The atmosphere inside the factory had changed. What was once an exciting and educational visit had now turned into a nightmare for Sharayu and Rutuja.
The factory's large machines rumbled loudly, their heavy gears clanking against each other. The faint smell of burnt metal and grease filled the air, making it harder to breathe. The dim lighting in the secluded section of the factory cast long shadows on the walls, making everything feel eerily deserted.
Sharayu's heartbeat pounded in her ears.
How had they ended up here?
They had been walking around, taking notes and giggling about how they had outsmarted the rest of the students by getting information straight from the workers instead of just listening to the professors.
They had no idea that two pairs of eyes had been watching them closely the entire time.
"Leave us alone!" Sharayu snapped, trying to yank her hand away.
The man chuckled. A low, menacing sound.
"Oh, but you seem lost," he said, his voice dripping with mock concern. "Let us help you find your way."
The way he said it sent chills down her spine.
Sharayu and Rutuja fought back.
Rutuja swung her free arm, trying to hit the man's chest, but he barely flinched. His grip only tightened.
Sharayu gritted her teeth, rage bubbling inside her.
She raised her foot and stomped down hard on his boot.
Nothing.
He didn't even react.
Instead, he leaned in closer, his breath hot against her ear.
"Feisty one, aren't you?" he muttered.
Her stomach churned.
She could hear Rutuja struggling beside her, letting out a muffled cry as the other man twisted her arm slightly.
Where was everyone?
The factory was noisy, the sound of moving machinery drowning their voices. No one would hear them unless they screamed loud enough-but before they could, the men covered their mouths with their free hands.
Sharayu's mind raced.
Think. Think!
Her heart pounded, panic clawing at her chest.
They had to escape.
She glanced at Rutuja, whose eyes were brimming with fear but also determination.
They weren't going to let this happen.
With every ounce of strength, Sharayu bit down hard on the man's hand.
He let out a sharp curse, jerking his hand away.
Rutuja took the chance and stomped on her attacker's knee.
The man grunted in pain, loosening his grip just enough for her to slip away.
This was their chance.
Without thinking twice, they turned and ran.
Their hearts raced as they sprinted through the maze-like factory.
Their legs burned, their breath came in short gasps.
But behind them, the men recovered quickly.
And they were coming.
The metallic scent of oil and machinery filled the air as Sharayu and Rutuja found themselves trapped in a dark, secluded corner of the factory.
The men had caught them again.
Their breath was heavy, eyes predatory, as they loomed over the girls.
Sharayu winced as the man tightened his grip on her wrist, his fingers pressing into her skin like iron shackles.
"You girls think you're smart, huh?" the taller man sneered, his lips curling into a twisted smirk.
The shorter one, with an even more vile expression, chuckled, "So much attitude, but now? You're both helpless." His voice dripped with something sickening, sending chills down their spines.
Rutuja struggled against his hold, her breath ragged, but he only pulled her closer, his foul breath making her stomach churn.
"Let us go!" Sharayu spat, her voice trembling with a mix of rage and terror.
But they only laughed.
"Where are you going, huh?" The taller one ran a finger along the strand of hair that had fallen onto Sharayu's cheek.
"You should be grateful we're giving you attention."
Sharayu felt bile rise in her throat. Disgust. Fear. Helplessness.
Rutuja kicked the shorter one in the shin, making him stumble slightly, but his grip remained strong.
"Feisty, huh?" he growled, anger flashing in his eyes.
"Let's see how long that attitude lasts."
Sharayu's heartbeat thundered. Someone, anyone-please find us!
Meanwhile...
Hriday, Kunal, Vrushal, Arohi, and Gayatri were panicking.
They had checked every possible corner of the factory, asked the workers, and even tried calling Sharayu and Rutuja-but no response.
Something was wrong.
They rushed to Satish, breathless.
"Sir! We can't find Sharayu and Rutuja!"
Vrushal blurted out, his voice filled with anxiety.
Satish, who had been going through some reports, immediately looked up. His sharp blue eyes darkened.
"What do you mean you can't find them?" His voice was eerily calm, but there was an edge to it that sent a chill through them.
"They were with us, and then... we don't know. They just disappeared!" Kunal added, his hands shaking.
Arohi's eyes glistened with fear. "What if something happened to them?"
Gayatri's breath hitched. "Sir, please, do something!"
Satish stood up immediately, his jaw clenched.
"Calm down. Panicking won't help. I'll find them."
There was no hesitation. No delay.
He was already moving.
He moved through the factory with determined strides, adrenaline pumping through his veins, his sharp blue eyes scanning every shadowy alcove and deserted corridor. Each step echoed with the weight of responsibility and the chilling fear that something was dreadfully wrong.
He rounded a dimly lit corner, heart hammering in his chest, when muffled sounds-cries, struggle, voices trembling with panic-stabbed through the heavy machinery noise. In that fraction of a second, the world seemed to slow, the rumble of the machines dulling into the background, replaced by the stark clarity of threat.
Without hesitation, Satish sprinted toward the sound, his vision solely focused on the source of trouble. What he saw made his blood run cold: Sharayu trapped, fear etched across her face; Rutuja, struggling, desperate-all while two men loomed menacingly above them.
Sharayu's voice.
"Let us go, you bastards!"
Satish's entire body went rigid.
Then, without a second thought, he ran.
The taller one had his filthy hands gripping Sharayu's arm, while the shorter one had pinned Rutuja against the cold wall.
And that was it.
Something inside Satish snapped.
Before either of the men could react, he lunged.
