**EPISODE 5: When Jealousy Whispers His Name**
The corridor was unusually loud that morning, but inside Bhanu's head there was only silence—a strange kind of silence that came from thinking too much. She walked slowly, clutching her notebook, replaying Arjun's voice from yesterday:
*"I like you talking to me. Don't hesitate."*
It kept echoing.
Again and again.
And every time it did, her cheeks warmed.
But then—another thought pushed its way in.
**Goutam looked… different yesterday.**
Quiet. Thoughtful.
Almost as if he was looking *through* her instead of *at* her.
She didn't know why that bothered her.
---
## **Morning Assembly**
Students lined up class-wise. Bhanu stood in the middle row, straight as ever.
Arjun, the idiot, didn't stand in his own row.
Like always, he quietly shifted to stand behind her.
"Morning," he whispered.
Her shoulders stiffened. "…Morning."
He chuckled softly. "Relax, I won't kidnap you."
She stared straight ahead. "You shouldn't stand here…"
"But I want to."
His whisper was warm, teasing, too close.
Her heart did that stupid *dhuk-dhuk* again.
Before she could think or scold him, she felt someone's eyes on her.
**Goutam.**
Standing in his own line, arms crossed, jaw tight.
He wasn't smiling.
Not even a polite nod today.
He was staring at Arjun.
Cold. Sharp. A look that said he understood exactly what Arjun was doing.
And he didn't like it.
Bhanu swallowed hard.
*Why does he look… angry? And why… why do I care?*
---
## **After Assembly**
As students dispersed, someone tapped Bhanu's shoulder.
She turned.
It was Goutam.
"Come to the library for a minute," he said.
"…Now?"
"Yeah. I need to talk to you."
His tone wasn't his usual calm, soft one.
This one sounded firm.
Almost… possessive.
Like he wasn't asking.
But before she could say anything, Arjun appeared on her other side.
"What do you need to talk about?" Arjun asked casually—but his eyes were anything but casual.
Goutam didn't look away.
"Nothing you need to be involved in."
Arjun smirked. "She's not a USB cable, bro. You can't just plug in when you want."
Bhanu: "Arjun!"
But Goutam didn't laugh.
Not even a smile.
He looked at her and said quietly, "Just five minutes."
Arjun leaned closer to her.
"You don't have to go if you don't want to."
That's when it clicked for her.
**Oh. They're both… fighting?
Over me?
Me? Seriously???**
Her brain short-circuited for a second.
She whispered, "It's okay… I'll go. It's only five minutes."
Arjun's jaw tightened.
Goutam's shoulders relaxed slightly—like her answer meant more than he wanted to show.
---
## **Library – Quiet, but Not Calm**
The library was empty except for the librarian snoring softly at her desk.
Bhanu stood beside the table.
Goutam walked around to face her.
For a moment… he said nothing.
He just looked at her.
A little too long.
As if he was trying to figure out what she was hiding.
Finally—
"Why were you avoiding me in the morning?" he asked.
She blinked. "Avoiding? I wasn't—"
"You didn't even look at me."
Her heart skipped.
She didn't expect him to notice something so small.
"I just… I had other things on my mind."
He stepped a little closer.
"Arjun?"
She froze.
He noticed.
Of course he noticed.
His voice lowered.
"You talk more to him now."
"N-no…"
"It's fine," he said, but his eyes weren't fine.
There was something tight there.
Something he was trying to hide—jealousy, maybe?
Or fear?
"Just tell me one thing," he continued softly.
"When he stands close to you like that… does it make you uncomfortable?"
Bhanu opened her mouth… but no words came out.
Did it make her uncomfortable?
Maybe.
But also—
Her stomach fluttered when he talked to her.
Her heart raced when he looked at her.
How could she say that?
Seeing her struggle, his expression softened.
"I'm not controlling you," he said.
"I just… noticed the way he looks at you."
She whispered, "And how is that?"
"Like he's already decided you belong to him."
Her breath caught.
*Why… why does hearing that feel…*
*…strange? warm? dangerous?*
She looked down.
"I can take care of myself."
He nodded.
"Yeah. I know. You're stronger than you look."
Then, quietly—
"I'm not your guardian. I shouldn't interfere."
"But…"
"I didn't like seeing him stand that close to you today."
Bhanu's ears burned.
He took a small step back, giving her space, as if reminding her he respected her boundaries.
"Anyway," he added, voice calmer now, "we're having a math quiz tomorrow. I came to tell you. Didn't want you to be unprepared."
She blinked.
"So this was about the quiz?"
A tiny, crooked smile appeared on his lips.
"Not only that."
Her heart flipped.
---
## **They Walk Out Together**
As they left the library, Bhanu's mind was a swirling storm.
Why did his voice affect her?
Why did Arjun's closeness bother him?
Why did both their reactions make her pulse speed up?
They reached the corridor, and she whispered, "Thank you for telling me."
He looked at her for a second.
A long second.
Then nodded.
Just as they turned the corner—
Arjun was leaning against the wall, waiting.
He saw them together.
His eyes darkened.
"This didn't take five minutes," he said quietly.
Goutam didn't react.
He just walked past him.
But after taking two steps, he paused… turned… and said:
"Stay in your limit, Arjun."
Arjun raised an eyebrow.
"Or what?"
Goutam just looked at him once—sharp, deadly calm—and then walked away.
Arjun watched him leave, fists clenched.
Then he looked at Bhanu.
Soft.
Different.
Almost… vulnerable.
"Tell me honestly," he said.
"What did he say to you?"
Bhanu didn't answer.
Because she didn't know what she was supposed to feel.
Or who she was supposed to listen to.
Or why her heart was beating this fast.
---
## **END OF EPISODE 5**