Avni’s muscles screamed in protest as she struggled to stand up.

Her legs were shaking. Her arms felt like they were made of lead. Every fiber of her body begged her to collapse.

But Arnav stood before her, arms crossed, watching her with an expression that was both calculating and expectant.

"Get up, Avni."

She gritted her teeth. No way was she going to let him win.

With a deep breath, she forced herself to her feet.

Ayush whistled from the porch. "Wow, she’s actually standing. I lost the bet."

Aryan laughed. "Told you! She’s too stubborn to quit!"

Anirudh smirked. "Let’s see how long that stubbornness lasts."

Avni shot them all a glare before turning back to Arnav. "What’s next, dictator bhaiya?"

Arnav’s smirk was dangerous. "Run."

She blinked. "Run where?"

"Around the garden. Ten laps."

Her jaw dropped. "Are you serious?!"

Arnav raised an eyebrow. "Twelve laps, then."

Avni clenched her fists. Oh, he was enjoying this.

With a glare, she turned and started running.

The first two laps were fine. By the fifth, her legs were on fire.

By the seventh, she wanted to scream.

By the ninth, she could barely breathe.

And then—she tripped.

Her knee scraped against the ground as she fell.

Ayush and Aryan winced. "Oof."

Anirudh stepped forward, but Arnav held up a hand. "No one helps her."

Avni clenched her teeth, biting back the pain. She looked up at Arnav, expecting to see mockery.

But there was none.

Instead, his eyes held expectation.

"Get up, Avni."

She swallowed.

Her body wanted to quit. Her mind screamed at her to stop.

But something inside her refused.

She pushed herself up, ignoring the burning pain in her knee.

Then—she started running again.

Lap ten.

She did it.

She collapsed onto the grass, panting hard, her body trembling.

Arnav crouched beside her, a small, approving smirk on his lips.

"Not bad."

Avni rolled onto her back, staring at the sky. "I hate you so much right now."

Arnav chuckled. "You’ll thank me later."

She scoffed. "Doubt it."

Anirudh walked over, offering her a bottle of water. "You did good, Avni."

She blinked. "Did you just—praise me?"

Ayush and Aryan dramatically gasped. "Mark the date! Anirudh bhai actually complimented someone!"

Anirudh sighed, shaking his head. "Forget it."

Avni chuckled weakly, taking the water.

As she drank, she glanced at Arnav.

For the first time, she understood.

He wasn’t just torturing her.

He was training her.

And maybe, just maybe—she would survive this after all.

To Be Continued…