His fist connected with the taller man's face with a sickening crack. The man stumbled back, clutching his now bleeding nose.
Before the shorter one could even think, Satish grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the metal railing.
"You think you can touch them and get away with it?" His voice was dangerously low, his grip unrelenting.
The man gasped for air, struggling against Satish's iron grip, but there was no escape.
The first man, staggering, tried to attack him from behind. Big mistake.
Satish turned and delivered a brutal punch to his jaw, sending him crashing to the ground.
Blood splattered onto the floor.
Sharayu watched, frozen.
Her breath was shaky.
She had never seen Satish like this-fierce, ruthless, and absolutely terrifying.
His usual composed demeanor was gone.
This wasn't the calm, collected professor they knew-this was a storm unleashed.
Her heart pounded.
Rutuja, still trembling, stepped back, but her grip on Sharayu tightened.
Satish wasn't stopping.
With one final blow, he knocked the second man unconscious.
Both of them lay on the ground, groaning in pain.
Satish turned, breathing heavily, his fists still clenched.
His knuckles were bloody.
And then-
He looked at Sharayu.
Their eyes met.
And before she could stop herself-
She ran straight into his arms.
Her body was trembling, her breathing erratic.
Satish stiffened for a moment, shocked.
Then, slowly, his arms wrapped around her.
Firm. Protective.
"It's okay," he murmured, his voice softer now. "You're safe."
Sharayu buried her face in his chest, gripping onto his shirt as if she would fall apart otherwise.
She could feel the rapid thud of his heartbeat.
Rutuja, beside them, wiped her tears, still shaken.
Satish glanced down at Sharayu, his gaze unreadable.
Something shifted inside him at that moment.
But neither of them dared to acknowledge it yet.
Satish stood still, his heart hammering against his chest, but his grip around Sharayu remained firm.
Her arms were still wrapped around him, her body trembling from both fear and exhaustion. He could feel the way she held onto him-as if letting go would bring back the nightmare they had just escaped.
Rutuja, standing beside them, wiped her teary eyes, but her hands were still shaking. She kept glancing at the two unconscious men, as if making sure they weren't getting up again.
Satish clenched his jaw. His bloodied knuckles throbbed, but he didn't care. His sharp blue eyes darkened as he looked at the two pathetic men on the ground.
How dare they?
His anger hadn't fully cooled down yet.
The only thing keeping him from completely losing it was the girl in his arms-Sharayu.
Taking a deep breath, he softened his tone and asked, "Are you both okay?"
Sharayu slowly pulled away, but only slightly, still feeling the warmth of his protective presence.
She nodded, but her voice betrayed her. "I... I was so scared..."
Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, her usual lively expression replaced with one of vulnerability.
Satish had seen many things in his life, but seeing her like this stirred something foreign inside him.
It wasn't just anger anymore. It was something deeper. Something unsettling.
Before he could process it further, Rutuja suddenly burst into sobs. "I swear I thought we were done for! They wouldn't let go of us, Satish Sir! They-" She choked on her words.
Satish exhaled sharply. "It's over. They won't ever try anything again." His voice was controlled, but the underlying menace was unmistakable.
Sharayu wiped her face quickly, trying to regain composure. She hated feeling weak.
But she couldn't deny the comfort she felt in that brief moment.
Satish turned towards the men, disgust flashing across his face. "You girls wait here. I need to make sure these bastards are handled properly."
Rutuja and Sharayu exchanged glances, their nerves still raw.
But before he could step forward, a shout echoed through the factory.
"Sir! There you are!"
Hriday, Kunal, Arohi, and Gayatri came rushing in, their faces filled with worry. Behind them, a few factory workers followed, alerted by the commotion.
As soon as they spotted Sharayu and Rutuja, they froze.
Hriday's expression turned into pure panic. "Sharayu! Are you okay?"
Without thinking, he ran to her, but before he could reach her, his eyes fell on Satish's bloodied knuckles.
He stopped mid-step.
Everyone else did too.
The sight before them was something they never expected.
Satish stood protectively in front of the girls, his fists still clenched, his jaw tight. And then-their eyes fell on the two men lying in a heap on the floor.
Silence.
Then Kunal broke it.
"Did... did you just beat them up, Sir?"
Satish gave him a look that said, "What do you think?"
Arohi's jaw dropped. "Holy shit."
Gayatri stared in awe. "Oh my God. That's... kind of hot."
Kunal smacked her arm. "Seriously? Wrong moment, dude!"
Hriday, however, was still staring at Sharayu. His fists clenched, his eyes filled with emotions.
He had never seen her like this-so shaken, so fragile. And he hated that she had to go through this.
His blood boiled. If Satish Sir hadn't gotten there first...
Satish, sensing the rising tension, turned to the workers. "Call security. Get these two arrested immediately."
The workers nodded quickly, still intimidated by the sheer authority in his voice.
Sharayu, still overwhelmed, took a deep breath and turned towards Hriday. "I'm okay," she reassured him, her voice soft.
But Hriday's eyes burned with something else.
His gaze flickered between her and Satish, a storm brewing within him.
He had noticed the way she had clung to Satish.
And Satish? The way he had stood between them without hesitation?
Something wasn't right.
But now wasn't the time to question it.
Satish, now back to his usual composed self, turned to them all. "Let's get out of here. This factory visit is over."
And with that, he walked ahead.
Sharayu glanced at his retreating figure, her mind still spinning.
What just happened?
After dinner, when most of the students had retired to their rooms, Satish found himself standing outside the girls' corridor. His fingers hovered near the edge of his coat pockets, his mind still replaying the events of the day.
