Sharayu stepped inside her home, the warmth of the house wrapping around her like a soft embrace. The faint aroma of food lingered in the air, but before she could even take a breath, her mother's voice rang out.
"There she is! Finally decided to come home?"
Sharayu froze. Uh-oh.
Her father was sitting at the dining table, sipping tea, his eyes lazily flickering toward her. He seemed relaxed. Good. That meant he wasn't suspicious.
But her mother?
Her mother had that look.
That one look that every Indian mother gives when she knows something is up.
Sharayu gulped.
Stay calm. Act natural.
Her mother walked up to her, pulling her into a tight hug.
"Where were you so late, ha? You said you were going with your friends, but they didn't even come home with you!"
Sharayu quickly put on her best innocent face.
"Oh, uh, they got busy with their own plans, so I came home alone," she said, hoping her voice sounded casual.
Her mother narrowed her eyes.
"Alone?"
"Y-Yes."
"Hmm..."
Her mother didn't seem convinced, but before she could ask more, she brightened up.
"Anyway! Come, come, the cake is waiting!"
Sharayu sighed in relief. Saved.
She followed her mother to the dining table, where a small but beautiful birthday cake sat in the middle. Her father, looking amused, gestured for her to sit.
"Your mother was waiting to cut the cake with you," he said.
Sharayu felt a pang of guilt. She had already cut a cake with Satish-a special one-but here was her family, waiting for her like they always did.
She sat down, picking up the knife, and with a deep breath, she cut into the soft sponge.
Her mother picked up a small piece and lovingly fed it to her.
"May you always be happy, beta," she said with a smile.
Sharayu smiled back.
But just as she was about to take another bite, her mother's eyes fell on her wrist.
And everything stopped.
Her mother's brows furrowed as she reached out, gently touching the delicate silver bracelet wrapped around Sharayu's wrist.
The bracelet which he gave.
"Where did this come from?" her mother asked, curiosity laced in her voice.
Sharayu's heart leaped into her throat.
Her father, who had been focused on his tea, looked up as well.
Crap.
Sharayu's mind raced.
Think, think, THINK!
"Oh! Uh... this?" she stammered, twisting the bracelet around as if she was just noticing it herself.
Her mother nodded expectantly.
"Yeah, um... my friends! They gave it to me! As a birthday gift!" she blurted out.
Her mother's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Your friends?"
"Yes, yes! Rutuja and the others!"
Her father hummed. "Hmm. It's nice."
Her mother's gaze lingered on it for a moment longer before she finally smiled.
"Your friends have good taste," she said, patting her hand before getting up.
Sharayu exhaled deeply.
Situation handled.
Barely.
After dinner, Sharayu dragged herself to her room, exhaustion finally catching up with her.
The day had been... a lot.
She closed the door behind her, turning on her small bedside lamp before flopping onto the bed.
Her fingers absentmindedly brushed against the bracelet.
Then the ring.
Her heart fluttered.
Slowly, she lifted her hand, staring at the small, simple yet elegant ring that now sat snugly on her finger.
Satish's ring.
Her now boyfriend's ring.
The thought alone sent a shiver down her spine.
She closed her eyes, and instantly, his deep voice echoed in her mind.
"You are mine, Sharayu. And I am yours. Forever."
Her stomach twisted.
She turned on her side, hugging her pillow, but her mind wouldn't stop.
His confession.
His intense oceanic blue eyes watching her like she was the only thing he ever wanted.
The way he held her.
The way he kissed her wrist, asking for permission before claiming her lips.
Her cheeks burned.
What had she done to deserve this?
A man like Satish-intimidating, brilliant, and devastatingly handsome-had fallen for her.
Her.
The girl who used to sit in the back of the class.
The girl who had always been too afraid to step into the spotlight.
The girl who never thought she was special.
And yet, to him...
She was everything.
A lump formed in her throat.
She had never felt so wanted, so cherished, so adored.
With a deep sigh, she hugged her pillow tighter, her heart thumping loudly against her ribs.
And for the first time in her life, she allowed herself to believe-
Maybe, just maybe...
She was worthy of love.
***
Fresh out of the shower, Satish lay on his bed, staring at his phone. His fingers hovered over the keyboard.
He wanted to talk to her.
So he texted:
Satish: "How's my girlfriend feeling?"
Within a minute, the message was seen.
Sharayu: "I'm fine."
Satish smirked.
Sharayu: "...Go to sleep, Sir."
Satish: "Sir? After everything that happened tonight? Sharayu, you wound me."
Sharayu: "I have to wake up early, okay? Stop teasing me."
Satish: "Fine, fine. I just wanted to make sure my girl was okay."
There was a pause.
Then-
Sharayu: "...Your girl?"
Satish: "Yes. Mine. Any objections?"
Sharayu: "...Good night."
Satish chuckled.
Satish: "Good night, Sweetheart. Dream of me."
Sharayu: "I'd rather dream of sleep."
Satish smiled, putting his phone down.
Tonight was a good night.
And it was only the beginning.
***
The next morning, Sharayu walked into college, acting like nothing had happened.
Except... something had happened.
Something huge.
She was engaged.
(Okay, maybe not officially, but still. The ring on her finger and the bracelet on her wrist were proof.)
She had made sure to keep her hand low, trying not to draw attention to it.
But she had forgotten one small detail-
Her friends were bloodhounds.
They noticed everything.
As soon as she stepped onto the area near the college, Rutuja's sharp eyes caught the sparkle on Sharayu's wrist.
"Wait a minute... WHAT is that?!"
Before Sharayu could hide her hand, Rutuja grabbed it.
Aarohi and Gayatri immediately leaned in, their eyes widening.
Vrushal pointed dramatically. "Are my eyes deceiving me, or is that a bracelet AND a ring?!"
Kunal smirked. "Looks like someone had a very interesting night."
Sharayu gulped. "W-What? No! I-"
Hriday narrowed his eyes. "Where were you last night? You weren't with us."
