The road trip to Lonavala had started off with pure chaos.
"Bags? Check."
"Snacks? Check."
"Bluetooth speaker? Check."
"Hriday's brain? Oh wait... never mind, he never had one."
"OI!" Hriday threw a packet of chips at Kunal, who dodged it like a pro.
The car was jam-packed with energy.
Rutuja and Arohi were fighting over aux control, while Gayatri and Vrushal argued over which road was the fastest route.
Meanwhile, Sharayu was just enjoying the moment, laughing at the madness.
Hriday was sitting beside her, cracking jokes, making everyone laugh.
"Oye, Sharayu, listen to this one!" he nudged her, grinning.
And just like that, someone clicked a candid picture of her laughing carefreely.
Snap.
A second later, it was uploaded on stories.
Satish had just returned home, planning to spend the weekend grading exam papers.
But as he scrolled through his phone mindlessly, something caught his eye.
A story.
A picture.
Sharayu. Laughing.
His heart stopped.
His grip on the phone tightened.
Then, another story popped up-
A boomerang of her and Hriday, playfully shoving each other while the rest of the group laughed.
Satish's jaw clenched.
And then, another story-
A video of Kunal shouting, "LOOOOOONAVALAAAAAA!" while Sharayu screamed, laughing in the background.
His stomach twisted.
For a moment, he felt relieved.
She was happy. Smiling. Laughing. That was good, right? That's all that mattered, right?
...Right?
But then, another voice in his head spoke up.
"Who is making her laugh like that?"
"Is it Hriday?"
"Why is he always next to her?"
"Why the hell am I even thinking like this?!"
Satish ran a hand through his hair, pacing in his room.
This was stupid.
She was his student. She had a life outside college. She could do whatever she wanted.
And yet...
Why the hell did it bother him so much?
The thought of someone else making her laugh instead of him? Boiling his blood.
The idea of some random guy possibly getting close to her? Unsettling.
His inner Taxation professor tried to rationalize it.
"This is just an unnecessary emotional tax on your mental state, Satish. Focus on your work."
***
"Oye, stop scrolling Instagram and enjoy the moment!" Kunal snatched Hriday's phone away.
"What are you even posting so much for?" Rutuja raised an eyebrow.
"For the memories, duh." Hriday smirked. "Also... maybe for some people to see it."
He threw a sly glance at Sharayu.
She narrowed her eyes. "What?"
"Nothing, nothing." Hriday hummed, clearly up to something.
Sharayu rolled her eyes.
The car zoomed ahead, the wind blowing through the windows, the sound of laughter and music filling the air.
The road stretched ahead endlessly, with green hills appearing in the distance, and the closer Sharayu and her friends got to Lonavala, the lighter their hearts felt.
Once they arrived, the magic of the place wrapped around them instantly. The misty roads, the light drizzle, and the earthy smell of wet soil set the perfect mood for their getaway.
Their first stop was Bhushi Dam, a popular spot famous for its cascading waters over stone steps during the monsoon season.
Without hesitation, they splashed into the cold, refreshing water—shoes ruined, clothes clinging wet to skin. Hriday's constant splashing antics earned him a playful dunk from Kunal, filling the air with laughter and fun.
Later, as the rain continued lightly, the group huddled under a tin shed at a roadside stall, savoring hot, steaming Maggi noodles and sipping cutting chai.
The warm steam fogged up their glasses, and their laughter echoed louder than the raindrops on the roof, bonding them in joyous camaraderie.
Their adventure took them to Tiger’s Point next—an iconic cliffside offering panoramic views of a valley hidden beneath rolling clouds and mist.
Standing there, the friends soaked in the stunning vistas until someone shouted joyfully, “LOOOOOONAVALAAAAA!” The echo bounced off the hills as laughter once again rippled through the crisp air, affirming the carefree happiness of their trip.
***
The return journey from Lonavala was nothing short of a mad circus on wheels.
The trip exhaustion had finally caught up with them, and now, half the group was half-asleep, while the other half was still high on adrenaline.
Kunal was snoring loud enough to scare away ghosts.
"Bro, is he even human? He sounds like an earthquake," Vrushal muttered, shoving his elbow into Kunal's ribs.
Kunal didn't even flinch.
"No use, dude," Hriday sighed dramatically. "If an atomic bomb went off, this guy would still sleep through it."
Meanwhile, Sharayu sat staring out of the window, lost in thought.
The wind tousled her hair as the night lights of the highway passed by in a blur.
Something about road trips always made her emotional.
"What are you thinking about?" Arohi nudged her.
"Nothing much... Just how fast everything passes by," she replied, smiling softly.
Rutuja leaned forward with a mischievous grin. "Or maybe you're thinking about someone?"
Sharayu rolled her eyes.
"Oh please, not you too!"
"Hey, I'm just saying! If someone saw all the fun we had today, they might be jealous."
Hriday smirked. "They're probably watching every story and grinding their teeth right now."
Sharayu froze for a second.
She knew exactly who they were hinting at.
But she just laughed it off.
At least... she tried to.
Satish was sitting in his room, scrolling through Instagram stories.
He had tried his best to focus on his work.
Tried to distract himself.
But who was he even kidding?
The moment he saw Sharayu's picture-
Her smiling, glowing, enjoying life-his heart stopped for the hundredth time that week.
