Between the Classes(Two different worlds)

Chapter 13 - Between Comfort and Chaos

The festival lights had faded, but the afterglow still lingered. The campus was alive with chatter, but Vidhu felt a strange shift within her — as though something had changed and she wasn't sure what.

That afternoon, Vidhu and Akshu sat on the stone benches outside the library, their books sprawled in front of them. Nikki had, unsurprisingly, run off in search of snacks.

"Honestly," Akshu sighed, scribbling lazily in her notebook, "he treats us like we're in school, not college. Stand up, sit down, again and again. Even my gym trainer isn't this strict."

Vidhu chuckled softly but said nothing. Her thoughts had been tangled since the night of the festival.

Just then, a warm voice cut through her daze.
"Struggling with circuits again?"

Vidhu turned, startled. Vishnu sir stood there, hands tucked casually into his pockets, his smile easy.

Her lips curved nervously. "When am I not struggling, sir?"

"Sir?" Vishnu raised an eyebrow. "I thought after all my rescues, I'd earned an upgrade."

Akshu smirked, elbowing Vidhu. "See? Even professors think you're too formal."

Vidhu bit her lip, heat rushing to her cheeks. "Fine... Vishu." The word slipped out shyly.

Vishnu chuckled, clearly pleased. "That's better. Less distance."

⸻

✨ From that day on, it was just Vishu.

Their bond grew without her even noticing. She'd ask him questions casually after lectures, and he'd stop by her table to check on her work. It wasn't the same intensity she felt around Siddharth — with Vishnu, it was lighthearted, warm, almost like a big brother... yet not quite.

⸻

One evening, in the library, Vidhu juggled a tower of books. The pile wobbled dangerously, her braid slipping over her shoulder.

"Here, let me—" Vishnu appeared, steadying the stack before it collapsed.

Vidhu sighed in relief. "If you hadn't come, I'd be buried alive under physics."

"Physics is cruel," Vishnu said with a grin. "But I'm kinder."

Her laugh rang out across the silent library, easy and unguarded.

And it didn't go unnoticed.

⸻

Across the room, Siddharth sat with papers open before him, though he hadn't turned a page in ten minutes. His dark eyes followed every movement — the way Vidhu smiled, the way her shoulders relaxed around Vishnu.

His jaw tightened. A sharp crack split the air as his pen snapped in his grip.

Shruthi, seated beside him, caught it instantly. Her lips curled in amusement. "Siddu... don't tell me you're jealous?" she whispered, her tone lilting.

Siddharth didn't answer. His silence was enough. He shoved the broken pen into his bag and muttered, "I need air," before striding out.

Shruthi's gaze lingered, sharp and calculating.

⸻

Later that night, the hostel common room buzzed with chatter. Vidhu sat curled on the couch with Akshu and Nikki.

Akshu leaned forward, eyes twinkling. "Sooo... Vishu sir, huh?"

Vidhu groaned. "Not you too! He's just—he's just Vishu. Like you guys."