A storm beneath the surface
Author's pov-
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Divya couldn't focus on her lectures, nor could she shake the memory of purv's expression when Aditya mentioned the movie night.
Had she imagined it? The flicker of something in his eyes-the subtle tightening of his jaw?
No. She was sure of it.
Purv was jealous.
But why? He had never given her any indication that he cared. In fact, he had pushed her away at every opportunity.
So why did it matter to him who she spent time with?
Lost in thought, she barely noticed when kaashi nudged her during their last lecture.
"Someone's waiting for you," kaashi whispered, smirking.
Divya frowned and followed her gaze toward the door.
Purv.
He was leaning against the frame, arms crossed, his usual unreadable expression in place.
Her stomach flipped.
The professor dismissed the class, and as the students shuffled out, Divya took a deep breath and made her way toward him.
"You're blocking the door," she said casually, hoping to mask the sudden pounding of her heart.
Purv didn't move.
"Walk with me," he said instead. It wasn't a request.
Divya hesitated, then nodded.
They walked in silence through the campus, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement.
He didn't speak. And neither did she.
But there was something in the air between them-something unspoken, charged, waiting to snap.
Finally, she broke the silence.
"What is this about?" She asked, glancing up at him.
Purv stopped walking and turned to her. His eyes searched hers for a moment before he spoke.
"Aditya," he said flatly.
Divya's brows furrowed. "What about him?"
Purv's jaw tightened. "You're going to his place tomorrow."
She folded her arms. "So?"
He exhaled sharply through his nose, as if trying to stay patient. "You barely know him."
Divya let out a short laugh. "And you do?"
Purv didn't respond.
She took a step closer. "Why do you care?"
His eyes darkened slightly. "I don't."
Liar.
"Then why are we having this conversation?" She challenged.
Purv remained silent.
The tension between them thickened.
Divya's heart was racing, but she forced herself to keep her voice steady. "You push me away every chance you get. But the moment someone else shows interest, you-"
"I don't like you seeing with him," purv interrupted, his voice low.
Her breath caught.
His admission hung in the air between them, heavy and unexpected.
For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
But then, because she was Divya, and she couldn't help but push, she tilted her head.
"And what exactly do you plan to do about it?"
Purv's gaze dropped to her lips for a fraction of a second before snapping back to her eyes.
Her skin tingled.
She had spent so much time trying to understand him, trying to crack the walls he had built around himself.
And now, finally, she had him cornered.
He took a step forward. She took a step back.
He kept going until her back hit the wall of a deserted corridor.
The air between them buzzed with something unspoken, something dangerous.
"I don't want to hurt you, Divya," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
She swallowed hard. "Then don't."
His fingers twitched at his side, as if he wanted to touch her but was holding himself.
She waited.
But just like always, he took a step back.
And just like always, disappointment settled in her chest.
"You should stay away from me," he said, more to himself than to her.
She lifted her chin defiantly. "I don't want to."
Purv clenched his jaw.
And then, without another word, he turned and walked away.
Leaving her standing there, breathless and utterly confused.