𝟔.| 𝑺𝒉𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒆

Sitara stood frozen for a moment, Kabir's harsh words echoing in her mind. Her heart pounded in her chest, the weight of everything crushing her. Without a second thought, she grabbed her bag and rushed out of the classroom, her legs carrying her as fast as they could down the empty corridor.

Each step felt heavier than the last, her emotions swirling uncontrollably inside her. I have to get out of here. I need to breathe.

Tears stung her eyes, but she blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of knowing how much he had affected her. Why does he do this? Why does he make me feel so powerless?

Reaching the exit, she paused for a moment, gasping for breath. Her chest felt tight, suffocated by the weight of her encounter with Kabir. She leaned against the doorframe, her body trembling as she tried to calm herself. But no matter how much she willed herself to be strong, his cold, mocking words replayed in her mind.

On the other side of the building, Kabir's footsteps echoed loudly as he stormed down the hall, fury coursing through his veins. His fists were clenched so tight his knuckles turned white. Every step he took only fueled the anger bubbling inside him.

He spotted Anshita standing near the lockers, a self-satisfied smirk on her face. She hadn't a care in the world, as if her little game with Sitara was just a joke. Without hesitation, Kabir closed the distance between them.

"Anshita," he growled, his voice dark, cold as steel.

She looked up, her smirk widening. "Oh, Kabir. What brings you here?" she teased, clearly enjoying his fury.

Before she could say another word, Kabir grabbed her arm and yanked her roughly to the side, out of sight from the others. His grip was tight, and his face was inches from hers, eyes blazing with a dangerous intensity.

"Stay away from her," he said, his voice low and menacing, every syllable dripping with barely restrained rage.

Anshita's eyes widened slightly in surprise but quickly narrowed as her smirk returned. "Her?" She laughed softly, leaning back against the lockers as if she hadn't a care in the world. "You mean Sitara? Kabir, please. Why do you even care about that girl?"

Kabir released her arm, stepping back but not taking his eyes off her. "This isn't a joke, Anshita. Don't mess with her again."

Anshita crossed her arms, her expression mocking. "Don't mess with her? Wow, Kabir, you've never been this protective of anyone before. Do you... like her?" She tilted her head, her voice dripping with sarcasm, daring him to admit something deeper.

Kabir's jaw clenched, his entire body rigid. "Like her?" he spat, his tone sharp, filled with disdain. "I hate her."

Anshita raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. "Hate her?" She stepped closer, peering into his eyes with a mischievous gleam. "If you hate her so much, why are you acting like this? Why does it bother you that I had a little fun at her expense?"

Kabir's fists tightened, the frustration boiling beneath the surface. "Because she's the first one who dared to reject me."

Anshita's eyes widened slightly in surprise, then she laughed again, the sound soft and mocking. "Ah, I see. The almighty Kabir Singh Raizada can't handle rejection, huh? That's what this is about?"

Kabir glared at her, stepping closer with a threatening glint in his eyes. "This isn't a game, Anshita. You mess with her again, and you'll regret it. Stay out of it."

Anshita's smirk faltered for just a moment before returning, though there was a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "You're so worked up over a girl you claim to hate. You can pretend all you want, Kabir, but I see through you."

Kabir's eyes flashed with anger, his fists trembling at his sides. Without another word, he turned and stormed off, the sound of Anshita's mocking laughter ringing in his ears. But even as he walked away, her words lingered, digging into his mind like an itch he couldn't scratch. Why did it bother him so much?

He told himself it was his pride. Nothing more. She's just a girl who dared to reject me. That's all it is. But deep down, he couldn't shake the feeling that Sitara had somehow gotten under his skin, in a way no one else had before.