Avantika's POV
I rested my head on the desk, trying to ignore the lingering fever from yesterday. Everyone insisted I should stay home today, but I didn't want to. After a little pleading, Maa gave in, though Dadi ji scolded me all through breakfast. Even Papa and Chote Papa had told me to rest, but I couldn't.
He had left early this morning. Last night, he asked me what I wanted for dinner, but then he didn't even come to eat with me. The maid brought my food, and Devika ji joined me, but his absence left me wondering-was he angry, or was I overthinking?
Why am I even thinking about this? I shouldn't. I scolded myself mentally, shaking the thoughts away.
The classroom was filling up, but the professor hadn't arrived yet. My classmates' chatter felt like a distant hum, their voices blending into background noise. I sighed quietly, closing my eyes for a brief moment, hoping to steal a few seconds of peace.
But peace was hard to come by these days. Everything felt heavy-my thoughts, emotions, even being in this classroom. It was all just... too much.
Suddenly, the murmurs grew louder. Ugh. No, please don't tell me it's Dev ji causing trouble again. This time, I won't step in to save him from Avyansh ji.
I didn't lift my head to check. I didn't have the energy, and honestly, I didn't care.
A throat cleared beside me. "Mind if I sit here?" a voice asked. I ignored it, pretending not to hear. I wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone.
"Good morning, sir," everyone greeted the professor. I stood up mechanically, following the routine.
When I glanced to my side, I froze. Then, just as quickly, I looked back down, sitting again. A sharp pain shot through my lower stomach and back, making me wince. The discomfort was growing by the minute.
After what felt like an eternity of classes, the pain had intensified. I just need to get home, take my medicine, and sleep. I kept repeating it to myself, a mantra to hold me together.
As students began filing out of the classroom, the guy beside me asked, "Avantika, do you mind sharing your notes?" His voice was deep, slightly startling me.
"Ask someone else," I muttered, already standing and walking toward the door. I couldn't stop to chat, not now.
"Stop," he said firmly.
I paused, turning to look at him, then turned away, continuing toward the exit.
Author's POV
Akshat silently watched as Avantika walked out. Without saying anything, he followed her, his strides almost shielding her small frame from behind. As they reached the empty corridor, Avantika abruptly stopped and spun around, her annoyance evident.
"If you have something to say, just say it. Stop following me around like a creep, Akshat," she snapped.
A small smile tugged at Akshat's lips. "So, you do remember me," he teased lightly, "you just chose to ignore me."
Without waiting for her reply, he unbuttoned the shirt he wore over his t-shirt-the one people usually leave undone for style-and handed it to her. "Here, wrap this around yourself."
"Huh?" Avantika's brows furrowed as she looked from the shirt to his face, confused.
"You got your period, Miss Pepper," he said, using the nickname he had given her long ago, his voice soft yet teasing.
Her eyes narrowed, her icy demeanor snapping back in place. Miss Pepper. She had worked hard to put distance between them, and now here he was, using that ridiculous name. She glanced down at her blue kurti and white pants, realization hitting her hard. A faint stain had appeared without her noticing, and embarrassment flooded her.
