Maybe in next life

chapter 9

Mihir🖤

The clock on the wall ticked steadily, its sound blending with the faint hum of the library’s fluorescent lights. I sat at my usual table in the corner, my laptop open, though I wasn’t working. My eyes drifted over the rows of students until they landed on her.

She was slouched over her books at a table near the window, her face illuminated by the soft glow of her laptop screen. Her hair was a mess, strands falling loose from the bun she’d hastily tied earlier. Her lips moved silently, as if rehearsing something, while her pen tapped an uneven rhythm against her notebook.

“Tired,” I muttered under my breath, barely realizing I’d spoken.

“Who, you?” Vihaan’s voice cut through my thoughts as he slid into the chair across from me. “No way. You’re too busy watching her to be tired.”

I shot him a sharp glare, and he held up his hands in mock surrender, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Relax, Mihir. No one’s going to hear me call you out,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “But seriously, she looks dead on her feet. Dance practice again?”

I didn’t answer. I didn’t need to. Vihaan already knew.

My jaw tightened as I watched her try to push her hair back with one hand while typing with the other. Her movements were sluggish, her exhaustion clear even from this distance. I could tell she was running on fumes, and it irritated me—though not at her. She always pushed herself too hard, as if proving something to the world that didn’t deserve her effort.

Vihaan followed my gaze and sighed. “You know she won’t listen to you, right? She’s too stubborn to accept help, especially from someone like you.”

“Someone like me?” I raised an eyebrow, my voice cold.

“You know what I mean,” Vihaan said quickly. “You’re... intimidating. People don’t exactly see you as the knight-in-shining-armor type.”

“Good,” I said, leaning back in my chair. “I don’t want to be anyone’s knight. But I won’t sit here and watch her kill herself over something that can be fixed.”

Vihaan’s smirk widened. “So, what’s the plan, oh dark and brooding one?”

I ignored his sarcasm and stood up, grabbing my blazer from the back of my chair. “Stay here.”

“Wait, what are you—”

I was already walking away, my steps measured and deliberate as I made my way to Professor Rao’s office.

---

The hallway outside Rao’s office was empty, the faint hum of the air conditioning the only sound. I didn’t bother knocking. Instead, I pushed the door open, stepping inside with the quiet authority that came naturally to me.

Professor Rao looked up from his desk, his brow furrowing. “Mihir. Is something wrong?”

I closed the door behind me, leaning against it. “I need you to extend the assignment deadline.”

He blinked, clearly startled by my bluntness. “Excuse me?”

“The deadline,” I repeated, my voice even. “Push it to the end of the week.”

Professor Rao adjusted his glasses, his expression hardening. “Mihir, I’m not sure if you’re aware, but I don’t make exceptions for deadlines. It’s a matter of principle.”

I stepped forward, placing my hands on the edge of his desk. “This isn’t about your principles, Professor. It’s about practicality. The students in your class have been stretched thin with extracurricular activities and other commitments. They need more time.”

He frowned, leaning back in his chair. “And you’re speaking on their behalf? That’s… unusual for you.”

I straightened, my expression unreadable. “It’s not a request, Professor. You’ll extend the deadline.”

His face paled slightly at my tone, though he quickly tried to mask it with indignation. “Mihir, you can’t just—”

“This is my college,” I said, my voice cutting through his protests like a blade. “And while I respect your dedication to your rules, I expect you to respect my authority.”

Silence stretched between us, heavy and tense. I knew I was overstepping, but I didn’t care. Not when it came to her.

After what felt like an eternity, Professor Rao sighed, rubbing his temples. “Fine. The deadline is extended to Friday. But I don’t want this becoming a habit, Mihir.”

“It won’t,” I said, already turning to leave. “Thank you, Professor.”

---

By the time I returned to the library, she was still at her table, her head resting on her hand as she stared blankly at her screen.

I walked over, pulling out the chair across from her. She looked up, startled, her tired eyes meeting mine.

“Mihir?” she said, her voice soft.

“You’re overworking yourself,” I said bluntly, leaning forward and resting my elbows on the table. “Go home and get some sleep.”

Her brows knitted together in confusion. “I can’t. The assignment—”

“Isn’t due tomorrow anymore,” I interrupted.

She blinked, clearly taken aback. “What?”

“I spoke to Rao,” I said simply. “The deadline’s been extended.”

Her eyes widened, and for a moment, she just stared at me. Then her expression shifted, a mix of disbelief and something I couldn’t quite place.

“You did that?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Yes,” I said, my tone firm.

“Why?”

I didn’t answer immediately. How could I? How could I explain that I’d do anything to make her life a little easier, even if she never truly saw me?

“You were exhausted,” I said finally, my voice softer than usual. “It was necessary.”

She opened her mouth as if to argue, then closed it again. For once, she seemed at a loss for words.

“Thank you,” she said after a long pause, her voice so quiet I almost didn’t hear it.

I nodded, standing up. “Go home. Sleep. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

As I walked away, Vihaan joined me again, his expression equal parts amused and impressed.

“You’re a scary guy, Mihir,” he said, clapping me on the shoulder. “But man, you’ve got it bad for her.”

I didn’t respond, my mind still lingering on the way her eyes had softened when she thanked me. I didn’t need her to know how much I admired her, how much she meant to me.

It was enough to know that, for tonight, she’d get the rest she deserved.

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Thank you to everyone who is reading this chapter, I hope you enjoyed it. If you are enjoying the story please let me know your thoughts in the comments. I would love to hear your feedback and what you think about the story so far.
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