The campus spring festival was supposed to be fun. Bright lights, food stalls, music—exactly the kind of escape Meera needed. She'd promised Priya a full day of exploring, snapping pictures, and absolutely no Aarav Malhotra.
Of course, the universe had other plans.
They were barely five minutes into the fair when Priya froze. "Incoming."
Meera groaned before even turning. Aarav was striding through the crowd like the festival had been arranged solely for him. His blazer somehow looked crisp despite the chaos, and his eyes found her instantly.
"Joshi," he said smoothly, stopping in front of her. "You're late."
Meera gaped. "Late? This isn't an appointment!"
"It is now," he replied, falling into step beside her.
Priya grinned. "Guess it's a double date, then."
"It is not," Meera snapped, but no one was listening.
The first disaster struck at the game stalls. Rohan—the same classmate from her project—spotted her and waved enthusiastically.
"Meera! Come try ring toss with us!"
She smiled, starting toward him, when Aarav's hand closed around her wrist. Firm. Final.
"She's busy," he said flatly.
Rohan frowned. "We're just playing a game—"
"She's. Busy."
The unspoken threat in his voice made Rohan mutter something and walk away.
Meera yanked her hand free, glaring. "Are you insane? You can't just chase off everyone I talk to!"
"Yes, I can," Aarav said calmly.
"That's not how this works!"
"It is for me."
Her chest burned with frustration, but Priya was too busy laughing to help.
The second disaster came at the dance stage. Priya dragged Meera into the crowd, insisting she join the group routine. Meera tried to resist, but Priya shoved her forward—and she stumbled right into the arms of a random boy.
Before she could apologize, Aarav was there.
He yanked her back against his chest, his arm firm around her waist. The music kept playing, but the dancers froze, startled by his sudden intrusion.
"She's not dancing with you," Aarav told the boy coldly.
The poor guy raised his hands in surrender. "Chill, man, it's just—"
"Go."
The boy went.
Meera's cheeks burned as whispers rippled through the crowd. "You've completely lost it," she hissed, shoving at Aarav's chest.
He didn't move. His gaze was dark, unyielding. "Only when it comes to you."
By the time the festival ended, Meera was ready to scream. Aarav had claimed her wrist, her seat at the food court, and even chosen which juice she should drink.
Back at the hostel gate, she whirled on him. "You can't keep doing this! You don't own me!"
He stepped closer, voice low, calm, terrifying in its certainty. "Not yet."
Her breath hitched.
For a moment, the sounds of the festival faded away. It was just him, his words, and the heavy truth between them.
She turned sharply and stormed inside before he could see her trembling hands.
But long after she shut her door, she couldn't forget his voice.
Not yet.