The day had been just like any other-filled with laughter, teasing, and stolen glances between Sharayu and Satish. She had left college with confusion, still thinking about the way he had said things and reacted in his cabin today.
Her friends had taken a different route, and she walked alone, earphones in, humming a soft tune as she scrolled through her phone.
The sun was setting, casting an orange glow on the streets.
She didn't see it coming.
A speeding bike, out of control.
The screech of tires.
The sharp, gut-wrenching thud of impact.
Her body hit the ground with force, pain radiating through her side, her vision blurring as the world spun around her. The last thing she remembered was the distant sound of panicked voices, footsteps rushing towards her, and then-
Darkness.
When her parents received the call, panic took over their senses. They rushed to the hospital, their hearts pounding, a thousand terrifying thoughts running through their minds.
Her friends, too, found out soon enough. Rutuja, Kunal, Arohi, Hriday, Gayatri, and Vrushal stood in shock outside the hospital ward, trying to process what had happened.
"She... she was fine just a few hours ago," Arohi whispered, her voice trembling.
Kunal clenched his fists. "How bad is it?"
"Doctor said she's stable but unconscious," Hriday muttered, his usual playful tone gone. "But we don't know when she'll wake up."
There was a heavy silence before Rutuja spoke up hesitantly.
"Should... should we tell him?"
Everyone immediately knew who she was referring to.
Satish.
"No," Kunal said firmly. "He's not... involved like that."
"But he cares," Rutuja argued. "I've seen it in his eyes."
Hriday shook his head. "What's the point? What can he do?"
Arohi sighed. "Besides, he's in some faculty meeting. He won't even pick up the call."
Rutuja bit her lip, looking at her phone. Should she still try?
Her fingers hovered over the dial pad before she pressed his number.
The call rang.
Once.
Twice.
No answer.
She sighed, locking her phone. "He didn't pick up."
"Leave it," Vrushal said. "He'll find out eventually."
***
Satish had barely slept.
Between meetings, paperwork, and the emotional turmoil Sharayu had unknowingly put him through, his mind had been a mess.
He walked into college, rubbing his temples, when he noticed the strange tension in the air. Students whispered amongst themselves, exchanging glances filled with concern.
Something was wrong.
Then he heard it.
"Did you hear? Sharayu had an accident last night."
His body froze.
His breath hitched.
His mind blanked.
For a moment, the world around him faded into nothing but a painful ringing in his ears.
No. No. No.
The land beneath his feet shook.
The pen in his hand dropped.
And before anyone could stop him, he was running.
Not walking.
Running.
Through the halls.
Through the corridors.
His heart hammering against his ribs as if trying to break free.
He didn't even think.
Didn't even breathe.
The only thought repeating in his head was-
Sharayu. Sharayu. Sharayu.
He reached the hospital, panting, his chest heaving as he barged into the waiting area.
Her friends turned to him, startled.
"You're-" Hriday started, but Satish cut him off.
"Where is she?" His voice was raw, desperate.
Arohi hesitated before pointing toward the ward. "Room 207."
He didn't wait.
He stormed inside.
And the moment he saw her lying there-pale, motionless, an IV attached to her wrist-his heart broke.
His steps faltered. His breath shuddered.
His Sharayu.
Unconscious. Hurt.
A lump formed in his throat.
He walked closer, pulling the chair beside her bed and sinking into it. His hands clenched into fists as he forced himself to take steady breaths.
He reached forward, hesitated, then gently placed his hand over hers.
His fingers trembled.
The thought of losing her-
It destroyed him.
He closed his eyes, exhaling shakily.
I can't lose you.
He had never realized how much he loved her until this moment.
Satish sat motionless beside Sharayu's hospital bed, his fingers curled around her cold, unmoving hand. The rhythmic beeping of the monitors filled the room, each sound a reminder that she was still there-but unconscious, silent, distant.
He stared at her, his eyes trailing over the bruises on her forehead, the IV drip attached to her fragile wrist, the way her breath was steady yet weak.
A hollow ache burned in his chest.
"Sharayu..." His voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried all the weight of the emotions he had bottled up for so long.
No response.
Of course, there wouldn't be.
She was unconscious.
And yet, he kept talking.
"Do you have any idea what you've done to me?" He let out a broken chuckle, rubbing his face. "You've made me into a complete idiot, Sharayu. A man who never let emotions control him is now sitting here, holding your hand, terrified out of his mind because-because what if you don't wake up?"
His throat tightened, his vision blurring as the emotions surged inside him.
"I was angry at you... jealous, even. You were laughing with Hriday, and I thought-" He shook his head. "I thought I had time. I thought I could figure this out, us out. But now... now I'm scared."
A single tear slipped from his eye, trailing down his cheek before it landed on the back of her hand.
And then-
A twitch.
A faint movement.
His breath hitched.
Her fingers moved.
It was small, almost imperceptible, but he felt it.
His heart leaped in his chest.
"Sharayu?" He leaned forward, gripping her hand tighter. "Can you hear me?"
Nothing.
Just silence.
But his heart was racing now.
"Sharayu, if you can hear me, then... then you need to wake up, dammit!" His voice cracked, raw with desperation. "You have to wake up because-because I need you to! I need you to drive me crazy with your stubbornness, to annoy me with your questions, to look at me with those eyes that make me forget how to breathe!"
His fingers gently caressed hers, his forehead pressing against the back of her hand. Then he kissed the back of her hand.
"I need you, Sharayu... I-" His voice broke. "I can't lose you."
The silence stretched, suffocating.
Then-
Another movement.
Her fingers twitched again.
A small groan escaped her lips, her eyelashes fluttering.
Satish's breath caught in his throat.
"Sharayu...?" His voice was filled with a mix of fear, hope, and something deeper-something he wasn't ready to name.
Her lips parted slightly, and in the faintest whisper, she murmured-
"Satish... Sir?"
His world stopped.
Satish felt his entire world tilt on its axis the moment her lips parted, her weak, breathless voice whispering his name.
He froze.
For a second, he thought he had imagined it. Maybe his desperation had made him hear things that weren't real. But then-
Her fingers twitched again.
Her eyelids fluttered.
And then, ever so slowly, her eyes opened.
A soft gasp escaped his lips as he watched her struggle to adjust to the harsh hospital lights. Her brows furrowed slightly, her gaze hazy and unfocused, but the moment her tired eyes landed on him, something inside him shattered.
"Sharayu...?" His voice was hoarse, trembling with emotions he could no longer suppress.
She blinked sluggishly, her lips dry, her throat probably parched. "W-What...?" Her voice was barely audible, but it was enough.
It was enough to send a wave of relief crashing over him.
Satish exhaled shakily, gripping her hand tightly as if afraid she would slip away again. "You-You scared the hell out of me," he admitted, his voice thick with emotion.
She tried to smile, but it turned into a wince. "Mmm... hurts..."
His chest tightened at the sight of her in pain. He immediately reached for the water on the bedside table, adjusting the straw to her lips. "Here. Drink."
She took a few small sips before resting back against the pillow, exhaustion evident in her every movement. Her gaze flickered to their hands, noticing how tightly he was holding onto her.
