𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐎𝐁𝐒𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍

Chapter 27

Exams were over. Finally.

I could breathe again. No more late-night study sessions, no more crying over math problems, and most importantly—no more Mr. Khadoos torturing me with equations.

Or so I thought.

Because just as I was about to walk out of the university gates, I heard a very familiar voice behind me.

"Going somewhere, little furball?"

My feet froze. I turned around slowly, already knowing who it was. And there he stood—Rudra. Looking like he owned the entire campus in his crisp black shirt, sleeves rolled up, sunglasses casually hanging from his collar.

Why did professors have to look this... ugh?

I cleared my throat. "Yes, I am going home to finally get some peace in my life."

He smirked. Oh no. That smirk. That never means anything good.

"Peace? That's a strong word, considering you spent the last week panicking over math and cursing my existence."

I rolled my eyes. "You deserved it."

He chuckled, stepping closer. "Fair. But I have an idea."

I raised a brow. "That sounds dangerous."

He ignored my comment. "Let's go get coffee."

I blinked. "What?"

"You heard me, furball. You're free now, right? So let's go grab coffee."

My mouth opened, then closed. "Wait... wait... YOU are asking ME for coffee?"

"Why do you sound so shocked?" He crossed his arms.

"Because I was under the impression that you only drink the tears of students who fail your subject."

He laughed. "Tempting, but no. I do drink coffee. And you're coming with me."

"Excuse me?" I placed my hands on my hips. "What makes you think I'll agree?"

He smirked. "Because you owe me."

I gasped. "FOR WHAT?"

"For making me suffer through your endless whining about math."

I narrowed my eyes. "That's blackmail."

"That's life," he replied smoothly. "Now come on."

Before I could protest, he started walking ahead, clearly expecting me to follow.

I stood there, debating my choices. On one hand, I could just go home and avoid the trouble that came with spending unnecessary time with him.

On the other hand... free coffee.

Ugh.

Grumbling under my breath, I stomped after him. "Fine. But I'm ordering the most expensive drink on the menu!"

He glanced back, smirking. "Go ahead. Just don't cry when you see my order—'cause I'm adding extra sugar. Just like you."

I gasped. "That is offensive!"

He just laughed, holding the door open for me as we entered the café.

This was going to be interesting.

I should've known. Should've known that going for coffee with Mr. Khadoos would come with a price.

Because the moment we sat down, he leaned forward with that signature smirk and said—

"So... are you always this jealous, little furball, or was that a one-time special?"

I nearly choked on my iced caramel macchiato. Coughing, I glared at him. "Excuse me?"

He casually stirred his black coffee, as if he hadn't just dropped a bomb in the middle of the café. "You know, your adorable little confession about Miss External Teacher earlier."

I froze, my face heating up. "I—I did NOT confess!"

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? So I imagined you mimicking her and dramatically admitting how irresistible you find me?"

I groaned, covering my face. "I was MOCKING you, not confessing!"

He chuckled, clearly enjoying my suffering. "Sure, sure. Mocking. That's what all jealous people say."

I peeked through my fingers. "I WAS NOT JEALOUS!"

He tilted his head. "No? So you don't mind if she flirts with me again?"

I slammed my cup on the table. "I WILL BURN THIS CAFé DOWN, RUDRA!"

He burst into laughter, the rare, deep kind that made his eyes crinkle. "Maya, you are something else."

I crossed my arms, still fuming. "You're impossible."

"And you're cute when you're jealous."

My brain short-circuited. I blinked. He smirked. My heartbeat did something weird.

I quickly grabbed my coffee and took a huge sip, hoping it would cool down the heat rising to my cheeks.

"Shut up," I muttered.

But he just kept smiling. And for some reason, that was even worse than the teasing.

The café was buzzing with soft chatter, the smell of freshly brewed coffee filling the air. I was still glaring at Rudra while he, very shamelessly, sipped his coffee like he hadn't just made my entire existence ten times more complicated with his teasing.

