A close call
Author's pov-
The next day, Divya walked into college feeling different. She couldn't explain it, but something about her conversation with purv yesterday had unsettled her.
He noticed her. Really noticed her.
And she didn't know how to feel about that.
Kaashi was waiting for her near the lockers, talking animatedly to Aditya. When she spotted Divya, she waved excitedly.
"Hey, where were you last evening? You disappeared!" Kaashi asked.
Divya hesitated. She hadn't told kaashi about her time with purv. She wasn't sure why.
"I-uh-just went for a drive," she said, avoiding her best friend's eyes.
Aditya narrowed his eyes. "Alone?"
Divya nodded quickly, but kaashi didn't looked convinced.
Before they could ask anything else, a familiar voice echoed through the hallway.
"Purv's here."
At the mention of his name, Divya felt her heart skip a bit.
She turned just in time to see purv entering the hallway, walking with his usual cold confidence. And, of course, charvi was right beside him, clinging onto his arm.
Divya forced herself to look away. Not my business. Not my problem.
"Ugh, I don't get why she sticks to him like that," kaashi muttered.
Divya stayed silent.
Kaashi suddenly nudged her. "Wait, don't tell me you're jealous."
"What? No!" Divya said quickly, too quickly.
Kaashi smirked. "Mmm-hmm."
"Drop it," Divya warned, pulling kaashi towards class.
As they walked away, she couldn't help but glance back.
Purv was looking at her.
For a second, everything around her faded. It was just him, standing there, eyes locked onto hers.
And then charvi whispered something in his ear, and just like that, the moment was gone.
---------------------------------------------------
The day went on as usual, except Divya couldn't shake off the unease in her chest.
Maybe she was overthinking things. Again.
After her last class, she decided to leave early. The air felt suffocating, and she needed some space.
As she walked through the parking lot, distracted, she didn't notice a stray scooter speeding in her direction until it was too late.
Everything happened in a blur. A sudden honk, a sharp gasp-then a strong grip yanked her back just in time.
She stumbled against a firm chest, heart pounding.
When she looked up, she was met with a pair of dark, worried eyes.
Purv.
His hold on her was tight, his jaw clenched in frustration.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" He snapped. "Do you even look where you're going?"
Divya was too stunned to respond. The scooter zoomed past, missing her by inches. If he hadn't pulled her back-
Her heart wouldn't slow down.
Purv let out a heavy breath, his grip loosening but not completely letting go. "Are you hurt?"
Divya shook her head. "I-I am fine."
"You don't look fine," he muttered. His eyes scanned her for any sign of injury.
She swallowed. "It's nothing. Just... Startled."
Purv exhaled sharply and stepped back. "Be careful, Divya."
She nodded, still processing what just happened.
And just like always, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, confused and breathless.
For the second time in two days, purv had done something unexpected.
And Divya had a terrible feeling that her heart was betraying her in ways she wasn't ready to admit.