"Sir..." she murmured, her tone softer now, questioning.
He quickly pulled away, clearing his throat as he rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly aware of how exposed he had become in front of her.
She stared at him for a long moment before a weak smile ghosted her lips. "Were you... crying?"
Satish stiffened.
Immediately, his defenses shot up. "Me? Crying?" He scoffed, crossing his arms. "Sharayu, don't flatter yourself. I don't cry."
She gave him a look, amusement flickering in her tired eyes.
"Right." She sounded unconvinced.
He huffed, leaning back in his chair. "You're awake. That's what matters. And now that you are, you better start explaining how the hell you ended up in this state." His voice was sharp, but the concern in his eyes betrayed him.
Sharayu sighed, trying to recall everything. "I... I was on my way home. A bike came out of nowhere. I didn't see it in time."
Satish's jaw clenched, his fists tightening.
That thought-her lying on the road, bleeding, helpless-made something dark twist inside him.
"You're an idiot," he muttered, his voice gruff.
She raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"
He leaned closer, his eyes locking onto hers, his expression unreadable. "You don't get to do this, Sharayu. You don't get to make me worry like this."
Her breath hitched at the intensity in his gaze.
A charged silence filled the space between them.
Then-
Her lips quirked up ever so slightly. "So... you were worried."
Satish narrowed his eyes. "You-"
But before he could finish, the door burst open, and in stormed her entire group of friends-Hriday, Rutuja, Kunal, Arohi, Gayatri, and Vrushal-all talking at once.
"Oh my god, finally-"
"You gave us a heart attack, woman!"
"Do you know how much Rutuja cried?!"
"Hey! You cried too!"
"I did not!"
Satish pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing as chaos erupted around him.
Sharayu let out a weak laugh, warmth filling her chest as she watched her friends bicker and fuss over her.
And then, her gaze flickered back to Satish.
He was still watching her.
Still looking at her like she was the most precious thing in the world.
And for the first time... she wondered.
What exactly was he hiding behind those guarded eyes?
Sharayu could feel the warmth of his hands around hers, the way his grip was tight-almost like he was afraid that if he let go, she'd disappear again.
She blinked up at him, still groggy from the accident, her body aching in places she hadn't even realized could hurt. Her friends were still bickering in the background, their chaotic energy filling the hospital room like a storm.
But she didn't care about any of that right now.
Because he was here.
And he was holding her hand.
She swallowed, her throat dry. "Sir...?"
The moment the word left her lips, she felt his fingers twitch against hers.
Satish looked at her, his jaw clenching, his expression unreadable.
For a split second, something flickered in his eyes-something raw, something intense. But just as quickly as it appeared, he masked it, leaning back slightly, putting distance between them.
"You're an idiot," he muttered, breaking eye contact as he slowly let go of her hand.
Sharayu frowned. "Excuse me?"
He crossed his arms, the usual sharpness returning to his voice. "You heard me. What were you even doing, walking around so carelessly? Do you know how reckless that was? Do you even think before-"
"Okay, okay, calm down, Professor." Rutuja interrupted, raising her hands. "She just woke up. Maybe let her breathe before you scold her to death?"
Satish shot her a glare. "She almost died. She deserves to be scolded."
Kunal snorted. "Wow. Peak romantic moment, Sir. Truly, Shakespeare would be proud."
Satish turned his glare to Kunal. "Shut up, Kunal."
Vrushal smirked, nudging Sharayu lightly. "See, this is what happens when you have a professor who cares too much."
Satish stiffened, but before he could respond, Sharayu spoke up.
"Sir?" Her voice was soft, questioning.
Satish exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "What?"
"Why... are you here?"
The room went silent.
Everyone turned to look at Satish, waiting for his answer.
Satish, for his part, suddenly found the floor very interesting.
What was he supposed to say? That the time he had spent by her side, holding her hand, whispering things to her unconscious body that he would never have the guts to say out loud? That he had nearly lost his mind when he heard about her accident? That he had wanted to punch something-someone-for letting this happen to her?
No.
He couldn't say any of that.
So instead, he straightened his back, adjusted his glasses, and said, "You're my student."
Sharayu blinked. "Huh?"
Satish cleared his throat. "You're my student. It's my responsibility to make sure you're okay."
The group collectively groaned.
"Oh, come on!" Arohi threw her hands up. "That's the best excuse you could come up with?!"
"Yeah, at least say something like 'I was worried' or 'I care about you'-"
"I don't care," Satish cut in quickly, a little too quickly. "I just... I was just fulfilling my duty."
Sharayu stared at him for a moment, tilting her head slightly.
Something about his words didn't sit right.
Because if that was really all there was to it... then why had he been holding her hand so tightly just moments ago?
Why did he look so relieved when she woke up?
Why did his voice shake when he spoke to her?
Her lips parted, as if she was about to say something-but then, before she could, a nurse walked in.
"Alright, visiting hours are almost up," the nurse announced. "The patient needs to rest."
The group groaned in protest, but one glare from the nurse was enough to make them obediently start gathering their things.
Satish stood up as well, adjusting his coat. "Get some rest," he said, his voice back to its usual firm tone. "You need to recover quickly. Exams are coming up."
Sharayu rolled her eyes. "Wow. No 'get well soon,' just 'exams are coming up'?"
Satish smirked. "What? Do you want me to say something cheesy like 'take care'?"
She raised an eyebrow. "Would it kill you?"
"Yes."
She snorted, shaking her head.
And for the first time since waking up, she smiled.
Satish saw it.
And in that moment, he knew.
He was in serious trouble.
Satish walked out of the hospital room, but his mind refused to leave her side.
Her voice still echoed in his ears-soft, teasing, challenging. That damn smile of hers... It was dangerous.
No. She was dangerous.
And he? He was a lost cause.
"Sir, I swear on my textbooks, you are gone." Kunal nudged him with his elbow as they walked through the hospital corridor.
Satish frowned. "Gone where?"
Rutuja sighed dramatically. "Gone for Sharayu, obviously. Like, head over heels, utterly obsessed, can't-think-straight kind of gone."
Satish scoffed. "I have never been head over heels for anyone, and I'm certainly not obsessed."
Hriday snorted. "Oh yeah? Then why were you holding her hand like she was your lost puppy?"
"I-" Satish's jaw clenched. "That was-"
"-A responsible professor's duty, right?" Arohi smirked. "Come on, Sir. You can do better than that."
"Fine." Satish stopped walking and turned to them, his hands in his pockets. "Let's say-hypothetically-that I do care."
The group leaned in.
"Hypothetically," he repeated, glaring at their excited faces. "What does it matter? She still calls me Sir."
Everyone groaned.
"Oh my god," Gayatri facepalmed. "Sir, you are the one who told her to call you that."
"She doesn't even know what you feel!" Vrushal added.
Satish sighed, rubbing his temples.
They had a point. But could he really just... tell her?
"Let's drop this." He resumed walking. "She needs to recover. That's all that matters right now."
The group exchanged looks but said nothing.
They knew better than to push him-especially when his ears were already turning red.
