The sun was mild that morning, casting a golden hue over the campus buildings. Alora adjusted her white churidar with delicate floral embroidery, pairing it with silver jhumkas and a simple chain bracelet. Her look was casual but carried an air of grace. She strode confidently through the familiar pathways of her college.
“Alora!” A familiar voice called out.
She turned to see Priya, her best friend, walking toward her. Though Priya’s face was pale from her recent illness, her smile was as bright as ever.
“You’re finally back!” Alora exclaimed, pulling her into a warm hug.
“I couldn’t miss more of this fest preparation madness,” Priya replied with a laugh, though it turned into a slight cough.
Alora frowned. “You shouldn’t be here if you’re still sick.”
“Don’t worry, I’m fine. Besides, someone has to keep you company,” Priya teased, her eyes twinkling.
The two caught up for a while, sharing stories and laughs. It felt good to have Priya by her side again—like a piece of her normal life was back in place.
A New Interruption
Their conversation was interrupted when a shadow fell over them. Alora turned to see Arjun standing there, his expression unreadable.
“Alora,” he said, his tone direct. “We need you at the prep site. There’s a problem with the banner alignment.”
Alora raised an eyebrow but nodded. “Let me grab my things.”
“I’ll join you later,” Priya said, waving her off.
Alora followed Arjun to the main prep area, where chaos seemed to have taken over. Volunteers scurried about, trying to fix decorations, move equipment, and organize supplies.
Alora jumped into work seamlessly, directing a few juniors to sort out the banners and helping with the stage setup. But she had another part of her plan to execute.
Carrying a large stack of boxes, she intentionally stumbled slightly, letting out a soft sigh as if she were struggling. The timing had to be perfect.
“Need some help?” a deep voice asked, filled with genuine concern.
She turned to see Kunal, a tall and handsome senior known for his kindness. His broad shoulders and easy smile could make anyone feel at ease.
Alora smiled faintly, about to accept his offer, but before she could respond, Arjun appeared by her side, his expression hardening.
“She’s fine,” Arjun said curtly, stepping between her and Kunal.
Kunal raised an eyebrow, his confusion evident, but he didn’t push further. “Alright, just let me know if you need anything, Alora,” he said before walking away.
Alora hid her smirk as Arjun grabbed the boxes from her hands. “You shouldn’t be carrying this much,” he muttered, his tone almost scolding.
“You didn’t have to step in,” she replied softly, her voice carrying a hint of innocence.
“You can’t rely on just anyone,” he said, his gaze briefly flicking to where Kunal had disappeared.
“Anyone?” she echoed, feigning curiosity.
Arjun didn’t respond, his jaw tightening slightly as he carried the boxes to their designated spot.
The rest of the day passed with Alora subtly weaving her plan. She stayed close to Arjun, asking for his opinion on decorations and logistics. Every so often, she would offer a smile or a kind word, keeping his attention tethered to her.
When they stopped for a break, she handed him a bottle of water. “You’ve been working hard,” she said, her tone genuinely appreciative.
He looked at her, his eyes softening. “You’re not exactly taking it easy either.”
“It’s a team effort,” she replied, her smile warm.
As they sat in comfortable silence, Alora glanced at Arjun from the corner of her eye. She could see the faint lines of tension in his face slowly easing. He was starting to lower his guard around her, inch by inch.
Later that evening, as Alora walked home, she replayed the day’s events in her mind. Her plan was progressing smoothly, perhaps even faster than she had anticipated.
Arjun’s protective nature, his pride, his subtle jealousy—they were all becoming more apparent. She could read his emotions like an open book now, every flicker of irritation, every spark of curiosity, every moment of vulnerability.
But amidst her satisfaction, she felt a faint tug of unease. This game she was playing required precision, but it also required her to keep her emotions in check.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself. This wasn’t the time for doubts. She had a goal, and she was determined to see it through.
As the lights of her home came into view, Alora smiled to herself. The pieces were falling into place, and soon, Arjun would find himself ensnared in the very web he had once spun around her.
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Sorry for the late update...
YOU ARE READING
Reborn To Break Free
Non-FictionShe died loving the wrong man... Now she's back - with a plan. Alora was once a naive girl who gave her heart to someone who never deserved it. But fate gave her a second chance - reborn into her past, right before everything went wrong. This time...