And now, the return journey stories were up.
A video of her laughing as Hriday tried to steal her chips.
A boomerang of her leaning against the window, lost in thought.
Satish clenched his jaw.
Why did it feel like he was missing out on something?
Like he should have been there.
Or, more importantly-
Like someone else was taking his place?
But why did he even care?
He sighed, rubbing his temples.
"I need sleep."
Diwali arrived in full swing, filling every corner of the city with lights, laughter, and chaos.
Sharayu's house was lit up beautifully.
The rangoli at the entrance, the diyas glowing in every corner, and the smell of delicious sweets filled the air with warmth.
Her family was busy preparing for the Lakshmi puja, while Sharayu was getting ready in her room.
And that's when it happened.
She clicked a picture.
Dressed in a rich maroon and gold saree, with a delicate bindi resting on her forehead, bangles adorning her wrists, and a soft smile on her lips-she looked breathtaking.
A second later, it was uploaded on Instagram.
And a few kilometers away...
Satish saw it.
And froze.
He had been scrolling absentmindedly.
A usual habit.
But the moment her picture appeared on his screen, his entire world came to a standstill.
His thumb stopped mid-scroll.
His eyes widened.
And his heart?
It did a full-on somersault.
She looked ethereal.
Not just beautiful-something beyond that.
His breath hitched.
His mind went blank.
"Damn."
He had seen her in casuals, in suits, in kurtas.
But never like this.
And for some reason, this felt dangerous.
Like his feelings were no longer something he could ignore.
Like something had just clicked.
Satish just groaned.
Because at this point, even he couldn't lie to himself anymore.
He was completely, utterly, helplessly lost in her.
And it was terrifying.
Satish was still staring at his phone.
Still stuck on her picture.
His mind wasn't working. His breath was uneven.
And his soul?
Lost. Completely lost.
It was Diwali night, and the Lakshmi Puja was about to begin.
Satish had never been the kind of guy who spent hours on social media.
But tonight?
Tonight was different.
Because tonight, his brain was acting like a lovesick Bollywood hero.
His thumb hovered over her Instagram profile.
He knew he shouldn't.
He knew he was setting himself up for disaster.
But did that stop him?
No.
With a deep sigh, he clicked on her profile.
And the first thing that hit him?
Her Diwali pictures.
She was dressed in a stunning maroon silk saree, draped so elegantly that he actually forgot to breathe for a second.
The golden embroidery shimmered in the light, complementing her dusky skin perfectly.
Her hair was neatly tied back, a few strands falling loosely around her face.
The bindi on her forehead, the delicate jhumkas swaying as she smiled-
WHY was she smiling like that?!
It was illegal. Absolutely illegal.
And that wasn't even the worst part.
The worst part was her caption.
"A festival of lights, laughter, and love ❤️"
LOVE?! LOVE?!
Satish's eye twitched.
Was she talking about the festival or was she hinting at someone?!
And that's when his jealousy kicked in.
Hard.
His mind started creating unnecessary scenarios.
What if she was talking about someone?!
What if someone ELSE was making her smile like that?!
What if that idiot from the café-
His blood boiled at the memory of the guy who had proposed to her.
And suddenly, his entire night was ruined.
"You're an idiot," he muttered to himself, tossing his phone onto the bed.
But sleep?
Not happening.
His brain was stuck.
Completely stuck on her.
Unaware of the chaos happening in Satish's house, Sharayu was sitting peacefully in her room, scrolling through her phone.
Her friends had been spamming the group chat with memes, teasing her about her Diwali look.
Kunal: Saru, did you dress up for Diwali or for someone special?
Arohi: She definitely wanted SOMEONE to see her.
Gayatri: I bet Sir saw it. If only we could see his reaction!
Sharayu blushed.
"Stop it, guys! I dressed up for myself!"
But deep down...
She WAS wondering if he had seen it.
Had he?
Had he noticed her?
Would he ever say anything?
She sighed.
"Idiot," she muttered under her breath.
But whether she was calling herself an idiot... or him...
Diwali was over.
***
The celebrations, the sweets, the teasing, the social media stalking-all of it was now a thing of the past.
The next morning, the streets were buzzing with students, all making their way back to college.
Sharayu, dressed in a simple kurti and jeans, walked through the gates with her friends.
"Feels weird coming back after a long break," Arohi stretched her arms.
"Yeah, but I'm glad. I was bored sitting at home," Rutuja added.
"No one forced you to stay at home. We literally went on a trip," Vrushal rolled his eyes.
"Yes, but one trip isn't enough!"
As they laughed, Sharayu's mind was elsewhere.
She had mentally prepared herself for today.
A new semester meant new subjects, new professors, and most importantly-
A fresh start.
But the moment she stepped into the college premises, her eyes immediately searched for him.
And she hated that.
"Why am I like this?" she muttered under her breath.
Unfortunately for her, fate had other plans.
Because the first lecture of the new semester?
Was an introduction lecture.
And the person delivering it?
None other than Professor Satish himself.
The lecture hall was filled with students, all eager to begin the new semester.
Satish walked in with his usual calm and professional demeanor, his sharp eyes scanning the room.
And then, their eyes met.
For just a second.
A brief, fleeting second.
But for Sharayu? It felt longer.
Her heart skipped a beat.
But before she could react, he looked away.
