The fine line between distance and desire
Author's pov-
Divya didn't know how long she stood there, staring at the empty space where purv had been just moments ago.
Her heart was still racing, her mind spinning.
She should have expected this.
Everytime she got close, purv pulled away. Everytime she thought she saw a crack in his armor, he shut her out again.
And yet...
And yet he had admitted it.
"I don't like seeing you with him."
Those words kept replaying in her head, over and over.
She wanted to be angry. She wanted to march after him and demand an explanation.
But she knew him well enough now. He wasn't going to give her one. Not yet.
So, instead, she sighed and made her way out of the campus, her thoughts a tangled mess.
The next morning, she woke up feeling restless.
She had plans to meet Aditya at the cafe near campus, and even though it was supposed to be casual, she couldn't shake the lingering tension from her last conversation with purv.
Her mind was so preoccupied that she didn't notice the message on her phone until she was halfway through getting dressed.
She froze, staring at the screen.
What?
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard.
Was he serious?
Was he really asking her to cancel her plans just because he didn't like seeing her with Aditya?
Her phone buzzed again.
She let out a frustrated breath.
This was getting ridiculous.
A minute passed. Then another.
No reply.
She clenched her jaw.
Fine. If he wasn't going to explain himself, she wasn't going to listen.
She grabbed her bag and left for cafe.
Aditya was already there when she arrived, casually sipping his coffee, his usual easy going smile in place.
"Divya," he greeted, waving her over. "I was beginning to think you wouldn't show up."
She smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "I almost didn't."
Aditya raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Something came up?"
She hesitated, then shook her head. "Nothing important."
She wasn't going to let purv's mixed signals ruin her morning.
They ordered their drinks and fell into an easy conversation. Aditya was fun to be around, always knowing how to lighten the mood.
But no matter how much she tried to focus on their conversation, she couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.
Her eyes flickered toward the entrance.
And there he was.
Purv.
Standing just outside, leaning against his car, arms crossed.
Watching.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Aditya must have noticed her sudden distraction because he turned in his seat and followed her gaze.
"Ah," he said, smirking. "So that's why you almost didn't come."
Divya quickly looked away. "Ignore him."
Aditya chuckled. "Easier said than done. The guy looks like he's about to murder me."
She said. "He's just-"
"Jealous?"
Her lips pressed together. "No. He's just... complicated."
Aditya leaned back in his chair. "Or maybe he's just bad at admitting what he wants."
Divya didn't respond.
Because deep down, she knew Aditya was right.
Purv wasn't just watching.
He was waiting.
And she had a feeling this wasn't the end of whatever storm was brewing between them.