Ruhi's eyes narrowed as she studied the girl in front of her. She was beautiful-polished in a way that suggested she belonged to Abhi's world. Perfectly styled hair, an expensive handbag casually draped over her arm, and a smirk that held more secrets than words.
Ruhi didn't like her already.
"Who are you?" she repeated, her tone sharper this time.
The girl let out a soft chuckle, crossing her arms. "Relax. I'm not your enemy-unless you want me to be."
Ruhi forced herself to stay calm. "Then what do you want?"
"I just thought we should meet." The girl's gaze flickered over Ruhi, assessing. "You're an interesting one, you know? The first girl to actually last this long with Abhi."
Ruhi's stomach twisted. "And why do you care?"
The girl tilted her head. "Because I know him. Probably better than you do."
Ruhi stiffened. There was something about the way she said it-like she knew something Ruhi didn't. And she hated that.
"Then you must know I don't care for gossip," Ruhi shot back.
"Oh, this isn't gossip." The girl took a step closer. "It's a warning."
Ruhi felt her pulse quicken. "A warning?"
The girl's smirk widened. "Be careful, Ruhi. Abhi isn't always what he seems."
Before Ruhi could demand more, the girl turned on her heel and walked away, leaving behind an unsettling sense of unease.
She wasn't sure why, but for the first time since she met Abhi Rathod, a sliver of doubt crept into her mind.
And she hated that even more.
---
Ruhi spent the rest of the day distracted. She tried to shake off the girl's words, convincing herself it was just some ex of Abhi's trying to mess with her. But deep down, the curiosity gnawed at her.
That evening, she found herself wandering toward the rooftop, a place where Abhi often spent time alone. Sure enough, she spotted him leaning against the railing, lost in thought. The city lights cast a glow over him, making him look almost unreal.
"Stalking me now?" Abhi's voice broke her out of her daze.
Ruhi scoffed. "Please. I have better things to do."
He turned to face her, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Oh? And yet, here you are."
Ruhi rolled her eyes, stepping forward. "I ran into someone today. She seemed to know you."
Abhi's smirk faded slightly. "Oh?"
"She said she knew you better than I did." Ruhi crossed her arms. "And she warned me about you."
For a brief moment, something flickered in his expression-something Ruhi couldn't quite place. But then, just as quickly, his usual confidence returned.
"And did you believe her?" he asked, voice steady.
Ruhi hesitated. "Should I?"
Abhi sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "People love to talk, Ruhi. Especially when they don't get what they want."
Ruhi studied him carefully. "So she's just bitter?"
He chuckled. "Something like that."
Something about his answer felt too easy, too smooth. But before Ruhi could push further, Abhi closed the distance between them, looking at her with that intense gaze that always made her breath catch.
"Are you doubting me now?" he murmured.
Ruhi swallowed. She wanted to say no. She wanted to brush it all off. But for some reason, that girl's words wouldn't leave her mind.
And that terrified her more than anything else.
...to be continued....
Author's Note:
Ah, the seeds of doubt—so small, yet so deadly.
Ruhi's world, once built on clever games and stolen glances, now wavers at the whisper of a stranger's warning.
And Abhi? He wears charm like armor. But what happens when charm cracks? When silence speaks louder than truth?
The rooftop meeting felt almost cinematic—two souls on edge, staring at each other, pretending it's just another night.
But we both know it's not.
What did Abhi bury in his past?
Who was that girl really?
And more importantly, Ruhi… if you dig too deep, are you ready for what you'll find?
—Still watching,
Your shadow between the lines.