I'll never trust you

Setting: The back garden corridor near the college library — a quiet, ivy-lined walkway where students rarely go. Aahi stands under the soft rustle of trees, holding the mysterious wooden box in both hands, heart beating just a little faster.

She had searched for Aarif through the morning — her eyes scanning crowds, classrooms, basketball court windows… until finally, someone pointed her here.

And there he was.

Sitting on the low stone bench, alone, sketchbook on his lap, pencil dancing between long fingers. His eyes were focused — intense as always — lost in a world far away from the noise of college.

> She stepped closer, gently.

> "Hi," she said, almost a whisper.

He looked up. Surprised. His expression unreadable — cool, not unkind, but distant.

> "You," he said simply.

> "Aarif," she smiled softly, holding out the box. "I just wanted to give you something. A small gift... from a special friend."

He stared at the box in her hands.

Gifts weren't his thing.

People, either.

Trust? Even less.

But then his eyes met hers — and for a second, everything stilled.

Those eyes. Clear. Gentle. No malice. No games.

So without a word, he reached forward… and took the box.

> "Thanks," he muttered, almost unsure.

She smiled, relieved.

> "I hope it helps… things between you and Red."

His brow twitched.

> "Red?"

But she didn't explain. She just stepped back and gave him space.

Aarif turned the box slowly in his hands… then unlatched the carved lid.

Snap.

> "What the hell—?!"

A swarm of tiny white worms spilled out over his lap — some wriggling across the sketchbook, others falling onto his jacket.

His heart jumped. Eyes wide. Face pale.

He hated worms.

Every muscle in him stiffened as he jumped up, dropping the box, shaking his hands, brushing his clothes. The sound of his breath quickening, the sketchbook hitting the ground.

> "Aarif! I— I didn't know—!" Aahi stepped forward in panic.

Then came the voice.

> "WELL DONE, AAHI!"

"Your idea worked better than I imagined."

From behind the old oak arch, Red stepped out, clapping slowly. Smirking.

Aarif turned like a blade.

Aahi stood frozen.

> "W-what are you talking about, Red?" she asked, her voice shaking.

> "Oh come on," he grinned, walking toward them. "You said it yourself — soften him up, hand him the gift. You're amazing at playing sweet."

Aarif's chest heaved.

> "You planned this?" he said coldly, voice razor-sharp.

> "No!" Aahi turned to him, shaking her head. "I didn't! I thought it was something peaceful. He said it was a gift—"

> "Stop lying," Aarif snapped, his voice rising.

> "I'm not! Please believe me—"

But the trust had already shattered.

Aarif stepped forward — eyes blazing with betrayal. And then…

SLAP.

The sound echoed louder than any shout.

Aahi staggered slightly, one hand to her cheek, her breath stolen.

> "I thought you were different," Aarif said, voice shaking now — with anger… and something deeper.

"But you're just like him."

Then without another word, he grabbed his sketchbook, turned, and ran down the corridor — away from her, away from the hurt.

Aahi stood frozen. The worms still wriggling on the ground. Red watching with a slow grin that faded when he saw the tears in her eyes.

She wasn't acting.

She didn't know.

And now… she had lost something she never even got the chance to have.

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