Satish had barely slept.
He tossed and turned, her voice playing on repeat in his head.
"Sir, why are you here?"
"Sir, would it kill you to say something nice?"
"Sir, you're impossible."
Sir. Sir. Sir.
He groaned, pressing a pillow over his face. Why couldn't she just say his name for once?
When his alarm rang, he got up, determined to focus on anything but her today.
But that determination lasted exactly three seconds.
Because the moment he picked up his phone, the first thing he saw was a photo of her.
Posted by Rutuja.
Sharayu was in her hospital room, sitting up, laughing at something. Her eyes crinkled, her cheeks slightly flushed.
The caption? "She's finally out of the hospital bed, people! Let the fun begin!"
Satish swallowed. His grip on his phone tightened.
She looked... happy.
Relaxed.
Like the accident had never even happened.
And that should've relieved him.
But instead, all he could think about was:
What if she forgets what happened? What if she acts like it was nothing? What if she never realizes how much she means to me?
His jaw clenched.
There was no way he could ignore this anymore.
Sharayu wasn't just some student to him.
She wasn't just some girl.
She was the storm that shook up his perfectly ordered life.
And he had two options now:
Run away.
Or-
Face her.
He exhaled sharply.
There was no running away.
Not anymore.
With that, he grabbed his coat and walked out of his house, ready to face whatever came next.
Satish had barely slept, barely eaten, and had spent the entire night staring at the ceiling, thinking about her.
So, when he finally arrived at the hospital the next morning, expecting to check on her, he was met with a piece of news that left him absolutely speechless.
"She's already discharged, Sir."
The nurse's words rang in his ears.
Gone?
Just like that?
Without even a single call? A message? Anything?
Satish stood frozen, gripping the edge of the counter as an odd, unsettling feeling settled in his chest. Hurt.
No one had thought to inform him.
Not her friends.
Not even Sharayu.
And then reality hit him like a slap to the face.
Why would they tell you, Satish? Who are you to her?
The thought made something inside him sink.
He clenched his jaw, rubbing his fingers against his forehead, a strange mix of frustration and disappointment bubbling inside him.
Fine. Fine.
If no one wanted to tell him, he would confirm it himself.
And with that thought, he walked straight out of the hospital and got into his car.
Satish parked outside Sharayu's house, his grip on the steering wheel tightening as he saw a small crowd gathered outside.
Her friends were there.
Her parents were there.
Her brother was standing near the gate, excitedly talking to Hriday, who-
Satish's eyes narrowed.
Hriday was holding her hand.
Something ugly twisted inside Satish's chest.
His heart pounded as he watched Sharayu stumble slightly, and just like a scene straight out of a movie, Hriday's hand shot out-
Landing directly on her waist.
Satish's jaw tightened. His fingers curled into fists.
That should be him.
Why wasn't he the one by her side?
Why wasn't he the one helping her?
Why... why wasn't he the one she called first?
Something about seeing Hriday so close to her-touching her so effortlessly, so casually-made something in Satish snap.
The hurt in his chest was quickly replaced by something much, much worse.
Possessiveness.
Without a word, without even thinking, Satish turned around and walked away.
Because if he stayed there for another second-
He would not be able to control himself.
Gayatri had noticed it.
She had seen him standing there, watching everything unfold.
And she had also seen the way he left.
Fast. Silent. But completely shaken.
She turned to the rest of the group, biting her lip.
"Uh... guys?"
Arohi turned to her. "What?"
Gayatri hesitated for a moment, then spoke.
"I think... I think Sir was here."
The group froze.
Kunal blinked. "Satish Sir?"
"Yes." Gayatri nodded, lowering her voice. "And... I think he saw Hriday with Sharayu."
A collective 'Oh...' fell over the group as the realization sank in.
Rutuja's eyebrows shot up. "You're saying he saw Hriday holding her hand?"
Gayatri hesitated, then added, "And her waist."
Kunal whistled. "Oh, he's gonna lose it."
Arohi groaned. "Ugh, I swear, this is turning into one of those stupid Bollywood movies."
Gayatri ignored them and turned to Rutuja.
"You need to tell Sharayu."
Rutuja blinked. "Tell her what?"
"That Sir was here."
"Why?" Rutuja looked confused. "She doesn't even-"
"She needs to know." Gayatri's voice was firm. "Because I don't think Satish Sir is going to act normal after this."
The group exchanged glances.
Sharayu was finally home.
Her head still ached a little, and her body felt weaker than usual, but she was fine.
At least, that's what she told herself.
Her friends had been around the whole time, fussing over her like she was made of glass. Hriday had helped her inside, and while she didn't think much of it, the way her friends were giving each other that look made her suspicious.
She barely had the energy to question them, though, and so she let it go.
Until Rutuja sat beside her with a nervous expression.
"Hey, um..." Rutuja hesitated. "I need to tell you something."
Sharayu raised an eyebrow. "That sounds dangerous."
"It is." Kunal dramatically gasped from the couch. "Brace yourself."
"Shut up, Kunal," Arohi muttered before turning to Sharayu. "So, um... Satish Sir was here."
That got her attention.
Her fingers froze around the glass of water she was holding.
She blinked. "What?"
Gayatri nodded. "He was here. Well, not here here, but outside your house."
Sharayu felt something weird settle in her chest. "Why?"
Gayatri exchanged glances with Rutuja before saying, "I think... he came to see if you were home safely."
Sharayu's lips parted slightly.
Her chest tightened at the thought.
She had assumed he wouldn't care. That maybe she was just another student to him, and that's why he hadn't called or texted.
But he had come.
"Wait-there's more." Arohi smirked, leaning forward. "He saw Hriday holding your hand."
"And your waist," Gayatri added.
Kunal whistled. "Yep. He saw it all."
Sharayu felt heat rush to her face.
"What?! It wasn't like that-"
"Oh, we know," Rutuja assured her. "But he doesn't."
Silence.
Sharayu swallowed, gripping her blanket.
She didn't know why, but the thought of Satish seeing that-of him misunderstanding-made her feel... uneasy.
Or was it something else?
Arohi smirked. "You know what this means, right?"
Sharayu frowned. "What?"
Kunal grinned. "He's jealous."
Sharayu's eyes widened.
Her heart skipped.
Gayatri leaned in, whispering dramatically, "You just poked a very, very possessive man, my dear."
Sharayu's mind raced.
Satish sat in his car, gripping the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.
This is ridiculous.
He was furious.
Furious that no one had told him she was discharged. Furious that she let Hriday touch her.
Furious that he had no right to be this angry.
Because who was he to her?
Just a professor?
No.
Not anymore.
He realized it the moment he saw her fall, the moment he thought he might lose her.
I love her.
The truth had hit him like a thunderbolt, and now-now he didn't know what to do with it.
But one thing was clear.
Watching Hriday with his hands on Sharayu?
He wanted to rip them off.
And that thought scared him.
Because love was one thing-
But possessiveness?
That was something far more dangerous.
The house was quiet, but Satish's mind was a riot.
He had spent the entire night thinking.
Thinking about what he saw.
