Concern
Author's pov-
The day had been exhausting. With back-to-back lectures and a minor mishap in the finance lab, Divya was ready to crash. She hadn't expected to grip on the last flight of stairs while leaving campus, though.
The sharp sting on her knee and palm made her wince as she sat up. Great. Just great.
Students walked past her, some giving curious glances, but no one really stopped. She sighed, trying to brush off the dust from her skirt.
"You're really something, you know that?"
A familiar deep voice made her freeze.
She looked up to see purv standing there, hands in his pockets, looking down at her with that usual unreadable expression. But this time, there was something different-a hint of irritation, maybe concern?
Before she could even respond, he crouched infront of her.
"You're bleeding, " he stated, as if she wasn't already aware.
Divya tried to act nonchalant. "It's just a scratch. I-"
But before she could finish, purv had already reached for her wrist, inspecting the scrape on her palm. His touch was surprisingly gentle, almost careful, as if he was afraid of hurting her.
She should've pulled back. She didn't.
"You're careless," he muttered, shaking his head. "Come on."
She frowned. "What?"
Purv stood up, offering his hand. "Get up."
Divya hesitated but took it. He pulled her up effortlessly, his grip firm but not rough.
"You're limping," he noticed immediately.
"It's fine, purv," she said, trying to walk. The sting in her knee disagreed.
He exhaled sharply before stepping beside her. "Stop being stubborn."
Without another word, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close as he helped her walk towards the parking lot.
Divya's heart pounded.
"I can walk-"
"Shut up," he said, but there was no bite in his tone. "You're hurt, and I don't have the patience to argue with you right now."
They reached his car, and before she could protest further, he opened the passanger door.
"Get in."
She sighed. "Purv-"
"Divya." His voice was firm. "Don't make me repeat myself."
Rolling her eyes, she got in, and he shut the door before walking around to the driver's side.
The silence in the car wasn't awkward. It was heavy.
Divya stole a glance at purv. His jaw was clenched, hands gripping the steering wheel a little tighter than usual.
"You don't have to act like I'm dying," she said, trying to lighten the mood.
Purv's eyes remained on the road. "You could've hit your head. You could've broken something."
Divya blinked. "But I didn't."
He finally looked at her, and for the first time, she saw something raw in his eyes. "That's not the point."
Something in her chest tightened.
She wasn't used to people worrying about her.
The rest of the drive was quiet. But it wasn't uncomfortable.
It was something else entirely.