Anya barely managed to say, "Arnav…" when suddenly, the giant screen in the hall lit up.
Pictures of her and Arnav played in a loop—one where they embraced each other, another where they gazed into each other's eyes, one where Arnav lifted her in his arms, and another where they sat together sipping tea.
Tears welled up in her eyes as she watched those memories flash before her.
Just then, Arnav entered the hall, circling around her as he spoke,
"They say love is a disease, a curse no one should endure. Love is a dangerous game, one that no one should play. Because once you're infected with love, there's no escaping it!"
Anya, sobbing, looked at him. "Why are you doing this, Arnav? What are you getting out of this?"
Arnav smirked. "Satisfaction."
Anya's heart clenched. "And what about the feelings you once had for me?"
Arnav gripped her shoulders tightly and whispered, "The feelings? They still exist… deep in my heart for you."
Anya's lips curled into a hopeful smile as she gently cupped his face. "Does that mean you still—"
Before she could finish, Arnav grabbed her hands and shoved them away. His expression turned cold.
"Hate. I only feel hate for you—endless, boundless hate!"
Anya gasped. "But why, Arnav? What did I do to deserve this punishment?"
Arnav laughed bitterly. "Punishment? No, sweetheart, this is just a trailer. The real movie is yet to begin. A film starring you—humiliated and disgraced for the world to see!"
He leaned in closer, his eyes dark with vengeance. "I want everyone to witness how cheap and worthless you really are."
Rage flared in Anya's eyes as she raised her hand to slap him. But before she could, Arnav caught her wrist mid-air and squeezed it tightly.
"You dare raise your hand against Arnav Trivedi again?" he hissed. "You know, I've heard people fear love more than they fear slaps."
"But you? You should fear slaps. Because everything you're suffering through right now… it's because of that slap. Every single thing is because of that one slap!"
Anya's brows furrowed in confusion. "What… what are you talking about?"
Arnav smirked, then knocked on her head playfully and said, "Knock, knock! Who's there? Arnav. Remember me?"
With a snap of his fingers, the entire hall lit up. Around them stood Vedika and a group of Arnav's rich friends, clapping in mock celebration.
Anya's gaze darted around, recognizing a few faces.
Arnav clapped along with the others, then turned to her with a wicked grin. "Come on, everyone! A round of applause for our Anya—the highlight of this grand party!"
He stepped closer, his voice dropping into a whisper. "Do you remember now? That slap?" Then, louder—"DO YOU REMEMBER THAT SLAP?!"
Flashback…
A grand party was in full swing at a luxurious hotel, attended by the country's most powerful business tycoons. Among them was Arnav.
A well-known businessman approached him. "Arnav, you should have been at the award function! In our eyes, you were the rightful winner."
Arnav shook his hand with a cocky grin. "Well, I missed the function, but I'm here at the party. You could always hand me the award here. It'll fulfill your wish and get you publicity."
Just then, one of his friends walked over. "Dude, in your professional life, powerful politicians and businessmen chase after you. But in your personal life, it's girls running after you!"
Arnav smirked. "That's because these politicians and businessmen know how much my brother loves me. If I ever mention them to him… well, let's just say they'd be getting a first-class ticket to heaven."
"As for the girls? Well, I'm just that irresistible."
His gaze flickered across the room and landed on Anya.
Scoffing, he turned to his friends. "What's a plain Jane like her doing at a high-class party like this?"
His friend, Vishal, chuckled. "She may look simple, but she's actually an award-winner."
Arnav laughed mockingly. "What award? Sister of the Year?"
Vedika and Vishal burst into laughter.
Vishal smirked. "Actually, she received an award today for her work in educating handicapped children. And guess what? She was also the one who exposed that exam paper leak racket in college!"
At those words, Arnav's smile disappeared. His jaw clenched as he glared at Anya.
"So she was the reason Manish got expelled?" he asked darkly.
Vishal nodded. "Yep."
Arnav's eyes darkened with rage. "Our best friend's career was ruined because of her? And you guys just let it happen?"
Vedika sighed. "We tried to do something, but no luck. Besides, she's got that whole 'don't touch me' attitude. She's full of herself."
Arnav scoffed. "Full of herself? Her? Don't crack lame jokes—I'm not in the mood to laugh."
Vishal smirked. "Well then, why don't you try to mess with her?"
Arnav smirked back. "Try? Please, she isn't even worthy of being my appetizer. Not even the side dish. But don't worry…" He turned to watch Anya across the room.
"Just sit back and watch what I do to her."
To be continued…