The university, a sprawling, hummed with its usual weekday rhythm. Modern architectural marvels stood alongside older, ivy-clad buildings, creating a unique blend of tradition and innovation. Wide, tree-lined pathways crisscrossed the grounds, leading to bustling lecture halls, state-of-the-art laboratories, and a central quad alive with students.

Inside one of the large lecture halls, Raghav, Vanshika, Abhiman, Ishana, Vihaan, and Navya were seated together, their pens furiously scratching notes as they remained fully engrossed in the lecture. They were all used to the routine of university life here.

As the lecture finally concluded, a collective sigh of relief, quickly followed by animated chatter, swept through the hall. The group gathered their belongings and made their way towards the bustling university canteen, a lively hub filled with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and various cuisines.

They quickly found their usual large table and settled themselves, a sense of familiar comfort already growing among them.

"Well,another hour of trying to wrap my head around that complex theory!" Ishana sighed, leaning back in her chair.

"Tell me about it,My brain already feels full. And they're still piling on the work for the upcoming exams!" Vihaan groaned playfully.

"Seriously! It feels like we just finished the last set, and now they're already ramping up for the next one." Navya chimed in.

"That's how it is, guys. This is university life. Better get used to it."Raghav, taking a sip of his coffee, chuckled.

"Easy for you to say, Mr. Top Scorer, You probably already have the first three chapters memorized without even trying." Vanshika teased, nudging him lightly.

"Maybe. But even top scorers need to put in the hours, Miss Champion." Raghav smirked.

"He's right though. We should probably start forming proper study groups soon. The syllabus for this semester looks extensive, especially for the practicals." Abhiman, ever the calm one, interjected.

"Oh, no, don't say 'study groups' already!" Vihaan groaned dramatically.

"Yeah, I'm already dreading that. Though I think the Advanced Robotics module might be tricky too." Ishana nodded.

"Don't worry," "We'll figure it out. We're all in this together, right?" Vanshika said, offering a reassuring smile. She looked around at her friends, a sense of camaraderie settling over the table.

The comfortable chatter in the canteen was abruptly shattered by a saccharine voice cutting through the din.

"Hey, baby!"

Raghav stiffened. His face, which moments before had held a relaxed smile, instantly became cold and distant. He knew that voice all too well. He turned slowly, his eyes narrowing slightly as he saw Reet Mehra sauntering towards their table, a self-satisfied smirk on her face.

"Tumhe meri yaad nahi aati??" Reet purred, her gaze fixed solely on Raghav.

Abhiman and Navya exchanged a look, both rolling their eyes in exasperation. They clearly knew Reet and shared Raghav's lack of enthusiasm.

Meanwhile, Vanshika, Vihaan, and Ishana were totally confused. Their expressions morphed into bewildered questions: What the hell is going on? Who is this?

"What are you doing here, Reet?"Raghav's voice, when he spoke, was icy.

Undeterred, Reet reached out, her hand boldly finding his shoulder. She then slowly moved her finger, trailing it provocatively along his jawline and cheek.

Raghav's reaction was immediate and decisive. He firmly removed her hand, his expression hardening further. As he did so, Vanshika's eyes, wide with a sudden, inexplicable surge of anger, watched the interaction intently. Her hand instinctively clenched into a tight fist under the table.

Navya and Ishana's faces mirrored a similar disgust.

"Ew...." Navya mouthed.

Ishana looked like she was seeing the most disgusting scene unfold before her.

Abhiman and Vihaan simply exchanged incredulous glances, their silent expressions asking, Is she serious right now?

"Reet, I'm asking you to leave."Raghav, visibly trying to maintain his composure, spoke through gritted teeth. He then turned slightly towards his friends, attempting to re-engage with them, but his eyes immediately caught sight of Vanshika's tightly clenched fist. He paused, a single eyebrow raising slightly in silent question, but he chose not to comment.

Reet, misinterpreting his momentary distraction, leaned in closer to him, her voice dripping with false sweetness.

"Why, baby? Why do you want me to leave?" Her fingers, once again, began to trace patterns on his face, attempting to regain her earlier bold gesture.

Before Raghav could react or utter another word, a swift, decisive hand suddenly shot out. It wasn't gentle; it pushed Reet's hand away from Raghav's face with a surprising force that left no room for doubt.

There, standing directly in front of Raghav, her posture defiant and her gaze cold, was Vanshika.

The canteen air crackled with tension as Vanshika stepped forward, her body a shield in front of Raghav. Her voice, usually warm and melodic, dropped to an icy, dangerous register.