As if she wasn't even there.
Her brows furrowed.
"Still ignoring me?" she thought.
She pursed her lips, gripping her pen tighter.
"Fine. If you can act normal, so can I."
Satish, on the other hand, was struggling.
Because the moment he saw her, his brain did this stupid thing where it reminded him of-
Her Diwali pictures.
Damn it.
"Focus. Focus on the lecture," he scolded himself internally.
Taking a deep breath, he began,
"Good morning, everyone. Welcome back. I hope you all had a great Diwali break. But now, it's time to gear up for the new semester."
His voice was firm, steady, professional.
But his mind?
A complete mess.
As he spoke, he made it a point to avoid looking at her.
Not once.
Not even by mistake.
And Sharayu?
She noticed.
And she didn't like it.
At all.
As soon as the lecture ended, Sharayu stormed out of the hall.
Her friends followed behind, confused.
"What's wrong with you?" Hriday asked.
"He's still ignoring me!" she blurted out.
"Who?" Kunal blinked.
"WHO DO YOU THINK? The great Professor Satish!" she huffed.
"Ohhh, so you finally admit you wanted his attention?" Vrushal smirked.
Sharayu paused.
Realizing what she had just said.
"I-That's not-"
Too late.
The damage was done.
"Dekh, dekh, Saru is blushing!" Arohi teased.
"Shut up!" she snapped.
"What exactly did he do?" Gayatri asked.
"NOTHING! That's the problem! He didn't even LOOK at me!"
Her friends exchanged amused glances.
"So, let me get this straight," Rutuja started, "he's ignoring you, and that's making you mad?"
"YES!"
"Saru, I hate to break it to you, but that sounds exactly like ......."
"I AM NOT ...."
"Ah, denial. The first stage of acceptance," Kunal nodded wisely.
Sharayu groaned, rubbing her temples.
"You all are useless. I'm going to the canteen."
"And what are you going to do there? Stare at your phone, waiting for him to text?"
"I-You know what? I don't need this negativity in my life."
And with that, she stomped away.
Her friends burst out laughing behind her.
***
Satish sat in his cabin, running a hand through his hair.
Ignoring her was supposed to help.
It was supposed to make things easier.
But instead?
It made everything worse.
He felt restless. Irritated.
And worst of all-
His mind was still replaying the angry pout on her face.
"This is getting out of hand," he muttered.
The night was quiet.
Too quiet for Satish's liking.
He tossed. He turned. He buried his face in his pillow.
But sleep?
Nowhere to be found.
His mind was a battlefield, and the war was being fought by one single thought.
Or rather-
One single person.
Sharayu.
Her anger. Her smile. Her stupid adorable pout.
Everything about her was haunting him.
"Ugh, this is ridiculous," he groaned, sitting up in frustration.
There was only one person in the world who could fix this mess in his head.
His mother.
He quietly walked out of his room and found his mother sitting in the living room, knitting.
She looked up, surprised.
"Satish? What are you doing awake at this hour?"
He scratched the back of his head.
"Uh... can't sleep."
His mother raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? And why is that? Did you eat too many Diwali sweets? I told you to control your sugar intake."
He sighed.
"Maa... it's not that."
She patted the space next to her.
"Come here."
Satish sat down beside her, and before he could protest, she gently pushed his head down onto her lap.
"Maa-"
"Shhh," she hushed him, running her fingers through his hair.
Then, she took a little bottle of oil from the side table and poured some onto his head.
The cool oil instantly relaxed him.
But his mind?
Still a storm.
His mother, being the wise woman she was, knew something was up.
She started massaging his head, her voice soft.
"Alright, tell me... what's bothering my son so much that he's walking around like a lost puppy?"
Satish stayed silent.
How was he supposed to tell his own mother that he was acting like a teenager with a crush?
His mother sighed.
"Close your eyes."
"What?"
"Just close your eyes."
He hesitated but did as she said.
"Now," she continued, her fingers gently working through his hair, "I want you to think of one person. Just one. The first person that comes to your mind."
Not even a second passed before-
A pair of big, expressive eyes.
A teasing smirk.
A voice filled with laughter.
Sharayu.
His eyes snapped open.
His mother smirked.
"Ah. There it is."
Satish sat up instantly.
"What? No! I-I wasn't thinking of anyone!"
His mother gave him a knowing look.
"Satish."
"What?"
"You're my son."
"...And?"
"You think I don't know when you're lying?"
Satish groaned, rubbing his face.
His mother chuckled, shaking her head.
"Beta, let me give you some free advice. The kind of advice that you can't Google or ask Nilesh for."
"Hey! Nilesh gives good advice."
"Nonsense. That boy's advice probably involves drinking coffee and overthinking everything."
Satish blinked.
...Okay, that was too accurate.
His mother sighed, her tone turning softer.
"Satish, you're fighting something you don't need to fight."
He frowned.
"What do you mean?"
She smiled, cupping his face.
"Beta, if you close your eyes and someone's face appears immediately... that means your heart has already made the decision. It's just waiting for your brain to catch up."
Satish swallowed.
His mother continued.
"You can lie to yourself all you want. But feelings? Real feelings? They don't just go away."
Satish looked away.
"Maa... it's complicated."
His mother smacked the back of his head.
"Ow! Maa!"
