UNFAIRLY YOURS

The gym was packed.

Music blasted through the speakers, sneakers screeched against polished wood, and the crowd roared every few seconds as the game continued. Students filled every row of the bleachers— some standing, some filming, some screaming like they personally knew the players.

The air was warm and humid, carrying the smell of sweat, deodorant, and faintly burnt popcorn from somewhere near the entrance.

Kavya shifted for the fourth time in the last two minutes. Her outfit, had been a terrible idea.

In theory, it had been perfect. An oversized white jersey with the number 23 printed in soft faded blue, the fabric slightly loose and airy, paired with light denim shorts that hugged her just right. White sneakers, ankle socks, and delicate gold chains resting against her collarbone— the kind of sporty look that suggested she was effortlessly cool and definitely interested in sports. She had even gathered her short hair into a small high ponytail, wisps already slipping free— like girls who actually worked out.

Reality, however, was different. The gym heat made the jersey cling slightly to her skin. Her denim shorts kept riding up every time she leaned forward, and her ponytail, it was slowly collapsing into a frizzy disaster because of the humid air at the gym.

A strand of her hair had escaped near her cheek and curled rebelliously, despite her efforts to straighten it all afternoon. Kavya aggressively smoothed it down. “Behave,” she muttered under her breath, leaning slightly forward in her seat as she flattened the strand against her temple.

Next to her, Naina turned her head slowly, watching her with an amused expression. One eyebrow lifted as she leaned back against the bleachers, arms loosely folded. “Are you threatening your hair again?” she asked, her lips twitching as she fought a smile.

Kavya huffed softly, still focused on taming the rebellious strand. “It’s curling,” she said, her tone mildly offended, like her hair had personally betrayed her.

Naina shrugged, adjusting her posture and brushing a few loose strands of her own hair off her shoulder. “So?”

“I straightened it.”

“Maybe it has its own personality.” she said, laughing lightly as she nudged Kavya’s arm.

She let out a small sigh, blowing air upward in frustration. “It doesn’t get a choice.”

Naina shifted slightly on the bleachers, pulling at the collar of her oversized pink T-shirt. The fabric clung to her frame from the heat, and she fanned herself lazily with her hand before glancing sideways at Kavya. “Are you not uncomfortable in that?” she asked, her eyes drifting pointedly toward Kavya’s outfit.

Kavya looked down briefly, then subtly tugged the hem of her jersey lower where it had ridden up slightly. She exhaled quietly, then lifted her chin with a practiced confidence.

“Well,” she said, brushing her hair back over her shoulder, trying to look effortlessly composed despite her obvious discomfort, “you can either be comfortable or chic.” She tugged lightly at the jersey again, smoothing it down over her waist. “I choose the latter.”

Naina glanced at her, then slowly dragged her gaze from Kavya’s carefully composed expression down to her constant fidgeting. Her lips curved into a knowing smile. “I can see that,” she said, giving her a sideways look, one eyebrow lifting slightly as she watched Kavya adjust her outfit yet again.

Despite her struggle, Kavya still managed to draw attention. A few students nearby glanced at her— not in a dramatic way, just quiet double takes. She had the kind of face that made people look twice without realising it.

Big expressive doe-eyes, soft features, and a natural glow that didn’t need effort. Even with her chaotic hair situation, she still looked annoyingly pretty.

Naina noticed a guy a few rows down glance at Kavya — then look again. She leaned slightly closer, lowering her voice. “You know, people are staring at you too, right?” she murmured, nudging Kavya’s arm lightly.

“I don’t care.” Kavya replied absentmindedly, her eyes fixed ahead, barely blinking.

“Because?” Naina asked, raising an eyebrow as she followed Kavya’s unwavering gaze.

“Umm… because…” Kavya trailed off, leaning forward slightly, completely distracted.

Well obviously, because Parth Malhotra had the ball. Naina followed her gaze. “Of course.” she sighed, when she saw Parth.

