Against All Odds

head over heels already?

Liza: "What are you doing here, Kabir?"

Kabir: "WHAT? I was just about to meet one of my friends. Look, I get that you think you're pretty and all, but don't think you're lucky enough to catch THE Kabir's attention so easily."

Liza: "Please, just leave me alone. I don't need THE Kabir's attention anyway."

Liza turned on her heel and walked into the classroom. As she entered, a group of seniors were already waiting for her. She heard a low voice mutter, "We already have our new prey."

Prey? Oh god, am I about to be ragged? I should have ignored that message, Liza thought, her heart beginning to race.

Liza: "Good afternoon," she said, trying to sound calm.

A tall, muscular senior stood at the front, his presence commanding. It was clear he was the leader of the group.

Leader: "Start with your intro already."

Liza: "I'm Liza, and I'm a student in the Department of Design—"

The seniors burst into laughter, their mocking smiles making her feel smaller.

Liza: "What's so funny?" she asked, confused.

Leader: "Did you really think we'd make it that easy for you? You have to dance while giving your introduction."

Liza: "What? I don't even know how to dance. Sir, please, I'll do something else."

Leader: "Fine, sing while giving your introduction then."

Kabir (entering the room): "May I join in?"

Leader: "Oh, Kabir! We were waiting for you. How was your first day?"

Liza (annoyed): "Why are you here, Kabir?"

Kabir: "I'm here for my friend Kartik. Stop being so obsessed with yourself, Liza."

Leader: "Oh, so you two know each other already?"

Kabir: "Know each other? Liza's already head over heels for me. She was laughing at all my jokes this morning."

Liza: "What the hell, Kabir? Laughing at your jokes? Please, get out of your delusion."

Leader (smirking): "Wow, that's some confidence. So, Kabir, what do you think we should do with your friend here?"

Kabir: "She's pretty, so maybe let her go this time."

Liza (fuming): "Excuse me? I don't need your help! Kartik, sir, I'll do whatever you ask."

Leader: "So, you don't want Kabir's help? Alright, then tell us, why do you hate him?"

Liza: "What?"

A girl senior, standing beside Kartik, chimed in.

Girl Senior: "Yeah, why do you hate him? He's a sweetheart."

Liza rolled her eyes internally. Yeah, of course, you all think he's a sweetheart.

Liza: "Sir, to be honest, my first impression of Kabir was that he's very confident, judging by the way he talks to everyone. But what made me despise him is how he tried to act cool by telling everyone a story about how he made someone cry. And what's even more amusing is that people actually found him funny? How can you all find someone funny who is so insensitive?"

Kabir: "Liza, you're totally misunderstanding me. That's not what—"

Liza (cutting him off): "Leave it, Kabir. I don't want to hear your story, and I'm not interested in your jokes."

She turned back to the senior.

Liza: "Sir, I've answered your question. May I go now?"

Kartik: "Chill, Liza. Yeah, you can go."

Liza walked away quickly, not wanting to spend another minute in that room. But before she could get far, Kabir ran after her.

Kabir: "Liza, wait! Let's walk together."

Liza (annoyed): "Kabir, leave me alone. I don't want to—"

Before she could finish her sentence, Kabir reached out and gently grabbed her hand, tugging her to stop. She turned around, They were suddenly very close, a tension building between them that neither could quite understand. The only thing separating them was a book Liza clutched to her chest and the unspoken thoughts swirling in the air.

Liza: "KABIR?"

For a moment, they both froze, caught in an unexpected moment of proximity