"Love is only complicated when you try to act smart about it. If you like her, accept it. Don't run away."
Satish sighed.
His mother ruffled his hair.
"And don't wait too long, hmm? Before some other fool confesses to her on his knees."
Satish's blood boiled at the memory.
His mother laughed.
"Ah, see? You're already acting like a jealous boyfriend without even realizing it."
Satish groaned.
"Maa, stop teasing me."
"Then stop being an idiot."
Satish lay back down on her lap, closing his eyes.
The oil massage and his mother's words had finally made his chaotic mind settle.
But there was one truth he could no longer ignore.
He was in deep.
And there was no running away from it now.
The warm glow of the Diya flickered in the corner of the room, casting a soft golden hue over the space. The aroma of sandalwood oil lingered in the air as Satish lay with his head on his mother’s lap, his thoughts heavier than ever.
His mother continued to massage his head, her fingers gentle yet firm, as if coaxing the tension out of his body, but little did she know—
The tension wasn’t in his body. It was in his heart.
She looked down at him, smiling knowingly.
"You’re thinking too much, beta. Spill it out. What is it?"
Satish let out a long sigh. He wasn’t the type to speak about his feelings. Not to anyone. But there was something about his mother’s presence, the warmth of her lap, the comfort of her hands running through his hair—
That made him feel safe enough to say what he’d been refusing to acknowledge.
"Maa… I don’t know what’s happening to me."
His mother hummed. "Hmm… What do you mean?"
He closed his eyes, inhaling deeply.
"There’s this… person."
His mother smirked, but she stayed quiet.
He continued, his voice softer now.
"Whenever she’s around, I feel like… the whole world is quieter. Like, the chaos in my head stops. But at the same time, she drives me crazy."
His mother chuckled. "Drives you crazy?"
Satish groaned. "Yes! One second she’s laughing, the next second she’s pouting, and before I even understand what’s happening, she’s looking at me with these… these big expressive eyes, and my brain just stops working!"
His mother tried to hold back her laugh but failed. "Oh, beta… this is already sounding serious."
Satish sat up slightly, frowning. "I haven’t even told you the worst part."
His mother raised an eyebrow. "There’s more?"
He sighed. "It’s not just when she’s around, Maa. It’s worse when she’s not."
His mother stilled.
Satish stared ahead, his voice dropping to a whisper.
"When she’s not there… the silence is unbearable. I look for her everywhere. In the classroom, in the corridors, even when I’m drinking my coffee—there’s this emptiness that just doesn’t go away."
His mother didn’t say anything, letting him continue.
"And when she talks to me, it’s like the entire world shrinks down to just her. Like… she could be talking about the most boring thing in the world—taxation, laws, whatever—and I’d still want to listen just because it’s her."
His mother’s smile grew. "And when she expresses her emotions?"
Satish exhaled shakily. "It’s like watching magic happen right in front of me."
His mother gasped dramatically. "Oh ho! Magic also? Beta, you’re gone."
He ignored her teasing and continued, his fingers subconsciously playing with the thread of his mother’s saree.
"When she’s happy, I feel like the world is perfect. When she’s upset, I want to fix everything that’s ever hurt her. When she’s looking at me, Maa… I forget how to breathe."
His mother placed a hand on his cheek, her eyes soft.
"And when someone else looks at her?"
A flash of anger crossed Satish’s face. His jaw clenched. "Then I want to break their face."
His mother threw her head back in laughter. "Arre waah! Possessiveness bhi aa gaya!"
Satish groaned, burying his face in his hands.
"Maa, stop laughing at me."
She wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, still grinning. "Beta, I’m not laughing at you. I’m just happy that my son, who thought emotions were useless, is finally feeling something so strong."
Satish looked at her, his voice barely above a whisper.
"What is this, Maa?"
His mother cupped his face, her eyes filled with nothing but love.
"It’s love, Satish."
His breath hitched.
She smiled warmly. "You, my dear son, are in love with this girl."
Satish swallowed hard.
Love?
Him?
With Sharayu?
He wanted to argue, but—
Hadn’t he already felt it?
Hadn’t he already known?
His mother patted his cheek. "It’s okay to admit it, beta. The heart always knows before the mind accepts it."
Satish exhaled deeply, looking down at his hands. "Maa… what if it’s not what I think it is?"
She shrugged. "Then test it. See if you can go a day without thinking about her. If you can, then maybe it’s nothing. But if you can’t…"
She smirked. "Then you better prepare yourself, because love isn’t something you can escape from."
Satish stared at her, his heartbeat loud in his ears.
A day without thinking about Sharayu?
Impossible.
His mother saw the realization dawn on his face and grinned. "Oh ho, my son is gone case!"
Satish groaned, getting up. "I’m going to bed before you make me more embarrassed."
His mother chuckled. "Go, go. But remember my words, beta. If you love her, don’t wait too long to tell her."
As Satish walked to his room, his heart was no longer restless.
It had found its answer.
And now—
It was just a matter of time.
Satish lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his mother’s words still ringing in his ears.
"You, my dear son, are in love with this girl."
He scoffed. Love? Him?
No. It couldn’t be.
Could it?
He turned on his side, but his thoughts wouldn’t let him sleep. The more he tried to push them away, the stronger they became.
His mother had asked him to test it.
"See if you can go a day without thinking about her."