The anger had settled, but something else lingered-concern.
More than concern.
He exhaled sharply and knocked.
A few seconds later, Rutuja opened the door, eyes widening slightly when she saw him.
"Sir?" she asked, glancing behind her.
Satish nodded once. "I need to speak with you and Sharayu. Just for a minute."
Rutuja stepped back without hesitation, and inside, Sharayu, who had been sitting on the edge of the bed, looked up, startled.
Her grip on the blanket around her shoulders tightened instinctively.
He had changed. Gone was the bloodied, furious professor from earlier. This was the Satish Singh Rajvanshi who commanded respect, but tonight, his eyes held something else.
Something that made her throat tighten.
"Sir..." she began, but he raised a hand slightly.
"Sit." His voice was softer than usual.
She hesitated, then nodded, pulling her legs up and crossing them on the bed.
Satish took a deep breath, stepping further inside, his sharp blue eyes flickering between the two of them. "I need to know how you both are."
Rutuja let out a small breath. "We're fine, Sir."
Satish did not look convinced.
His gaze settled on Sharayu. She wasn't meeting his eyes. A bad sign.
"Sharayu," he said, his voice dropping just a little-just enough to make her look up. "Are you?"
Sharayu swallowed, forcing a small smile. "I-Yes, Sir. I'm fine."
Satish exhaled through his nose. She was lying.
The girl who always had quick comebacks, witty remarks, and endless energy was sitting in front of him looking smaller than usual.
And he hated it.
"Look." He crossed his arms, trying to ease his own tension. "I know you two are shaken. I won't pretend that what happened wasn't serious." He paused, his jaw tightening. "But it's over. You are safe. And I want you to know that I-"
He stopped himself.
What was he even going to say? That he would have killed those men if they had taken one step further? That seeing them in danger had made his blood burn in a way he couldn't explain?
Instead, he cleared his throat. "-that I was there when you needed me, and I will always be."
Sharayu blinked.
Something in her chest twisted.
Rutuja bit her lip. "Sir... Thank you. I mean, really. I don't know what would have happened if you-"
Satish raised a hand. "Don't. Don't think about it."
Silence settled.
Then, he took a small step forward, his eyes gentler now. "Do you need anything? If you don't want to attend tomorrow's activities, I'll arrange for you both to rest."
Rutuja quickly shook her head. "No, Sir. I don't want to sit inside and overthink. I'll come."
Satish nodded approvingly before looking at Sharayu. "And you?"
She hesitated for a moment before meeting his gaze.
And suddenly, there it was again-that strange warmth in his eyes that she wasn't used to.
It made her heart stumble.
She knew she should say something normal, something casual, but instead, what came out was-
"Why did you fight for us like that?"
Satish stiffened slightly, his expression unreadable.
Rutuja's head snapped towards her, and even she realized what she had just blurted out.
Sharayu expected him to dismiss the question, to say it was his responsibility as a professor.
But instead, Satish just stared at her.
A long, heavy silence stretched between them.
Then-"Because it was you." .
Sharayu's breath caught.
Before she could process those words, Satish cleared his throat. "Both of you should sleep now. If you need anything, let me know."
Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked out, leaving behind two very confused girls staring at the door.
Rutuja finally let out a breath. "Okay, did we just hallucinate that, or did he actually-"
Sharayu didn't respond.
Because she was too busy hearing those words on repeat in her head.
Because it was you.
The door had barely clicked shut when Rutuja turned to Sharayu, her eyes wide with disbelief.
"Did he really just say that?" she whispered, half in shock, half in curiosity.
Sharayu, however, wasn't in the state to answer. She was still staring at the door, her mind replaying Satish's words over and over again.
"Because it was you."
What did that even mean? Was she overthinking it? Did he mean it in a general way, or-?
Her heart was pounding, and it wasn't just from the aftermath of the terrifying experience they had earlier in the day.
Rutuja nudged her. "Oye, are you listening?"
Sharayu blinked. "Huh?"
Rutuja smirked. "I swear, if you keep blushing like that, I might start shipping you two."
Sharayu's head snapped toward her, eyes widening. "What nonsense are you saying?!" she hissed, yanking the blanket tighter around her.
Rutuja chuckled. "Listen, I might have been scared to death a few hours ago, but my brain is still functioning. That was NOT a normal professor-student interaction, Sharayu. Be honest."
Sharayu glared. "He was just being responsible. He would have done it for any student."
Rutuja raised a brow. "Oh really? Then why did he say because it was you?"
That shut Sharayu up.
Because that was exactly what was messing with her head.
Why did he phrase it that way?
She wanted to brush it off, to act like it was nothing, but for some reason, a strange warmth settled in her chest.
Shaking her head, she threw a pillow at Rutuja. "Stop overthinking and sleep. We have another exhausting day tomorrow."
Rutuja caught the pillow, but the smirk on her face didn't fade.
"Fine, fine. But if you keep looking like that every time he talks to you, don't blame me for teasing."
Sharayu groaned and flopped down on the bed, pulling the blanket over her head.
Meanwhile, Outside the Room...
Satish walked down the dimly lit corridor, his hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable.
He wasn't sure why he had gone to check on them personally. He could have easily sent a message or asked one of the other professors to do it.
But the moment he had seen Sharayu's pale face in the industry, something inside him had snapped.
When she hugged him, trembling, clinging onto him as if he was the only thing keeping her grounded, he had felt an unfamiliar sense of protectiveness surge through him.
That hug... he hadn't expected it.
