🎵 Song: Saiyaara – Instrumental Version

"Jealousy...

is often the first emotion people mistake for irritation."

Aarohi had barely taken a few steps away from the football ground.

Behind her...

Reyansh was still standing in the same place, absentmindedly spinning the football on one finger.

A faint smile lingered on his face.

"She actually said it..."

"You were amazing."

He chuckled to himself.

"Worth every second of planning that punishment."

"Captain!"

Arjun walked over with a water bottle.

"What are you smiling about now?"

"Nothing."

"Liar."

"I'm serious."

"You've smiled more this week than in the last six months."

Reyansh simply took the bottle and drank some water.

"I'm just in a good mood."

Arjun looked in the direction Aarohi had gone.

"Hmm..."

"I wonder why."

Reyansh didn't answer.

Meanwhile...

Aarohi finally caught up with Mehak near the main corridor.

Mehak immediately burst into laughter.

"You actually said it?"

Aarohi covered her face.

"Please don't remind me."

"I wish I had recorded it."

"Mehak!"

"I'm kidding."

"...Mostly."

The two girls laughed together.

Just then...

A voice interrupted them.

"Excuse me."

Both girls turned around.

Standing there was Ayaan Verma, the captain of Class 11's football team.

He had played against Reyansh in yesterday's match and was one of the most well-known seniors in school.

He smiled politely.

"Hi, Aarohi."

She smiled back.

"Hello."

"I wanted to thank you."

Aarohi looked confused.

"For what?"

"You were one of the few people from Class 11 who stayed till the end of today's practice."

"Oh..."

She smiled shyly.

"It was a good match."

"Thanks."

He laughed softly.

"Maybe next time you'll cheer for the seniors instead."

Before Aarohi could answer...

Mehak teasingly nudged her elbow.

"She's loyal to her class."

Ayaan chuckled.

"Good."

"I like loyal people."

Aarohi smiled politely.

"Thank you."

A few feet away...

Reyansh had just entered the corridor with Arjun.

His smile disappeared instantly.

His eyes landed on one scene.

Aarohi.

Talking.

Laughing.

With Ayaan.

The senior football captain.

His jaw clenched slightly.

Arjun followed his gaze.

"Oh..."

"So that's why you've stopped smiling."

"I'm fine."

"No."

"You're glaring."

"I am not."

"You absolutely are."

Reyansh looked away for a second.

Then back again.

Ayaan was still talking to Aarohi.

And...

She was smiling.

Not blushing.

Not nervous.

Just...

Comfortable.

For some reason...

He didn't like it.

Not one bit.

"Why is he talking to her?"

"And why is she smiling so much?"

The thoughts came before he could stop them.

He frowned.

"Why do I even care?"

Arjun slowly smiled.

"You know..."

"What?"

"I think..."

"...someone's jealous."

Reyansh immediately looked at him.

"I am not jealous."

"Really?"

"Really."

"So why are you staring?"

"I'm observing."

"Observing?"

"He talks too much."

Arjun laughed.

"You don't even know what they're talking about."

"I don't need to."

Without thinking any further...

Reyansh started walking toward them.

Arjun sighed dramatically.

"There he goes."

Ayaan had just finished speaking.

"Anyway..."

"I'll see you around."

Before Aarohi could reply...

Another voice interrupted.

"Senior."

Aarohi looked up.

Reyansh.

Standing right beside her.

His expression looked normal.

Too normal.

Only Arjun knew better.

"Oh, Reyansh."

Ayaan smiled politely.

"Good game today."

"Hmm."

"You too."

The reply was short.

Very short.

Ayaan noticed the cold tone but didn't think much of it.

"See you."

He waved at Aarohi one last time before walking away.

The moment he disappeared...

Aarohi looked at Reyansh.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

"You look annoyed."

"I don't."

"You do."

He folded his arms.

"So..."

She blinked.

"So?"

"Enjoying conversations with football captains now?"

She looked confused.

"What?"

"You were smiling."

"I was being polite."

"Hmm."

"That's all."

She nodded.

"Yes."

Reyansh looked unconvinced.

Aarohi tilted her head.

"...Why are you asking?"

"I was just curious."

"No."

She smiled knowingly.

"You're not."

He looked away for a second.

"I said I was."

She couldn't help laughing.

"You sound grumpy."

"I'm not grumpy."

"You are."

For a brief moment...

Neither of them spoke.

Students continued walking past.

The corridor remained noisy.

Yet somehow...

Their little corner felt strangely quiet.

Reyansh suddenly took one step closer.

Close enough that only Aarohi could hear him.

She instinctively looked up.

"What?"

He bent slightly toward her ear.

His voice was barely above a whisper.

"Remember your punishment..."

She swallowed nervously.

"...I do."

He continued in the same low voice.

"You're only allowed to cheer for one football captain."

Aarohi's eyes widened.

He paused.

Then added with a teasing smile hidden in his voice—

"...Me."

For a second...

Her brain completely stopped working.

"W-What?"

Before she could react...

He had already stepped back.

His usual smirk had returned.

As if he hadn't whispered something that made her heart race all over again.

She stared at him.

"You're unbelievable."

"I've heard that before."

"You..."

She struggled to find words.

"...you're impossible."

"I know."

"And..."

He casually adjusted his school bag.

"...don't forget."

"Day Two tomorrow."

Aarohi sighed dramatically.

"I was hoping you'd forget."

"I never forget."

"I've noticed."

Arjun walked over, trying very hard not to laugh.

"Captain."

"We're getting late."

Reyansh nodded.

"Coming."

Before leaving...

He looked at Aarohi one last time.

"Bye..."

He smiled.

"...Tiny Senior."

She folded her arms.

"I'm still not tiny."

"You'll always be Tiny Senior."

With that...

He walked away.

As soon as he disappeared around the corner...

Mehak hurried back.

"I saw everything."

Aarohi blinked.

"What?"

"He looked jealous."

"He did not."

"He absolutely did."

"He was just..."

Aarohi stopped.

She couldn't think of a reason.

Mehak folded her arms with a victorious smile.

"Exactly."

From the first-floor railing...

Kabir and Anaya had once again witnessed everything.

Kabir looked absolutely delighted.

"My Bhai didn't like that senior talking to Aarohi Didi."

Anaya giggled.

"My Didi doesn't even know he's jealous."

Kabir grinned.

"He doesn't know either."

The two little cupids exchanged another high-five.

Because for the first time...

The mischievous red-flag boy who loved teasing everyone...

Had discovered a feeling he couldn't tease away.

Jealousy.

And it had only just begun.

End of Chapter 26 💙🔥