It Started With A Mistake

4. The Unexpected Pair

Professor Mehra gestured. "Come on. Let's go meet them."

As the students followed, Meera looped her arm through Ananya's. "Manifesting Rishi. He's smart and not hard to look at."

Shruti nodded. "Aman's my pick. He's chill, and his notes? Life-saving."

Ananya tried to sound normal. "Do we even get to choose?"

"They better not randomly assign us," Meera said. "I want a fair shot."

"Also," Shruti added with a grin, "you've mentally already picked yours."

Ananya hit her with the file. "Bas kar!"

They stepped into the senior lecture hall. Instantly, the vibe changed—more confident energy, deeper voices, subtle cologne, and an easy air of authority.

And then—there he was.

Karan.

He was sitting on the edge of a desk, half-turned toward Aman, one hand draped over his knee. A pen twirled between his fingers. He looked up briefly—and in that half-second, his eyes found hers.

Aman leaned slightly. "You're really doing this project?"

Karan's tone was casual. "Not keen on teaming up with strangers."

Aman raised an eyebrow. "So depends on the partner?"

Karan didn't answer, but his expression gave away just enough.

Meanwhile, around them, students had already begun pairing up. Some were practically calling dibs.

"You don't have a partner, right?" asked Shruti. As he answered no.

She stepped forward without hesitation, hair pulled back, eyes steady. "Great. Let's fix that."

She walked right up to Aman, offered a small smile. "Shall we?"

Aman smiled back, equally polite. "Looks like we're teammates now."

Just behind, Meera reached Rishi. "You. Me. Business dream team?"

Rishi mock-bowed. "Wouldn't miss it."

Ananya hovered near the doorway, scanning the room. She should walk up to someone. Before she could, a boy approached her—soft voice, polite smile.

"Hi, do you want to—"

Before she could respond, a familiar hand gently wrapped around her wrist. Not tight. Not rude. Just... sure.

"She's with me," Karan said, eyes still ahead.

The boy paused. "Oh... okay."

He stepped aside, and Karan guided her through the crowd without a word. Her heart was already in a sprint.

They sat. He let go. She didn't dare look up.

From the back, Aman whistled softly. "And here I thought you don't pair up with strangers."

Karan's voice came cold and unbothered:
"Who said she's a stranger?"

...Thud.

Ananya's heart might've forgotten how to beat normally.

Professor Mehra called out, "Your task—study a real business. Look into marketing, development, consumer behavior. One theory class a week. Rest is field work."

Students groaned.

"First visit—two days from now. Wear formal. Carry your ID. No excuses. Pairings are locked."

Once the professor left, buzz filled the room.

Karan finally turned to Ananya, leaning back with a lazy smirk.

"So, Miss Ananya... that stunned look on your face—is that your default setting, or just part of your business school vibe?"

She blinked, flustered. "Senior, don't start."

He tilted his head. "Start? Miss, I haven't even warmed up."

She rolled her eyes. But her lips betrayed her—curving just slightly into a smile.

And then, in a low voice only she could hear, he added—

"Hope you're ready, partner. This is just the beginning."

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Thank you so, so much for reading this chapter.

I'm really sorry for not being able to update last Sunday... there was a network issue and I just couldn't get the post up. 😔 But I promise, updates will be regular from now on!

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Serein