The next few days passed like a blur of projects, deadlines, and unexpected tension.
Every morning, Meera told herself she wouldn't get irritated by Aarav Mehta today.
Every evening, she ended up doing exactly that.
They met daily for their research project, often in the quiet corner of the university library. Their conversations were sharp, witty, and sometimes… strang ely addictive.
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Meera: "You can't just decide the presentation design on your own, Aarav."
Aarav: "It looked better that way."
Meera: "Better to you, maybe. You're not the only one with taste."
Aarav (smirking): "Didn't say that. But I do have good taste—in designs… and partners."
Meera froze for a second.
That tone. That look in his eyes.
It wasn't teasing anymore—it was something deeper.
She quickly looked away. "Stop joking. We need to focus."
But inside, her heart had already skipped a beat.That evening, when Meera walked out of the library, it was raining again—soft, steady, and cold. She stood under the porch, waiting for the rain to slow down.
Suddenly, someone held out an umbrella beside her.
It was Aarav
Aarav: "Looks like rain follows you."
Meera (half smiling): "Or maybe you do."
For a moment, silence filled the space between them, heavier than words.
They walked together under one umbrella, their shoulders brushing lightly. Meera tried to keep distance, but the closeness made her heartbeat race.
When a car splashed water nearby, she instinctively moved closer to him—and his hand reached out, steadying her by the arm.
Their eyes met.
The world felt quiet.
Even the rain paused for that one breath of time.
Aarav (softly): "Careful. I might start thinking you like being near me."
Meera (smiling faintly): "Don't flatter yourself, Mr. Mehta."He chuckled, but didn't let go immediately. Something in his eyes told her that behind the teasing, there was real warmth—something he wasn't used to showing.
When they finally reached the gate, Meera turned to leave.
But Aarav called out, "Hey, Meera."
She looked back.
Aarav: "I don't usually work well with people. But with you… it's different."
For a second, Meera forgot to breathe.
She smiled, shy but honest. "Maybe that's because you finally met someone who doesn't agree with you."
He laughed softly, and for the first time, she saw something rare—a genuine smile that reached his eyes.
As she walked away under the rain, Meera didn't realize she was smiling too.
Something had changed between them—something small, but real.
The kind of change that quietly rewrites two hearts before they even notice.