Aarohi gasped. "OMG. You were with someone!"
Rutuja wiggled her eyebrows. "Sharayu... is there something you're not telling us?" (already knowing she was with Satish)
Sharayu jerked her hand back. "It's nothing! Stop overreacting!"
Her friends exchanged knowing looks.
Vrushal crossed his arms. "Okay, fine. If it's nothing, then take the ring off."
Sharayu's face paled.
Oh.
Oh no.
She froze like a deer caught in headlights.
Her friends exploded.
"AHA!"
"WE KNEW IT!"
"SPILL THE TEA RIGHT NOW!"
Sharayu panicked.
But before she could run for her life...
A warm hand suddenly rested on her waist.
Sharayu stiffened.
The whole group went silent.
Dead. Silent.
Everyone turned their heads slowly.
And there stood Satish.
Tall. Confident. Smirking.
"Good morning, Sharayu," Satish greeted casually, his deep voice cutting through the chatter of students like silk over steel.
Her friends turned instantly, their attention snapping like magnets. But before Sharayu could even react, Satish's arm slid around her waist with quiet possession, pulling her just a little closer to him.
Her heart stopped.
Then-he removed his sunglasses.
Those stormy blue eyes locked on her, holding her in place like a spell.
Sharayu's breath caught in her throat.
But her friends? They absolutely lost it.
Rutuja's jaw dropped so far it was almost comical. "Wait. WHAT?!"
Aarohi clutched her face, muffling a squeal. "No way. No. Freaking. Way."
Vrushal's eyes bulged like he'd been betrayed by the universe itself. "Sir... YOU?!"
Kunal slapped his thigh, doubling over with laughter. "OH MY GOD, I can't believe this!"
Vrushal threw his hands up. "This is better than a movie! I demand popcorn!"
Gayatri's eyes narrowed as the puzzle pieces clicked. She pointed accusingly at Sharayu. "So that's where she was last night."
Sharayu's stomach plunged. "Gayatri -!"
But Satish just chuckled, the sound low and devastating.
He gave Sharayu's waist a subtle squeeze, making her breath hitch.
Then, with infuriating calm, he said, "Where else would she be?"
Her soul left her body.
The entire group erupted into chaos.
"CONGRATULATIONS!" Rutuja squealed, practically jumping in place.
"OMG, you guys look so cute together!" Aarohi fanned herself dramatically.
Kunal wagged his brows. "When's the wedding, huh? Don't keep us waiting!"
Vrushal leaned in, eyes sparkling with pure mischief. "Wait-was this like a forbidden romance? Sir and student? I knew something was up!"
Satish looked down at her then, his arm still firmly, shamelessly around her waist. His blue eyes twinkled with mischief, lips curving into that damn smirk that always made her melt.
"Should I tell them, sweetheart?" he teased smoothly, his voice just loud enough for the group to hear.
Sharayu's brain completely short-circuited.
Did. He. Just. Call. Her. That?
Rutuja practically screeched, clutching her chest. "HE CALLS YOU SWEETHEART?!"
Aarohi fake-stumbled backward like she might faint. "I swear I can't handle this level of drama. Someone catch me."
Kunal was wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. "This is the best day of my life."
Gayatri folded her arms, giving Sharayu a knowing smirk. "And she thought she could hide it from us."
Hriday, however, stood in silence. His expression unreadable, jaw tight. He didn't say a word.
Meanwhile, Sharayu? She was seconds away from combusting. Her cheeks burned hotter than the sun, her pulse galloped like it was trying to escape her body, and the weight of Satish's hand on her waist was both her undoing and her only anchor.
She wanted to bury herself six feet underground.
But Satish? Oh, he was enjoying every second of it. His smirk grew wider, his thumb brushing ever so slightly against her side in a silent reassurance only she could feel.
"I HAVE CLASS!" she shouted, shoving Satish's hand off her waist and running away.
Her friends burst into laughter.
Satish, still smirking, watched her go.
"So dramatic," he murmured, shaking his head.
Then, he turned to her friends.
"So... who wants to help me plan a surprise date for her?"
Rutuja crossed her arms. "So... you finally admit that you need us?"
Satish sighed. "Yes. But on one condition."
Aarohi raised an eyebrow. "Oh? And what's that?"
Satish pointed a finger at them. "No more teasing her."
The group groaned.
"But that's the best part!" Vrushal whined.
Kunal looked personally offended. "Sir, do you realize how rare this opportunity is? We just found out our Sharayu-the same Sharayu who turns red if someone says 'crush'-is dating YOU."
"Exactly!" Gayatri chimed in. "It's our duty as her friends to tease her!"
Satish sighed, rubbing his temples. "Look, I know it's fun for you, but if you push her too much, she'll implode. And I do not want my girlfriend running away from me every time she sees me."
Kunal smirked. "So, she's your girlfriend now?"
Satish paused.
The group erupted.
"HE SAID GIRLFRIEND!"
"OH MY GOD, IT'S OFFICIAL!"
"OUR SHARAYU HAS BEEN CLAIMED!"
Satish sighed again. "This was a mistake."
Aarohi patted his shoulder. "No, no, we'll behave. Right, guys?"
The group reluctantly nodded.
Satish narrowed his eyes. "You're lying."
Vrushal grinned. "Yeah, we totally are."
Sharayu sat in class, her face still burning from the morning's events.
She had made a silent prayer of thanks that today wasn't Satish's lecture.
Because NO WAY could she handle sitting in that classroom, staring at him, knowing that her friends had witnessed everything.
Rutuja leaned in. "So..."
Sharayu sighed. "Don't start."
Rutuja smirked. "I didn't say anything!"
"You were going to say something."
"Fine. But let's talk about that ring, though."
Sharayu immediately tucked her hand under the desk. "It's just a ring!"
Rutuja gasped dramatically. "JUST A RING?! Sharayu, he put it on your finger like a husband claiming his wife in a drama series."
"SHH!" Sharayu hissed, slapping a hand over Rutuja's mouth.
