𝐓𝐔𝐌 𝐊𝐘𝐀 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄

𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐞

𐙚˙⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩

chapter nine

unsaved numbers

𐙚˙⋆.˚ ᡣ𐭩

Anjali's POV

It was only yesterday that Dhruv had offered to help me. I hadn't regretted agreeing, but the reasons behind my acceptance remained a mystery, even to myself. The moment replayed in my mind like a movie scene I couldn't escape.

It was strange, watching him make an effort to be nice when he had a reputation for being anything but. His usually sharp eyes had softened, and his voice, often laced with sarcasm, held a sincerity that felt out of place. My thoughts drifted to what he had almost said the day we were visiting the principal's office. The idea that he might have been apologizing seemed impossible, yet it forced me to reconsider my opinion of him. 

I had been mad at him for getting good grades. That wasn't his fault—it was my own. I was the one burdened by a crippling need for perfection, like it was a matter of life and death. The pressure to excel was a constant, hovering over me like a dark cloud. I had lashed out at him, not because of anything he had done, but because of my own insecurities. Despite that, he had been sincere enough to apologize.

And I had walked away from him without a word.

The memory filled me with embarrassment, a hot flush creeping up my neck. It was too late to back down now. I was entangled in my pride and ego, like a spider caught in its own web. No matter what, I could never be friends with Dhruv Khanna. We were too different to be anything more than reluctant allies.

Determined to maintain my stance, I saw an unknown number flashing on my phone screen. I answered the call, stepping out onto the balcony to avoid my sister overhearing. The cool wind brushed against the loose strands of my hair that had escaped from my ponytail. The air smelled of impending rain, fresh and electric, and above, clouds gathered ominously, threatening to unleash a downpour.

"Hello?" I said, settling into a chair that creaked under my weight.

"Hey. Before you assume I'm some stalker, I got your number from Veer," Dhruv's voice came through, tinged with amusement. I could almost see his smirk. I snorted at his comment, rolling my eyes even though he couldn't see me.

"Yes. I've been told," I replied, hearing a shuffle from his end, perhaps the rustling of papers or the squeak of a chair.

"So... how do you wanna do this?"

"Well, I was thinking since we're not close enough to visit each other's houses, a Zoom call would suffice."

"Excellent. Not like I wanted to visit you anyway."

"Don't lie. I know you were eager to."

"In your dreams, Anj."

"I'd rather call it a nightmare, Khanna."

He laughed, a rich sound that filled the silence between us, making me smile despite myself. Silence fell for a moment before he broke it again. "So, you wanna start today? I know it seems unfair that you get to help me for my biology test and I didn't help you—"

"Why do you talk so much? Did I object to starting today?" I interrupted, partially annoyed by his incessant chatter. He scoffed, a small "hmm" his only response. I didn't have coachings for a few days because the students had issues with travelling so far in the rain, so I could suffice studying with him in the evening until the classes restarted. "I'll send you the link. I hope 4:30 is good for you."