Between the Classes(Two different worlds)

Chapter 3 - Sparks and Shadows

The library's silence still clung to me as I hurried out, my heart pounding like I'd just run a race. His words, his closeness, the way his eyes had pinned me in place - it was too much. I pressed my palm to my chest as if I could slow the wild thumping inside.

What was wrong with me? Why did every encounter with him leave me shaken, confused, and restless?

The cool evening air hit my face as I stepped outside, but it didn't soothe me. My thoughts swirled like a storm. One second I wanted to scream at him, the next... my mind betrayed me, replaying the way his voice had dipped low when he whispered friendship instead of hate.

I shook my head hard. Stop it, Vidhu.

"Here she comes!" Nikki's voice broke through my thoughts the moment I entered the café.

The familiar warmth of the little hangout welcomed me - the clink of cups, the chatter of students, the smell of strong filter coffee. Akshu waved me over, her eyes softening the moment she saw my face.

"You look dull again," she said, pushing a plate of samosas toward me. "What happened this time?"

I forced a smile, sliding into the chair. "Nothing. Just... tired."

Nikki leaned forward dramatically, his grin mischievous. "Finally! My wifey smiled. For that, ice cream treat is on me today!"

Akshu groaned, rolling her eyes. "Not again, Nikki."

I couldn't help but laugh, the sound escaping me despite the knot in my chest. For a fleeting second, the weight on my shoulders lifted.

But I didn't notice on the other side of the café - three professors sat together over plates of evening snacks. Vishnu, Shruthi, and Siddharth.

And though he didn't look directly at me, Siddharth's ears were tuned to every word coming from our table.

Akshu sipped her coffee, eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, Nikki was saying something earlier... that most of the girls in our class have started crushing on someone."

Nikki clapped his hands. "Exactly! Guess who?"

I raised an eyebrow, suspicious. "Do I even want to know?"

"Arrey, Vidhu," Nikki grinned, leaning closer like he was about to spill a top-secret mission, "it's our dear new HOD, Mr. Siddharth Rai."

I nearly choked on my coffee. "What rubbish!"

Akshu laughed, nudging me. "But he is handsome, Vidhu. You can't deny that."

Before she could even finish the word handsome, Nikki cut in. "No, no. Forget handsome. You know what Sneha said yesterday? She called him hot and sexy."

"Eww!" I slammed my cup down, glaring at both of them. "Don't you dare put me into this nonsense."

But Nikki wasn't done. He leaned back, wagging his eyebrows. "Come on, Vidhu. What's your opinion? Don't you also think he's-"

"That's it!" My voice rose, and my friends fell silent. The emotions I'd been bottling up all day spilled out like fire. "How can you all drool over him? He's arrogant, rude, and full of himself. The way he made me stand in the class... like a school kid! Who does he think he is? HOD or God?"

The words tumbled faster, sharper. "So what if he's good-looking? That doesn't give him the right to humiliate people. Handsome, hot, sexy-blah blah! He doesn't even have a good heart!"

Akshu blinked at me. Nikki froze mid-bite of his ice cream. The café's hum continued around us, but at our table... silence.

Until... a low laugh echoed from the other side.