"Who the hell gave you the right to touch my boyfriend?"

The words hung in the air, sharp and unexpected. Raghav's eyes went wide with shock. My boyfriend? he thought, a sudden, exhilarating jolt running through him. She... she just claimed me. He realized, with a jolt, that he had indeed referred to himself as her boyfriend as well. The irony, and the unexpected thrill of it, hit him hard.

Vihaan and Ishana exchanged knowing glances, identical smirks playing on their faces. Oh, this is going to be good, Ishana thought, a flicker of mischievous delight in her eyes. Reet Mehra is gone now for real.

Abhiman and Navya wore equally impressive smirks, a silent testament to their approval of Vanshika's decisive intervention.

Reet, momentarily taken aback by Vanshika's sudden appearance and sharp tone, quickly recovered. She scoffed, her eyes narrowing as she looked Vanshika up and down.

"Who the hell are you? And who gave you the right to call my boyfriend as your boyfriend?"

"Since when did he become your boyfriend, Reet? Because as far as I remember, he didn't even look at you in our school times, right, Navya?" Abhiman, taking a leisurely sip of his cold coffee, interjected with a casual, yet cutting, remark.

"Exactly. He used to you ignore you." Navya nodded in agreement, a triumphant smirk on her face.

Reet's face paled for a fleeting second, the direct hit on her past attempts stinging. But she immediately plastered on a defiant expression, turning her venomous gaze back to Vanshika, who was still staring at her with an intensity that was beginning to make Reet genuinely scared.

"Look," Reet spat, trying to regain control, "we don't have any personal fights or anything. Just leave my man and go away."

At Reet's audacious demand, Vanshika's hand, still clutching Reet's wrist, tightened its hold perceptibly. Raghav, witnessing this, looked down at Vanshika's clenched hand, then back at Reet, an smirk subtly appeared, but he remained silent, letting Vanshika lead the charge.

"Your man?" she scoffed, her grip on Reet's wrist firming even more. Vanshika's voice, when it came, was dangerously low, a stark contrast to the noisy canteen.

"First of all, let's get one thing straight. He's not 'your man,' and he never was. From what I hear, and what I've just seen, he has absolutely no interest in being associated with you in any way, shape, or form." Her eyes, now blazing, dared Reet to argue.

"And secondly," Vanshika continued, stepping even closer, forcing Reet to take a small step back, "the only person who's going to be leaving here is you. Now. Before I decide to show you exactly who gave me the right to call him mine, go..away..." Her gaze was unwavering, a silent, powerful threat that made Reet's bravado falter.

Reet, her face contorted in a mix of fury and forced defiance, pulled her hand from Vanshika's grasp.

"Fine! For now, I'm going. But soon, I'll take my man back!" she hissed, glaring venomously at Vanshika.

"Not even in your dreams."Vanshika's eyes narrowed, her voice cutting through the canteen's lingering tension.

With a final, frustrated huff, Reet spun on her heel and stormed away, disappearing into the crowd of students.

As soon as Reet was out of sight, Vanshika visibly relaxed her shoulders, then muttered under her breath, "Kamini saali!" She immediately reached into her bag, pulled out a bottle of hand sanitizer, and vigorously squirted a generous amount onto her palm. She then proceeded to rub her hands together with intense concentration, as if washing off something truly vile. The sight was so utterly dramatic and hilarious that Vihaan, Abhiman, Ishana, and Navya burst into laughter. Even Raghav chuckled, a genuine, relieved sound escaping him.

"So,the girlfriend and all, huh?" Vihaan said, still grinning, He nudged Ishana, a mischievous glint in his eye.

The words hit Vanshika like a splash of cold water. Her eyes widened slightly as it clicked for her what she had just done in a fit of jealousy. The "my boyfriend" declaration. Her cheeks flushed a deep, undeniable red.

"Uhh... so... what?!" Vanshika stammered, trying to sound nonchalant but failing spectacularly.

"Even he declared himself as my boyfriend in front of Ajay for protecting me! So I just... did the same!" She gestured vaguely towards Raghav, who merely watched her, an amused smile playing on his lips.

Ishana and Navya exchanged knowing glances, their smirks growing.

"Yeah, yeah, of course," Ishana drawled, a hint of playful disbelief in her tone.

"Totally. Just protecting him, obviously." Navya nodded in agreement, barely suppressing a giggle.

Vanshika's embarrassment quickly morphed into irritation. She turned to them, her eyes narrowing into a deadly glare that usually silenced them instantly. The playful smiles vanished from Ishana and Navya's faces, replaced by a flicker of genuine fear.

Sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere and eager to save his friends from Vanshika's wrath, Vihaan quickly interjected, grabbing his burger.

"Hey, Ishuu! This burger is so good, right???" he asked, taking an exaggerated bite.

Ishana, relieved by the diversion, immediately brightened and nodded vigorously.

"Oh, my god, yes! It's delicious!" she agreed, digging into her own food, avoiding Vanshika's still-intense gaze.

"Alright everyone, let's head to the library. We've got a lot of ground to cover before those exams." Abhiman, eager to move the group to a more academically appropriate setting, announced.

A chorus of tired but agreeable nods met his suggestion.

"Good idea," Ishana sighed, already feeling the weight of textbooks.

"Yeah, I need to find some quiet before my brain explodes."Navya chimed in.

They all began gathering their belongings, zipping up backpacks and stacking empty plates. Vanshika was meticulously packing her backpack, ensuring every notebook and pen was in its rightful place. As she leaned down, a distinct, heavy sensation settled on her. She felt a gaze upon her, unwavering and intense. Her head snapped up, and her eyes met Raghav's. He was standing by his chair, his backpack slung over one shoulder, his eyes fixed solely on her.

His gaze, warm yet piercing, sent a shiver down her spine, a tingling sensation that had nothing to do with the cool canteen air. Vanshika's cheeks warmed slightly, and she quickly averted her eyes, finishing the packing of her bag with a renewed urgency. She stood up, adjusting her backpack, trying to appear completely composed.

The rest of the group was already moving towards the canteen exit. Raghav, still holding her gaze for a beat longer than necessary, then subtly gestured with his head for her to go first.

Vanshika, understanding the unspoken invitation, simply nodded. She turned and moved, leading the way out of the canteen. Just as they stepped into the bustling corridor, she felt his presence immediately behind her. Raghav followed close behind her, a silent escort, their proximity a quiet counterpoint to the lively university sounds around them.

"So,that was... quite a show back there." Raghav said, his voice low, just for her ears.

Vanshika risked a quick glance back at him, a faint blush still lingering on her cheeks.

"Oh? You mean my excellent acting skills?or my remarkable ability to make an exit?" she retorted, attempting a light tone.

"Both were rather... memorable. Especially the 'my boyfriend' part." Raghav chuckled softly.

Vanshika's shoulders stiffened slightly.

"Oh, that, Well, you started it. Remember Ajay?" she mumbled.

"I do, Though I don't recall you sanitizing your hands afterwards when I said it." Raghav said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"Hey! That's different! She actually touched you. And she's... well, she's Reet." Vanshika let out a short, embarrassed laugh.

"Indeed,Thank you, Vanshika. For that." Raghav agreed, a more serious note entering his voice.

Vanshika looked up at him, meeting his gaze fully this time.

"Don't mention it,No one talks to my friends like that. Or... or acts like that with them." she said softly, a genuine warmth in her eyes.

A comfortable silence settled between them as they navigated the crowded hallway, the shared secret of the trial room and the public declaration now adding another layer to their burgeoning connection.

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The bustling university hallway continued to pulse with students, but for Raghav and Vanshika, the noise began to fade into a distant hum. Suddenly, and without warning, Raghav took Vanshika's hand, his fingers immediately intertwining with hers. The unexpected touch sent a jolt through Vanshika, but before she could react, he gently but firmly led her off the main thoroughfare.

He navigated them through a less crowded corridor, past a quiet garden area, until they reached a secluded alcove, tucked away from the main flow of student traffic. It was a quieter part of the university, almost forgotten. With a smooth movement, he then pinned her against the wall, his hands resting on either side of her head, effectively caging her within his space. The soft light filtering through a nearby window illuminated their faces, the air thick with unspoken tension.

Vanshika's breath hitched. Her heart began to pound a familiar rhythm against her ribs, echoing the earlier trial room encounter. She looked up at him, her eyes wide, a mixture of surprise and anticipation swirling within them.

"Raghav...Kya... Kya kar rahe ho?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Raghav's gaze was intense, unyielding. His eyes searched hers, a depth of emotion she hadn't seen before.

"I couldn't just let that go,What you did back there... in the canteen." he said, his voice low and husky, a stark contrast to the casual banter they usually shared.

"Oh. That. I just... she was being ridiculous. And rude." Vanshika's cheeks flushed, remembering her fierce declaration.

