By the time class ended, Meera's nerves were frayed raw.
Everywhere she turned, whispers followed. A few classmates smiled at her as if she were suddenly someone worth noticing. Others gave curious, pitying glances. She had never hated attention more in her life.
Priya was at her side the second she escaped the hall. "Okay," she hissed. "What was that? Why did Malhotra just announce to the entire class that you're—" She dropped her voice to a whisper. "—his?"
Meera's throat burned. "Because he's insane."
Priya frowned, tugging her arm. "Insane or… serious?"
"Serious is worse!" Meera snapped. She pulled free and strode toward the courtyard, her pulse racing. She needed air. She needed him gone.
But of course, he wasn't.
Aarav was already there, leaning against the railing as if he had been waiting all along. Students passed in hushed streams, giving him space like the world bent around his presence.
Meera marched up to him, fury drowning out her fear. "What the hell was that, Malhotra? In class. In front of everyone. You made it look like—like I…"
"Like you belong to me," he finished calmly.
Her chest heaved. "I don't!"
His gaze softened, but his tone didn't. "They think you do."
"That's because you—" She broke off, shaking with frustration. "Do you get some thrill out of humiliating me?"
He tilted his head, studying her. "Do you feel humiliated? Or exposed?"
She hated him for asking. Hated him more because she didn't know the answer.
Later, in the library, she cornered him between the shelves, desperate to claw back an inch of control.
"You can't keep doing this," she hissed. "Claiming me in public like I'm some… trophy."
Aarav closed the book he'd been holding, his composure unshaken. "I'm not claiming a trophy. I'm stating a fact."
Her voice cracked. "It's not a fact if I don't agree!"
He stepped closer, the quiet power of his presence pressing her back against the shelves. "Agreement isn't necessary. Reality doesn't wait for permission."
Meera's breath stuttered. "You're out of your mind."
"Yes," he murmured, so soft it chilled her. "Out of my mind, and into yours."
Her throat tightened. She wanted to scream, to slap him, to break free — but all she could do was tremble, because part of her feared he was right.