Rutuja just giggled behind her palm.
"You're so obvious," she whispered.
Sharayu groaned. "I'm never going to live this down, am I?"
Rutuja patted her shoulder. "Nope! But look at the bright side-you're dating a hot professor."
Sharayu face-planted into her notebook.
The professor walked in to start the lecture.
And while the class began, Sharayu's mind was still stuck on last night-
The way Satish's eyes darkened when he looked at her.
The way he held her hand as if it belonged there.
The way he whispered against her skin before slipping the ring onto her finger.
She bit her lip, shaking her head.
Nope.
No way.
She couldn't let herself think about that in the middle of class.
Rutuja nudged her. "You okay?"
Sharayu whispered back, horrified, "I think I just blushed remembering his voice."
Rutuja blinked before losing it completely.
She had to bury her face in her arms to hide her laughter.
Sharayu just sighed.
Sharayu had just finished her last lecture when her phone vibrated.
It was a message.
Satish: Come to my cabin.
She stared at the text, her heart immediately picking up speed.
Rutuja, who had been gathering her books, noticed the sudden stillness. "What happened?"
Sharayu stuffed her phone into her bag. "Nothing!"
Rutuja raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Then why do you look like you just got caught cheating on an exam?"
Sharayu glared. "It's just... Sir wants to meet me."
Rutuja smirked. "'Sir wants to meet me.' How formal. You mean your boyfriend?"
Sharayu slapped her arm. "Shut up!"
"Fine, fine," Rutuja laughed. "Go, go before he comes looking for you himself."
Sharayu groaned but got up, nervous but excited.
She hesitated in front of the cabin door, took a deep breath, and knocked.
A deep voice answered from inside.
"Come in, Sharayu."
Sharayu gulped.
Why did her name sound so different when he said it?
She stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
Satish was leaning back in his chair, his fingers tapping lazily on the desk, his blue eyes locked onto her the second she entered.
"You took your time," he said, tilting his head.
"I was attending my lecture," she said defensively.
His lips curled into a smirk. "Oh? So, if you weren't attending a lecture, you'd have come running to me?"
Sharayu's eyes widened. "I-I never said that!"
He chuckled, standing up and walking towards her. "Hmm, but that's what I heard."
She stepped back instinctively, only for her back to hit the door.
Satish stopped right in front of her, his hands on either side of her, caging her in.
"Why do you look nervous, Miss Sharayu?" he asked, his voice deep and teasing.
She swallowed. "I-I'm not."
He leaned in just slightly. "You are."
She immediately turned her head away. "Why did you call me here?"
Satish hummed, pretending to think. "Oh, I don't know. Maybe because my girlfriend ignored me all day?"
Sharayu looked at him, eyes wide. "I did not ignore you!"
He raised an eyebrow. "Really? You didn't reply to my texts during the break. You didn't even look at me when I passed by your class."
She bit her lip. "I was just-"
"Nervous?" he guessed, a knowing smile on his face.
Sharayu huffed. "I just didn't want my friends to tease me again!"
Satish smirked. "And yet, you came here all alone. What if someone sees you coming out of my cabin?"
Sharayu froze.
He was right.
The thought of someone seeing her here, alone, after class, in his cabin-
Her face turned scarlet.
Satish's eyes gleamed. "Oh? You just realized, didn't you?"
Sharayu glared. "You're evil."
He laughed, pulling back slightly but still keeping his hand on the door beside her. "So, tell me, did you miss me?"
Sharayu hesitated.
Satish tilted his head. "Hmm?"
She finally muttered, "...Maybe."
His smirk widened. "Only maybe?"
Sharayu groaned. "Stop teasing me!"
He laughed softly. "You make it too easy, sweetheart."
Sharayu's heart skipped a beat.
Sweetheart?
That is still new.
Seeing her reaction, Satish grinned. "Oh? You liked that?"
Sharayu turned even redder. "NO!"
Satish laughed, shaking his head. "Liar."
She pouted. "I'm leaving."
He blocked her way.
"Not yet," he said, his voice lower this time.
She blinked. "What?"
He looked at her-really looked at her.
"Have I told you how beautiful you look today?"
Sharayu's breath hitched.
She had waited the whole day for those words.
She lowered her gaze. "No..."
Satish sighed dramatically. "And here I thought I was an observant boyfriend. How dare I not compliment my stunning girlfriend first thing in the morning?"
Sharayu glared at him. "Now you're just making fun of me!"
He chuckled. "Never. You really do look breathtaking, Sharayu."
Her heart fluttered.
She looked away. "I should go."
Satish stepped aside. "Fine. But only after you do one thing."
She narrowed her eyes. "What?"
He smirked. "Tell me you missed me. Properly."
Sharayu bit her lip.
She turned to go.
But at the last second, she whispered just loud enough for him to hear-
"I missed you."
And ran out of the cabin.
Satish stood there, smiling.
She was getting bolder.
And he loved it.
After escaping from Satish's cabin with her heart pounding like crazy, Sharayu finally made her way to the cafeteria, where her friends were already waiting for her.
Rutuja was the first to notice her and smirked knowingly.
"Oh look, our missing person is back!" she announced, making everyone turn towards Sharayu.
Hriday leaned back in his chair. "So... where exactly did you disappear to after lectures, huh?"
Gayatri raised an eyebrow. "Let me guess... Professor's cabin?"
Aarohi gasped dramatically. "Oh my god, she's blushing!"
Sharayu froze.
Her cheeks? Definitely red.
Vrushal grinned. "I KNEW IT!"
Kunal shook his head. "Guys, let her breathe, man." Then, he turned to Sharayu. "But seriously though, you were with him, right?"
Sharayu sighed, knowing there was no way out of this. She grabbed a chair and sat down. "Fine! Yes, I was in his cabin."
The group erupted in cheers.
"AND?" Rutuja leaned in, eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"And what?" Sharayu tried to act nonchalant, picking up a fry from Rutuja's plate.