"She was,But you called me... your boyfriend." Raghav conceded, a slight curve to his lips. His thumb unconsciously brushed against her intertwined fingers, sending a fresh wave of warmth through her.

"Well, you called me your girlfriend first, remember? With Ajay. I was just... reciprocating." Vanshika's eyes darted away for a second, then met his again.

"Was it just reciprocating, Vansh?" Raghav leaned in slightly, closing the small gap between them.

"Because the way you looked at her... the way you defended me... it felt like more." he murmured, his voice laced with a raw honesty that made her shiver.

Vanshika's breath hitched again. The directness of his words and that nickname, combined with his proximity, was overwhelming. She could feel the warmth of his body, the subtle scent of his cologne enveloping her.

"I... I don't know what you're talking about," she whispered, though her eyes betrayed her.

"I think you do," Raghav's gaze softened, a tender intensity replacing the earlier sharpness.

"And after the way you said it... a part of me really hopes it was." he said, his voice barely above a whisper. His eyes dropped to her lips, then back to her eyes, seeking an answer.

"Huh???" she whispered, genuinely bewildered. Her sudden confusion broke the spell.

Raghav chuckled softly, a low, warm sound. Seeing her utterly confused reaction, he straightened up, a knowing glint in his eyes.

"Nothing," he murmured, his voice laced with amusement.

He slowly, almost imperceptibly, started creating distance. His hands, which had been pinning her against the wall, gently lowered and removed his hand from her side.

"We must head back now," he said, his voice returning to a more casual tone, though his eyes still held a lingering warmth.

Vanshika, still slightly bewildered but relieved by the sudden shift, simply nodded. She smoothed down her clothes, a faint blush still on her cheeks. Without another word, they turned and walked side by side, heading back towards the main part of the university campus and their waiting friends in the library.

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Raghav and Vanshika entered the university library, the hushed atmosphere a stark contrast to the earlier canteen chaos and their private, charged moment. Their friends looked up, a collective eyebrow raised.

"Finally!!! What took you two so long? We were about to send out a search party." Ishana whispered, a hint of impatience in her voice.

"Uhh... woh... actually," Vanshika's cheeks flushed slightly,she stammered, fumbling for an excuse.

"We were talking with a teacher about some course details."Raghav smoothly interjected, his voice calm.

The others seemed to accept this explanation. They nodded and immediately got back to their work, heads bent over books and laptops.

Vanshika, eager to escape further questioning and to process the lingering intensity of the recent encounter, immediately went to a quiet place further back in the library and settled into a secluded corner.

"Hey, why is Vanshika sitting all alone instead of joining us?" Navya noticing her unusual behavior nudged Vihaan.

"Oh, she prefers to study alone only. She says she gets more focused that way." Vihaan, without looking up from his notes, replied.

The rest of them nodded, accepting this common knowledge about Vanshika's study habits, and returned to their books.

Raghav sat beside Abhiman, ostensibly pulling out his textbooks. However, his eyes drifted towards Vanshika's solitary figure in the distance. Abhiman, ever observant, caught Raghav's gaze. He gave him a knowing look, a silent question about the earlier "girlfriend" incident and their tardiness.

In response, Raghav didn't scowl or brush him off as he normally would. Instead, a slow smirk spread across his face.

Abhiman's eyes widened in genuine stunned surprise. A smirk? Instead of scolding or denying? he thought. Something is definitely going on between them. A plan began to form in his mind: he'd definitely ask about it to Raghav when they reached home.

Raghav pulled a book from his backpack and opened it, pretending to study diligently. But every single minute, his eyes would discreetly glance at Vanshika, watching her focused expression, the way she chewed on her pen, the subtle tilt of her head as she read. He was studying, yes, but a significant portion of his attention was fixated on her.

The afternoon wore on, filled with the rustle of pages, the quiet tapping of keyboards, and the occasional hushed whisper. As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the library, the day ended, leaving Raghav with a head full of facts and a heart full of unspoken questions about Vanshika.

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Vanshika entered her room, the day's events, especially the library's quiet corner, replaying in her mind. She threw her backpack on the sofa and then, with a sigh, threw herself onto her bed.

She closed her eyes, and the flashback hit her immediately: Raghav, his intense gaze, the way he'd pinned her against the wall, the hushed words, his proximity, the almost-kiss. A wave of heat washed over her, and she felt herself blushing so hard that she instinctively buried her face in her pillow, a muffled groan escaping her lips.

After a moment, she sat up, heart still fluttering. She reached for her phone, her fingers almost instinctively navigating to her gallery. She scrolled through until she found it: his photo.

