A few days later, Aman found himself in the library—a place he rarely visited—waiting for Priya. They had agreed to meet there to start their project, though "agreed" might be a stretch. Priya had stated the time and location in her no-nonsense way, making it clear she wasn’t the least bit interested in accommodating him. He leaned back in his chair, idly scrolling through his phone, when he spotted her entering the room.
Priya approached the table briskly, her expression neutral, her hands full of neatly organized notes and books. She barely glanced at him as she sat down, diving straight into her notes.
“Good to see you too,” Aman said with a half-smile, leaning in.
She didn’t look up. “Let’s stay focused. We have a lot to get through.”
Aman rolled his eyes, though he couldn’t deny he was intrigued by her strict approach. “You know, Priya, it wouldn’t hurt to loosen up a little. We’re just starting.”
Her gaze flicked up, her expression unreadable. “Maybe that works for you, but I don’t waste time.”
Aman chuckled, amused by her intensity. “You make it sound like I’m not serious about this project.”
“Are you?” she asked, her tone direct.
Aman wasn’t sure if he was more annoyed or entertained. “I don’t think my grades are your concern.”
Priya leaned back slightly, crossing her arms. “Maybe not. But if we’re working together, I’d appreciate it if you could keep up.”
He smirked, deciding to push her a little. “You think I can’t keep up with you?”
Her gaze was steady. “I think you’re here because you have to be, not because you care.”
That statement hit harder than Aman expected. In his world, people rarely spoke to him like that, much less someone he barely knew. But Priya was different. She didn’t flinch, didn’t try to impress him, didn’t care about his reputation or his money.
He leaned forward, dropping the playful tone. “I don’t think you know me well enough to say that, Priya.”
She raised an eyebrow, unaffected. “Then prove me wrong.”
For the rest of the session, they worked in a tense silence, each focused on the project but with an underlying current of defiance. Priya laid out a precise plan, detailing exactly how they should proceed, with specific deadlines for each part. Aman listened, though it was clear he wasn’t used to someone else taking control.
At the end of the session, Priya packed up her books without so much as a backward glance. “I’ll email you the details. Let’s meet at the same time next week.”
Aman watched her walk away, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. She hadn’t given him an inch, hadn’t played into his charm or been intimidated by his status. She was, without question, unlike anyone he’d ever met.
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Mystery / ThrillerIn a world where wealth and privilege often open doors, Aman has everything at his fingertips-except a true challenge. Known for his charm and effortless success, he coasts through life without concern. But when he crosses paths with Priya, the camp...