Gayatri smacked her arm lightly. "Don't 'and what' us! DETAILS!"
Sharayu groaned, resting her head on the table. "I just went there because he called me, that's it."
Hriday smirked. "Yeah? And why do you look like you've just come back from a war?"
Aarohi giggled. "Maybe because she was in a different kind of battle?"
Sharayu lifted her head. "Oh my god, STOP!"
They all laughed.
As the teasing finally calmed down, they continued chatting about other things. Just as Sharayu took a sip of her coffee, her phone buzzed.
Satish: Wait for me. I'll drop you home.
Her heart skipped a beat.
She stared at the message for a few seconds before typing back:
Sharayu: Okay.
Rutuja, who had been watching her the whole time, leaned closer. "Who was that?"
Sharayu locked her phone quickly. "No one."
Hriday raised an eyebrow. "No one, huh?"
Gayatri gasped. "Wait-was it him?"
Sharayu looked away.
Aarohi squealed. "IT WAS! WHAT DID HE SAY?"
Sharayu tried to keep her voice casual. "He just said he'll drop me home."
Vrushal pretended to wipe a tear. "Our little Sharayu is all grown up, getting personal chauffeur services from her professor-boyfriend."
Sharayu smacked him. "Shut up!"
Rutuja grinned. "Damn. He's got it bad for you, huh?"
Kunal smirked. "And you've got it bad for him, too, don't you?"
Sharayu refused to answer.
After her overenthusiastic friends had successfully embarrassed her for the hundredth time that day, Sharayu glanced at the clock. Satish was supposed to be coming soon, and the thought alone was making her feel... weird.
Not nervous.
Not excited.
Okay, maybe both.
But she wasn't going to admit that!
Meanwhile, her friends were watching her like hawks.
Hriday leaned in. "You keep looking at your phone."
Aarohi smirked. "And at the door."
Vrushal pretended to think. "I wonder... is someone waiting for a certain professor to come and sweep her away?"
Sharayu groaned. "OH MY GOD! STOP IT!"
Gayatri giggled. "Look at her! She's so red!"
Rutuja nodded. "Text him and tell him to come inside. Let's all have a little chat with our new brother-in-law."
Sharayu choked on air. "BROTHER-IN-LAW? RUTUJA, ARE YOU MAD?"
Kunal chuckled. "So... we should call him Satish Jiju now?"
Sharayu slammed her hands on the table. "I SWEAR I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU!"
Their laughter filled the cafeteria, while Sharayu buried her face in her hands.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed again.
Satish: I'm outside. Come fast before I come in and drag you out myself.
Her breath hitched.
Why did that sound way more dangerous than it should?
She quickly got up, trying to act normal. "Okay! Bye! See you guys tomorrow!"
But they weren't going to let her go that easily.
Hriday grinned. "Awww, look at her running to her man!"
Aarohi gasped dramatically. "Someone record this! This is history!"
Gayatri snickered. "Sharayu and Satish Sir-The forbidden love story of our college!"
Sharayu glared at them. "I hate all of you."
And with that, she practically ran out.
When she stepped outside, she immediately spotted his car.
And there he was.
Leaning against the driver's door, arms crossed, looking at her with those deep blue eyes.
And that stupid, stupid smirk.
"Missed me?"
She rolled her eyes. "You saw me like an hour ago!"
He chuckled. "That's long enough."
Opening the door of the passenger seat for her.
She huffed, getting inside before he could say anything else.
As he slid into the driver's seat, he glanced at her hands. His smirk widened.
"So, had fun getting bullied by your friends?"
She glared. "You knew they would tease me, didn't you?"
He shrugged. "Maybe."
"You are the worst."
"And yet, you're still here, sitting in my car, running away from your friends just to see me."
Sharayu's face?
ON FIRE.
Satish?
Having the time of his life.
She crossed her arms. "Drive the car, Sir."
He chuckled. "As you wish... Mrs. Future Professor."
Sharayu whipped her head around. "Sir!"
His laugh echoed in the car, and for the first time, Sharayu realized-
This man?
He wasn't just dangerous.
He was completely insane.
***
The car hummed softly as Satish drove through the dimly lit roads, the city lights casting fleeting glows inside. The warmth in the car wasn't just from the heater-it was from the way they had started peeling off layers of their lives for each other.
Sharayu had stopped fidgeting with her fingers and was now leaning slightly towards him, her body relaxed, her gaze distant yet warm.
"Tell me something," Satish said, glancing at her with curiosity. "What does my Sharayu like?"
She raised a brow. "You don't know?"
He smirked. "I know you like annoying me. I know you love to get flustered when I tease you. But other than that..." He tilted his head. "Tell me about the things that make you happy."
Sharayu pursed her lips, pretending to think. "Hmm... I love dramas, specifically Kdramas like they are soooooo good I just love them."
Satish chuckled. "That makes sense."
"What does that mean?" She narrowed her eyes.
"You have that dramatic heroine energy," he teased.
She gasped. "Excuse me?"
"Don't act innocent. You live for intense romance, stolen glances, and poetic dialogues."
Sharayu crossed her arms. "And what's wrong with that?"
"Absolutely nothing." He shrugged. "I love it."
Her cheeks warmed up at that.
"And?" he prompted.
She smiled. "I love Bollywood music too. Especially the slow melodies. The kind that makes you feel something deep inside."
Satish hummed. "Makes sense. You seem like the kind of girl who'd stare at the rain while listening to Arijit and Shreya ."
Her mouth fell open. "Okay, first of all, how dare you be so accurate?"
He grinned. "It's my job."
She rolled her eyes but continued. "I love reading romantic novels too."
He chuckled. "Of course, you do."
"Hey! Don't judge me."
"I'm not. I just... imagined you reading a book, getting lost in it, smiling at all the cute moments, blushing at the intense parts." His voice dropped slightly, and she felt a shiver down her spine. "Do you imagine yourself in those moments?"
Sharayu swallowed. "W-What?"
He smirked. "Never mind."
