Between the Classes(Two different worlds)

Chapter 4 - Whispers of Rivalry

Morning light spilled into the hostel corridor. I walked with Akshu and Nikki toward class, pretending I wasn't thinking about yesterday.

"You're too quiet," Akshu said, bumping my shoulder. "Still replaying the canteen scene?"

"No."
"Yes," Nikki answered for me. "But don't worry, my darling-today I'll create fresh drama so you can forget the old one."

"Please don't," I muttered.

We reached the classroom. Half the class was already there. A boy I'd seen around-tall, easy smile, Electronics-was leaning against the back bench like he owned it.

He pushed off and came over. "You're Vidhu, right?"

I blinked. "Yes."

"I'm Rohit." His grin was confident, not rude-just... sure. "Physics girl who lives in the library?"

Akshu's eyebrows climbed. Nikki folded his arms.

"I don't live there," I said. "I just... visit a lot."

"Same difference." He pointed at the stack of books in my hands. "Want help?"

"I'm fine."

"Cool." He slid into the bench behind us anyway. "In case you drop anything, I'm fast."

Nikki leaned forward and whispered, "I don't like him."

"Because he's fast?" Akshu asked.

"Because he's talking to my-"

I stepped on his shoe. He shut up.

The door clicked. Conversations cut. Siddharth Rai walked in, sleeves folded, face unreadable. He placed his diary on the desk and scanned the room.

For a second, his eyes caught mine. My heartbeat flipped-just once-then steadied. He looked away.

"We'll start with problems," he said, writing on the board. "No copying. No shortcuts."

Chalk skittered. Pens moved. I tried to focus, but I could feel Rohit's presence like a shadow behind my shoulder.

My pen slipped. Before I could pick it, his hand was already there. "Here," he murmured, fingers brushing mine.

A small, harmless touch.

The chalk in Siddharth's hand paused-only for a breath-then kept moving.

I stared at my notebook. Why did the room feel warmer?

When time was up, he walked the aisles. "If your answer is wrong, I'll say it's wrong," he said simply. "We learn faster when we don't pretend."

He reached our row, glanced at my page, then gave the slightest nod. No praise. Just that calm not bad look. He moved on.

Rohit leaned in, low voice. "Nice work."

"Thanks," I said, trying to ignore how aware I was of everything.

Class ended. Chairs scraped. Everyone stood.

"Rohit," Siddharth said without looking up. "Meet me in the office."

Heads turned. Rohit smirked, tossed his bag on one shoulder, and went out.

Akshu whistled softly. "Oof."

Nikki clutched his chest. "Two lions. One jungle."

"Shut up," I told both of them, but my stomach twisted anyway.

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Midday

We found space in the canteen. Steam curled from steel tumblers; chatter bounced from table to table.