The Love Algorithm - AdiYa FF

Chapter 10

"Relax," he murmured, his voice lower now, more intimate.

Easier said than done. She thought. She swallowed, focusing on the violin in her hands as if, she didn't see anything other than that.

Aditya reached forward, his arms encircling her as he placed his hands over hers. His touch was warm, steady, and the contrast between his firm grip and her hesitant fingers sent a shiver down her spine. It was the first time she was in such a close proximity with a guy.

"Like this," he whispered, guiding her fingers over the strings. His breath fanned against her neck, and she stiffened slightly.

"You okay?" He asked, his lips dangerously close to her ear.

Zoya nodded quickly. "Y-Yeah. I am...okay"

"Good. Now, don't grip the bow so tightly. Let your fingers flow with the movement." His hands moved over hers, effortlessly guiding the bow across the strings. The first note that came out was scratchy and off-key, making her wince.

Aditya chuckled. "Not bad. You only made it sound like a dying cat."

She gasped, turning slightly to glare at him. The sudden movement brought her even closer, her back pressing against his chest.

She stilled. He did too.

For a moment, neither of them moved. Her hair fluttered on his face, while his hair strands danced along with her hair. The air between them thickened, charged with something unspoken. She could hear the slight hitch in his breath, feel the way his hands lingered a second too long over hers. The weight of his presence behind her was impossible to ignore, his warmth seeping into her skin.

"Aditya..." she started, but even she wasn't sure what she was about to say.

His fingers slowly lifted from hers, but he didn't move away completely. His lips parted slightly as his gaze flickered to hers. Too close. Too tempting.

The spell broke when the violin slipped from her shoulder, almost falling to the floor. She yelped, and Aditya instinctively caught it, pulling away just enough to regain his composure.

"Careful," he murmured, though his voice was a little rougher than before.

Zoya exhaled shakily, forcing a chuckle to ease the tension. "Maybe I should just stick to painting."

Aditya's smirk returned, though there was something else in his gaze now—something darker, more knowing.

"Maybe," he said. "But I think I like the idea of teaching you."

Her heart pounded. He definitely meant something more than teaching. There was no mistaking it now—something had shifted between them. And neither of them could ignore it anymore.

As the air between them remained thick with unspoken tension, Zoya tried to shake off the effect Aditya had on her. She stood up near the easel board, determined to focus on what she had come for, when her phone suddenly buzzed against the wooden table.

She glanced at the screen, her face stiffening slightly. Abbu.

Aditya noticed the change in her expression. Before he could say anything, Zoya exhaled and answered the call, putting it on speaker.

"Assalamu Alaikum, Abbu."

"Wa Alaikum Assalam, beta," came the deep, authoritative voice of her father. "Where are you?"

Zoya quickly darted a glance at Aditya, then at the paint brush in her hand, "I... uh, I came to get some books for my paper."

Aditya raised an eyebrow at the lie, folding his arms as he silently observed her.