She glared at him, trying to hide how her heart was flipping inside her chest. "Anyway! I love flowers too. Especially sunflowers and lilies."
Satish's face softened. "Sunflowers, huh?"
She nodded. "They're so bright, so happy. They remind me of warmth, of home."
Satish was silent for a moment, just watching her. "I'll remember that."
Sharayu's heart did a little flip.
She quickly changed the subject before she got too lost in him. "What about you? What does Satish Sir likes ?"
He thought for a moment. "I like quiet mornings. Black coffee. Slow songs playing in the background while I work. I like rainy days. And..." He glanced at her. "I like when someone makes me feel something unexpected."
Sharayu blinked. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
He just smiled. "You tell me."
She huffed. "You're impossible."
He laughed. "And yet, you're here, willingly having this conversation."
Sharayu rolled her eyes, but the smile on her lips betrayed her.
After a few moments of comfortable silence, Satish spoke again. "Tell me about your family."
Sharayu smiled softly. "Well, my mom... She's loving, but a little strict. She always makes sure I'm doing the right thing."
Satish nodded. "Mothers do that."
"My dad... He's my biggest supporter. But if I mess up, he's also the first one to scold me."
Satish chuckled. "Sounds like a good balance."
"And my brother..." Her face softened. "He's the best. Annoying, but in the best way. He always makes me laugh. He works in Bangalore as he is an IT professional, but comes to Mumbai on Occasions"
Satish could see the love in her eyes when she spoke about her family.
"You're lucky," he said. "To have a home like that."
She nodded. "I am." Then she nudged him. "What about you?"
Satish smiled, a rare, unguarded smile. "My mom is... everything. She's my safe place. Sweet, understanding, but also terrifying when she's mad."
Sharayu laughed. "Mothers."
"My dad is strict, but he loves us. He always makes sure we have everything we need."
Sharayu could see the respect in his tone.
"And my grandma..." His eyes softened even more. "She's my favorite person in the world. Always spoiling me, always defending me since I was little."
Sharayu grinned. "Oh, so you were a troublemaker?"
Satish smirked. "Maybe."
Sharayu giggled. "And your siblings?"
Satish let out a small groan. "Vanya is a total sweetheart but also the most annoying person ever. She thinks she knows everything about me."
Sharayu laughed. "That's what little sisters do!"
"And my younger brother..." Satish's lips twitched. "Let's just say he thinks he's cooler than me. He is not."
Sharayu chuckled. "Sounds like you have a wonderful family."
Satish nodded. "I do." Then he glanced at her. "One day... you'll meet them."
Her heart skipped a beat.
He was talking about the future. About them in the future.
Sharayu looked away, hiding her shy smile. "Maybe."
Satish smirked. "Oh, you will."
Sharayu groaned. "Drive the car, Sir."
He chuckled, stepping on the accelerator, the night wrapping around them as their conversation drifted into softer, quieter confessions.
And in that moment, as they talked about their families, their childhoods, their favorite things-
It felt like home.
***
As the car rolled to a stop in front of Sharayu's building, the soft hum of the engine was the only sound between them. The streetlights cast a warm glow inside, reflecting off her face-her eyes still shy from their heartfelt conversation. Satish, on the other hand, had a completely different mood brewing inside him.
He turned to her, leaning slightly against the steering wheel. A slow smirk curled on his lips.
"You're not getting out so easily," he murmured.
Sharayu, who was just about to grab the door handle, froze. "Huh?"
Satish's gaze dropped to her lips, then flickered back up to meet her eyes. "Where's my kiss?"
Her breath hitched. "W-what?"
He tapped a lazy finger against his chin. "I dropped you home safely. We had a beautiful evening. I think I at least deserve a reward."
Sharayu narrowed her eyes. "Sir, I-"
"On the lips," he cut in smoothly, voice deep, teasing, deliberate.
Sharayu's brain short-circuited. Her face turned crimson.
Satish noticed. Oh, he noticed. And he loved it.
"I-I... uh..." She fidgeted with the fabric of her dress, looking anywhere but at him.
"Come on, sweetheart," he drawled, inching closer. "Don't be so shy. I already know how sweet you taste." His husky tone sent a shiver down her spine.
She gasped, horrified. "Sir!"
"What? Just speaking the truth." His blue eyes glinted with mischief. "I missed it."
Her stomach flipped.
She bit her lip, avoiding his piercing gaze. But then an idea formed in her mind-a wicked little revenge for his relentless teasing.
She straightened up, taking a deep breath. Then, she slowly turned to him, her expression shifting. Soft. Willing. Tempting.
Satish's smirk faltered just slightly, surprised by her sudden change in demeanor.
"You really want it?" she asked in a honeyed voice, tilting her head.
Satish's eyes darkened. "Yes."
"Alright."
Before he could process her agreement, she leaned in-closer, closer...
Satish's breath hitched, his pulse quickening.
And just as he closed his eyes, lips slightly parting in anticipation-
Sharayu swiftly turned at the last second and planted a quick, soft peck on his cheek instead.
Before Satish could react, she reached over and unlocked the car door herself.
He blinked.
What the-
By the time he registered what had happened, she was already throwing the door open.
"Good night, Sir," she chirped innocently, giving him a cheeky grin.
And then-
She bolted.
Satish stared. Completely stunned.
"Did she just-" His jaw clenched. His cheek burned where her lips had been, but not in the way he wanted.
The car door slammed shut as she sprinted toward her house, laughing under her breath.
Satish, still sitting in the driver's seat, exhaled a deep, frustrated groan.
"That little-" He gripped the steering wheel, throwing his head back against the seat.
And then, he laughed.
A low, deep chuckle, full of amusement, full of exasperation.
"Oh, Sharayu..." He shook his head, eyes gleaming. "You're really playing with fire now."
He licked his lips, watching her disappear inside her house.
"Just wait, sweetheart," he murmured, a dangerous smirk tugging at his lips. "I always get what I want."
And with that, he revved the engine and drove off into the night-already planning his revenge.