I was about to retort with something equally sarcastic when I felt a hand brush against my shoulder.

Too close.

I stiffened. Turning around, I found a guy, mid-twenties maybe, dressed in ripped jeans and an overconfident smirk, standing way too close for comfort.

"Hey, beautiful," he drawled, eyes raking over me in a way that made my skin crawl. "Haven't seen you around. Mind if I join you?"

Before I could tell him exactly where to shove his unwanted attention, Rudra set his cup down with an audible clink.

And just like that, the entire atmosphere shifted.

"She minds."

His voice was calm. Too calm. The kind of calm that came before a storm.

The guy scoffed, barely sparing Rudra a glance. "Relax, man. I was just talking to her."

"Well, she doesn't want to talk to you," Rudra stated, leaning forward. "So I suggest you take your cheap cologne and walk away."

The guy rolled his eyes. "Dude, don't be so possessive. She can make her own decisions."

I was about to snap back when his hand moved again—this time toward my wrist.

He never got the chance to touch me.

Because the next second, Rudra was out of his seat, grabbing the guy by the collar, and slamming him against the café wall so hard that a few picture frames rattled.

The entire café fell into stunned silence.

"Listen carefully," Rudra's voice was deadly, his fingers tightening around the guy's shirt.

"You don't look at her. You don't talk to her. And if I ever see you breathing in her direction again—" he leaned in, his tone dropping to something terrifyingly lethal, "—you won't need your legs to walk away. I'll carry you to the hospital myself."

The guy's face paled. "D-dude, chill, man! I didn't mean—"

Rudra didn't let him finish. With one swift motion, he shoved him back, making the guy stumble before scurrying away like a terrified rat.

I blinked. My heart was hammering against my ribs. The entire café was staring.

Rudra turned back to me, jaw clenched, eyes burning. "Are you okay?"

I swallowed. "Y-yeah. I just—"

"Did he touch you?" His voice was sharp, controlled.

I shook my head. "No, you stopped him before he could."

Something in his shoulders relaxed, but his fists were still clenched. His gaze stayed locked on mine, as if he was waiting for something.

And then, before I could overthink it, I grabbed his wrist.

"Come," I whispered. "Let's go."

He let me pull him outside, away from the whispers and stares, into the quiet street. The night air was cool, but I felt like I was burning.

"You didn't have to do that," I said softly.

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair. "Yes, I did."

I looked up at him. "Why?"

For the first time since I met Rudra, he didn't tease. Didn't smirk. Didn't deflect.

Instead, he stepped closer.

"Because it kills me to see anyone hurt you, Maya." His voice was rough, raw. "Because I can't stand the thought of you being scared. Because I—" he paused, then exhaled, "—because I'm in love with you, damn it."

My breath hitched.

He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "You drive me insane. Your chaos, your stubbornness, your ridiculous little rants. The way you challenge me, the way you look at me like I'm some infuriating puzzle you want to solve."

I was frozen. Completely, utterly frozen.

"I wasn't supposed to feel this way," he continued, voice quieter now. "But then you happened, and I don't think I can stop."

The world faded. The streetlights blurred.

All I could see was him.

"You're an idiot," I whispered.

His brows lifted. "Excuse me?"

I took a shaky step forward. "You're an idiot because I—" I swallowed, gathering every ounce of courage, "—I think I like you too."

His breath caught. His hand twitched at his side. "Maya—"

"Shut up," I mumbled, looking away. "I'm still mad at you for teasing me about that confession."

And just like that, the teasing smirk returned.

"So you admit it was a confession?"

I groaned. "Rudra!"

He laughed. A full, deep laugh that made my heart stutter.

I was so doomed.

(Hey sweeties! I'm uploading this chapter because I won't be able to upload it tonight as I will be busy . Ofcourse with finish my book (fictional) so I'm updating it now. Hope you like it. And I'll be adding their dating era from next Chapters)

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