A new presence
Author's pov-
Divya was late for class. Again.
She rushed down the hallway, her bag slipping from her shoulder as she tried to balance her books. The moment she reached the door, she inhaled sharply, smoothing her hair before stepping inside.
The professor barely acknowledged her as she slid into her usual seat next to Aditya, who raised an eyebrow at her.
"You're getting good at making an entrance," he whispered.
She rolled her eyes. "Not my fault I overslept."
"Or got distracted?" He teased, smirking.
She shoved him lightly, ignoring the warmth creeping up her neck. It had been days since she and purv had come so close to crossing that invisible line, and the tension between them was still unresolved.
Before she could think about it any further, the professor cleared his throat.
"We have a new student joining us today," he announced. "Rehan, come in."
Divya barely paid attention until she heard a chair scrape near her. She glanced sideways and found herself looking at the new arrival.
Rehan.
Tall, sharp features, with an easy confidence in the way he carried himself. His dark brown eyes flickered with something unreadable as he introduced himself.
"Rehan Malhotra," he said smoothly. "From Mumbai."
There was a murmur of interest from some students, but Divya felt an odd sense of familiarity. As if she had heard that name before.
He caught her looking and smirked slightly before taking the empty seat next to her.
"Hey," he said casually.
She hesitated before nodding. "Hi."
"Late on your first day?" Aditya muttered.
Rehan chuckled. "Let's just say I like to take my time."
Something about his tone made Divya glance at him again. He wasn't just another new student. There was something deliberate about him.
She didn't realise purv had been standing outside the class, watching the exchange through the window, his jaw tightening.
Rehan had arrived.
And he wasn't just here to study.