She was admiring him, a soft smile playing on her lips. She traced his features on the screen with her thumb, a playful warmth filling her.

"What are you doing to me, mere sweetu?" she whispered to the image, a lighthearted question masking the deeper feelings stirring within her.

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Raghav entered his room, the scent of the university library still clinging faintly to his clothes. He threw his bag on the sofa and then, with a sigh, sat down on the edge of the bed. He closed his eyes, and the flashback hit him instantly: Vanshika's face so close to his, her lips just inches away, her whispered confession. A knowing smile erupted on his face.

Just then, a gentle hand ran through his hair. He opened his eyes and looked up to see his mother, Parvati, standing there, smiling at him, her eyes soft with affection. He immediately moved, making space for her to sit on the sofa, and then placed his head on her lap. She began to gently stroke his hair, a comforting, familiar gesture.

"You're looking so happy today, my dear," she murmured, her voice warm.

"Did Vanshika do something?" she teased gently, a knowing glint in her eyes.

"It's not like that, Mom." Raghav chuckled, shaking his head.

"Then what is it?" Parvati pressed, her smile unwavering.

Raghav sighed, then slowly began to narrate the whole story, from Reet's unwelcome appearance to Vanshika's fierce defense, and their subsequent trip to the library. He carefully omitted the part about pinning Vanshika against the wall and, streamlining it to sound more like a public confrontation.

Parvati listened intently, her expression shifting from amusement to concern, and then to a soft pride as he described Vanshika's quick thinking. She was clearly stunned by this act of Vanshika's protectiveness. When he finished, she smiled at him, a deep, understanding look in her eyes.

"I know you declared yourself as her boyfriend for protecting her, and even she did the same today,but my dear, do you have any feelings towards her?" Parvati began, her voice gentle but probing.

Just then, a voice chimed in from the doorway.

"Same question, Aunty!" Abhiman walked in, a wide grin on his face, and without hesitation, sat down beside Parvati, looking eagerly at Raghav.

"I have the same exact question, Aunty!"

"Tell me, Raghav. Do you have any feelings for Vanshika?"Parvati looked at Raghav again, her expression serious now.

Raghav slowly sat up, removing his head from his mother's lap. He looked at both of them, a vulnerability in his eyes they rarely saw.

"I don't know, Mom," he confessed, his voice softer than usual.

"I don't know whether it's just an attraction or something else. But whenever I see her, whenever she's around, I just get lost in her thoughts. Those eyes of hers... I just get lost into them. The way she smiles, the way she laughs, the way she stands up for what's right... each and every little thing about her just attracts me. It's like she pulls me in, and I don't even want to resist. I find myself constantly thinking about her, wondering what she's doing, wanting to see her again."

Both Abhiman and Parvati looked at him, surprised by the depth of his confession. They had never seen him like this, so open, so clearly captivated.

"Look, dear, take your time to understand your feelings," Parvati reached out and gently cupped his cheek.

"But from what I've seen of Vanshika, she is a wonderful girl, bacche. Still, take your time to understand your feelings. There's no rush in it." She said warmly.

She then looked at Abhiman, patted his head, and said, "I'll bring something for you both to drink." She then left them alone, a knowing smile on her face.

Abhiman immediately turned to Raghav, who was still lost in thought, staring into space. He gently smacked Raghav's head.

"Saale! Kab se chal raha hai ye sab aur mujhe kyu nahi bataya tune?!"

Raghav snapped out of his trance and gently smacked him back.

"Mujhe khud nahi pata," he admitted, rubbing the back of his head.

Abhiman grinned, throwing an arm around Raghav's shoulder.

"Finally! Mera Bhai pyaar mai hai!" He dramatically wiped fake tears from his eyes.

Raghav rolled his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Abhi confirm nahi hua hai!" he retorted, trying to sound annoyed but failing.

Abhiman just gave him a knowing look, a mischievous glint in his eye, clearly not buying the denial. Raghav, feeling his irritation grow, grabbed a nearby cushion and threw it squarely at Abhiman's face. Abhiman retaliated immediately, grabbing another cushion and throwing it back. Soon, the room turned into a battlefield of flying cushions and playful shouts, a clear sign of their strong, teasing friendship.

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Woahhh!!! Vanshika was on fire!!!

So 😏 how was the chapter???

And the moment between our RANSH??

Let me know in comments. Do vote guys...

And also, from now onwards I will be able to upload chapters only on Sunday cause my lovely and dear college is giving me alot of work due to which I don't get time to upload so I'll be updating only on Sundays.

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