Some rivals push you to become better.
Some rivals make you hate losing.
But being forced to work with your biggest rival?
That was something Meera had never planned for.
The classroom slowly filled with noise again as students began discussing the professor's announcement. Excited voices echoed across the room as everyone talked about the national competition.
Everyone seemed thrilled.
Everyone except Meera.
She stared at the notebook in front of her, but the words on the page no longer made sense. Her mind kept repeating the same sentence again and again.
"Meera and Aarav will work together."
It sounded ridiculous.
For two years, Aarav had been the one person she was determined to beat. Every exam, every presentation, every result had turned into a silent battle between them.
And now…
She had to work with him.
Beside her, Aarav leaned back in his chair as if the entire situation was completely normal.
"How long are you planning to stare at that notebook?" he asked casually.
Meera looked at him immediately.
"I'm not staring."
"You've been looking at the same page for five minutes."
"That's because I'm thinking."
Aarav raised an eyebrow.
"About how unlucky you are to be paired with me?"
Meera narrowed her eyes.
"You wish."
A faint smile appeared on Aarav's face.
The professor continued explaining the competition rules. The project would require research, presentations, and weeks of preparation.
But Meera barely heard any of it.
Her mind was still stuck on one thing.
Teamwork.
That word felt strange.
Especially when the teammate was Aarav.
When the class finally ended, students immediately gathered with their partners, discussing ideas and plans.
Meera quickly packed her books, hoping to leave the classroom before Aarav could start another conversation.
But just as she reached the door—
"Partner."
She stopped.
Slowly, she turned around.
Aarav stood behind her with a calm expression.
"Don't call me that," she said immediately.
"Why not?" he asked. "That's exactly what we are now."
Meera sighed in frustration.
"Look, Aarav… this is not going to work."
"Why?"
"Because we clearly don't get along."
Aarav tilted his head slightly.
"We argue sometimes."
"Sometimes?" Meera repeated. "We argue every time we talk."
"That's not entirely true."
"Name one normal conversation we've had."
Aarav thought for a moment.
"…Good morning?"
Meera stared at him in disbelief.
"Unbelievable."
Aarav chuckled softly.
"Relax. It's just a project."
"Just a project?" Meera repeated. "This is a national competition. Do you have any idea how important this is?"
"Yes."
"Then act like it."
"I am."
Meera crossed her arms.
"Then stop treating it like a joke."
Aarav's expression changed slightly. The playful smile faded, replaced by something more serious.
"I'm not joking, Meera."
For a moment, the atmosphere between them felt different.
Quieter.
More honest.
"I want to win this competition," Aarav said calmly.
Meera blinked in surprise.
"So do I."
"Then we already agree on something."
Meera hesitated.
It was strange hearing Aarav speak so seriously.
For once, he wasn't teasing her.
Still…
"That doesn't mean working together will be easy," she said.
"I never said it would be."
"Then how exactly do you expect this to work?"
Aarav thought for a moment before answering.
"Simple."
Meera waited.
"We compete."
She frowned.
"We're supposed to be teammates."
"Yes," Aarav replied. "But we both know competition pushes us to work harder."
Meera thought about it.
She hated admitting it, but Aarav wasn't completely wrong. Their rivalry had always forced both of them to improve.
Without that competition…
Maybe neither of them would have worked this hard.
"That sounds chaotic," she said.
"Maybe."
"But it might work."
Meera sighed.
She didn't like the idea.
But she liked losing even less.
"Fine," she said finally.
Aarav looked slightly surprised.
"Fine?"
"We'll work together," she said firmly. "But don't expect me to go easy on you."
Aarav smiled.
"I wouldn't want you to."
They walked out of the classroom together.
For the first time in two years.
Not as rivals standing on opposite sides.
But as teammates.
The campus outside was filled with students walking between buildings and chatting loudly. The afternoon sunlight covered the pathways in a warm glow.
Meera slowed her steps slightly.
"This still feels strange," she admitted.
"What does?"
"Working with you."
Aarav looked ahead thoughtfully.
"Same."
Meera glanced at him.
"But maybe it won't be so bad," he added.
Meera raised an eyebrow.
"You sound awfully optimistic."
"I prefer the word realistic."
She shook her head slightly.
"This partnership is temporary."
"Of course."
"We're still rivals."
Aarav looked at her and smiled faintly.
"Obviously."
Meera turned her attention back to the path ahead.
Working with Aarav would definitely not be easy.
But maybe…
Just maybe…
It wouldn't be as terrible as she expected.
Or maybe it would be worse.
Much worse.
Because neither of them realized yet—
That this forced partnership was about to change everything between them.