And even now, long after she had let go, he could still feel the warmth of it lingering.
He let out a slow exhale, running a hand over his face. This was dangerous.
He had always maintained a professional distance from his students. He was strict, respected, sometimes even feared.
But Sharayu... she had unknowingly crossed a boundary he never thought he had.
"Because it was you."
Why had he said that? What had possessed him to let those words slip?
He knew she had noticed it too. The way her breath hitched, the way her gaze flickered with confusion and something else-something he didn't want to name.
His fingers curled Into a fist.
This had to stop.
He was a professor. She was a student.
That was the only equation they could have.
The corridor was empty, silent except for the faint hum of the night breeze slipping through the half-open windows.
Satish walked slowly, his footsteps echoing, but his mind was far from still.
"Because it was you."
He stopped mid-step.
Why did he say that?
He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling sharply. It had been an impulsive slip, words that left his mouth before he could stop them. But why?
His job as a professor had always been clear-cut-teach, guide, discipline, and maintain distance.
A boundary that was never meant to blur.
Yet, the moment he saw Sharayu in trouble, something in him snapped.
That fear... That rage...
It wasn't just concern for a student.
It was personal.
And then, when she had hugged him, holding on as if he was her only anchor-he hadn't known what to do.
For a split second, he had forgotten he was her professor.
Forgotten where they were.
All he could think about was the way her body trembled against his, the way her fingers clutched his shirt, the way she buried her face in his chest as if she belonged there.
His breath hitched at the memory.
And that was exactly the problem.
He shouldn't be remembering it like this.
He shouldn't be feeling like this.
Satish pressed his fingers against his temple, frustrated.
Was he reading too much into it?
She was scared. It was an instinctive reaction.
And yet...
He remembered the way she had looked at him when he said those words.
That pause.
That confusion in her eyes.
That unspoken question.
She had noticed it.
And he knew Sharayu well enough to know she wouldn't just ignore it.
Would she ask him about it?
Would she bring it up later?
Would she-
He let out a low groan, gripping the back of his neck.
What the hell was wrong with him?
This was not supposed to happen.
He had to fix this.
He had to make it clear to himself that it meant nothing.
Because if he didn't...
Then he was walking into something far more dangerous than he had ever anticipated.
The hotel room was silent except for the rhythmic ticking of the wall clock.
The night outside was cold, but Sharayu felt a strange warmth coursing through her veins.
She sat on the bed, hugging her knees, staring blankly at the dimly lit lamp on the bedside table.
Her hands were still trembling.
Her mind was a whirlwind of emotions-fear, relief, confusion... and something she refused to name.
She could still feel the ghost of Satish's touch.
His firm grip when he pulled her behind him, shielding her from those men.
The way his voice had dropped into something dangerously calm yet furious.
The way his fists collided with those men, his anger raw, untamed, terrifying.
But what shook her more was his words.
"Because it was you."
Her heart skipped a beat just remembering it.
What did he mean?
Why did it feel like something more than just concern?
Sharayu had always admired Satish-not just as a professor but as a person.
His intelligence, his confidence, the way he carried himself... He was someone she respected. But tonight, something shifted.
For the first time, she saw a side of him that wasn't just a professor.
She had felt safe with him, but it wasn't just that. It was something deeper.
When she had clung to him, she hadn't even realized what she was doing.
It was instinctive, as if her body knew he was the only one who could make her feel secure in that moment.
And he didn't pull away.
She squeezed her eyes shut, frustrated with herself.
This was wrong.
She was overthinking.
Maybe he had just been in the heat of the moment.
Maybe he would've said the same to anyone.
But deep down, she knew he wouldn't.
Satish was composed, distant, professional.
And yet, tonight, he had acted possessive.
Protective in a way that was too personal.
And that scared her.
Because if she let herself think about it too much, she might have to confront a truth she wasn't ready to face.
The next morning, the crisp air carried a sense of newness. The sun had barely risen over the snow-capped mountains, casting a golden hue over the town.
The night's tension had faded into the background, but its traces lingered.
Satish sat at the breakfast table, stirring his coffee absentmindedly. His mind was a storm of thoughts-last night, his actions, Sharayu's expression when she clung to him, and most of all... his own words.
"Because it was you."
A reckless thing to say.
A mistake.
It had been a moment of honesty, too honest.
So now, he had to fix it.
Distance.
Clarity.
That was the only way to keep things professional.
So, when Sharayu entered the dining hall with her friends, he barely let his gaze linger on her.
He acted normal-cool, collected, indifferent.
And when she looked at him, as if expecting something, he spoke, loud enough for the group to hear.
"I hope you both are fine now. And just to be clear, I would have done the same for anyone. It was my responsibility."
His voice was even. Neutral.
Sharayu stiffened for a moment.
Her face didn't betray much, but there was a flicker of something-disappointment?
But then, just as quickly, she masked it with a small nod.
"Of course, Sir," she said casually, as if it didn't matter.
But it did.
By midday, the entire group was out in the open, surrounded by a vast stretch of ice.
The morning's awkwardness had faded, and now, excitement buzzed in the air.
Nature had its way of healing things, and today, it had worked its magic on Sharayu.
She was laughing again, throwing snow at her friends, sliding across the ice like a carefree child.
At one point, Hriday, Kunal, and Rutuja attempted to hold hands and slide in a chain, only for them to collapse like dominoes.
The entire group burst out laughing.
Satish stood at a distance, his hands buried in his coat pockets, watching them.
Watching her.
She had bounced back.
