Beneath the Thorns — A Dark Romance of Fire, Devotion, and Redemption
Chapter 2: Warnings in Velvet
The corridor was quieter now, and Meera finally found the Principal’s office on the correct floor — an elegant chamber with stained-glass windows and mahogany desks. After formalities and guidance, she was handed her schedule, dorm key, and a soft “Good luck” from the secretary.
“Luck?” Meera muttered under her breath. “I’ll need more than that.”
—
Her dorm room was small but cozy. A bay window overlooked the quiet campus, and the bed had crisp white sheets. As she unpacked her modest things — a small photo of her and her mother, a worn copy of the Bhagavad Gita, and a carved wooden Krishna idol — she felt warmth despite the cold surroundings.
.
When she opened the door, two girls stood on the threshold
Ayla verma(fl frnd)
“New girl!” the taller one grinned, blowing a bubble of gum. “Aayla. Your next-door neighbor.”
Ayla verma(fl frnd)
"She was petite, dusky, with thick curls and kohl-lined eyes. Bold energy radiated from her."
Beside her stood another — graceful, composed, eyes sharp as ice.
Rose bennett(fl frnd)
“Rose,” (-she said simply-). “We’re your roommates’ roommates. Kind of your accidental welcoming committee.”
meera sharma(fl)
“Meera,” (she replied with a small smile.) “Thank you for coming.”
Rose bennett(fl frnd)
“Your Indian outfit is beautiful,” (Rose said, observing her quietly.)
Ayla verma(fl frnd)
(Aayla leaned in, whispering,) “Just a warning. There are some people here you should avoid. Especially the ones you met earlier.”
meera sharma(fl)
(🤔Meera blinked.) “You know them?”
Ayla verma(fl frnd)
“Everyone knows them,”( Aayla said.) “Aarav Volkov, Leo Thomson, Rai Ishikawa — they run Ravenshade. Sons of billionaires. Dangerous and untouchable.”;🙄
Rose bennett(fl frnd)
(Rose crossed her arms.) “They’re not all the same. But don’t get close to Aarav.”
meera sharma(fl)
(Meera hesitated😅) “He didn’t do anything wrong. Just... intimidating.”
Ayla verma(fl frnd)
(Aayla tilted her head.) “That’s how it begins.”👀
Later that evening, Meera wandered into the dance studio. It was empty, the mirrors gleaming under soft lights. She removed her dupatta, tied her braid tighter, and began to move — slow, elegant Bharatanatyam steps that echoed across the floor.
She didn’t notice the eyes watching her from the doorway.
meera sharma(fl)
Not support
Aarav volkov(ml)
Aarav stood, hands in pockets, hidden in the shadows.
His gaze followed every movement — (the grace, the discipline, the quiet power in her eyes.
She danced like she was praying.)
He exhaled slowly. For the first time in years, something stirred in him — not rage, not control.
Something else.
He left without a word.
Back in her room, Meera found a single white envelope on her pillow.
No name. No signature.
Inside it was a handwritten note:
？？？
> “Stay in your world, little dancer. Or prepare to be cut by the thorns.”
(Her heart clenched.)
But instead of fear, her eyes burned with quiet fire.
meera sharma(fl)
(She folded the note, placed it under her Gita, and whispered,) “Let them try.”😠
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