Chapter 9
When I slowly opened my eyes, the first thing I noticed was the car-parked right in front of my house. The second thing?
The driver's seat was empty.
I blinked, rubbing my eyes groggily, still half-asleep.
Where did he-?
Before I could finish the thought, I spotted him-Mr. Khadoos-standing outside the car, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, the other holding the car keys. His gaze was fixed on me, unreadable as always, but something about the way his eyes darkened made my breath hitch.
I pushed the door open and stepped out, the night air brushing against my skin, waking me up completely.
The moment my feet hit the ground, his eyes didn't leave me-not for a second.
Then, without a word, he started walking towards me.
Slow. Steady. Like a man with purpose.
I swallowed hard, suddenly hyper-aware of everything-the silence between us, the late hour, and the way my heart was pounding like it was trying to escape my chest.
He stopped just a foot away, his presence towering, intense.
"You fell asleep," he said, his voice low and rough, sending an unexpected shiver down my spine.
I nodded, unsure of what to say. "Uh... yeah. Sorry. Long day."
His eyes flickered to my face, lingering for a moment longer than necessary.
"You didn't even notice we were home," he murmured, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
Was he teasing me? Mr. Khadoos? Teasing?
"I was tired," I defended, crossing my arms, trying to act unaffected-even though my cheeks were definitely betraying me.
His gaze dipped to my crossed arms, then back to my face, the smirk fading, replaced by something deeper... heavier.
"I could've driven you anywhere," he said softly, eyes locking with mine. "You didn't even question it."
I froze.
Was that a warning? A challenge? Or... something else?
For a moment, neither of us spoke. The tension between us crackled in the silence, thick enough to feel in the air.
Then he leaned in, just slightly-close enough for me to catch his scent, that maddening mix of spice and something uniquely him.
"Be careful," he whispered, voice almost too low to hear. "Not everyone would've brought you home."
And with that, he straightened, stepping back, leaving me stunned, heart racing.
I watched as he walked back to his car, opened the door, and paused.
"Goodnight, Furball," he said, just loud enough for me to hear, a smirk playing on his lips.
Before I could react, he was gone-the car disappearing down the street, leaving me standing there, rooted to the spot.
Furball?
Did he just-?
Oh, he was going to pay for that.
But deep down, I knew... I didn't really mind.
In fact, I kind of wanted him to do it again.
I stood there for a full minute, staring down the road where his car had vanished, still trying to process the last thing he said.
Furball.
I swear I'm going to strangle him with a calculator one day.
Still half in a daze, I walked up to the front door, fumbled with my keys, and stepped inside. The familiar scent of home hit me-warm, slightly chaotic, just like my life.
And then-
Raj.
Lying comfortably on the couch, eating chips like he hadn't abandoned me just an hour ago.
He glanced up, mouth full, and said, "Oh hey, you're back! Found a cab?"
I stopped mid-step, closed my eyes, and inhaled deeply.
Don't murder him. Not today.
"You're dead to me," I said flatly, kicking off my heels.
Raj blinked. "What did I do now?"
"What did you do?" I repeated, voice rising. "You bailed on me! Left me stranded like a lost puppy!"
Raj grinned, completely unapologetic. "I was busy."
"Busy doing what? Counting ceiling tiles?"
He shrugged. "Nah. Watching Netflix."
I grabbed a cushion from the nearby chair and chucked it at his head.
He dodged it with the reflexes of a ninja. "Whoa! Chill! You got home safe, didn't you?"
I paused, cheeks heating up as my brain very stupidly remembered a certain Mr. Khadoos leaning in close and whispering "Goodnight, Furball."
Raj narrowed his eyes at me. "Wait a minute... You're blushing. Why are you blushing? How did you get home?"
I turned to head upstairs. "None of your business."
"Hold up! Was it... was it him? The scary maths guy with murder eyes?!"
I stopped mid-step.
Raj gasped, dropping his chips. "It was him! I knew it! He kidnapped you, didn't he? Blink twice if you're in danger!"
I turned around slowly, face deadpan. "I'll actually stab you with a compass."
Raj grinned like a madman. "You like him. You totally like him."
"I like silence. Want to help me achieve that by shutting up?"
But as I stormed up the stairs, I couldn't help the tiny smile tugging at my lips.
I didn't like him. Of course I didn't.
At least... that's what I kept telling myself.
I stepped into the college hallway, determined. Today, I was going to avoid him at all costs. No eye contact. No accidental run-ins. And definitely no more late-night car rides that made my heart do weird things.
I was armed with coffee, a dead phone (thanks, Raj, for stealing my charger), and a perfectly rehearsed plan to ignore Rudra Sir like a pro.
I took exactly three steps before-
"Good morning, Furball."
I froze.
No.
No, no, NO.
I slowly turned and there he was, standing just a few feet away. Black shirt. Rolled-up sleeves. Watch glinting in the sun like it had no business being that smug.
And that smirk.
"Don't call me that," I snapped, crossing my arms.
He arched an eyebrow. "Why not? It suits you."
"It does not. I'm not a-"
"Small, grumpy, unpredictable creature?" he offered helpfully.
I gaped. "You need help."
He stepped closer, voice low and maddeningly calm. "You didn't seem to mind last night."
My cheeks flushed. Traitorous cheeks. "That's because I was asleep! You took advantage of my unconscious state to nickname me like I'm a pet!"
He chuckled ,actually chuckled and I swear, it was like the earth tilted.
"Fine," he said, taking a paper out of his coat. "Since you're so full of energy today, I have something for you."
I narrowed my eyes. "What is that?"
"A little assignment. Solve this by tomorrow."
I grabbed it, and my jaw dropped.
"Fifty algebra questions? Are you trying to kill me?"
"That's the price of calling me 'Khadoos' in your head."
My eyes widened. "You can't hear my thoughts!"
He leaned in, just enough to make my heart stutter. "Don't need to. Your face says it all."
I stared at him, flustered and furious.
"Yeh abuse hai, main report kaar dungi apko to..to the Maths police"
("This is abuse. I'm reporting you to the... the Maths Police.")
He smirked again. "Go ahead. Tell them your Khadoos Sir gave you extra homework for being cute."
I gasped. He walked away.
I looked down at the paper, then back at him, muttering under my breath, "I hate him."
But the way my lips curled into a smile... said otherwise.
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