The power play
Author's pov-
The library was silent except for the occasional rustling of pages and ticking of the old clock on the wall.
Divya sat across from purv, her notebook open, pen tapping against the pages. She had come prepared-notes, an outline, and a clear plan.
Purv?
He sat back in his chair, lazily scrolling through his phone, looking utterly uninterested.
Her patience was already wearing thin.
She cleared her throat. "So, I've listed the key points we need to cover. We can split the work and-"
"Scrap it."
Divya blinked. "Excuse me?"
Purv finally looked up, his dark eyes holding a hint of amusement. "We're not following your list."
Her fingers curled around her pen. "And why is that?"
Purv leaned forward slightly, his voice calm but firm. "Because I work better when I do things my way."
Divya narrowed her eyes. "So do I."
For the first time, something flickered in his gaze-curiosity.
But before either of them could push further, an all-too-familiar voice cut through the silence.
"Purv."
Divya stiffened, already knowing who it was.
Charvi.
She walked in confidently, her heels clicking against the floor, stopping right beside purv. She placed a hand on his shoulder as if she had every right to.
"You're actually doing this project? That's a first," she said with a laugh, glancing at Divya like she was something insignificant.
Purv didn't push her hand away.
Divya pretended to focus on her notes, ignoring the tightening in her chest.
But purv?
He was watching her.
He noticed the way her grip on the pen tightened, the way she refused to look up.
Jealousy.
A smirk tugged at his lips.
Interesting.
Charvi leaned in closer. "You should let me help. I'm sure I'd be more useful than.." she gestured towards Divya carelessly.
That was enough.
Divya finnally looked up, her expression calm but her eyes sharp.
"I didn't know we needed extra help," she said smoothly. "But if you're free, maybe you could take notes for us?"
Purv chuckled under his breath.
Charvi's smile faltered for a split second before she quickly recovered. "Oh, I don't do assistant work," she replied sweetly. "That's more your thing, isn't it?"
Divya's heart clenched, but she didn't let it show.
Instead, she turned to purv. "We should get back to work. Unless you're too busy."
For a moment, he just looked at her, something unreadable in his eyes. Then, without a word, he leaned back, finally removing charvi's hand from his shoulder.
"Let's continue," he said, his voice steady.
Divya didn't react, but something inside her shifted.
Maybe this wasn't just a project.
Maybe it was something more.