Aakriti's POV
I came home, changed into something comfortable, and splashed water on my face, staring at my reflection in the mirror. *What am I doing?* A mix of frustration and confusion settled over me. I wasn't lost in self-pity, but rather, trying to figure out why I felt so restless. *Where is this all going? What do I even want?*
The silence in the house was almost soothing. It wasn't like I needed constant company, but being alone often made me think more than I should. I wasn't sad about being by myself-it was just the endless routine that weighed on me. I ate the same old food, half-heartedly watching TV, and eventually, washed my plate, heading upstairs for some rest.
The afternoon heat felt like a blanket pressing down on me, the cooler's warm air doing little to help. I lay there, staring at the ceiling, listening to the faint chirping of birds, my mind wandering. I pulled out my phone, scrolling through Instagram. Everyone seemed to be living their best lives, while I... I was just stuck.
*No,* I thought, shaking off the negativity. I wasn't stuck. I was just... waiting for the right moment. I got up, grabbed my books, and forced myself to study. This was the only thing I had control over, the one thing that could actually change something in my life. I wasn't waiting for someone to save me; I knew I had to do it myself.
In evening ✨
After dinner, I went to bed with my mind still buzzing. It wasn't like I was unhappy with myself-it was just that I wanted more. I wanted something different, something better, and I knew that it wasn't going to fall into my lap.
The next morning, I dressed quickly, ate breakfast, and headed to college. As soon as I stepped inside the campus, I realized I was late for my physics lecture. I didn't want to deal with Ms. Shreya's passive-aggressive comments, so I made my way to the canteen instead.
After ordering a chai, I turned around, and I saw something which was completely unexpected in this college - a handsome professor , Rishikesh chauhan , my soft skills trainer. I paused for a second, feeling an odd flutter in my stomach. He wasn't just attractive; there was something about the way he carried himself, something commanding, yet casual. His black shirt fit him perfectly, and the green watch on his wrist caught the light just right. He looked effortlessly put together, like he didn't have to try.
I wasn't attracted to him-not like that-but his presence unsettled me. It wasn't his fault, either. It was just that... well, he was handsome, confident, and I felt out of place around him. Not inferior, but different. I wasn't used to feeling this way, and it bothered me more than I wanted to admit.
I grabbed my chai and hurried off before I could think too much about it. *It's just a silly reaction,* I told myself, trying to shake off the unease. Still, his image lingered in my mind as I returned to my lectures, trying to focus.
By the end of the day, I was drained, both mentally and emotionally. As I stood in the hallway, taking a sip from my water bottle, someone bumped into me hard from behind. Water spilled all over my dress, soaking the front.
I turned around, ready to lash out, but it was Raj. His eyes were cold, filled with something I couldn't quite place-anger, hatred, maybe both. I swallowed, my frustration deflating.
"I'm sorry," I muttered, trying to clean up the mess. "Really, I didn't-"
"It's fine," he said sharply, barely looking at me before walking off. His tone was dismissive, and it stung.
*Why does he always behave like this ? * I couldn't understand what I had done to make him treat me this way.
Shaking off the encounter, I made my way to the auditorium. It was packed, students filling the seats and chatting away. I scanned the room, searching for my classmates, when my eyes fell on Professor again. He was talking to a group of students, laughing easily with them.
My chest tightened, not in a bad way, but in a confusing one. *Why does his presence always make me feel so... off balance?* I wasn't attracted to him, but something about him threw me off. Maybe it was the way he seemed so confident, so sure of himself. I didn't know how to act around people like that-it made me feel like I was constantly trying to figure out how I should be.
Lost in my thoughts, I didn't even notice when he came closer. His voice pulled me back to reality.
"Please have a seat, Miss !" He said, his tone polite, yet firm. I blinked, realizing he was speaking to me.
I nodded quickly, feeling a little flustered for no reason. As I took my seat, I couldn't help but glance at him from the corner of my eye. *Why does he have this effect on me?* I didn't like it. It was unsettling, confusing, and entirely unnecessary.
🙂What will Aakriti uncover about Raj's unexpected coldness? Is there more to their shared past than she remembers?
And why does Rishikesh's mere presence seem to throw her off balance-could there be something in her life that's about to shift, something she hasn't yet realized?
As the pieces start coming together, is Aakriti ready for what she might discover next?