***
The morning started with a single message from Satish.
Satish: Good morning, my love.
Sharayu, half-asleep, buried under her blanket, peeked at the notification and groaned. Why was he like this so early in the morning?
Still, she smiled before typing back-
Sharayu: Good morning, annoying human.
Within seconds-
Satish: You called me annoying? Sweetheart, didn't you say I am the coolest Professor you have ever got?
Sharayu: I changed my mind.
Satish: Oh? Then maybe I should cancel our date plans for later?
Sharayu: WHAT DATE PLANS?!
Satish: Oops. Slip of tongue. Anyway, get ready for class, don't be late.
Sharayu frowned at her phone.
This man was definitely up to something.
But today... so was she.
After a quick shower, Sharayu stood before her wardrobe, grinning like a devil.
Today was Satish's lecture.
And she was about to ruin him.
She pulled out her red Anarkali suit-a color that she knew made her look like trouble.
The top was fitted, hugging her curves just right, with intricate gold embroidery around the bust.
The back? Oh, it was backless, held together by a single, thin dori that tied at her nape.
The sleeves? Non-existent. It was sleeveless.
The skirt flowed gracefully, touching her ankles as she walked, making her look like she had stepped straight out of a Bollywood movie.
Her hair? Cascading down her back in soft curls.
For the finishing touch-she added a small red bindi, jhumkas, and nude lipstick.
She smirked at her reflection.
"Let's see how long he survives today."
Satish was walking towards the classroom, flipping through his notes, completely unaware of what was waiting for him inside.
The moment he entered-he froze.
Right there, in the middle of the class, laughing with Rutuja and Aarohi, stood Sharayu.
And she looked like a dream.
No-worse.
She looked like the female lead of every slow-motion Bollywood romantic scene.
His breath hitched.
His fingers clenched around his notes.
His heart? Gone.
Her red dress hugged her body perfectly, and then there was that backless part. That damn dori holding the fabric together, looking so tempting, like it was just waiting to be pulled.
He swallowed hard.
No. Stop thinking.
She turned, and their eyes met.
Her soft smirk told him everything.
She knew exactly what she was doing to him.
Satish was done.
Completely ruined.
For the first time ever, he struggled to breathe properly.
The class carried on, but Satish? He was gone.
His gaze kept flickering to her throughout the lecture.
How was he supposed to teach when the woman he loved was sitting there looking like a whole festival of temptation?
He cleared his throat, adjusted his sleeves, and decided right then and there-
She was paying for this.
The moment the lecture ended, he grabbed his phone and typed quickly.
Satish: Meet me. Cabin. Break.
He hit send.
From across the room, he saw Sharayu check her phone.
She glanced up, her eyes widening slightly before she quickly looked away.
Satish smirked.
Oh, she was definitely paying for this.
Sharayu stared at her phone screen.
Meet me. Cabin. Break.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Her eyes darted toward Satish, who was already watching her like a predator.
He was leaning against the desk, arms crossed, one brow slightly raised, a slow smirk playing on his lips.
Oh no.
He wasn't mad.
He was amused.
And that was far more dangerous.
Rutuja, who had been blissfully unaware of the silent war happening between them, suddenly nudged her.
"Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?"
Sharayu swallowed. "Because I might have just summoned the devil."
Aarohi peeked at her phone. "Cabin? Break? Oh, girl. You're dead."
Gayatri whistled. "He must be losing his mind seeing you in this dress."
Vrushal, ever the dramatic one, gasped. "Did he finally realize that he's helpless against your charm?"
Kunal laughed. "Or did he realize he's been played?"
Sharayu groaned. "Shut up, all of you."
Rutuja smirked. "Well, congratulations. You got his attention. Now go face your fate."
Sharayu glared at them. "You're all the worst friends ever."
But they were right.
She had played with fire.
And now, fire was waiting for her in his cabin.
As the break started, Sharayu walked toward Satish's cabin, her feet moving faster than her brain could process.
Why had she thought this was a good idea?
Why had she worn this dress knowing exactly what effect it would have on him?
Why had she poked the very man who had already shown how shamelessly possessive he was?
She reached his cabin door and stood frozen outside.
Her phone buzzed.
Satish: If you're done panicking outside my cabin, you can come in.
Her eyes widened.
How the hell did he know?!
Taking a deep breath, she pushed open the door.
And immediately regretted it.
Satish was leaning back against his desk, sleeves rolled up, one leg crossed over the other, arms folded, looking at her like she was his personal source of entertainment.
And his blue eyes?
Dark. Amused. Too intense.
The smirk on his lips?
Pure trouble.
Sharayu tried to act normal. "What?"
Satish tilted his head. "That's all you have to say?"
She shrugged. "You called me here. What do you want?"
He let out a low chuckle.
And then-he stood up.
Walked toward her.
Slow. Deliberate.
Sharayu instinctively stepped back.
He stepped forward.
Her back hit the door.
He placed one hand beside her head.
And then-he leaned in.
Close. Too close.
His eyes traveled down, from her lips to her dress, to that damn dori at the back.
And then-back up to her eyes.
His voice was low, teasing, but dangerously smooth.
"Did you think you could just walk into class wearing this, look like a literal goddess, ruin my peace, and walk away unscathed?"
Sharayu blinked rapidly.
Her brain? Gone.
Her ability to form words? Non-existent.
Satish let out a mock sigh. "You see, sweetheart, actions have consequences."
She gulped. "Consequences?"
He grinned. "Yes. And since you clearly enjoy teasing me, I think it's only fair if I tease you back."
Her breath hitched.
Satish's voice dropped to a whisper.
"Tell me, Sharayu... you wore this for me, didn't you?"
Her face exploded in heat. "W-what?"
He grazed his knuckles along her jaw. "Hmm? No answer?"
Sharayu fisted her dupatta. "I-I just wore it because I felt like it."
Satish chuckled. "Liar."
She glared. "I am NOT lying."
His fingers traveled to the dori at her back.
He tugged.