Back to her normal, chaotic, lively self.
And it made him feel something he couldn't quite name.
Relief?
Satisfaction?
Or was it something more dangerous?
He let out a small sigh, shaking his head with a barely-there smile.
That girl.
She had no idea how much she messed with his mind.
The icy terrain was turning into a playground of chaos. Students were either laughing, falling, or screaming at their failed attempts to balance.
The cold air was filled with the sound of joyful shrieks and playful banter.
And then there was Sharayu.
Satish found his gaze constantly drawn to her-the way she moved so freely, her carefree laughter echoing through the air, her cheeks tinted pink from the cold.
She was standing with Rutuja and Arohi, plotting something.
The mischievous glint in her eyes was enough to warn him that trouble was coming.
And before he could react-
"SIR, LOOK OUT!"
Too late.
A snowball smacked Satish right in the chest.
The entire group went silent.
Sharayu, frozen in place, looked like she was ready to run for her life. She wasn't supposed to hit him-it was meant for Hriday!
Satish slowly dusted the snow off his coat. His lips pressed together in a serious line.
The students held their breath. Was he mad? Was he going to scold her?
But then-
He smirked.
And before anyone could process what was happening, he bent down, grabbed a handful of snow, and launched it straight at Sharayu.
The entire place erupted into chaos.
"RUN, SHARAYU!" Rutuja shrieked, sprinting away.
"THIS IS A WAR NOW!" Kunal screamed, diving behind Hriday for cover.
The students joined in, turning the peaceful ice-covered field into a full-fledged snowball fight. Laughter filled the air as everyone took sides, ducking, throwing, and screaming in excitement.
But Satish's focus remained on one person.
Sharayu, who was now desperately trying to shield herself behind Arohi, completely failing at it.
She peeked over her shoulder-and that was her mistake.
Another snowball. Straight to her face.
She gasped dramatically, wiping her face. "OH, IT'S ON NOW!"
With renewed energy, she charged toward Satish, attempting to hit him back. But the ice betrayed her.
Her foot slipped.
And before she knew it, she was falling forward-straight toward Satish.
His arms instinctively shot out to catch her.
A moment. A heartbeat.
Her hands gripped his coat, his arms steadying her. They were close-too close.
Sharayu's breath hitched. The warmth of his touch, the intensity of his eyes-everything around them disappeared for a second.
Satish swallowed hard. His heartbeat was a little too fast for his liking.
Then-
"OHHHHH!"
The entire group cheered and whistled at the scene, completely ruining the moment.
Sharayu immediately stepped back, her cheeks burning. "I-uh-sorry."
Satish cleared his throat. "Be careful." His voice was calm, but his mind? A mess.
Hriday smirked, whispering to Kunal, "Damn, that was intense."
Kunal grinned. "I think Sir's starting to lose his 'strict professor' act around her."
And Satish, pretending to ignore everything, knew he was in trouble.
The snowball fight ended in a breathless, exhausted mess. Students collapsed onto the icy ground, laughing, groaning, and catching their breath. Even Satish, who usually maintained his composed demeanor, looked slightly out of breath, his hair messier than usual, his coat dusted with snow.
Sharayu, still recovering from her near fall, stole a glance at him. He was standing with his hands on his hips, his sharp gaze sweeping across the group as if checking if everyone was okay.
But then, his eyes met hers.
And for a split second, there was something unspoken between them.
A flicker of acknowledgment. A silent replay of the moment when he had caught her.
Sharayu quickly looked away, her heart hammering in her chest. "God, get a grip!" she scolded herself.
Hriday, ever the observer, nudged her. "So... how does it feel to be personally rescued by our dear Professor Satish?"
She shot him a glare. "Shut up."
Hriday smirked. "I mean, it's okay if you have a little crush-"
"HRIDAY, I SWEAR-"
Before she could finish, Kunal clapped his hands. "Okay, okay, enough gossip! Let's head back before we freeze to death."
As they trudged back to the hotel, the group chattered about their little adventure.
But Sharayu? She was hyper-aware of one thing.
Satish walking a few steps ahead of her.
He was silent, hands tucked in his coat pockets, his usual authoritative stride somehow... quieter.
Was he thinking about what happened too? Or was she just overanalyzing?
She sighed. "I need to stop thinking about this!"
Arohi suddenly linked her arm with Sharayu's, grinning. "So... that fall-"
"Arohi." Sharayu's voice was a warning.
Arohi just smirked. "You looked good in his arms."
Sharayu groaned, covering her face. "I hate all of you."
Kunal, Hriday, and Rutuja just howled with laughter.
But Satish?
He kept walking ahead, pretending not to hear.
Pretending that the sound of her laugh didn't do something strange to his chest.
Satish walked ahead of the group, his jaw tight, hands clenched inside the pockets of his coat. He kept his gaze forward, pretending to be lost in thought about something academic, something professional-anything but what had just happened.
But no matter how hard he tried, his mind kept circling back to the moment.
The way she had slipped. The way his hands had instinctively reached out to steady her. The way she had looked up at him, wide-eyed, breathless, too close.
He had felt her heartbeat against his arm.
And for the first time in years, he had felt something unfamiliar.
Something that wasn't control.
Something that wasn't logic.
Something that made him want to step back, yet step closer at the same time.
He shook his head slightly, annoyed at himself. "This is ridiculous. She's my student. I need to stop overthinking."
But the problem was- he wasn't sure if he really was overthinking.
Sharayu, on the other hand, was a complete mess.
She wasn't just embarrassed because her friends were teasing her.
No.
