's just a brat, right? She'll forget it. Eventually.

Then Yuvraj bhai walked in with my favorite meat rolls. That's why he's the best. He never forgets me, not even during his busiest days. I grinned at him, jumped up to hug him tight. He groaned, pretending to be annoyed, "Don't crush me, you overgrown baby-I really don't want to die with your hugs. I still value my life."

I pulled away dramatically, pouting, "Bhaaaaaaiiii!"

He chuckled, ruffling my hair, then sat on the couch with his file. And I? I dove into those meat rolls, forgetting I'd already eaten too much.

That's when I heard it-soft footsteps, too gentle to disturb the ground. I glanced up. Her. I checked the time-2:30 PM. Early. Why wasn't she at the library? And about her doing study this much-I know she'll fail her exams or something like that. Was that why she was giving attention to her studies like this?

Then again... she's been studying like this for a long time. Maybe she was just born weak at studies. Unlike us-three brothers, all top scorers, even me, despite not caring. The 70% rule set by Dad and enforced by Bhaiya applied to all of us-but not her. She was always... different. Distant. Cold.

She passed us like we were invisible. But made herself look like a rat scared of lions.

My blood boiled, so I smiled, too sweetly. "Anya, come here," I called.

She turned, a little hesitant, eyes wide. Bhai looked at me, his raised eyebrow asking me why with his expressions. I just shrugged like, why not have a little fun?

I smiled gently-too gently. "Why so early today? Done with your library stuff already, hmm?"

She flinched.

Her hands clenched tightly into her dress, her eyes dropped.

Why was she shaking like I was a principal catching her sneaking out?
Her drama started.

"Hey?" I said again, raising a brow. "Library ran out of books or what?"

She opened her mouth, and for a second, no sound came out. Then finally-barely above a whisper-she muttered, "I finished... early."

Her voice wavered.
Scared.
Tired.

It wasn't the first time I heard her sound like that...

but for some reason, it hit different today.