Satish clenched his fists.
Not even a second had passed, and she was already there in his mind.
Sharayu.
Her smile, her laugh, the way she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was concentrating, the way her eyes shined when she talked about something she was passionate about.
The way she looked at him as if he was the only person in the world.
His heartbeat quickened.
He thought about how possessive he felt when that random guy proposed to her.
How jealous he got when Hriday casually touched her.
How furious he became when she ignored him after he ignored her.
How helplessly obsessed he was with her without even realizing it.
This wasn’t just admiration.
This wasn’t just attraction.
This was something else. Something deeper. Something uncontrollable.
It was effortless—because he didn’t even have to try. It just happened.
It was merciless—because no matter how much he tried to deny it, it wouldn’t leave him alone.
It was possessive—because the mere thought of someone else making her laugh made his blood boil.
It was obsessive—because every waking moment, his mind drifted to her without his permission.
His breath came out in shaky bursts.
He was in love with her.
Hopelessly. Irrevocably. Undeniably.
And there was no limit to it.
No running away.
No denying.
No escaping.
Sharayu had taken over every corner of his mind, every beat of his heart, every fiber of his existence.
And he had absolutely no control over it.
Satish groaned, covering his face with a pillow.
"Damn it!"
For a man who was always in control of his life, falling in love like this was the most terrifying thing.
***
The night was heavy with silence, broken only by the soft rustling of leaves outside his window. Satish lay on his bed, one arm draped over his forehead, his thoughts an uncontrollable storm. His mother’s words echoed in his ears—"Boy, you are in love." The realization had hit him like a wave, pulling him under, suffocating yet intoxicating at the same time. There was no running from it now.
His eyelids fluttered shut as exhaustion finally took over. But the moment sleep embraced him, he was no longer in his dimly lit room.
He was standing in a place he couldn’t recognize, but the air was thick with something familiar—her presence.
And there she was. Sharayu.
Draped in a delicate red saree, her loose strands of hair teasing the wind, the soft glow of the setting sun making her skin look like poetry come alive. She was looking at him with a mixture of mischief and something deeper, something he couldn’t quite name but desperately wanted to.
She smiled, taking a step forward. His heart pounded in his chest.
"You keep running from me, Satish Sir. Why?" Her voice was like a melody he never wanted to stop listening to.
His breath hitched. His feet refused to move back this time.
"I don’t know," he whispered, his voice betraying him.
She laughed softly, a sound that made something primal stir inside him.
"Liar," she said, stepping even closer, her fingers lightly grazing his chest.
His control snapped.
With one swift motion, he grabbed her wrist, pulling her against him. She gasped, her wide eyes locking with his. His fingers found their way to her cheek, tracing the soft curve with reverence.
"Tell me to stop." His voice was low, rough, barely above a whisper.
She didn’t.
Instead, her hands clutched the fabric of his shirt as if daring him to go further.
And then, he did.
His lips crashed against hers, desperate, hungry, consuming. It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t careful. It was everything he had held back for too long—his frustration, his desire, his unspoken love—all pouring out into that single kiss.
She responded with equal intensity, matching his passion, her fingers tangling into his hair, pulling him impossibly closer.
Time blurred. The world faded. There was only her.
The warmth of her breath, the way she shivered under his touch, the way his name escaped her lips like a silent prayer—it was all too much, yet never enough.
Just as he was about to lose himself completely in her, everything shattered.
A loud ringing noise jolted him awake.
His alarm clock.
He sat up with a start, his breathing ragged, his heart still racing. His room was dark, the air thick with heat, his body restless.
"What the hell…" he muttered, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
His fingers trembled. His lips tingled. His entire body was still trapped in the illusion of that dream, a dream that felt too real, too visceral.
And the worst part?
He didn’t want to wake up.
He groaned, falling back onto his pillow, his hands covering his face.
"I’m doomed."
Because now, there was no escaping the truth.
He didn’t just love Sharayu.
He craved her.
Satish sat at his desk in his cabin, rubbing his temples, trying to shake off the remnants of last night’s dream. But it refused to leave him. It clung to his skin, the ghost of her touch still lingering on his lips, the weight of her body pressed against his in his subconscious.
"Damn it," he muttered under his breath.
It was getting worse. He had spent the whole morning avoiding his own reflection, as if looking at himself in the mirror would force him to admit just how badly he was falling for her.
Or rather, how deeply he had already fallen.
A knock on the door snapped him out of his turmoil.
"Sir, the semester results are out," a faculty member informed him.
His eyebrows shot up. Already?
"Alright. Have all students gathered in the auditorium. I’ll announce the top three ranks officially."
The faculty nodded and left. Satish leaned back in his chair, exhaling heavily.
"At least this will distract me," he thought, trying to push his thoughts aside.
But distraction was a joke.
Because the moment he picked up the merit list and scanned the names, his eyes landed on one in bold.
1. Sharayu Ketkar
His heart did an involuntary flip.
His lips curled into a small, proud smirk. Of course, she ranked first. Was there ever a doubt?
This girl was made to shine, and he had always known it. But seeing it, officially written, filled him with something indescribable.
Pride. Admiration. Possessiveness.
His girl.
But he had no time to dwell on them because it was time for the announcement.
