For once, Aira Kapoor managed to reach her first class before Reyhan.
A miracle. A blessing. A loophole in the universe.
She sat at her desk, pulled out her notebook, and prayed to every deity that Reyhan was either late, absent, or caught in some insane adventure involving a stray dog and a stolen tiffin box.
But God had no mercy.
Because ten seconds later, the classroom door creaked—
And there he was.
Reyhan Malhotra.
Hair messy.
Tie missing.
Expression unreadable.
He walked in slowly, scanning the room like he was searching for something.
His eyes locked on her.
Aira immediately looked away.
Pretend. Pretend. PRETEND you didn't see him—
A chair scraped beside her.
He sat.
Of course he sat.
Aira closed her eyes. "Why are you here so early?"
"Why are YOU here so early?" he countered.
"Because I wanted quiet."
"So did I."
Aira laughed once—dry, sarcastic. "Reyhan, you don't DO quiet."
"I can," he said.
"Since when?"
"Since today."
"And what made you suddenly discover this talent?"
"You."
She choked on her own breath. "ME?!"
He smirked, leaning back in his chair. "You looked like you needed space yesterday. Thought I'd… tone it down."
Aira froze.
Wait.
Hold on.
WHAT?
He noticed?
He adjusted?
He respected that?
No. Nope. Absolutely not.
Her heart was NOT allowed to react to that.
"Well," Aira said, flipping her notebook open dramatically, "congratulations. You failed. You're sitting right next to me."
Reyhan shrugged. "I can be quiet while sitting."
"You're talking right now."
"Because you're talking."
"You started!"
"You looked at me."
"No, I didn't!"
"Yes, you—"
"Aira."
They both whipped their heads around.
Zayden stood at the row entrance, smiling warmly.
"Can I sit with you today?"
Aira blinked in relief. "YES. Please."
Reyhan stiffened.
Zayden pulled up a chair on Aira's other side. "Good morning."
Aira smiled genuinely. "Morning."
Reyhan stared straight ahead, jaw tight.
Aira noticed.
Why… was he reacting like that?
Sia arrived next, practically glowing.
"Oh HO, look at this seating arrangement. Aira in the middle, two boys on each side. This is giving main character vibes."
Aira muttered, "Please stop narrating my misery."
Sia ignored her. "Reyhan, why do you look punched?"
Reyhan shot her a warning glare.
Zayden grinned softly. "Aira, I can help you with the assignment after class if you want."
Before Aira could respond—
Reyhan leaned forward, voice calm but sharp.
"She already HAS a partner."
Zayden blinked. "I know. I'm only offering help."
Reyhan's eyes narrowed dangerously. "She doesn't need help."
Aira's jaw dropped.
Was he… jealous?
Before she could react, the teacher walked in and began the lecture.
Aira tried focusing.
Tried.
But Reyhan was sitting too close.
Way too close.
Close enough for her to hear him tapping his pen, flipping a page, breathing.
And he kept glancing sideways.
Aira finally snapped.
She scribbled on a sticky note and pushed it onto his desk:
Stop staring.
He slid the note back.
Stop being stare-able.
She nearly tore her notebook in half.
Reyhan smirked.
But then—
as the class went silent for a reading exercise—
Aira caught something surprising.
Reyhan… wasn't smiling anymore.
He was staring at his own notebook, completely lost in thought, jaw clenched like he was fighting something inside him.
He looked… troubled.
She didn't know why it bothered her.
She didn't WANT it to bother her.
But it did.
Quietly, she nudged his elbow.
He looked up instantly, expression softening when he saw her.
"Are you okay?" she whispered.
He blinked—like he wasn't expecting that.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "Just thinking."
"About what?"
His eyes lingered on hers for a second too long.
Then he looked away.
"Nothing important."
But it was a lie.
Aira could tell.
She wanted to ask again.
She didn't.
Her heart was already getting too involved.
Reyhan suddenly leaned a fraction closer—barely noticeable to anyone but her.
"You… worried?" he whispered.
Aira flinched. "No. Obviously not."
Reyhan smiled—small, real, devastatingly gentle.
"So you WERE."
"Reyhan—"
"You're bad at lying," he whispered.
Aira snapped her notebook shut before her feelings could spill out in public.
RULE #11: Don't sit too close to Reyhan Malhotra.
Because when silence falls…
you'll hear your heart reacting instead of your brain.