Thinking about her.
He tried telling himself that it wasn't a big deal. That Hriday was just a friend. That he was overreacting.
But his mind kept replaying the way Hriday's hand lingered on her waist.
The way Sharayu didn't pull away.
It made his blood boil.
It made his chest tighten in a way he wasn't used to.
And worst of all?
It made him feel helpless.
Because as much as he wanted to march to her house and demand an explanation-
He couldn't.
Because who was he to do that?
A professor?
A friend?
A man slowly losing his mind because of her?
It didn't matter.
He had to pull himself together.
***
Today, he would be back at college, and so would she.
And whether she liked it or not-
They were going to have a conversation.
Meanwhile, at Sharayu's house...
Sharayu stared at herself in the mirror.
She looked... normal.
But inside?
She was conflicted.
After what her friends told her about Satish, she hadn't been able to stop thinking about him.
Why had he come to see her?
Why had he left without saying anything?
And most importantly-
Was he really jealous?
The idea sounded so ridiculous.
But why did it make her heart race?
She shook her head.
I'm overthinking.
She needed to focus.
Today was her first day back at college after the accident. She needed to get through the day without making a fool of herself.
Especially in front of him.
Sharayu walked into the college hallway, her friends surrounding her like a human shield.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Rutuja asked for the tenth time.
Sharayu sighed. "Yes, Mom."
Kunal snorted. "She called you Mom. That means you're being annoying."
Rutuja glared at him. "I care, okay?"
Arohi nodded. "She's been through a lot."
Gayatri smirked. "And she still has to face a certain someone today."
Sharayu's stomach dropped.
Right.
Satish.
She was not ready for that conversation.
As if the universe heard her thoughts, the hallway suddenly fell silent.
And when she turned her head-
She froze.
Because there he was.
Satish.
Standing at the other end of the corridor.
Looking directly at her.
Their eyes met, and for a brief moment, everything around them disappeared.
It was just the two of them.
The man who was angry, but wouldn't say why.
And the girl who was confused, but wanted to understand.
Her heartbeat quickened.
Would he say something?
Would he come to her?
Would he-
He walked away.
Just like that.
Like she wasn't even there.
Sharayu's heart sank.
Her friends stared.
"Uh..." Kunal blinked. "Did he just-?"
"He ignored her," Rutuja whispered, horrified.
"That's not normal," Arohi muttered.
Gayatri crossed her arms. "Yep. He's mad."
Sharayu felt a strange, uncomfortable feeling in her chest.
Why?
Why was he ignoring her?
Did she do something wrong?
Before she could think too much, Hriday patted her shoulder.
"Don't worry," he smiled. "Maybe he's just busy."
Sharayu nodded, forcing a small smile.
But deep down?
She knew.
Satish was not just busy.
He was angry.
And she was going to find out why.
Satish stormed into his cabin, slamming the door shut behind him.
His chest was tight.
His mind was spinning.
He saw her.
He saw Hriday with her again.
And instead of going to her, instead of confronting her-
He walked away.
Coward.
His jaw clenched.
This wasn't him.
He wasn't the kind of man who ran away.
But she-
She made him act like this.
She made him feel things he had no control over.
And that terrified him.
Because he wasn't sure if he was falling in love with her-
Or if he already had.
And the worst part?
She had no idea.
The entire day had gone by in a blur.
Satish tried to focus on lectures, on meetings, on responsibilities-
But nothing could take his mind off her.
Her absence.
Her silence.
The ache that refused to leave his chest.
So he did the only thing he could do.
He called her to his cabin.
And now, she was standing outside his door.
Hesitant.
Nervous.
Contemplating whether to step inside or walk away.
But she didn't walk away.
She never walked away from him.
Taking a deep breath, Sharayu finally pushed the door open and stepped in.
The room was quiet.
Too quiet.
Satish stood by the window, his back facing her, hands clasped behind him.
He didn't acknowledge her immediately.
The tension in the air was thick.
It felt like she had walked into a storm-one that had been brewing for days.
Sharayu cleared her throat, forcing herself to speak first.
"Sir, you called me?"
The word Sir made his grip on his wrist tighten.
He turned around, his eyes cold, unreadable, yet burning with something she couldn't quite name.
She had seen him angry before-
But never like this.
She stood straight, refusing to let her nerves show.
"If you wanted to give me extra notes, you could have sent them to me through Rutuja."
That was not the right thing to say.
His eyes darkened.
And then, he spoke.
Low.
Dangerous.
Like a predator that had just found its prey.
"Why?"
One word.
Sharp.
Heavy.
Confusing.
Sharayu frowned. "Why... what?"
Satish took slow, measured steps toward her, each step making her pulse quicken.
He stopped a few inches away from her, too close, yet not enough.
His next words came out like a whisper, but it was the kind of whisper that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Why was I not told?"
Her brows furrowed. "Told about what?"
Satish's jaw clenched. "That you were discharged. That you went home. That everyone was there for you-"
He took a sharp breath.
"Everyone except me."
Sharayu felt her heart drop.
But she didn't let it show.
Instead, she crossed her arms and looked straight into his eyes. "And why should you have been told?"
Silence.
The words hit him like a slap.
A bitter, brutal slap.
His hands curled into fists.
His voice, when he spoke, was deceptively calm.
"Because you are the center of everything."
Her lips parted, confused. "What?"
His breathing was uneven now, like he was struggling to hold himself together.
"You are the center of everything, but I am nowhere."
Her breath hitched.
"I have no place. I have no right. I am not your friend. I am not your family. I am nothing."
His eyes bore into hers, searching, demanding, punishing.
"But tell me, Sharayu..."
His fingers twitched as if he wanted to touch her but knew he shouldn't.
"If I am nothing, then why does it feel like you are everything to me?"
The room felt too small.
The space between them non-existent.
Sharayu's heart was pounding so loudly, she was sure he could hear it.
But she forced herself to stay strong.
She tilted her chin up and whispered, "Who are you to ask me these questions?"
Silence.
And then-
A small, dangerous smirk appeared on his lips.
A smirk that sent a chill down her spine.
His voice dropped to a whisper.
"That's what I'm trying to figure out, Sharayu."
His gaze was obsessive, intense, consuming.
"Because every time you are near, I can't think straight."
His fingers brushed against the wooden table behind her, his knuckles white with frustration.
"Because when you're gone, it feels like I can't breathe."
Sharayu's breath caught in her throat.
This wasn't just anger.
This wasn't just frustration.
This was something else.
Something dangerous.
The air inside the cabin had changed.
It was no longer just a conversation.
No longer just a confrontation.
It had turned into something else.
Something darker.
Something intense.
Satish stood there, his breathing uneven, his fists clenched, as if restraining himself from doing something he might regret.
Sharayu, on the other hand, stood her ground, but even she could feel the weight of his words pressing down on her.
"You didn't answer me, Sharayu."
His voice was dangerously low, a whisper of frustration laced with something heavier.
Sharayu swallowed, her heart pounding in her chest. "Answer what?"
He took a slow step forward.
"Why was I not told?"