She was embarrassed because for the first time, she had felt something shift inside her.
The moment Satish had caught her, his hands gripping her arms so tightly, like he wouldn't let her fall-
It had felt safe.
Too safe.
And that's what scared her the most.
Because why should she feel safe with him?
She shook her head, forcing herself to laugh at her friends' jokes, act normal. But her heart was still racing.
She stole a glance at him, but-as expected-he was walking ahead, looking unaffected, unreadable.
It was just her, then.
She was the only one feeling weird.
She took a deep breath and told herself the same thing over and over.
"Forget it, Sharayu. It was just a moment. It meant nothing."
But somehow, her heart refused to believe it.
After the long, eventful day of slipping on ice, laughing, and trying to push aside the weird emotions swirling inside them, the group finally returned to their hotel rooms. The exhaustion from the day's adventures should have made them collapse into their beds, but Sharayu, Rutuja, Hriday, Kunal, Arohi, Gayatri, and Vrushal had something else in mind.
Sharayu threw herself onto the bed dramatically, sighing.
"Yaar, aaj ka din kamaal ka tha!" she groaned, stretching her arms.
"And you're still left with energy?" Hriday scoffed, sitting on the floor and rubbing his sore arms.
"Of course!" Sharayu sat up, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "That's why, ladies and gentlemen... It's time for UNO!"
The moment she pulled out the stack of UNO cards, the entire group groaned in a mix of excitement and frustration.
"Nahi! Not UNO!" Kunal protested.
"Please! I can't deal with Sharayu's ruthless, villainous strategies," Arohi whined.
"Bro, last time she made me pick +4 cards four times in a row. I still have PTSD," Vrushal added, shuddering.
Sharayu flipped her hair dramatically. "Tch, tch, tch. A true warrior never backs down from battle."
Despite their protests, everyone settled down on the floor in a circle. The game began innocently enough-until it didn't.
The moment Sharayu got a +4 card, the entire group went into survival mode.
"Guys, if she plays that on me, I swear I'm flipping this table!" Hriday warned.
Rutuja, who was sitting next to Sharayu, nervously adjusted her position. "Listen, Sharayu, meri jaan, meri behen, meri best friend, you wouldn't do this to me, right?" she pleaded.
Sharayu smirked, holding up the dreaded +4 card in slow motion. "You see, my dear friend, it's not personal. It's the game."
And with that, Rutuja was forced to pick four cards.
"SATYANASH!" she yelled, making everyone burst into laughter.
One by one, the game turned into pure destruction. Friendships were ruined. Betrayals happened. Kunal, once a peaceful and innocent player, had become a ruthless strategist, saving all his 'Skip' cards for revenge.
"You skipped me again?!?" Arohi yelled.
"An eye for an eye," Kunal said coldly, adjusting his imaginary tie.
Hriday was the first to lose all his cards, making him the UNO champion, while Vrushal was left with an embarrassing stack of 15+ cards.
"I hate all of you," Vrushal declared.
"Love you too," Sharayu and Rutuja said in unison, high-fiving.
Meanwhile...
Satish was passing through the corridor, returning from a meeting with the other professors when he heard the loud shouts, groans, and suspicious cackling coming from Sharayu's room.
He slowed down, his brows furrowing.
"What now?" he muttered under his breath.
He stood by the door for a second, listening.
"NAHI, TU +4 MUJHPE MAT FENK! HAVE MERCY!"
"NOOOOO, I WAS ABOUT TO WIN!"
"SHARAYU, YOU'RE A MONSTER!"
Satish shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. This bunch was chaotic. He had no idea how their professors handled them every day.
For a brief moment, he considered knocking and telling them to lower their voices. But then, he heard Sharayu's laugh.
A genuine, unfiltered laugh, filled with joy.
And just like that, he hesitated.
After everything that had happened, after the fear, after the stress... she sounded happy again.
He exhaled, stepping back. Maybe tonight, he would let it slide.
And with that thought, he walked away, ignoring the strange tug in his chest.
After what felt like an intense battle of strategy and betrayal, the UNO game finally came to an end. Hriday was declared the champion, much to everyone's frustration, while Vrushal, who had the most number of cards, lay flat on the floor, dramatically declaring himself a "martyr of war."
"I just want to say," Vrushal began in a weak, dramatic voice, "that even though I lost, I played with honor. And Sharayu...you are a cruel, heartless being."
Sharayu tossed an UNO card at his face. "And proud of it."
Rutuja, stretching her arms, yawned. "I swear, today was exhausting. From running on ice to this warzone, I think my body is about to give up."
"Same," Arohi groaned, rubbing her temples. "But, I have to admit, today was so much fun."
As they all sat in a messy circle on the floor, the conversation naturally shifted to the day's events-everything from their ice-sliding chaos to their visit to the local market.
Kunal suddenly smirked. "Oh, but you know what was the most interesting part of the day?"
Hriday caught on immediately, grinning like a devil. "Ah yes...a certain someone had a very dramatic moment today."
Sharayu, who was sipping water, paused.
"Who?" she asked suspiciously.
"YOU," Rutuja and Arohi said at the same time.
Sharayu frowned, pretending to be clueless. "What the hell are you guys talking about?"
Vrushal, who was still lying on the floor, suddenly sat up like a ghost. "Oh, you know... just a small thing... LIKE HOW YOU HUGGED SATISH SIR LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT."
Sharayu choked on her water.
"What-?!" she coughed, eyes wide. "That was not- I mean- it wasn't like-"
"OH MY GOD, SHE'S BLUSHING!" Rutuja shrieked, pointing at her.