The entire student body sat in the auditorium, buzzing with excitement. Everyone was anxious, waiting for the results to be declared. Some students chewed on their nails nervously, others whispered amongst themselves, and a few looked completely unfazed—those overconfident ones who thought they had aced it.
Satish walked onto the stage, his usual authoritative aura settling over the hall, instantly silencing the students.
"Good afternoon, everyone," he began, his deep voice echoing through the auditorium. "I won’t take much of your time. I know you all are waiting for the results, so let’s get to it."
A murmur of anticipation ran through the students.
"First of all, congratulations to each one of you. I have seen your hard work, and I appreciate your efforts. Now, let’s talk about the top three rankings."
Satish unfolded the paper, his fingers gripping it slightly tighter when he reached the top name.
"Third place – Piyush Sharma."
Cheers erupted from the students. Piyush stood up, pumping his fists in the air like a cricketer who just hit a century.
"Second place – Lia Fernandes"
Lia’s eyes widened in disbelief before he quickly composed himself, accepting the applause with a graceful smile.
And then…
Satish took a deep breath before announcing, "And the first place, our topper for this semester, is none other than… Sharayu Ketkar."
The hall exploded with cheers, loud whistles, and claps. Sharayu’s friends practically screamed in excitement, shaking her shoulders and patting her back.
Satish’s gaze immediately found her in the crowd.
There she was, eyes widening in shock before her face broke into the brightest smile.
That smile.
The one that could bring a man to his knees.
She looked around at her friends, laughing in disbelief, happiness radiating from her like sunshine.
And Satish?
For the first time in his life, he wanted to walk up to a student—not as a professor, not as an authority figure, but as a man—and tell her how proud he was of her. Tell her how brilliant she was. How she deserved every bit of success and more.
But he couldn’t.
So instead, he forced his face to stay neutral, his hands clenching into fists behind his back.
"Sharayu, Lia, and Piyush, please come up to the stage for your merit felicitation."
The three students made their way up the stage, each one excited in their own way. Piyush, ever the show-off, winked at the audience before shaking Satish’s hand dramatically. Lia bowed like a theatre artist, enjoying the moment.
And then there was Sharayu.
She approached him with a quiet grace, her smile never fading, her eyes twinkling with excitement.
Satish handed her the certificate, but when their fingers brushed for a brief second, it was as if someone had struck him with lightning.
For a fleeting moment, their eyes met.
And that was it.
The world blurred. The voices faded.
It was just them.
She blinked at him, oblivious to the storm inside him. And he? He struggled to keep his damn heartbeat normal.
"Congratulations," he said, keeping his voice as formal as possible.
"Thank you, Sir," she replied, her voice soft yet confident.
And just like that, the moment was over.
The crowd continued cheering, the felicitation went on, and the function wrapped up in another hour.
But Satish?
Satish left the stage with his jaw clenched, his mind screaming at him.
Because there was no denying it now.
He was falling for her. Hard.
***
The felicitation ceremony was over, but Satish’s mind wasn’t.
For the past hour, he had been stuck in a loop, replaying that brief moment when their fingers brushed. That tiny, insignificant touch had shaken him more than he cared to admit.
He tried to shake it off. She’s a student. She’s your student. Keep it together, Satish.
But, damn it, ignoring her was becoming impossible.
Maybe that was why he did something completely out of character—he sent a message to the class representative, asking Sharayu to come to his cabin after the event.
For “academic purposes.”
Of course.
Sharayu knocked on the door, peeking inside. "Sir, may I come in?"
Satish, who had been pretending to read some documents, immediately straightened. "Yes, come in."
She stepped inside, her confidence unwavering, her eyes still carrying that glow of success. She was still riding the high of her achievement, and for some reason, that made him… happy.
Not as a professor.
But as himself.
"You called for me, Sir?" she asked, standing with her hands folded, waiting for whatever this meeting was about.
Satish cleared his throat. "Yes. I wanted to congratulate you personally."
She blinked, a little surprised, but then smiled. "Thank you, Sir."
"You did well. But then again, I never had any doubts."
"Oh?" she tilted her head playfully. "You were that confident about me?"
He exhaled, leaning back in his chair. "Let’s just say… some students carry an aura of excellence. No matter what happens, you know they’re going to rise above the rest. You, Sharayu, are one of those students."
She grinned. "That’s a huge compliment, Sir."
He smirked, shaking his head. "It’s not a compliment. It’s a fact."
For a second, she looked genuinely moved, as if his words held more weight than she had expected. And maybe they did.
Maybe because, for the first time, he wasn’t just speaking as a professor.
He was speaking as himself.
And then, like the idiot he was, he let his thoughts slip through his mouth.
"You know… some people are just effortlessly good at making others notice them. No matter how much you try to ignore them, they always manage to stand out."
Sharayu furrowed her brows slightly. "Are we still talking about academics, Sir?"
He froze.
Shit.
"Of course," he lied smoothly, coughing slightly. "What else would we be talking about?"
"Hmm," she squinted at him, suspicious but amused. "It’s just… the way you said it, it sounded like you weren’t talking about studies at all."
His lips twitched. Smart girl.
"Well," he shrugged casually, "sometimes, certain students have this habit of making their presence very difficult to ignore."
Her frown deepened. "Are you indirectly trying to say that I’m loud in class?"
He almost choked on his own breath.
"What? No!"
"Then?"