She clenched her jaw, forcing herself to stay composed. "Because, Satish Sir, you are my professor. Not my friend. Not my family. Not someone I need to update about my every move."
His eyes darkened.
That word again-Sir.
It felt like a barrier, like a knife slicing between them, reminding him of exactly why he had no place in her life.
Satish let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head. "Right. Of course. I am just your professor."
His voice was laced with something bitter, something angry, something possessive.
"Then tell me, Sharayu."
He leaned slightly closer, his presence overwhelming.
His voice dropped even lower, sending a shiver down her spine.
"Why does it bother me so much when I see someone else touching you?"
Sharayu froze.
Her breath caught in her throat.
Satish's eyes were locked onto hers, burning, demanding, consuming.
"Why did it feel like I wanted to break something when I saw Hriday holding you?"
His jaw clenched, and his hands gripped the edge of the table behind her, caging her in without even touching her.
"Why do I hate the idea of anyone else standing close to you?"
Sharayu's fingers trembled slightly, but she refused to back down.
"That is not your problem, Sir."
The word Sir stung again.
But he didn't move.
Instead, he tilted his head slightly, his lips curling into a small, dangerous smirk.
"Not my problem?"
His voice was barely above a whisper, but it held a storm inside it.
His fingers twitched as if fighting the urge to reach for her.
"Then tell me, Sharayu..."
His gaze never wavered.
"Why does it feel like you are mine?"
Her breath hitched.
His eyes flickered down to her lips for just a second before snapping back up.
"Why do I feel like no one else should be touching you but me?"
Silence.
Sharayu's hands clenched at her sides, her mind spinning.
This wasn't right.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
"You're overthinking, Sir."
She forced the words out, her voice steadier than she felt. "I can talk to whoever I want. I can sit with whoever I want. I don't belong to you."
A muscle in his jaw ticked.
His hands tightened around the desk, his knuckles turning white.
"You don't?"
His voice was lower now.
Huskier.
Darker.
Something dangerous flickered in his gaze as he leaned even closer.
"Then why do I feel like I'll lose my mind if I see you with someone else?"
His breath was warm against her skin, and for the first time, Sharayu felt like she couldn't breathe.
Her heartbeat was deafening.
She opened her mouth to respond, to say something, anything-
But nothing came out.
Because for the first time...
She didn't have an answer.
Sharayu could feel the weight of his gaze pressing into her, the air around them heavy, suffocating, intense.
Satish didn't move.
Didn't blink.
Didn't even breathe.
He was waiting.
Waiting for her to answer.
Waiting for her to say something.
Anything.
But she couldn't.
Her hands trembled at her sides, her breath shallow as she looked up at him.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
Satish was her professor.
Her strict, overbearing, possessive professor.
Why was he saying things like this?
Why did his words feel like they were gripping her from the inside, pulling her closer, drowning her in emotions she wasn't ready to face?
Her throat went dry, but she somehow found her voice. "Sir... you can't say things like this."
Satish's jaw clenched.
The word Sir again.
It was like a wall, like a knife cutting through his emotions, making him furious and restless at the same time.
"Why not?" His voice was dangerously low.
Sharayu tried to steady her breath. "Because... because you're my professor."
Satish let out a hollow chuckle, shaking his head. "That's all I am to you?"
She swallowed hard. "Yes."
"Liar."
The word was barely a whisper, but it sent a shiver down her spine.
Her eyes widened as he took another slow step forward, closing the already minimal space between them.
He was so close now.
So damn close.
"Look me in the eyes, Sharayu."
She hesitated.
His voice was like a drug, a slow poison seeping into her veins, making it impossible to think straight.
"Look at me and say it again."
Her lips parted, but nothing came out.
She couldn't say it.
Because she wasn't sure anymore.
Was he really just her professor?
Then why was her heart racing like this?
Why did she feel this unbearable tension between them, as if something was about to break?
Satish smirked, his eyes dark and knowing.
"See?"
His voice was soft now, almost teasing, but there was something dangerous hidden beneath it.
Something possessive.
Something obsessive.
"You can't say it. Because you know it's not true."
Her breath hitched.
Her mind screamed at her to say something, to argue, to push him away-
But her body?
Her body betrayed her.
She stayed frozen, her back against the desk, her fingers gripping the edge as if it was the only thing holding her up.
Satish's eyes flickered down to her lips for just a second-
Just a second-
But she felt it.
The shift.
The intensity.
The tension that refused to break.
And then, in the softest, most possessive tone, he whispered:
"No one touches you. No one but me."
Sharayu's breath caught in her throat.
Her fingers dug into the desk, and she hated how her skin burned at his words.
Hated how his voice sent shivers through her entire body.
This was wrong.
This was so, so wrong.
But then why...
Why did it feel so electrifying?
The air in the room thickened.
Sharayu's heartbeat hammered against her ribs, her breath caught between her lips as Satish's words echoed in her mind.
"No one touches you. No one but me."
A shiver ran down her spine.
Her body froze, her fingers gripping the desk so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
Satish wasn't moving.
He just stood there, his eyes dark, unwavering-like a predator watching its prey.
And yet, she couldn't look away.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
Her body was betraying her.
Her mind screamed at her to push him away, to say something, anything-
But instead, she stood there, feeling the unbearable heat between them.
Satish leaned in, his voice a whisper against her ear, a dark promise.
"Why are you testing me, Sharayu?"
Her stomach twisted.
Her breath hitched.
She tried to speak, but all she managed was a soft, shaky, "I-"
Satish let out a humorless chuckle, his hand gripping the edge of the desk beside her. "I saw you. With Hriday."
His name came out like venom, like something filthy on his tongue.
Sharayu's eyes widened. "You were spying on me?"
His jaw clenched. "Spying?" He scoffed. "Don't flatter yourself, Sharayu. I was passing by and saw your little game."
A lie.
A bold-faced, shameless lie.
He had stood there, watching from a distance, fists clenched, chest burning with an anger he couldn't understand.
The sight of Hriday's hand on her waist had sent a sharp, unbearable pain through his chest-something he refused to name.
Sharayu glared at him, arms crossing over her chest. "So what if I was with Hriday?"
A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes.
The room grew smaller.
The space between them disappeared.
Satish slammed his hand against the desk beside her, making her jump.
"Say that again." His voice was low, guttural-possessive.
Sharayu's breath stuttered. "What is your problem? Why do you care?"
Satish let out a sharp, bitter laugh. "Why do I care?"
Oh, she was testing him.
She was testing his limits, and she didn't even realize it.
His eyes darkened, his body so close she could feel the heat radiating off him.
"You want to know why I care, Sharayu?"
Her heart pounded.
She opened her mouth to say something-anything-
But before she could, he reached out.
His fingers brushed against her wrist, grazing her pulse.
Her breath hitched.
Her skin burned where he touched her, an unspoken electricity crackling between them.
And then, in a voice so low it sent shivers down her spine, he whispered:
"Because you're mine."
Silence.
A heavy, unbearable silence.
Sharayu's eyes widened, her body going completely rigid.
Her lips parted, words dying in her throat.
Did he just-
Did he just say-
Satish didn't blink.
