Beneath the Thorns — A Dark Romance of Fire, Devotion, and Redemption
Chapter 3: The Game Begins
The next morning, Meera woke early.
The letter from last night still rested beneath her Gita. She didn’t tell Rose or Aayla — something in her heart told her this wasn’t just a prank. It was a warning. And yet… she felt no fear.
meera sharma(fl)
She wore a muted blue kurta with silver embroidery, tied her braid high, and stepped into her first class with confidence in her stride — Literature of Rebellion.
The lecture hall buzzed. Students whispered, laughed, settled in clusters.
Then, like gravity entering the room, he walked in.
Aarav volkov(ml)
Black shirt, sleeves rolled up. Silent. Every head turned. His presence demanded it. Without a glance at anyone, he walked straight to the back row and dropped into a chair.
Leo thomson(ml frnd)
Leo followed, flashing a smile at two girls who giggled in response.
Rai clestine(ml frnd)
Rai arrived a few minutes later, book in hand, silent as usual.
meera sharma(fl)
Meera tried not to look. But her seat was two rows in front of Aarav.
She could feel his eyes on her.👀😤
Halfway through the lecture, she dropped her pen. Before she could reach, a hand extended it to her.
Aarav volkov(ml)
Up close, his gaze was even colder — but something flickered beneath it.
Aarav volkov(ml)
“You should be more careful,” (he said quietly.)❄️
meera sharma(fl)
(She met his gaze.) “I am. With the things that matter.”❄️
Aarav volkov(ml)
(For a moment, he paused — almost amused.)🤨
Leo thomson(ml frnd)
(Leo leaned over from beside him.😂🤌🏻 ) “She’s bold. I like that.”
meera sharma(fl)
Meera ignored him, turning back to the front.
Aarav volkov(ml)
Behind her, Aarav smirked.
("So she wasn’t just a prayerful puppet. Interesting.")
After class, whispers followed her through the corridor.
Gennadi
“She talked to Aarav?”😧
Janice
“She must think being pretty gives her power.”
Neena dobriyal in designer heels and a smirk, leaned against the lockers, arms folded. Her glossed lips twisted.
Nina dobriel(ml frnd)
“So this is the little Krishna bhakt everyone’s whispering about,”🙄 (she said aloud, staring straight at Meera.)
meera sharma(fl)
(Meera stopped.) “If you have something to say, say it.”🤨
Nina dobriel(ml frnd)
“Oh, honey,” (Neena purred, stepping closer.) “You don’t want this attention. Trust me.”😏
meera sharma(fl)
(Meera held her ground.) “If someone doesn’t want to be talked to, they should say it themselves. Not send someone else to bark☺️.”
Gasps. Silence.
Neena’s eyes flared. But before she could snap back, a cold voice interrupted.
Aarav volkov(ml)
(He was watching from the hallway, hands in pockets.)
Nina dobriel(ml frnd)
(Neena turned sweet. )“I was just talking to her—”
Aarav volkov(ml)
She’s not yours to talk to,” (Aarav said sharply.❄️)
meera sharma(fl)
Meera’s breath caught.😶
Aarav volkov(ml)
(He turned to her.) “Walk with me.”
meera sharma(fl)
She hesitated… but did.
As they walked down the stone corridor in silence, Aarav finally spoke.
Aarav volkov(ml)
“You talk back. Even when you shouldn’t.”
meera sharma(fl)
(She looked up.) “And you protect people who don’t need it.”🤨
Aarav volkov(ml)
(He stopped. His face unreadable.)
“You don’t know this place yet, Meera,” he said. “Not everyone here plays fair.”
meera sharma(fl)
(She held his gaze). “I don’t need fair. I just need my truth.”
Aarav volkov(ml)
He smiled — dark, quiet.
“You’re going to be a problem❄️.”
(And he walked away.?
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