Chapter 23
After last night's chaos, I find myself sitting on a wooden bench outside the public library. It's Sunday-meaning we both have time. And, of course, my little furball needs me, so here I am.
The morning sun filters through the trees, casting lazy shadows on the pavement. A soft breeze rustles the pages of the book I'm pretending to read. But my attention isn't on the words-it's on the clock.
Twenty minutes.
That's how long I've been waiting. She's late. Again.
I let out a sigh, leaning back against the bench. Just as I debate texting her, I hear the sound of hurried footsteps approaching.
And then, there she is.
Maya walks towards me, her long hair swaying slightly with each step. She's dressed simply-a short kurti paired with jeans, nothing extravagant. And yet, I can't look away.
How does she manage to make something so ordinary look so... distracting?
I arch a brow as she finally stops in front of me, slightly out of breath. "Twenty minutes late, Furball," I remark lazily, closing my book. "You do know the concept of time, don't you?"
She rolls her eyes, plopping down beside me on the bench. "Traffic," she mutters. "And before you start, no, I didn't do it on purpose."
I smirk, tilting my head. "Hmm. Could've fooled me. Maybe you just wanted me to wait for you."
Maya scoffs. "In your dreams, Mr. Khadoos."
I chuckle, shaking my head. "So? What's today's crisis? Another maths emergency?"
She huffs, crossing her arms. "I wouldn't call it a crisis..." Then she pauses before admitting, "Okay, maybe it is."
I let out a low laugh. "Figures."
She glares at me. "Are you going to help or just sit there looking smug?"
I lean in slightly, my voice dropping to a murmur. "Depends. Can you stop looking so cute while pretending to be mad?"
Maya's eyes widen, and a faint blush creeps up her cheeks. "I-You-" She stammers before pointing a finger at me. "Just open the damn book."
I smirk, victorious. "As you wish, Little Furball."
And with that, our Sunday study session begins.
I flip open the maths book, but my eyes keep drifting back to her. She's frowning at the page, tapping her pen against her cheek in frustration. The way she bites her lower lip while concentrating...
Damn it. Focus, Rudra.
I clear my throat. "Alright, Furball. What's so terrifying that it ruined your Sunday morning?"
She sighs dramatically, pointing at a particularly evil-looking equation. "This. It refuses to make sense."
I glance at it and smirk. "Looks simple enough."
Maya narrows her eyes. "Simple for you, Einstein. Not for me."
I chuckle. "Okay, let's break it down." I start explaining, but halfway through, I notice she's not even looking at the book-she's looking at me.
I raise an eyebrow. "Maya, if you're planning to learn by staring at my face, I should warn you-it won't work."
She blinks, caught off guard, before quickly looking away. "I wasn't staring! I was... thinking."
I smirk. "Thinking about how ridiculously handsome your professor is?"
She scoffs, shoving my arm. "Khadoos! Stop flirting and teach me properly!"
I chuckle, but lean in, dropping my voice. "Who said I was flirting?"
Her breath hitches for a split second before she glares at me. "I swear, if you don't start teaching now, I'll-"
I hold up my hands in surrender. "Fine, fine. No more distractions."
She huffs, but as I start explaining again, I can see the way her lips twitch, fighting a smile.
This is going to be an interesting Sunday.
After an hour of struggling, dramatic sighs, and at least three threats from Maya to drop out of school entirely, we finally finish.
She stretches her arms above her head, groaning. "Ugh. My brain is officially fried."
I smirk, shutting the book. "At least now you won't fail."
She scoffs. "Excuse me, I never said I was going to fail. I was just... academically struggling."
I chuckle. "Right. And I'm just 'casually' your favorite professor."
She gasps, shoving my arm. "Khadoos! Stop saying nonsense!"
I shrug, standing up. "Alright, let's get out of here before the librarian throws us out for disturbing the peace."
We step outside, walking down the pavement together. The sun is setting, and for a moment, it's almost peaceful. No chaos, no math nightmares-just the sound of our footsteps and the occasional bickering about whether she'll ever use algebra in real life.
And then-
Boom.
A thunderclap shakes the sky, and within seconds, heavy raindrops start pouring down.
Maya squeals. "Oh no! I didn't bring an umbrella!"
I glance up, letting the rain soak into my shirt. "Looks like we're walking in the rain then."
She glares at me. "Wow. Great observation, Einstein."
I smirk. "You know, you should be grateful. Not everyone gets the chance to experience a romantic rain walk with their professor."
She groans. "Khadoos, I swear-"
Before she can finish, a car speeds past, splashing a puddle right at her feet. She gasps, staring at her now-soaked jeans. "Oh my god! This is the worst day ever!"
I burst out laughing.
She turns to me, furious. "Mr.khadoos! This is not funny!"
I smirk. "It's a little funny."
She glares at me, then suddenly steps closer, grabbing my shirt.
I freeze. "Furball... what are you-"
Before I can react, she shakes herself like a wet puppy, sending raindrops flying all over me.
Now it's my turn to gasp. "You did not just-"
She grins mischievously. "Oops."
I narrow my eyes. "Alright, Furball. You asked for this."
Without warning, I scoop her up effortlessly, throwing her over my shoulder.
She yelps. "Mr.khadoos! Put me down, you idiot!"
I chuckle, walking forward like I'm not carrying a fully grown human. "You started this war."
She kicks her legs. "You can't just-ugh! You are so annoying!"
I smirk. "And yet, you keep asking for my help."
She groans dramatically. "I take it all back! I'll fail my exams, I don't care! Just put me down!"
I laugh but finally set her down gently under a tree, shielding her from the worst of the rain. Her hair is dripping, her clothes are sticking to her, and yet-
I can't look away.
She shivers slightly, rubbing her arms. I sigh, pulling off my jacket and draping it over her shoulders.
She blinks up at me, surprised. "Oh..."
I smirk, ruffling her hair. "Come on, Furball. Let's get you home before you catch a cold."
She huffs, but a small smile plays on her lips as we continue walking-this time, side by side, under the stormy sky.
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