The fake couple pact goes public

Location: Saraswati Global Academy – Assembly Hall, Day 2
“Smile. Hold the mic. Don’t kill your husband in front of the camera.”
That was the mantra Rhea Kapoor repeated in her head as she stood beside Aarav Malhotra on stage, both in formal blazers, staring into a recording drone for the official school festival promo shoot.
“Just act like you like each other,” the media club president said cheerfully. “One smile. One couple intro. Done!”
“I’d rather bite a circuit board,” Rhea whispered.
“You’re glowing with charm already,” Aarav replied.
“Keep talking and I’ll test if your AI marriage rights include CPR.”
He smirked. “I’m touched by your affection.”
The red recording light turned on.
Rhea snapped into her fake smile.
“Namaste,” she said sweetly. “I’m Rhea Kapoor—Vice President and… the accidental bride of this guy.”
Aarav raised his brows but matched her tone. “And I’m Aarav Malhotra—Student Council President and apparently married now, thanks to the wonders of artificial intelligence.”
The entire room burst out laughing.
The recording paused.
“Perfect!” said the AV club leader. “Totally natural chemistry!”
Rhea forced another smile. “So natural I want to scream.”

---
Location: Campus Lawn – After the Shoot
The moment they stepped offstage, Rhea nearly collapsed onto the bench.
“I feel like I just ran a marathon in heels.”
“You didn’t even walk,” Aarav pointed out.
“My soul ran.”
Zoya ran over with her phone. “Guys, your clip just hit 10K views! People are shipping you as ‘RaRav’ now. It’s trending!”
“RaRav?” Rhea asked. “That sounds like a shampoo brand.”
“No, it’s like—romance, but also rivalry. You’re the school’s number one couple now.”
Rhea looked like she was going to be sick. “We are not a couple.”
Zoya winked. “You keep saying that like the registry doesn’t exist.”

---
Location: Cafeteria – Afternoon
The RaRav effect had hit full speed.
There were cupcakes on the student council table. With tiny edible rings. One had a mini chocolate laptop with ‘Mrs. Malhotra’ written in icing.
Rhea looked at Aarav. “I’m going to commit a dessert-based crime.”
Zoya sat down beside her. “The press is going to be here during fest finale. They want to interview the ‘AI Couple.’ Like… as a school innovation success story.”
“I didn’t sign up to be anyone’s innovation,” Rhea muttered.
Aarav calmly took a bite of a cupcake. “Well, look on the bright side. At least you didn’t glitch-marry Nirav.”
“I would’ve preferred that,” she deadpanned.
Aarav raised a brow. “I’m flattered. Your insults are starting to sound like affection.”
“Don’t get used to it.”

---
Location: Girls’ Hostel Dorm – That Night
Rhea sat in her bunk, scrolling through her DMs. The entire school seemed convinced she and Aarav were a perfect match.
Fan-art. Edits. A romantic AU animation someone coded in Python. Even a fake baby name generator using their surnames.
“What is wrong with people?” she muttered.
Then her phone buzzed again.
> Incoming Call: Papa 💼


Her breath caught in her throat.
“Hello?” she said, voice higher than normal.
“Rhea beta,” her father’s voice came through, warm and curious.(Beta = daughter/child)
“Y-Yes, Papa?”
“I saw something strange on the school’s alumni site. It said… your name is listed as part of a civic partnership registry? With a boy?”
She froze.
“Must be… uh… a tech glitch. Nothing serious,” she said too quickly.
There was silence on the other end.
“Rhea. Tell me the truth.”
Her stomach twisted.
“It’s nothing,” she repeated. “A booth glitched during the fest. Aarav and I got accidentally listed. We’re working on the annulment. It’s just… temporary.”
More silence.
Then he sighed. “Aarav Malhotra?”
She tensed. “Yes.”
“I remember his parents. A strong business family… until the accident.”
“I know,” Rhea whispered.
“I heard his uncle took over after the incident.”
“Yeah. His parents were... assassinated. His sister’s still in a coma. He lives alone, makes money on the side through software work.”
Her father paused, voice softer now. “Then he’s carrying a lot more than most.”
“He is,” Rhea admitted.
“Just… be careful. I trust you. But this situation... it's complicated.”
“I understand.”
“Call me the moment anything feels off. Promise me.”
“I promise.”

---
Location: Boys’ Hostel Rooftop – Same Night
Aarav sat on the edge of the rooftop, typing on his laptop, moonlight catching in his glasses.
He heard the door creak.
Rhea joined him wordlessly, sitting beside him on the cold cement.
“My dad knows,” she said finally.
He nodded. “Did he flip out?”
“No. He… asked about your family.”
Aarav looked straight ahead, jaw tense.
“He remembers what happened?”
“Only the basics. He said your parents were good people.”
“They were,” Aarav said softly.
Neither of them spoke for a while. Then—
“You’re not just some cold, coding robot, you know,” Rhea said, glancing sideways.
“I try not to be.”
“Still smug though.”
Aarav smirked. “You married me for it.”
Rhea bumped her shoulder into his.
“No. I married a malfunctioning booth with bad taste.”
And yet... her fingers brushed his.
And this time?
She didn’t pull away.
Above them, the stars blinked quietly. Two students—accidentally tangled in glitchy fate—sat in silence, their pact blurring slowly into something more.