Didn't waver.
Didn't regret it.
Because it was the truth.
A truth he could no longer ignore.
A truth he had been running from for too long.
And now that it was out, he refused to take it back.
Sharayu swallowed, her mind a chaotic mess.
Her chest felt too tight, her hands clammy, her entire body betraying her.
This wasn't happening.
It couldn't be happening.
Satish leaned in, his lips inches from her ear, his voice like a dark, intoxicating spell.
"You can fight me all you want, Sharayu. You can pretend all you want. But deep down..."
His fingers curled around her wrist, gently, yet possessively.
"You feel it too, don't you?"
Her breath came out in short, shaky gasps.
No. No. No.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
She wasn't supposed to feel this way.
But as much as she wanted to deny it-
As much as she wanted to tell him to let go-
Her body told a different story.
Her pulse raced beneath his fingertips.
Her skin burned where he touched her.
And her heart?
Her heart had already betrayed her.
The air between them was heavy, intoxicating, dangerous.
Sharayu's entire body was frozen, but her mind was a chaotic storm.
What did he just say?
"You're mine."
The words repeated in her head, each time sending a new wave of shivers down her spine.
Her heart was hammering so loudly she could barely hear her own thoughts.
She should have said something. Anything.
She should have pushed him away.
She should have told him he was wrong.
But she didn't.
She couldn't.
Because deep down, a part of her knew he wasn't lying.
And that scared her more than anything.
Satish was still standing so dangerously close-too close.
His grip on her wrist was tight, possessive, yet not painful.
He wasn't trying to hurt her.
No-he was staking his claim.
And the worst part?
She didn't hate it.
She could feel the heat radiating off his body.
She could hear his breathing, deep and controlled, but beneath it was something else-
Something wild. Unrestrained.
Something that made her stomach twist in the most confusing way.
And then, he did something that made her entire world tilt.
He lifted her wrist, ever so slightly, and pressed his lips against her pulse.
A single, lingering kiss.
The moment his lips touched her skin, a gasp escaped her lips.
Her knees threatened to give out.
Her entire body betrayed her.
Satish didn't move.
Didn't pull away.
Didn't say a word.
He let his lips linger, feeling the frantic beat of her pulse beneath them.
His eyes flickered up to meet hers, dark and unreadable.
"Tell me you don't feel it." His voice was a whisper, but it carried the weight of something dangerous.
She opened her mouth-but nothing came out.
Because the truth was, she did feel it.
And she had no idea what to do about it.
She finally yanked her hand away, stumbling back as if she had just touched fire.
Because she had.
Satish was fire.
And if she wasn't careful, she was going to burn.
Her breathing was uneven, her chest rising and falling too fast.
This was wrong.
This was insane.
But the way he was looking at her...
The way his dark eyes devoured her, owned her, trapped her...
She was terrified she would never escape.
Sharayu's breath hitched as she jerked her wrist away, taking a step back, needing distance-space-air.
But before she could even process what was happening, his hands were on her waist.
Firm. Unyielding. Possessive.
Her body tensed.
He didn't even flinch.
She pushed against his chest, her palms flat against the fabric of his shirt, but he stood like an immovable force.
Her heart pounded, her mind screaming that this was wrong, too much, too intense.
"Sir-this is wrong!" She finally found her voice, her words shaky but desperate. "You can't do this!"
For a fraction of a second, something flickered in his eyes-something dangerous, something raw.
But he didn't let go.
Didn't even loosen his grip.
Instead, he leaned in just enough for her to feel the warmth of his breath against her forehead.
"Can't I?" His voice was low, husky, filled with something she couldn't name.
His grip on her waist tightened, his fingers pressing into the fabric of her kurti as if he was grounding himself.
As if he couldn't bear to let go.
Her breath shuddered.
Her hands, which were firmly against his chest, began to tremble.
She felt trapped.
Not by force.
By something worse.
By the way his presence invaded every inch of her.
By the way her own body refused to fight back.
By the way she wasn't sure if she even wanted to fight back.
But she had to.
She had to.
With a sudden burst of panic, she twisted away, slipping out of his hold with sheer determination.
Her feet moved on instinct, rushing toward the door before she lost herself completely.
Before she lost herself to him.
She didn't dare look back.
She didn't dare stop.
She yanked the door open, her pulse ringing in her ears.
And then-
She ran.
Ran from the tension, the fire, the storm that was waiting to consume her.
Ran from the man who was breaking every rule she had ever known.
Ran from the feelings she was too afraid to name.
But even as she disappeared down the hallway, her heart still raced to the rhythm of his name.
Satish.
Satish stood frozen.
The warmth of her body was gone, ripped away from his hold, but his fingers still tingled as if they remembered exactly how she felt under his grip.
His cabin door swung slightly from the force with which she had fled, leaving a whisper of her presence behind-her scent, her warmth, her defiance.
His breath was ragged, his chest rising and falling unevenly.
She had run away.
Like he was some monster.
Like he had done something unforgivable.
His jaw clenched as his hands curled into fists.
Was it wrong to want her?
Was it wrong to feel like she was his?
His?
Satish let out a low, bitter chuckle.
Possessiveness was not foreign to him, but this?
This was beyond anything he had ever felt before.
It wasn't just about wanting her.
It wasn't just about needing to touch her, hold her.
It was about something deeper.
Something dangerous.
Something obsessive.
His fingers ran through his hair, gripping at the strands in frustration.
He was losing control.
She was making him lose control.
Satish turned towards the window of his cabin, watching the empty corridor where she had just fled.
He could still hear her voice.
"Sir, this is wrong! You can't do this!"
Her words replayed in his head like a taunt.
Like a challenge.
His grip on the windowsill tightened.
Wrong?
What was so wrong about it?
Was it wrong that he couldn't stand the sight of Hriday's hands on her?
Was it wrong that every time she laughed at someone else's joke, he wanted to rip that person away from her?
Was it wrong that he had spent nights sleepless, tormented by thoughts of her?
No.
The only thing that was wrong-
Was that she didn't realize it yet.
Didn't realize how deep he had fallen.
Didn't realize she was his.
A dry, humorless laugh left his lips.
He was not giving up.
No matter how much she ran.
No matter how much she denied it.
She could run all she wanted.
But in the end-
She would be his.
And this time, he wouldn't let her go.
Sharayu ran through the corridors, her heart hammering in her chest.
She didn't look back.
She couldn't look back.
Her mind was a chaotic mess, replaying every second of what had just happened in his cabin.
His grip.
His breath, so dangerously close.
His voice-low, dark, and possessive.
She pressed a hand against her rapidly beating heart, as if that would calm the storm inside her.
"What the hell just happened?" she muttered under her breath.
Her feet didn't stop moving until she reached the cafeteria, where her friends were casually sitting, chatting, and munching on samosas like the world wasn't turning upside down for her.
She stopped, trying to compose herself, but her dramatic entrance had already caught their attention.
"Arre, where were you?" Rutuja asked, stuffing a piece of samosa into her mouth. "You vanished after class. Thought maybe aliens abducted you."
