"Chords Between Us"

8. "Strings of Misunderstanding"

Chapter 8

The college fest night had finally arrived.
The campus was bathed in lights, draped in streamers and buzzing with excitement. Music echoed from every corner, students ran around in vibrant outfits, laughter filled the air it felt like magic. Food stalls, photo booths, and art displays turned the usually mundane college ground into a wonderland of youth and joy.

Tara entered with Ruhi, both dressed casually but with an effortless charm. Tara wore her signature leather jacket over a sleek black tee and denim. Ruhi bounced beside her, full of energy, eyes wide with excitement.

They wandered through the fest, taking in the vibe. Somewhere backstage, Anika, Aryan, Taruk, and Riva were prepping for the band's performance. Final tuning, makeup touchups, and a quick round of pep talk it was chaos and adrenaline.

When the emcee announced the next act, "A Thousand Strings". cheers roared through the crowd. The lights dimmed. The band took their positions under a spotlight that cut across the stage like lightning.

Tara and Ruhi pushed through the crowd, taking their place in the front. As Taruk stepped up with his guitar, looking like a storm in leather, Tara couldn't help but cheer. Ruhi whistled beside her. And then the music began.

Their performance wasn't just good-it was electric. Aryan killed it on drums, Riva was smooth on keyboard, and Taruk... he was the star. His fingers danced on the strings, his voice strong and magnetic. The entire college swayed, screamed, danced. And during one chorus, Taruk looked straight at Tara as he sang, making her heart skip.

When the band ended with a thundering finish, the crowd erupted. Tara clapped till her palms ached. They'd nailed it.

Backstage, however, the energy shifted.

Riva pulled Taruk aside into an empty room. She closed the door behind them. "I've missed you, Taruk," she said softly, stepping closer.

Taruk frowned. "Riva, what are you doing?"

"I thought... maybe we could try again? I know things ended casually but-"

"Exactly," Taruk cut in, firm. "It was casual. We were never in love, Riva. So what's this new drama?"

Her face fell. "But I.."

"I don't have feelings for you. Not then, not now." He stepped back. "Let's not make this messier. I'm done with confusion. I don't want to see you like this again."

Meanwhile, outside, Ruhi nudged Tara.
"Come on, let's go see Anika!"
Tara nodded, following. But as they walked past one of the backstage rooms, she paused. Her heart dropped.

Through the small glass pane, she saw Riva wrapping her arms around Taruk.
It was subtle but visible.

And in that moment, it shattered her.

Tara froze. Her stomach twisted. Taruk didn't even see her standing there-but Riva did. And with a cruel gleam in her eye, she held on tighter and whispered something.

Tara's face went pale.

Without a word, she turned and bolted. Down the hallway, past the crowd, out of the gates-straight to her bike. She kicked the gear, twisted the throttle, and shot down the road, tears stinging her eyes, the wind harsh against her face.

Inside the room, Taruk pushed Riva away, angry.
"Don't ever do that again. This? Whatever you think this is-it's over. And I don't want any contact from you."

He stormed out.

Ruhi was waiting by the corridor, eyes wide.
"She saw you two," she said quickly. "Tara saw Riva hugging you. She thought.."