The Love Algorithm - AdiYa FF

Chapter 12

The night was cool, with the shimmering blue of the pool reflecting the soft glow of the outdoor lanterns. Aditya, Arjun, Yash, and Mahi were lounging by the pool.

Arjun leaned back against the lounger, twirling a glass of juice in his hands. "So, let me get this straight," he said, arching a brow at Aditya. "Zoya is engaged?"

Aditya exhaled, staring at the rippling water. "Apparently."

Yash, who had been sipping his coffee, frowned. "And she didn't seem too thrilled about it?"

Aditya shook his head. "Not at all. Her father called during class, and the moment he mentioned the guy, Arshad and she completely shut down. Didn't even seem interested in wishing him for his birthday. And what she says is she doesn't have a reason to say no. How stupid can that be?"

Mahi, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up. "That says a lot, don't you think?" She tucked her legs under herself. "If she really wanted this, she would have shown some excitement and wouldn't have given such an answer, right?"

Arjun smirked. "Or maybe she already has her eyes on someone else," he teased, nudging Aditya playfully.

Aditya shot him a look. "Very funny."

Yash hummed thoughtfully. "But if she's not interested, why go ahead with it?"

Aditya leaned forward, running a hand through his hair. "Because it's her dad's condition. He only let her come to India to study on the promise that she'd marry this guy."

There was a brief silence as they processed that.

Mahi sighed. "That's awful. She's basically trapped."

Aditya stayed quiet, his thoughts tangled in what he had seen earlier—the way Zoya's expression had shifted when her father spoke, the way she had almost distanced herself emotionally from the conversation. And the way she almost lost herself in his eyes, when he asked her to take a decision strongly and listen to what her heart says. Her heart definitely screamed that she didn't want it. And maybe, that she wanted something else? Or someone else perhaps?

Yash studied him for a moment before speaking. "And why do I get the feeling this is bothering you more than it should, Bhai?"

Aditya looked up at him sharply. "Excuse me?"

Arjun grinned. "You've been unusually quiet, Bhai. Almost as if this little revelation has... unsettled you."

Mahi smirked. "You do spend a lot of time with her these days."

Aditya rolled his eyes. "She's my teacher."

Arjun gasped dramatically. "Oh, then it's going to be too scandalous! The student falling for the teacher!"

Aditya threw a cushion at him. "Shut up!"

Yash chuckled but then grew serious. "Look, whatever is going on in her life, it's hers to figure out. But if she's really being forced into something she doesn't want, then... I don't know, maybe she just needs someone to remind her that she has a choice."

Aditya nodded, his gaze back on the water. The thought lingered in his mind.

Did she know she had a choice? He did tell her to choose. But about choices? Did he give her choices? And about choices - his mind got stuck there. And why did it suddenly feel so important for him to make sure she did?

As Aditya got up from his seat, he stretched his arms and muttered something about needing fresh air before walking out to the lawn. They all watched him in silence, their gazes following him as he disappeared into the dimly lit garden.