Parth’s black jersey moved effortlessly with him, the number 23 stretched across his chest as he played. Tall. Broad shoulders stretching his jersey. Long strides that ate up the court effortlessly. The sleeveless cut revealed his lean, toned arms, muscles shifting naturally with every dribble and shot, a faint sheen of sweat traced along his skin. There was an easy strength in the way he moved.

And unfortunately for Kavya’s sanity— he looked unfairly good while playing. He moved across the court with a calm confidence that made everyone else look rushed.

Kavya leaned forward without realising. “Ohhhh….wow.” She said, her eyes gleaming.

“Oh wow indeed,” Naina said dryly. “You’re staring again.”

Kavya straightened slightly, clearing her throat as if she’d been caught doing something illegal. “I’m appreciating athletic talent.”

Naina tilted her head, unimpressed. “You’re staring at his arms.”

Kavya paused mid-blink, then looked back at the court. “Well…” she murmured, her fingers absentmindedly twisting the hem of her jersey. “They are impressive arms,” she admitted quietly, a faint blush creeping across her cheeks as she tried, and failed to look casual.

On the court, Parth pivoted around a defender. His movements were smooth, controlled— not flashy, just efficient. The kind of playing style that looked effortless but impossible to imitate. His jersey clung slightly to his back as he moved, making his build stand out through the fabric.

Kavya swallowed— This is unfair.

He jumped. For a second, he was completely airborne. Then the ball slammed through the hoop. The gym exploded. Someone whistled loudly. A group of students stood up. Girls near the front screamed.

One girl stood dramatically. “PARTH I LOVE YOU!” A few people around her laughed.

Kavya’s eye twitched. Very slowly, she turned her head toward the girl, her expression going flat as her brows knit together slightly. Her fingers tightened around the edge of the bleacher, her gaze lingering a second longer than necessary. “Awww…You’re jealous?” Naina said amused.

“I am not jealous,” Kavya muttered, still looking in that direction.

“You’re glaring.”

“I’m observing,” Kavya argued, finally turning back toward the court, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear with unnecessary seriousness.

“You look like you’re about to start a fight.”

Kavya ignored her completely, her eyes returning to the court, or more accurately, to Parth— her expression softening almost instantly.

Meanwhile, on the court, Parth lifted his hand and pushed his hair back casually, his fingers brushing through the slightly damp strands as he caught his breath. He looked completely unaware of the chaos he was causing in the stands.

Kavya exhaled softly, her shoulders dropping as she watched him.

Why did he have to do that? Does he know what that does to people? It was unnecessary……and extremely effective.

Her foot started tapping lightly against the floor, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her jersey as her mind buzzed with thoughts.

“This is illegal,” she whispered after a few seconds, shaking her head slightly.

“What is?” Naina asked, glancing at her in confusion.

“That.” Kavya tilted her head toward the court, a small pout tugging at her lips, her eyes still fixed on him.

“You’re going to need to be more specific.”

“The hair thing,” she whisper-yelled, finally turning to look at Naina, her expression completely serious.

Naina stared at her for a second before breaking into laughter. “Kavya, you are deeply unwell.”

Kavya didn’t even react, her attention already drifting back to Parth, her gaze softening again as if the rest of the world had simply faded away.

“You proposed to him in your second month, at college.” Naina reminded her.

Kavya straightened a little, brushing her hair back over her shoulder. “That was confidence.”

“That was madness.”

“It was romantic,” Kavya said defensively, her brows pulling together as she glanced at Naina.

“He rejected you in ten seconds.” Naina scoffed.

Kavya looked personally offended, her lips parting slightly as she turned to face her fully. “He didn’t reject me.”

Naina gave her a flat look. “He said ‘No.’”

“That was… brief consideration,” Kavya insisted, nodding slightly like she’d made a very logical point.

“That was rejection,” Naina said, now clearly frustrated, shaking her head.

Kavya turned back toward the court, crossing her arms lightly, choosing to ignore that deeply offensive statement.

A few minutes passed by in silence. Then Naina turned towards Kavya “Okay, I get that he is hot.” Naina said slowly, narrowing her eyes at her. “But what exactly is it about him that makes you look at him like that?”