Not enough to open it-but enough to make her suck in a sharp breath.
His lips brushed against her ear.
"Then why are you blushing?"
Sharayu shoved him back. "Sir!"
He laughed.
Full. Shameless. Completely enjoying her misery.
Sharayu whipped out her phone. "I have to go. My friends are waiting."
Satish raised a brow. "Oh? Running away?"
She scowled. "I am not running away."
Satish smirked. "Of course, you aren't."
Sharayu was ready to bolt.
But just as she turned to leave-
She felt it.
A tug.
A gentle yet firm pull.
And then-warm fingers grazing her bare back.
Her breath hitched.
The thin dori of her Anarkali... was in his hands.
Her entire body stiffened.
"Going somewhere?" Satish's voice was silk-dipped in amusement.
Sharayu swallowed hard. "I... my friends are waiting."
Satish hummed. "They can wait."
And then-
He pulled.
Not enough to undo it completely-but enough to make her feel every nerve on her back ignite.
Sharayu gasped. "Sir!"
He chuckled. "What? Just making sure it's tied properly. Wouldn't want it to come undone, would we?"
She spun around to glare at him-big mistake.
Because now, he was too close.
And his eyes?
Dark. Smoldering. A hunter that had finally cornered his prey.
Satish's fingers lazily traced her spine, a barely-there touch that sent shivers down her skin.
And then-
He leaned in.
His nose grazed her cheek.
His lips ghosted over her jaw.
He was so close, yet not close enough.
Sharayu squeezed her eyes shut. "Satt..."
He hummed. "Hmm?"
His fingers slid into her hair.
Tilted her head.
And then-he kissed her.
It started soft.
A gentle press of lips. Featherlight. Testing.
Then-he deepened it.
His lips moved against hers, slow but deliberate, teasing yet demanding.
Sharayu melted into him, her fingers gripping his shirt.
He took his time, savoring her, tasting her.
When she tried to pull away, he followed.
Didn't let her go.
Didn't let her breathe.
Didn't let her forget who she belonged to.
And then-his lips left hers.
Only to trail lower.
Before she could protest-
She felt it.
The softest brush of his lips against her neck.
A slow, lingering kiss on her neck.
And then-he bit down.
Sharayu gasped. "Sir!"
He chuckled against her skin.
And then soothed the bite with his tongue.
Heat exploded in her body.
Her legs turned weak.
Her mind blanked.
By the time he finally pulled back, she was a mess.
And Satish?
Smug. So, so smug.
His thumb brushed over the fresh hickey on her neck.
Sharayu shoved him away.
"You-You're impossible!" she hissed.
Satish grinned. "And yet, you still can't resist me."
Sharayu whipped around, covering her neck.
"I hate you."
Satish laughed. "I love you, sweetheart."
And as she stormed out of his cabin, her heart pounding, lips swollen, and neck branded with his mark-
She knew one thing for sure.
She was completely, utterly, helplessly ruined.
Sharayu was finally breathing properly again.
After the chaos in Satish's cabin, she had managed to regain her composure and was now sitting with her friends in the cafeteria, pretending nothing had happened.
She was engaged in a light conversation, listening to Rutuja and Aarohi argue over which Bollywood couple had the best chemistry, when-
Aarohi came up from behind her.
And in that moment, fate decided to play a cruel joke.
Aarohi, in her usual dramatic fashion, threw her arm over Sharayu's shoulder.
"Ugh, you people always fight about the same thing! Let's ask Sharayu. She's the most hopeless romantic among us."
The sudden pull on Sharayu's shoulder made her lose balance for a second.
And before she could react-
Her dupatta slipped.
Dropped.
And with it-
The proof of her morning sins was revealed.
A deep, unmistakable hickey on her neck.
For one whole second, there was absolute silence.
Then-
A collective gasp.
Followed by-
"OH MY GOD."
"NO WAY."
"IS THAT-IS THAT A-?"
"IT IS! IT IS A HICKEY!"
Sharayu froze.
Her entire body tensed.
Her face burned hotter than the sun.
And then-chaos exploded.
Rutuja: "SHARAYU!" grabbing her arm, pretending to be scandalized "This is not the you I know!"
Aarohi: clutching her chest dramatically "I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS. OUR INNOCENT SHARAYU HAS SINNED."
Vrushal: laughing uncontrollably "Damn, no wonder Satish Sir looks so smug today."
Kunal: grinning "Tch tch. Poor Satish Sir. He must have suffered a lot to leave such a deep mark."
Sharayu: "I-NO-IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!"
Rutuja: "Oh? So, you're saying Satish Sir didn't do this?"
Sharayu: "I-I MEAN-" completely red
Aarohi: "So, he did?"
Sharayu: dying inside "...I hate all of you."
Rutuja: leaning in with a smirk "So... how was it?"
Sharayu: "HOW WAS WHAT?!"
Aarohi: grinning "The morning snack Satish Sir had."
Sharayu: "I WILL KILL YOU!"
Sharayu: covering her face "I AM NEVER TALKING TO ANY OF YOU AGAIN."
After what felt like an eternity of humiliation, the group finally let her breathe.
But as she got up to leave, the teasing didn't stop.
Aarohi: "Going with Satish Sir again?"
Vrushal: "You really don't let him rest, do you?"
Rutuja: "No wonder he couldn't keep his hands off you today. This dress was a dangerous choice."
Gayatri: "Yeah, Sharayu, you're glowing a little too much. Did he tell you how pretty you looked before or after he ruined your neck?"
Kunal: "Or both?"
Sharayu: glaring "GOODBYE, IDIOTS."
And with that, she stormed away, leaving her evil, traitorous friends laughing behind her.
One thing was certain-
Tomorrow, she was wearing a scarf.
Satish was waiting near his car, leaning against it effortlessly, looking as if he had all the time in the world.
But the moment Sharayu walked toward him, something shifted in his eyes.
He took his time.