Sharayu gulped. If only it were aliens.
Gayatri narrowed her eyes. "Wait. Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"
Vrushal gasped dramatically. "OMG! Did you actually see a ghost?!"
Kunal smirked. "Or did you see Satish Sir?"
That was it. She choked.
Coughed.
Almost died on the spot.
Because why did Kunal have to be so on point?
Her reaction did not go unnoticed.
Arohi leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. "Why do I feel like Kunal actually hit the mark?"
"I-" Sharayu started, but then shut her mouth immediately.
Because what was she supposed to say?
'Oh, nothing much, just got pinned against the wall by Satish Sir and told in a voice that could melt bones that I basically belong to him.'
No. Absolutely not.
Gayatri leaned in. "Spill it."
"I-" she tried again, but words betrayed her.
"Baba re!" Rutuja exclaimed. "She's blushing!"
"No, I'm not!"
"Yes, you are!"
"She totally is," Kunal added, looking amused.
"I AM NOT-"
But before she could complete her sentence, Hriday entered.
And just her luck, he plopped down right beside her, casually slinging an arm over her shoulders.
Satish's voice from earlier flashed in her mind.
"Only I can touch you."
She stiffened.
"Oh? What's this?" Hriday teased. "Why are you so tense?"
Before she could answer, her phone buzzed.
She picked it up instinctively.
Unknown number.
She frowned and answered it.
And her heart stopped.
"Get his hand off you. Right now."
Satish.
She jerked away from Hriday immediately, as if she had touched fire.
"Hey! What-?" Hriday looked confused.
She quickly turned away, gripping her phone tight, her pulse racing.
"How did you get my number?" she whispered, stepping away from the table.
"I have my ways."
"Sir-"
"Don't call me that."
Her breath hitched.
Her brain short-circuited.
Kunal called from the table, "Oye! Who's on the phone? Your secret boyfriend?"
She could practically hear the smirk in Satish's voice when he said-
"Tell them it's me. Let's see what happens."
Her stomach dropped.
This man-
Was going to be the death of her.
After that phone call, Sharayu felt like she had run a marathon-without moving an inch.
Her heart was still racing.
Her brain? Completely fried.
And the worst part?
She knew he had seen everything. Every single thing.
Even her slightest reactions.
Her pulling away from Hriday like he was an electric fence.
Her sudden stiffness.
Her lack of words.
Satish Sir wasn't just seeing her anymore.
He was watching. Observing. Possessively.
And that thought shook her to the core.
She needed out.
NOW.
Taking a deep breath, she turned to her friends, forcing a small smile. "I think I'll head home. I'm really tired."
Hriday, ever the gentleman, immediately offered, "I'll come with you. Just to make sure you reach safely."
Sharayu's soul nearly left her body.
Because NO.
Absolutely not.
Her instant reaction was-"NO!"
Everyone blinked.
Even Hriday looked surprised. "Uh... okay? I mean, I was just-"
"I'll take Rutuja with me," she cut him off. "She lives near my place anyway."
Rutuja, who was halfway through stuffing a chocolate pastry into her mouth, froze.
Her eyes flickered between Hriday's shocked face and Sharayu's panicked one.
And then?
A slow, knowing smirk appeared on her lips.
"Oho..." she drawled, setting the pastry down. "Interesting."
"Nothing is interesting," Sharayu snapped quickly, grabbing Rutuja's hand. "Come on, let's go."
Rutuja let herself be dragged all the way outside, but the moment they reached a quieter street-
She stopped walking.
Folded her arms.
And turned to Sharayu with a raised brow.
"Okay. Spill."
Sharayu blinked. "What?"
Rutuja grinned. "Don't 'what' me. I know you. That reaction? That was suspicious."
"It was not!"
"It totally was," Rutuja said. "You rejected Hriday like he was about to propose marriage or something."
Sharayu groaned. "I just... didn't want him to come with me."
"Because?"
"Because...!"
Rutuja waited.
Sharayu fumbled.
Her brain was a mess.
She had no idea what to say, how to explain, or how to escape this.
Rutuja smirked wider.
And then her expression changed.
Her eyes widened.
Her jaw dropped.
And she gasped dramatically.
"Oh. My. God."
Sharayu panicked instantly. "WHAT?!"
"Something happened between you and Satish Sir."
"NO!"
"Yes."
"NO."
"Yes."
"Rutuja-"
"I KNEW IT!"
Sharayu groaned, covering her face. "You don't know anything!"
"Then tell me," Rutuja sang. "Tell me why you look like you've just walked out of a romance novel gone wrong."
Sharayu stared at her.
She wasn't wrong.
At all.
But there was no way she could tell her what had actually happened.
No way she could repeat Satish's words-
"Only I can touch you."
No way she could tell her about the intensity in his eyes.
No way she could explain how he had pinned her against the wall like she was something only he had the right to claim.
So, instead, she mumbled, "It's nothing. Just... he was weird today, that's all."
Rutuja narrowed her eyes. "Weird how?"
Sharayu hesitated.
But that was all Rutuja needed.
She grabbed her shoulders, shook her lightly, and gasped again.
"OMG HE CONFESSED."
Sharayu choked on air.
"HE DID NOT CONFESS!"
Rutuja ignored her denial completely. "HE TOTALLY DID, DIDN'T HE?!"
Sharayu turned away, covering her burning face. "I hate you."
Rutuja giggled. "I LOVE THIS."
Sharayu groaned.
This was going to be a long walk home.
Satish sat in his office, his fingers drumming against the desk, a slow smirk playing on his lips.
He was liking this.
How she reacted to his closeness.
How she stiffened when he leaned in.
How her breath hitched when he kissed her wrist.
How her eyes widened in shock-before she ran away.
Ah.
She had run.
But not before her entire face had turned into a shade of red so deep, it could have put the college's fire alarm to shame.
And that?
That meant something.
She wasn't indifferent.
She wasn't ignoring him.
She felt something too.
Maybe confusion.
Maybe hesitation.
But something.
And Satish?
He was enjoying every second of it.
Because if she was so unaffected, she wouldn't have reacted like that.
She wouldn't have pushed him away like he was fire, but still stood there for a second too long.
She wouldn't have run out of his cabin, but still held her wrist as if it was burning from his kiss.
And she wouldn't have refused Hriday's offer to drop her home, but dragged Rutuja instead, knowing very well she'd be teased to death.
That thought alone made his smirk widen.
Because, whether she admitted it or not, Sharayu was affected.
By him.
And that realization?
That was dangerous.
Because now, there was no way he was stopping.
Satish leaned back in his chair, his fingers tracing his lips absentmindedly.
Her scent was still lingering.
Her wrist had been so soft under his lips.
Her pulse had been so wild.
And for the first time in his life, he wanted more.
He wanted to know what other reactions he could pull out of her.
How much more she would blush.
How much more she would tremble.
How much longer she would be able to run from him.
A low chuckle escaped his lips.
Not for long.
Not anymore.
***
Sharayu sat on her bed, her heart still racing, replaying the events from Satish's cabin.
His touch.
His words.
His kiss-on her wrist.
