Chapter 7
As all the teachers gathered in the seminar hall, voices blending in discussions about the upcoming university function, I sat there, present in body but not in mind.
My thoughts were elsewhere. On her.My little furball.
I don't know when or how it happened, but somewhere between her sarcastic remarks, dramatic complaints about maths, and those wide, expressive eyes, she managed to occupy space in my mind rent-free.
And now, even in a room full of people, with responsibilities and deadlines swirling around me, all I could think about was her.
The way she sat on that middle bench, furiously scribbling notes, pretending not to notice me watching. The way her forehead creased in confusion when she couldn't solve a simple problem and the way she glared at the board like it had personally betrayed her.
Class ended, and as I organized my notes, I noticed her quickly gathering her things and slipping out before anyone else. She always did that. Like she was trying to avoid something or someone.
I watched through the classroom window as she walked down the corridor, her ponytail bouncing with every step, that same spark in her eyes even from a distance.
I exhaled, shaking my head.
This is ridiculous.
I'm supposed to be her professor. Mr. Khadoos, as they call me. Strict. Distant. Untouchable.
But around her, the lines blur.
A sharp voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me back to reality.
"Sir? Your opinion on the student performances?" a fellow professor asked, snapping me back into the present.
I cleared my throat, straightening in my seat. "We'll discuss that after the event planning is finalized," I said curtly, my usual cold tone returning.
But inside, my mind drifted again.
She had left class early. Why?
And more importantly...
Why did I care so much?
I'd be lying to myself if I said I didn't know why I care.
I know exactly why.
This girl-my little furball-has a special place in my heart. A heart I never thought existed. A heart I was sure had turned to stone long ago.
Yet here I am... watching her, thinking about her, craving her presence like a man possessed.
As the days of function planning dragged on, I counted down the hours. Not for the event, not for the responsibility-but for the chance to see her, to be near her, even if only from a distance.
The day finally arrived.
I dressed in my usual black suit, crisp and tailored-powerful, just like the walls I keep around myself. It was routine, something I did without thought. But today, when I arrived at the university and stepped into the packed seminar hall, my routine shattered the moment my eyes found her.
There she was.
Laughing at something her friend had said, her eyes sparkling, her smile bright enough to ruin every ounce of control I had left.
She was wearing black.
A black saree that hugged her curves like it was tailored by the gods to test me. She looked breathtaking, effortless, mine-even if she didn't know it.
And we were matching. Black and black. Like a couple.
Focus, Rudra. She's a student. Your student.
But fuck, we looked like we belonged together. Like the universe was playing a sick joke on me. Or maybe it was a sign. A sign I didn't know whether to resist or surrender to.
As the function carried on-speeches, performances, laughter-I barely registered any of it.
Because I couldn't stop looking at her.
Every movement, every smile, every toss of her hair felt like it was meant for me. My eyes followed her like she was the only person in the room.
Because to me, she was.
"Wahhh Maya you are looking so pretty today" My friend Kriti said with a smile on her face. When I got the message that we were having a function in the University. I force Raj to take me to shopping. I was hoping that I'd go with dress but when I saw this saree, I fell in love with it .
(Her outfit)
Just as I was admiring myself in the reflection of the glass door-because, honestly, I was looking fire-my gaze suddenly, and very accidentally, collided with his.
Yeah, I'm talking about Mr. Khadoos.
Dressed in a sharp black suit that looked like it was made to ruin my peace of mind, he stood there looking like a walking magazine cover. It was... kinda hot. Okay, no, he was hot.
Wait, wait, Maya, what are you thinking? Pull yourself together, girl!
I tore my eyes away, heart thudding like I'd run a marathon, and turned back to my friends. I tried to focus on their chatter, but for the first time, I had to admit-he was handsome. Infuriatingly so.
As I sipped my juice and tried to erase him from my thoughts, I suddenly felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I found myself face to face with a guy I didn't know. Tall, skinny, barely any muscle, and radiating red flag energy.
You know that sixth sense we girls have? It was practically screaming at me.
"Will you go out with me?" he asked, completely out of nowhere.
Bhaiii, what about a simple hi, hello? Where's the basic decency?
I blinked, caught off guard, but quickly composed myself. "Uhh, I'm sorry... I'm not interested," I said politely, hoping he'd take the hint and leave.
Spoiler: He didn't.
Even after being rejected, he kept pushing. And when his bruised ego couldn't take it anymore, he switched to insults.
"Tum jaisi ladki ko maine date pe pucha wohi badi baat hai... attitude kam karo thoda," he sneered, arrogance dripping from his voice.
( It's a big thing for a girl like you that i have even ask you out)
That was it. I stepped closer, eyes narrowed, my patience gone.
"Tum jaisa ladka toh block list material hai, date pe puchhna toh door ki baat hai. Ab line maarne se pehle mirror dekh lena," I snapped, ready to land a punch square on his smug face.
(Boys like you are Block list meterial, and check your face in mirror before flirting and asking girls out)
But before I could, splash juice drenched his shirt.
I turned, blinking, to see Mr. Khadoos Rudra holding an empty glass, his face unreadable.
"Oh, I'm sorry," he said coolly, his voice completely devoid of apology.
The guy looked like he was about to explode but froze the second Rudra's icy glare hit him. His eyes had darkened, sharp and dangerous, daring him to say something.
Only an idiot would pick a fight with Maths professor Mr. Rudra Singhania and thankfully, the guy wasn't that dumb.
He muttered something under his breath and stormed off, dripping and humiliated.
I watched her from across the room, pretending to be interested in this useless faculty event, but my eyes-they were on her. As always.
She looked stunning, laughing with her friends, sipping that juice like she didn't have a care in the world. But then I saw him. That worthless excuse of a man approach her, tap her shoulder, and dare to invade her space.
I clenched my jaw, watching every second like a hawk.
When she shook her head, rejecting him, I smirked. That's my Little furball. she doesn't entertain trash. But he didn't back off. He kept pushing, and then I heard him that line.
"Tum jaisi ladki ko maine date pe pucha wohi badi baat hai..."
My blood boiled.
Before she could knock his teeth out and I knew she would I walked over, calm on the outside, storm inside. I didn't hesitate. Lifted my glass and poured the juice right on him.
"Oh, I'm sorry," I said smoothly, not even pretending to mean it.
He wanted to speak, I could see it, but one look at me and he shriveled like a leaf. Coward. I stared him down, daring him to test me. He didn't.
Good choice.
As he walked away soaked and silent, my gaze shifted back to her Maya.
No one disrespects her. Not on my watch.
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( Hey sweeties, Do you like this chapter? If yes then please drop a Vote and comment down your favourite moments. And i wanted to ask you something..Are you liking this story so Far? Do you think I need to improve if yes Kindly comment where should I improve myself) ??