Chapter 2: The Perfect Trio

Malang wasn’t just the heartthrob of the university—he was its standard, its ideal.

He had the kind of presence that drew people in without effort. Sharp, disciplined, and dangerously focused, he wasn’t just a top student; he was a name that professors praised and competitors envied. A young entrepreneur, already making waves beyond the campus walls.

Yet, despite all this, Malang was a man of few words.

He had never cared for social games or fleeting friendships. His world was small, controlled, and unshaken—with only Kahani Malhotra as his close companion.

At least, that’s how it had always been.

Then Veronica entered their lives.

At first, she was just another transfer student—soft-spoken, polite, and easy to overlook. She didn’t push her way in, didn’t demand attention. She simply appeared, lingered, and stayed.

What began as casual encounters—a shared table at the library, a polite conversation in class—slowly turned into something more. Kahani liked her. And once Kahani liked someone, she kept them close.

Before long, Veronica and Kahani became inseparable.

They laughed together, gossiped about the latest trends, and moved in perfect sync. If Kahani was the fire, Veronica was the wind that fueled it. She never outshined her, never competed—only enhanced.

She was the perfect wingman.

If Kahani wanted something, Veronica made sure she got it.

If someone even looked at Kahani the wrong way, Veronica’s presence alone was enough to make them back off.

And just like that, she became part of their world.

The trio was always seen together—attending lectures, grabbing coffee, hanging out after class. But if Kahani and Malang were a couple, Veronica was their ever-present shadow. Always smiling. Always supportive. Always there.

Malang should have been indifferent.

Veronica was harmless, after all. A good friend. Kind, sweet, and almost too perfect.

And yet, for reasons he couldn't explain, he felt something off about her.

It wasn’t an attraction. It wasn’t love. Just curiosity.

She never asked too much. Never demanded attention. Yet, somehow, she always had it.

She was soft yet commanding, invisible yet unforgettable. A presence that didn’t beg to be noticed—it simply couldn’t be ignored.

And for the first time in a long while, Malang found himself watching someone. Not because he wanted to. But because he couldn’t help it.

Still, he pushed the thought aside.

Veronica had done nothing wrong. Nothing at all.

If anything, she had proven to be the best friend Kahani could ask for.

And if Kahani had enemies, they were Veronica’s enemies too.

Kahani had two major ones,

Neha Sharma—the self-proclaimed queen of the campus, who believed Malang belonged with her instead.

The basketball team bullies—led by Vibhav and Abhinav, who took an unnatural dislike to Malang for no real reason.

Whenever Neha or the bullies crossed Kahani’s path, Veronica was always there.

She never raised her voice. Never confront them outright. But the moment she stepped in, they quieted. They hesitated. They left.

And Kahani?

Kahani had never felt more protected.

For Malang, it was just another normal day. Another normal life.

But for Veronica?

This was only the beginning.

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