She crossed her arms. "What exactly are you trying to say, Sir?"
He cursed internally.
Why was it so damn difficult to be subtle with her?
"Forget it," he muttered, shaking his head. "You wouldn’t get it."
She raised an eyebrow. "Try me."
He exhaled sharply, rubbing his forehead. "It’s just that… some students have a way of existing so… loudly… even when they’re completely silent. Some people just… occupy space in your mind, whether you want them to or not."
There.
Indirect.
Mysterious.
Enough to express but not really express.
She stared at him for a second, processing his words. Then, she laughed.
"Ohhh," she nodded. "You mean that kind of presence. Like how Hriday is? He doesn’t have to speak much, but he still feels very present in a room."
Satish’s entire body stiffened at that name.
Hriday.
Of all the examples she could have taken, she picked him?
His jaw clenched. He folded his hands in front of him, inhaling deeply.
"Yes," he said, his voice dangerously neutral. "Exactly like that."
Sharayu smiled, completely unaware of the silent war that had just erupted inside his chest.
"That makes sense," she mused. "Some people do have that effect. But anyway, Sir, thank you again for the congratulations. I’ll take my leave now."
She turned, ready to walk out.
And Satish?
Satish just sat there, watching her go, wondering how someone could be so oblivious to the fact that he was talking about her.
Just as she reached the door, she paused and glanced back at him.
"By the way, Sir," she smirked. "I think you have that kind of presence too."
And before he could react, she left.
Leaving behind a very confused, slightly flustered, and hopelessly lovestruck professor in her wake.
***
The lecture hall was buzzing with energy as Satish walked in, his usual authoritative presence immediately silencing the students. But his sharp eyes didn’t just scan the classroom today. They were searching for her.
And when he found her, his jaw tightened.
Sharayu was sitting with Hriday. Again.
And this time, the boy had the audacity to hold her hand.
Satish didn’t even care about the reason. Whether it was a magic trick, a silly game, or some educational nonsense—it didn’t matter.
What mattered was that someone else’s hands were on her.
In his class.
In front of him.
His grip on the book in his hand tightened so much that if it were a living thing, it would have begged for mercy.
For a few seconds, he tried to ignore it. He really tried.
But then Hriday leaned in a little closer, whispering something in her ear, and Sharayu laughed.
That was it.
"You two—out."
The words were sharp, slicing through the classroom’s silence like a blade.
Sharayu and Hriday both looked up, confused.
"Sir?" Sharayu asked, blinking.
"Did I stutter? OUT."
Hriday raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled but obediently getting up. Sharayu, however, looked irritated as she followed him outside.
The rest of the class sat in stunned silence, exchanging looks.
Satish sat in his chair, waiting for the two to arrive. His blood was still boiling, and he had no idea what he was going to say that wouldn’t expose him completely.
A few minutes later, there was a knock, and the door opened. Hriday and Sharayu stepped in, both looking less than pleased.
"Sir, if this is about the magic trick—" Hriday started, but Satish raised a hand.
"I don’t care what it was. It was inappropriate in the classroom, and it won’t be tolerated. Period."
Hriday sighed, clearly not in the mood to argue. "Fine. If you want me to apologize, I will."
Satish gave him a look that said “I don’t need your apology. I need you to disappear.”
But instead, he took a deep breath and forced himself to be professional.
"No need. Just be mindful next time. You can leave now."
Hriday glanced at Sharayu, who just shrugged. With that, he walked out, leaving only the two of them in the room.
The moment Hriday left, Sharayu turned to Satish, arms crossed, eyes blazing.
"Okay, what is your problem?"
Satish looked at her, face neutral. "Excuse me?"
"You keep interfering in my life! First, you ignore me for no reason, and now you’re throwing me out of class just because I was sitting with my friend?"
"That was not just sitting." His voice was dangerously low.
"Oh, so now you care about what I do?" she snapped.
He clenched his fists.
"I have always cared," he muttered under his breath.
"What?" she asked, stepping closer.
He took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair, trying to get a grip on himself. But no.
Not this time.
This time, she was going to know.
In an instant, he got up from his chair and took a step towards her.
Sharayu took a step back.
Then another.
Until her back hit the wall.
She looked up, startled, as Satish caged her in, his arms on either side of her. The room suddenly felt smaller, the air thick with something unspoken.
His voice, when he spoke, was low, barely a whisper, but it sent a shiver down her spine.
"Only I can touch you. No one else."
Sharayu’s breath hitched.
Her heart was hammering against her ribs, but her mind was still struggling to process what he had just said.
"W-what?" she stammered.
Satish leaned in slightly, his gaze burning into hers.
"I said," he repeated, even softer this time, "only I have the right to be this close to you."
She swallowed hard, her brain short-circuiting.
"Do you even hear yourself right now? You sound—"
"Possessive?" he smirked. "Good. Because I am."
Her lips parted slightly, her face burning.
He was serious.
Dead serious.
For the first time, she saw something in his eyes that was not just strictness, not just professionalism.
It was something deeper. Something dangerous.
Something… intoxicating.
"You can’t just say things like that, Sir," she whispered, feeling breathless.
"I can and I just did."
Silence.
A thick, heavy silence.
Then, Satish stepped back, giving her space, his face suddenly unreadable.
"You can leave now."
She blinked, still reeling from what had just happened.
