Between the Classes(Two different worlds)

Chapter 2 - Silent Fumes

But fate had its own plans.

At the staircase, Vidhu bumped into someone hard. Her foot slipped. She gasped, about to fall-

A strong arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against a steady chest.

Her forehead collided with warmth. She blinked, and found herself against a bare patch of skin where his shirt was half-open.

Her breath caught.

Siddharth.

Her blue eyes widened, lips parting in shock.

His voice came low, husky, teasing. "Why are you running like a rat? Still half-asleep while walking?"

He stepped forward. She stepped back, only to find the wall stopping her retreat.

His hands caged her in, palms pressing against the wall on either side of her. He bent close, lips near her ear.

"Sorry... about yesterday." His whisper brushed against her skin. "Don't take it to heart. I agree-it was my mistake."

Hot breath tickled her neck. Vidhu's cheeks flamed red. Her heartbeat pounded so loudly she was sure he could hear it.

His scent-warm, addictive, something faintly musky-wrapped around her. His gaze lingered on her trembling lips, then her stormy eyes.

For a moment, he forgot himself.

She broke first. Ducking under his arm, she ran toward the classroom. Her shoes clicked against the floor as she disappeared around the corner.

Siddharth stood frozen. Then, slowly, a smile tugged his lips.

He caught himself, wiping it away. His face hardened as he turned toward his office.
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
I entered the classroom where students gathered under supervision, pages flipping but gossip louder than equations 📚.

In the last bench, the trio bent their heads together.

"So," Nikki whispered dramatically, "what do you think? Is Siddharth sir really going to be our HOD?"

Akshu's eyes sparkled. "I hope so. Did you see the way he taught? Sharp. Clear. Dangerous."

Vidhu frowned. "Dangerous?"

"Yes," Akshu teased. "Dangerously hot 🔥."

Nikki coughed loudly. "Excuse me! What about me?"

"You?" Vidhu finally smiled again. "You're just... Nikki."

He placed his hand on his chest, pretending wounded. "Darling, you've broken my heart 💔."

They giggled, careless in their little world while time ticked by.

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻
⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

By mid-morning, the air inside the physics classroom felt heavy. Everyone whispered, trading rumors.

"Today's the day."
"Principal is coming again."
"They're introducing him for sure."

Akshu leaned over and nudged Vidhu. "Ready to face your nightmare professor again?" 😏

Vidhu rolled her eyes. "He's not my nightmare. Just... annoying."

Nikki gasped dramatically. "Darling, don't say that. He's my competition. If all the girls in this college fall for him, who will be left to fall for me?"

"Shut up," Vidhu muttered, hiding her blush in her notebook.

⸻

The classroom door swung open. Silence dropped like a curtain.