Arohi gasped dramatically. "SHARAYU. YOU LIKE SATISH SIR, DON'T YOU?"
"SHUT UP!" Sharayu threw a pillow at Arohi, her face heating up.
Hriday smirked. "Hmm, but let's recall. First, he saves her heroically, beats up two guys like a Bollywood movie, and then Sharayu, in her emotional moment, runs into his arms. Classic romance scene."
Kunal joined in, nodding. "And let's not forget how he literally took care of her today, kept watching her during the ice fun, and seemed way too concerned for a normal professor."
Rutuja placed a hand on her chest dramatically. "Guys...what if we're witnessing the birth of a forbidden love story?"
"IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!" Sharayu yelled, covering her red face with her hands.
"Isn't it, though?" Arohi teased.
Sharayu groaned, grabbing another pillow and throwing it at Vrushal this time, who just barely dodged it.
"I'm going to kill all of you."
"But how can you kill us when you're busy thinking about him?" Kunal wiggled his eyebrows.
Sharayu picked up another pillow.
"RUN!" Rutuja yelled, and suddenly, all hell broke loose.
Meanwhile...
Satish was in his own room, sitting on the chair with his arms crossed. The events of the day kept replaying in his head.
He had spent the entire day convincing himself that what happened wasn't a big deal. That his reaction had been completely normal. That he would have done the same thing for any other student.
But then, why did it bother him so much?
Why did he keep noticing her?
Why did he feel so relieved when she was laughing again, acting like herself?
He shook his head, exhaling deeply.
"This is nothing," he muttered under his breath.
But somehow...he didn't believe himself.
As the train pulled away from the station, leaving behind the breathtaking hills of Mussoorie, a sense of bittersweet nostalgia settled over the group.
The trip had been nothing short of a rollercoaster-laughter, mischief, danger, and a whirlwind of emotions. Now, it was time to return to Mumbai, to their usual college routine, to reality.
The group had managed to get seats together, and within minutes, their section of the train turned into a mini war zone. Bags were being shoved under seats, Kunal and Vrushal fought over the window seat, Arohi and Rutuja were trying to fit their luggage on the overhead rack, and Sharayu was just sitting in her seat, watching the madness unfold.
"Yaar, can someone help me with this bag? It's literally trying to kill me!" Rutuja huffed, struggling to push her bag into the space above.
"Not my problem," Kunal grinned, still fighting with Vrushal.
Just when the bag almost slipped and fell, Hriday stood up, easily pushing it up into place. "There. Saved your life."
Rutuja rolled her eyes. "Relax, I wasn't dying. But thanks."
As the train picked up speed, the atmosphere slowly settled down. Everyone found their spots, got comfortable, and started reminiscing about the trip.
Sharayu had hoped that the teasing from last night was over, but she should have known better.
"So, Sharayu," Arohi started, her voice dripping with mischief as she sat across from her.
Sharayu groaned. "No. Just no. Whatever you're about to say-no."
Rutuja gasped dramatically. "We didn't even say anything!"
"But I know you guys," Sharayu muttered, pulling her hoodie over her face.
Hriday smirked. "Come on, at least admit it-Satish Sir is special to you, right?"
Sharayu's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly rolled her eyes.
"Oh my god, stop it! He's a professor, and I respect him. That's it."
"Just respect?" Kunal teased, raising an eyebrow.
"YES, JUST RESPECT!" Sharayu nearly screamed, making a few other passengers turn and look at them.
Satish, who had been sitting a few rows away, working on his laptop, briefly glanced at the commotion before going back to his screen. But he had heard everything.
And for some reason, he felt a strange mix of relief and disappointment.
As night fell and the train rocked gently, most of the students had fallen asleep.
Hriday had his earphones in, Kunal was snoring, and Rutuja and Arohi were whispering about something, trying not to wake anyone up.
But Sharayu couldn't sleep.
Her thoughts kept drifting back to the trip. To everything that had happened. To the way Satish had looked at her during the bonfire, to the way he had saved her without hesitation, to the way he had been watching over her all day.
She sighed, resting her head against the window, watching the dark landscape pass by.
Meanwhile, in Another Compartment
Satish was still awake. He hadn't been able to focus on his work at all.
He ran a hand through his hair, closing his laptop. This was getting ridiculous.
He kept telling himself that he was only concerned about Sharayu as a student. That it was normal for a professor to care.
But if that was true...
Why did he notice her more than anyone else?
Why did he remember the way she had looked at him in fear, trusting him completely?
Why did her laughter at the snow today make him feel...at ease?
He leaned back against the seat, closing his eyes.
"This is nothing," he muttered to himself again.
But the problem was-he wasn't sure he believed that anymore.
The rhythmic motion of the train created a soft lullaby, making it hard to tell reality from dreams. Most of the passengers had succumbed to sleep, their soft snores blending with the distant murmur of the moving train. The night outside was dark, punctuated by occasional flickers of light from distant towns.
But inside the train, two people were wide awake.
Sharayu shifted in her seat, pulling the thin blanket tighter around her. Sleep refused to come.
Her eyes wandered to her friends, peacefully lost in their dreams-blissfully unaware of the turmoil in her heart.
She hated to admit it, but this trip had changed something inside her.
Her mind was stuck on one person, one moment, one touch.
She could still feel the warmth of Satish's arms around her when she had broken down in fear. She had never seen that side of him before-the raw anger, the protectiveness, the intensity in his gaze when he had beaten those men to a pulp.