"T-that’s it?"
He smirked.
"That’s it. For now."
And before she could say another word, she found herself walking out of his cabin, her heartbeat still racing, her mind still processing his words.
Possessive.
Only I can touch you. No one else.
What the hell just happened?
Sharayu walked out of Satish’s cabin in a daze. Her heartbeat was still hammering in her chest, her breath uneven.
What the hell just happened?
One moment, she was furious at him for throwing her out of class. The next, he had her trapped against the wall, whispering the most insane words she had ever heard.
"Only I can touch you. No one else."
That voice. That intensity.
Her body shuddered at the memory.
No, no, no, Sharayu. Focus.
She shook her head, trying to push away the thoughts that made her insides twist in a way she didn’t understand.
As she walked back to her friends, her face still burning, she was greeted with teasing smiles.
Kunal, the resident drama king, smirked as he wiggled his eyebrows. "Oho, Madam finally returns! Tell us, what secret mission did Sir give you?"
Rutuja, never one to hold back, giggled. "Why do you look like you just saw a ghost? Or wait—was it something else?"
Vrushal dramatically sighed. "Love confession, maybe?"
Sharayu choked on air. "W-what? NO!"
Arohi gave her a pointed look. "Then why do you look so red?"
Hriday, who had been quiet, suddenly frowned. "Wait… Satish Sir asked me to leave before talking to you alone. What did he say?"
And just like that, the teasing stopped.
Everyone was now seriously interested.
Sharayu’s eyes widened.
Oh no, no, no, no—
"Nothing!" she blurted out, waving her hands in front of her face. "It was just… uh… college rules! Yeah! He just reminded me about… um… discipline!"
Kunal narrowed his eyes. "Madam, you’re a terrible liar."
Gayatri gasped dramatically. "Did he scold you? Did he confess his undying love? DID HE ASK YOU TO MARRY HIM?!"
"WHAT?! NO!" Sharayu nearly fell over.
Vrushal smirked. "Then why do you look like a tomato?"
Sharayu groaned, covering her face with her hands. "You all are impossible."
Satish sat at his desk, running a frustrated hand through his hair.
What the hell is wrong with me?
This wasn’t normal. He had been a professor for years. He had never reacted this way to a student before.
But then again… Sharayu wasn’t just any student, was she?
Damn it.
The way she looked at him when he pinned her against the wall… the way her lips parted in shock, her breath quickening…
He groaned, leaning back in his chair. Get it together, Satish. You are a professor, not a lovesick fool.
But he knew the truth.
He had never felt like this before.
Possessive.
Obsessed.
And he had no idea how to stop.
Before he could drown any further in his thoughts, a voice interrupted him.
"Sir?"
His head snapped up. One of his colleagues, Professor Mehta, stood in the doorway, holding a file.
"Everything alright? You look… well, not yourself."
Satish sighed, straightening up. "I’m fine. Just a headache."
Professor Mehta chuckled. "Ah, students will do that to you. Anyway, I came to remind you—we have a faculty meeting in ten minutes."
Satish barely registered his words. His mind was still stuck in the moment from earlier.
"Yeah… I’ll be there."
As the professor left, Satish exhaled sharply.
Meanwhile, Sharayu was still suffering the consequences of her friends’ teasing.
Kunal leaned closer. "Just admit it, Sharu. You and Satish Sir are in a secret love story. I can already hear the dramatic Bollywood background music!"
Rutuja gasped. "Imagine him running behind you in the rain—"
"STOP!" Sharayu groaned.
Hriday frowned again. "I still don’t get why he was so angry about us sitting together."
That one question sent a shockwave through her mind.
Why was he angry?
Sharayu bit her lip, her heart racing again.
Did she even want to know the answer?
Because deep down… she had a feeling that if she did, everything would change.
Satish sat in the faculty meeting, physically present but mentally somewhere else.
No. Someone else.
His fingers tapped restlessly against the wooden table as the Dean droned on about semester performance, student evaluations, and upcoming events. His colleagues nodded along, taking notes, occasionally glancing at him with mild curiosity.
"Satish?"
He blinked, snapping back to reality as Professor Mehta nudged him.
"Huh?"
Professor Mehta smirked. "Lost in thought? The Dean just asked about your department’s revision plans for the next semester."
Satish straightened up. Damn it. He needed to focus.
"Yes, we’re working on a structured revision schedule. I’ll share the details by tomorrow," he answered, keeping his tone professional.
The Dean nodded, satisfied. "Good. Let’s make sure the students are well-prepared."
Satish nodded back, but his mind had already drifted.
She’s well-prepared, no doubt about that.
Sharayu was the top scorer.
His top scorer.
And the image of her standing in his cabin earlier, completely oblivious to the meaning behind his words, flashed in his mind.
God, this girl is driving me insane.
The meeting ended, and Satish wasted no time leaving. He needed air. Needed space.
Needed to stop thinking about her.
He drove home, gripping the steering wheel way tighter than necessary. Every red light felt like the universe forcing him to slow down and think.
And he hated it.
***
When he finally reached home, he threw his bag on the couch and slumped down, running both hands through his hair.
His mother walked out of the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. "You’re home early today."
Satish exhaled. "Meeting ended early."
His mother raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then why do you look like you fought a war and lost?"
He groaned. "Maa, please. Not today."
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