His gaze started at her face, traveling down to that damn red dress, lingering at the curve of her waist, the way the fabric hugged her perfectly, the thin dori on her bare back, and then-
The hickey.
The one he had left on her just this morning in his cabin.
And oh, wasn't that a sight to behold?
Sharayu, clueless about the turmoil she was causing, stopped in front of him and frowned.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Satish smirked, straightening up slowly.
"Like what?"
She narrowed her eyes. "Like you're thinking something very inappropriate."
He chuckled, his fingers loosely adjusting the cuffs of his sleeves.
"I was just admiring something beautiful."
Sharayu blinked.
And then-she rolled her eyes.
"Oh, please. If you want to compliment me, just do it properly instead of playing riddles."
Satish tilted his head slightly, pretending to think.
"Fine, if you insist."
He took a step closer, voice dropping just a little, enough to make her heartbeat stutter.
"That red dress looks breathtaking on you."
Sharayu crossed her arms, unimpressed.
"Now, was that so hard?"
Satish's lips curled into a mischievous smile.
"No, not at all. But I wasn't finished."
She frowned. "There's more?"
"Of course." His voice was dripping with amusement now.
Then, with deadly precision, he added-
"That red dress looks breathtaking on you, but that red mark on your neck?"
He exhaled dramatically. "Now that... That's what makes you look truly divine."
Silence.
Pure, unfiltered silence.
Sharayu froze.
Her brain completely malfunctioned.
Did he-
Did he just-
He did NOT just say that.
Her mouth opened. Nothing came out.
She blinked. Once. Twice. Thrice.
Her face turned so red, it rivaled the very dress she was wearing.
And Satish?
Oh, that devilish man was enjoying this.
Sharayu.exe Has Stopped Working
"I-"
Satish raised an eyebrow. "Yes?"
"I... I hate you."
His smirk deepened. "No, you don't."
Sharayu groaned, covering her face with both hands. "Why do you have to be like this?"
Satish chuckled, leaning closer, voice dangerously low.
"Because I love watching you blush like this."
Sharayu took a deep breath, lowered her hands, and glared at him.
"Can we go home now before you decide to murder me with embarrassment?"
Satish chuckled, unlocking the car door. "Of course, sweetheart. But just so you know..."
He stepped aside, allowing her to sit inside, but before she could, he leaned down slightly, whispering in her ear-
"I love that I'm the only one who gets to see you like this."
Sharayu sat in the car, arms tightly crossed over her chest, cheeks still burning from Satish's audacity.
She glared at him through the rearview mirror, watching as he walked around the car with that lazy, smug smirk.
As soon as he slid into the driver's seat, he pulled out his phone.
She frowned. "What are you doing?"
He didn't answer.
Instead, with a quick flick, he turned his camera on and snapped a picture of her.
Click.
Sharayu's eyes widened.
"WHAT THE HELL?!"
Satish smirked, tilting the phone to look at the photo. "Damn."
She lunged for his phone. "Delete it!"
He held it out of her reach effortlessly.
"Now, why would I do that?"
"SIR."
He leaned back against his seat, admiring the picture.
"You look too beautiful to delete, sweetheart. I mean, just look at you." He turned the screen toward her, and she almost fainted.
There she was, in that damn red dress, her hair falling perfectly around her face, her lips slightly parted from shock.
And worst of all-the hickey.
It was clear as day, sitting proudly on her neck.
Sharayu's soul left her body.
"SATISH SIR, DELETE IT RIGHT NOW!"
He grinned like the devil himself.
"Nope. This is going straight to my favorites."
Sharayu's jaw dropped.
"I SWEAR TO GOD,-"
And then-
Click.
He took another picture.
This time, of her absolutely horrified expression.
Satish laughed. "Oh, this one's even better."
Sharayu grabbed his arm. "Give me your phone!"
He lifted it higher. "Ah ah ah, don't be so greedy, love. If you want it, you'll have to work for it."
She groaned, falling back against the seat. "I hate you so much."
Satish chuckled, placing the phone back in his pocket.
"No, you don't. And don't worry, I won't show it to anyone. This is just for me."
Sharayu covered her face with both hands.
"I'M NEVER WEARING A RED DRESS AGAIN!"
Satish smirked, starting the car.
"That would be a tragedy, love. But I wouldn't mind if you wore nothing at all."
Dead. She was officially dead.
Sharayu refused to look at him.
She sat with her arms crossed, her face turned completely toward the window, praying that the earth would just open up and swallow her whole.
Meanwhile, Satish was having the time of his life.
One hand on the steering wheel, the other casually resting near his lips, as if deep in thought.
But the devil had that smirk.
That wicked, evil, I'm-going-to-torture-you smirk.
After a few minutes of unbearable silence, he sighed dramatically.
"You know, Sharayu..." he started.
She stayed silent.
He continued anyway.
"You say you hate me, but the way you're blushing right now? That tells a different story."
Sharayu's fingers clenched into fists.
She still didn't look at him.
"Hmm," he hummed, tapping his chin thoughtfully.
"I was just thinking... I should probably take more pictures like that."
Her head snapped toward him so fast, she nearly gave herself whiplash.
"WHAT?!"
Satish glanced at her briefly, completely unfazed.
"I mean, what if I forget how you looked tonight? The red dress, the hickey-oh wait, the multiple hickeys-"
Sharayu slammed a hand over his mouth.
"STOP TALKING!"
Satish's eyes gleamed mischievously. He mumbled something against her palm.
She narrowed her eyes.
"What did you just say?"
He pulled her hand away, grinning.
"I said... If you don't want me talking about it, then give me something else to think about."
Sharayu froze.
Her brain had officially crashed.
He was waiting for a reaction.
And she-she was NOT going to give him the satisfaction.
She took a deep breath, sat back, and crossed her arms again.
"I hope you get stuck in traffic."
Satish burst out laughing.
"Too bad, sweetheart. We're almost at your building."
Sharayu groaned.
"I am never speaking to you again."
He chuckled, slowing the car as they neared her house.
"We'll see about that."
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