VANI POV
The soft morning sunlight warmed my face, and I slowly opened my eyes. For a second, I didn't even remember where I was. Then I turned to my side.
Charu was sleeping peacefully beside me, her hair falling messily over her face.
I smiled ...
She is my real friend... the only one who always thinks about me before herself.
I pushed the blanket aside quietly, not wanting to disturb her, and stepped out of the room.
Charu's house smelled like fresh flowers. When I reached the living room, Aunty was arranging a vase while Uncle was reading the newspaper.
"Good morning, Uncle... Aunty," I said softly.
Aunty smiled instantly. "Good morning, beta. Did you sleep well?"
"Yes, Aunty," I nodded.
And then... I felt it.
That uncomfortable gaze.
Charu's stepbrother walked in, eyes sliding over me like I was something he owned.
"Morning," he said with a smirk.
I looked away immediately, finishing breakfast as fast as possible. The moment I got up to return to the room, I felt relief.
But I didn't even reach halfway.
A rough hand grabbed my wrist-so suddenly that I gasped-and dragged me into a room.
"Leave me!" I shouted, struggling.
He shut the door behind us and stepped close, that same disgusting smirk on his face.
"Why so scared?" he asked, his voice low and filthy. "Girls like you pretend to be innocent, but you know how sexy you are .
My stomach twisted.
"Don't talk to me like that," I snapped, trying to pull my hand back.
But he came closer, breath hitting my face.
"Your body..." he whispered, eyes roaming shamelessly, "your curves... anyone would lose control. Don't pretend you don't know."
I froze for half a second.
Then he tried to touch my face-tried to pull me closer, as if he was about to kiss me.
And something inside me broke.
All the fear from yesterday... all the humiliation... all the anger.
I wasn't weak.
Not anymore.
With full force, I lifted my knee and hit him right where it hurts most.
He bent forward instantly, groaning in pain.
I didn't stop there.
My hand grabbed the nearest thing-a heavy flower pot-and I swung it at him with all the strength inside me. It hit his shoulder hard, and he stumbled back.
Breathing heavily, I threw the pot aside, pushed the door open, and ran.
My heart was racing, but my voice was steady as I whispered to myself:
"Enough. I'm done being scared. No one gets to treat me like this ever again."
.
.
.
AUTHOR POV
The bell rang softly as Zoya ma'am ended her lecture and walked out of the classroom. Students began shuffling in their seats, pulling out new notebooks, some already chatting excitedly.
It was time for Ahaan Sir's lecture.
Vani's stomach tightened.
She didn't want to see him today.
Not after yesterday's harsh words.
Not when Charu wasn't here to distract her .
She quietly picked up her bag, hoping to slip out before he entered. But the moment she turned-
she collided straight into a hard chest.
Her breath caught.
Ahaan stood in the doorway, one eyebrow raised in surprise.
Before Vani could even move away, something tugged sharply at her scalp.
Her hair had gotten stuck... in his shirt button.
She panicked and pulled her hair back forcefully, but the button only tightened its hold, making her wince.
"Ahh... dard ho raha hai..." she whispered under her breath, struggling again.
She tried gently, she tried quickly, she even tried turning her head - but nothing worked.
For a moment, Ahaan just watched her struggle, a tiny amused smile appearing on his lips.
Then he stepped closer, voice calm and low.
"Vani... clam down," he said. "Jor se mat kheencho. Tum aur phas jaogi."
His hand lifted slowly, carefully moving near her tangled strands. His fingers brushed her hair, warm and steady, making her freeze.
The entire class had gone silent.
Dozens of eyes watched them.
Vani's cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Ahaan gently tried to free her hair, but the strands were stubborn. He leaned a little closer, studying the button carefully, his breath brushing her forehead.
"Hold still," he murmured.
And finally-
with a soft click, the hair slipped free.
Vani immediately stepped back, trying to hide her red face. Some students giggled. Some whispered.
Her heart hammered.
Ahaan straightened up and looked at her seriously.
"Where were you going?" he asked.
"Sir... I'm not feeling well," she said quickly. "I should go home."
He didn't believe that.
He wasn't a fool.
He knew exactly why she wanted to run.
Yesterday's words...
They had stabbed deeper than he'd expected.
His jaw tightened with guilt, but his voice stayed gentle.
"Sit on the front bench," he said firmly. "Aaj bas lecture suno. Kuch likhna mat. Main permission deta hoon."
Some students widened their eyes - Ahaan Sir never allowed anyone to sit idle during his class.
But Vani didn't argue.
Vani sat on the front bench, her bag in her lap, trying to make herself as small and invisible as possible. Her hair still tingled where Ahaan's fingers had brushed.
The class buzzed quietly. Ahaan placed his books on the desk, but before starting, his eyes drifted to Vani again.
Just for a second.
Just enough for her pulse to skip.
He cleared his throat and began the lecture.
But today... Ahaan Singh wasn't his usual self.
His tone was softer.
His pace slower.
Every few minutes, his gaze unknowingly returned to the first bench - to her.
And every time she caught him watching, Vani quickly looked away, pretending to stare at the blackboard or floor.
Students noticed.
Whispers spread.
"Sir aaj itna calmly padha rahe..."
"Lagta hai mood bohot achha hai..."
"Front bench wali par full focus hai"...
Ahaan ignored them, or pretended to.
Halfway through the lecture, he explained a concept and then turned toward Vani out of habit.
"Vani, solve this-"
He stopped himself immediately.
She wasn't writing.
She wasn't even holding her pen.
Just sitting quietly... eyes a little sad... looking like she could break if he pushed even a little.
Ahaan inhaled deeply.
"Never mind," he said softly.
A few students exchanged surprised looks.
Vani kept her head down.
---
After the Lecture
When the bell finally rang, the whole class erupted into movement, rushing outside.
But Vani stayed still.
She didn't want to catch attention. She didn't want to face Ahaan again. She just wanted to disappear.
She stood up quietly to leave.
"Vani."
His voice was low but firm.
She froze.
Ahaan had walked from behind the desk and stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, expression unreadable.
"You're... really not feeling well?" he asked carefully.
Vani nodded without meeting his eyes. "Hmm."
He studied her face for a long moment - the guilt from yesterday still heavy in his chest.
He stepped a little closer.
"You should... eat something," he murmured. "Empty stomach se headache badhta hai."
That wasn't something a professor usually said.
It was something someone worried might say.
Vani's eyes lifted just a bit, surprised.
"I'll be fine, sir," she whispered.
Ahaan looked away, almost frustrated with himself... frustrated with how much he cared.
"Fine," he said softly. "Go home. Rest."
She turned to leave.
"Vani," he called again.
She stopped at the door.
Ahaan's voice was barely above a whisper now.
"And... take care."
Her heart thudded.
She didn't look back - if she did, she knew she wouldn't be able to hide her expression - and walked out as fast as she could.
Ahaan watched the door long after she left... a strange tightness in his chest.
Something was changing.
Between them.
Inside him.
And he didn't know how much longer he could ignore it.
.
.
.
__________________________________________
VOTE AND COMMENT
Write a comment ...