She had been terrified, but at the same time... safe.
And today, when he had pretended as if none of it mattered, she had felt an unfamiliar pang in her heart.
"Why do I care?" she whispered to herself, her fingers gripping the fabric of her hoodie.
But no answer came.
A few rows away, Satish sat with his arms crossed, staring at nothing.
He had tried to sleep. Tried to shut down the chaotic thoughts storming inside his mind.
But no matter how much he tried to rationalize his feelings, something was wrong.
He had always been professional. Always drawn a clear line between students and professors.
Then why did his heart race every time he looked at her?
Why had her absence bothered him so much back in college?
Why did he feel... relieved when she was safe and smiling today?
He tapped his fingers against the table, trying to dismiss the thoughts. This was nothing.
She was just a student-his student.
But if that was true, then why did her laughter feel like a melody he wanted to hear again and again?
It was past midnight when Sharayu decided to step out of the compartment. The suffocating mix of confusion, emotions, and frustration was too much.
She walked to the small space near the door, hoping that the cold night air would clear her head.
And that's when she saw him.
Satish stood there, leaning against the wall, his posture relaxed yet stiff-lost in thought. His sharp features were illuminated by the dim light, but his eyes looked... troubled.
He turned his head slightly and their gazes locked.
For a second, neither of them said a word.
Sharayu swallowed, suddenly feeling like she had walked into something she wasn't supposed to.
But before she could turn back, he spoke.
"Can't sleep?"
His voice was quiet, calm. But there was something underneath it.
She hesitated before answering. "Yeah... you too?"
He nodded, looking away.
An awkward silence settled between them. The train moved steadily, its rhythmic sound filling the void between their words.
And then, as if the universe itself wanted to play a cruel joke-the train shook slightly, causing Sharayu to lose her balance.
Before she could fall, Satish's hand instinctively shot out, catching her wrist.
For a moment, time froze.
She looked up at him, her wide eyes mirroring the emotions in his. His grip was firm but gentle, steadying her.
And then he let go.
"You should go back to your seat," he said, his voice neutral.
But Sharayu wasn't blind. She saw the flicker of hesitation in his eyes.
She didn't argue. Didn't say anything. Just turned and walked away.
The train slowed down as it approached at Chtrapati Shivaji Maharaja Terminus, Mumbai, the familiar chaos of the city creeping into their senses. The rhythmic chugging came to a halt, and a loud whistle announced their arrival. They were home.
But something felt different.
The platform was buzzing with excitement as parents and relatives waited eagerly. The air was thick with emotions-relief, happiness, exhaustion.
Sharayu stood by the window for a second, watching the crowd, yet feeling strangely detached. She had been waiting to get back home, back to her normal routine. But now that she was here... why did she feel like she had left something behind?
As they all got down from the train, their parents rushed to them. Tired bodies were instantly wrapped in warm hugs, gentle pats, and relieved smiles.
Sharayu's father was already there, waiting for her. The moment she stepped onto the platform, he walked towards her.
"Sharu!" he called out, his face lighting up.
A sudden warmth spread in her chest. No matter how much she loved her friends, there was nothing like a father's presence to make you feel safe.
She smiled and walked up to him. "Baba!"
He pulled her into a hug, the scent of home instantly surrounding her. "How was the trip? You look exhausted."
She laughed softly. "It was... amazing, Baba."
But before he could ask more, her friends started their dramatic goodbyes.
"Areee yaar, college toh kal se hi shuru hai, but yeh farewell jaisa scene kyun ho raha hai?" Hriday teased, his arms lazily slung around Kunal's shoulders.
"Because ab ghar jaane ke baad koi bhi message nahi karega, bas soenge," Gayatri pointed out, stretching her arms dramatically.
Arohi sighed. "Sachhi, Mumbai ke traffic aur lectures ke stress me yeh trip ek sapna lagne lagega."
They all laughed, but deep inside, they knew it was true.
Satish stood a little away, watching all the students leave one by one.
He was relieved. Every student had reached safely, and his responsibility for the trip had finally ended.
But... why did his gaze keep returning to Sharayu?
She was laughing with her friends, her exhaustion evident, but her eyes sparkled with warmth.
For the past few days, she had occupied a space in his mind that he wasn't ready to acknowledge.
And now, she was leaving.
Sharayu, feeling an inexplicable weight on her chest, turned slightly. Her eyes scanned the platform and-found him.
Satish's gaze met hers for a fraction of a second. It was brief, unspoken. But it carried something. Something neither of them dared to name.
She wanted to say something-a proper goodbye, a thank you, or maybe even just a casual remark. But before she could, her father placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Chal Sharu ?"
She nodded, glancing one last time at Satish. But he had already looked away, busy talking to another professor.
And just like that, the moment passed.
As they walked towards the car, her father kept stealing glances at her.
She was quieter than usual. Sharayu was never quiet.
"Bala ," he called softly.
"Hmm?" She looked up.
"Kahi zala ka tithe ?"
(Did something happened over there)
She blinked. "Nahi Baba, Asa kahi nahi ahe?"
(No Baba, there's nothing like you are thinking)
Her father narrowed his eyes playfully. "Bas asach vicharla, tu itki shant vates mhanun?"
(I just asked, because you are too quiet)
She rolled her eyes, laughing. "Baba, please! Asa kahi nahi zalay
(Nothing happened like that)
He didn't push further, but as he drove them home, he couldn't shake off the strange feeling-as if something had changed in his daughter.
And sitting in the passenger seat, staring out of the window, Sharayu couldn't shake it off either.
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