Her fingers unconsciously curled around her wrist, as if trying to erase the ghost of his lips, but instead, it burned more.
Ding.
Her phone screen lit up.
Satish Sir: Let me know once you reach home.
She stared at it.
She saw it.
But she didn't reply.
What was she even supposed to say?
"Yes, Sir. I am home safe, and also, why are you like this?"
No.
She wasn't going to reply.
She needed space.
She needed to breathe.
And most importantly, she needed to not let him affect her like this.
So she put her phone aside, crossed her arms, and forced herself to ignore it.
For a whole ten minutes.
Until her phone rang.
Satish Sir Calling...
Her stomach dropped.
Why was he calling?
Didn't he see that she ignored his text?
Why wasn't he just-letting it go?
She debated not picking up.
But something in her knew-if she didn't pick up, he'd probably show up at her house next.
With that thought alone, she exhaled sharply and answered.
"Hello."
His voice was immediate, deep, and teasing.
"What happened? Lost your phone the second you reached home?"
She rolled her eyes.
"No, Sir."
"Then?" His voice dropped, slow and taunting. "Were you ignoring me on purpose?"
Her grip tightened on the phone.
Exactly that.
But obviously, she wasn't going to tell him that.
"I... forgot," she lied.
A low chuckle came from his end.
"Liar."
Her cheeks heated.
She hated how easily he could read her.
Before she could say anything, his voice softened-but still carried a weight.
"I said, message me when you reach home."
"I am home."
"And yet, I had to call to find out."
She swallowed.
Why did it sound like he was... mad?
Not like a professor mad.
But something else.
Something deeper.
Something possessive.
She tried to change the subject.
"Sir, why do you even care?"
Silence.
Then-
"Good question. Why do I?"
Sharayu's breath hitched.
His voice-dangerously calm.
His words-something behind them.
And then, his next sentence made her entire body freeze.
"Maybe because I don't like it when you listen to everyone else-except me."
Her heart stopped.
He wasn't even hiding it anymore.
He was playing with fire.
And worse?
She was letting him.
"S-Sir... I think I should sleep now."
"Hmm," he hummed. "Sleep well, then."
Just when she thought the conversation was ending-
His next words sent a shiver down her spine.
"Sweet dreams, Miss Sharayu. Hope you don't dream of me... or do you?"
Her entire face burned.
And before she could react-
He cut the call.
Leaving her speechless.
Leaving her flustered.
Leaving her realizing that this was only just the beginning.
***
The next morning, Sharayu woke up late.
For the first time in forever, she had actually slept through her alarm.
And why?
Because a certain someone's words had replayed in her mind like a broken record.
"Sweet dreams, Sharayu. Hope you don't dream of me... or do you?"
Her brain: Screaming.
Her heart: Stupidly racing.
Her reaction?
She threw her blanket over her head and groaned.
"What is wrong with him?! And what is wrong with me?!"
She shook her head, slapped her cheeks to snap herself out of it, and rushed to get ready.
She was already late.
The last thing she needed was another run-in with him first thing in the morning.
But of course, fate had other plans.
As she hurried through the college corridor, adjusting her bag, she turned a corner too fast and-
Slam.
Right into a solid wall.
Wait-no.
Not a wall.
A very real, very human, very tall, and very familiar body.
Her eyes shot up.
And her stomach dropped.
Because standing there, watching her like a hunter who had just caught his prey-was Satish.
Oh no.
Her mind went blank.
His dark gaze traveled from her startled face to her slightly open lips-then slowly back to her eyes.
She gulped.
He was too close.
Too intense.
And worse?
He was smirking.
"In a rush, Miss Sharayu?"
Her pulse skyrocketed.
She took one step back.
But he-one step forward.
"S-Sir, I-I'm late for class."
He tilted his head.
"Oh? And whose fault is that?"
Her mouth opened-then shut.
Because obviously, she couldn't say, "Yours, Sir. Your voice haunted me all night."
She settled for, "Um... mine?"
His smirk deepened.
"Correct."
She tried to escape.
But before she could slip away-
"Wait."
His voice dropped a little too low.
Her breath hitched.
She turned slowly to face him again.
"Yes, Sir?"
He stared at her for a second.
Then-he did something unexpected.
He reached out and flicked her forehead.
Not hard.
Just enough to make her blink.
"This is for ignoring my message last night."
Her lips parted.
She touched her forehead.
"W-What-"
"And this-" he leaned slightly forward, "-is for making me call you just to check if you were alive."
Sharayu?
Dead.
She couldn't breathe.
Her entire existence malfunctioned.
And before she could come up with a single logical response, he stepped back.
"Go now. Before you're late again."
She blinked.
She blinked again.
And then she ran.
Straight to class.
And straight into Rutuja-who took one look at her face and gasped.
"YOU LOOK LIKE YOU JUST GOT FLIRTED WITH."
Sharayu slapped a hand over her friend's mouth.
"Shut. Up."
Rutuja muffled giggles.
"Oh my God, it's him, isn't it? What did he do? Did he-"
"No. He did nothing."
"Liar. You look like a tomato. A blushing tomato."
Sharayu groaned.
Sharayu barely slid into her seat before her so-called friends pounced on her like hungry wolves.
"Okay, spill it." Vrushal leaned in, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"What?" She played dumb.
"Oh, don't 'what' us!" Rutuja smirked.
Aarohi waved him off. "Not the point. The point is-Sharayu, why do you look like a walking tomato?"
Sharayu pressed her palms to her cheeks. "I DO NOT LOOK LIKE A TOMATO!"
Kunal folded his arms. "Oh? Then why are you getting defensive?"
"I-" She struggled. "It's hot!"
"It's December." Gayatri deadpanned.
"It's... internal heat?"
They all burst into laughter.
Sharayu wanted the ground to swallow her.
She reached for her bottle to take a sip of water-only for Kunal to snatch it away.
"Spit it out, topper. What happened?"
She snatched it back. "Nothing happened!"
Vrushal wiggled his eyebrows. "Ah, so Sir nothinged you?"
She choked on her water.
"WH-NO! He just..."
"He just what?" Hriday smirked.
She glared at all of them.
They were enjoying this way too much.
"He flicked my forehead, okay?! And scolded me for ignoring his message last night."
Silence.
Then-chaos.
"HE TEXTED YOU?!"
"YOU IGNORED HIM?! WHO IGNORES A MAN LIKE THAT?!"
"WAIT WAIT-HE SCOLDED YOU LIKE A HUSBAND?!"
Sharayu banged her forehead on the desk. "Why are you all like this?"
Kunal sighed dramatically. "Our dear Sharayu, gone. Absolutely gone."
Gayatri sniffled. "She used to be so studious. Now she's out here getting personally flicked by professors."
Vrushal grinned. "Should we start calling him Jiju?"
Sharayu gasped.
"I SWEAR I WISH ALL OF YOU FAIL IN YOUR PRACTICALS."
Aarohi clutched her heart. "Threats won't save you, my love-struck friend."
Vrushal nodded sagely. "They won't. Accept your fate."
Sharayu groaned.
It was going to be a long, long semester.
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