Scene 1: Payal's Morning Dilemma
Payal stood in front of the mirror, gripping her dupatta tightly.
"I won't see him today. I'll avoid him. Entire college has thousands of students. I'll disappear into the crowd."
But deep down, her chest tightened. Why did her thoughts always circle back to Dev?
She walked into class, eyes lowered, as always. Her usual corner seat was empty. Relief.
But then came the scent of leather and cologne. Her eyes widened.
He was sitting in her row. Her row.
Dev turned and smirked, "What a surprise. You're in my class too?"
Her mouth went dry. She didn't reply.
He patted the seat next to him, "Here. Sit. Promise I won't bite… in class."
She took the seat two rows behind him instead, cheeks burning.
His smirk widened.
Scene 2: Group Project Trouble
That afternoon, the professor entered with a whiteboard list. "You all will be doing a group project. Groups of two. Assigned randomly."
Payal silently begged not to be paired with him.
Professor read out names.
"Dev Kapoor… Payal Verma."
Her heart dropped
Dev's jaw dropped too—but only in playful delight. "Oh destiny, you really love me."
Payal raised her hand, "Sir, can I change—"
"No changes," the professor interrupted. "Work with your assigned partners."
Dev stood up, bowed dramatically toward her, and said loud enough for half the class to hear:
"Hi, partner. Ready to fall in love with physics? Or with me?"
Giggles echoed around them. Payal wanted to disappear
Scene 3: Library Confrontation
Later, Payal hid in the library, hoping he'd forget the meeting time.
But she felt a shadow fall over her desk.
"Skipped the meeting, Miss Verma?" Dev said, pulling the chair across from her.
She flinched.
"Why are you scared of me?" he asked, tilting his head. "Do I really look like a villain to you?"
She finally looked him in the eye.
"…You're too loud. Too… much."
His smile faded. Just a little.
"You think I'm dangerous?"
She looked down. Silence spoke more than words.
Dev sat back. "I'm not what you think. But okay. I'll tone it down. Only for you."
Payal looked up, startled.
He got up to leave and whispered as he passed by her,
"Maybe you're scared of me. But I'm the one losing sleep over you."
Scene 4: Payal's Bedroom – That Night
She lay in bed, hugging her pillow
Her phone buzzed. Unknown number.
1 message: "Goodnight, partner."
She turned her phone over.
And smiled.
Just a little.