But before she could form an excuse, Kartikey was already moving. Without another word, he crouched down and, in one swift motion, scooped her up into his arms.
Her breath hitched.
The studio fell silent.
Anshika's hands instinctively gripped his shoulders, her fingers digging slightly into his skin as she tried to steady herself. Her heart was beating too fast, and she wasn't sure if it was from the pain or the sudden proximity.
"K-Kartikey—" she began, voice coming out more breathless than she intended.
He ignored her. "Shhh."
His grip on her was firm, secure, as if daring her to argue. His face was unreadable, but his jaw was still clenched, and his arms tensed slightly as he carried her out of the studio.
The hallway was buzzing with students when Kartikey stepped out, carrying Anshika as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Conversations came to a halt, heads turned, and whispers followed them as they moved through the corridor.
"Wait... is that Kartikey?"
"Kartikey is carrying her? What happened?"
"Are they... a thing?"
Anshika curled her fingers into the fabric of his jersey, her cheeks heating at the attention they were getting. "Sab dekh rahe hain," she muttered under her breath.
"Everyone is looking at us."
"Dekhne do," Kartikey replied, his voice unwavering.
"Let them see,"
She peeked up at him, only to find his face unreadable, his jaw set in determination. But his grip on her was careful, protective even. He wasn't looking at anyone else, only focused on getting her to the infirmary.
They didn't speak, but their eyes met—just for a fleeting second. In that moment, everything from the past few days, the awkwardness, the distance, the unsaid words, all hung in the air between them.
Anshika saw the worry in his eyes, the way he was holding himself back from scolding her. And Kartikey saw the hesitation in hers, the battle between her feelings and the quiet relief of being taken care of.
The silence between them was louder than any words.
Anshika didn't know what to say. She couldn't bring herself to protest again. Instead, she looked away, pretending to focus on something else, while her mind whirled in chaos.
Kartikey's grip never faltered, but for a moment, she saw it—his hesitation. The slight shift in his hold, the way his fingers twitched against her.
He was angry, but there was something else too. Worry. Maybe even... something deeper.
She risked glancing up at him, and their eyes met.
For a second, everything stilled.
She could see the frustration in his gaze, but beneath it, there was something that made her chest tighten—something unspoken, something raw.
His eyes asked a question she wasn't ready to answer.
Hers held an answer she wasn't ready to give.
Neither of them spoke. The only sound was the quiet footsteps echoing in the corridor, and the soft, unsteady rhythm of her heartbeat.
She was supposed to keep her distance.
He was supposed to respect that.
And yet, in this moment—where words weren't needed, where anger and concern blurred together—distance didn't seem to matter at all.
The soft hum of the ceiling fan filled the infirmary, the antiseptic scent thick in the air. Kartikey leaned against the wall, arms crossed, as he watched the girl in front of him. Anshika sat on the infirmary bed, her hands folded neatly in her lap, her back straight as if bracing herself. The tension between them was almost suffocating, thick with unsaid words and lingering gazes. It had been days since they had properly spoken, and yet here they were, in the same room, the silence stretching longer than it should, their eyes spoke in ways words could never capture. The silence between them was thick, filled with everything left unsaid in the past few days.
She winced slightly as the nurse wrapped the compression bandage around her feet, and instinctively, Kartikey took a step forward before stopping himself.
"Bas ho gaya." the nurse said, giving Anshika a gentle pat before leaving the room. Now, it was just the two of them.
"It's almost done."
The air grew heavier.
She refused to meet his eyes, instead focusing on the tiled floor. Kartikey sighed, raking a hand through his hair.
For a few seconds, silence stretched between them, thick and palpable. The only sound was the faint rustle of the curtains swaying from the fan above.
He moved closer, his gaze dropping to her foot. He sighed and sat on the chair in front of her, his fingers resting on the edge of the bed, just inches away from her ankle. "Dard ho raha hai?" he asked, softer this time.
"Is it hurting?"
Anshika swallowed, finally glancing at him. "N-nahi..."
"N-no..."
He didn't believe her.
Gently, he reached out, his fingers brushing against her ankle, checking the wrap. The moment his skin met hers, she tensed. He felt her breath hitch, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she stayed still, the only movement the slight tremble of her hands in her lap.
For a moment, everything else blurred—the distant chatter outside, the slow ticking of the clock, the lingering chill in the air. It was just them. His gaze flickered to hers. There was something unreadable in her eyes, a hesitation, a alertness—one he wasn't sure how to break through.
A muscle in his jaw twitched, his fingers still grazing her ankle gently. "Kyun kar rahi ho ye sab, Anshika?"
"Why are you doing all this, Anshika?"
Her breath hitched. She knew what he meant, but she wasn't ready to answer. Instead, she looked away, focusing on the pale blue walls of the infirmary.
"I don't know what you mean," she muttered.
He let out a humorless chuckle. "Nahi jaanti?"
"You don't know?"
She didn't respond. Instead, she shifted slightly, and a sharp pain shot through her foot. A small wince escaped her lips before she could stop it. His hands immediately reached for her calf, steadying her, his touch light but firm. She stiffened but didn't pull away.
"Careful," he murmured.
Her throat felt dry. She finally met his gaze, and in that moment, words seemed unnecessary. His eyes searched hers, full of questions she wasn't ready to answer.
"Nahi bataogi?" he asked again, voice lower this time. There was something raw in the way he spoke, as if he was holding himself back.
"You won't tell?"
She looked down at her hands. "Kuch nahi hai batane ke liye," she said quietly.
"There's nothing to tell,"
A bitter smile crossed his lips. "Toh fir yeh sab?"
"Then all this?"
She exhaled, feeling the weight of his gaze. "Kuch bhi nahi hai, Kartikey. Bas..." She trailed off, not knowing how to finish.
"It's nothing, Kartikey. It's just..."
He didn't push, but he didn't look away either. The air between them buzzed with everything left unsaid. The concern in his eyes, the frustration, the silent plea—she saw it all, and it terrified her.
He finally sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Dard ho raha hai?"
"Is it hurting?"
She shook her head, but they both knew she was lying.
After a long moment, he stood up.
"Chalo, main tumhe ghar chhod deta hoon," he said, grabbing her bag from the nearby chair.
"Come, I'll drop you home."
Anshika blinked. "Nahi, main khud—"
"No, I'll go-"
"Shhh," he cut her off, his tone brooking no argument. "Mujhe pata hai dard ho raha hai. Just let me."
"I know it's hurting."
Anshika hesitated. The idea of him taking her home, of being in such close proximity, made her stomach twist in knots. But arguing seemed pointless.
She exhaled sharply before nodding.
Kartikey was by her side in an instant, helping her stand before she could protest. She stiffened at his touch, but he acted as if he didn't notice. Or maybe he did and just didn't care.
The walk to his car was slow and filled with silence. He opened the passenger door and waited, his expression unreadable. She glanced at him once before slipping inside, and he silently helped her adjusting her injured foot carefully.
He got in and started the engine, the low hum filling the awkward space between them. The ride to her flat was quiet, the tension from earlier still lingering in the air. Her fingers fidgeted with the bracelet on her wrist, sneaking glances at him from the corner of her eye.
"Tum itni ziddi kyun ho?" he finally asked, breaking the silence. His voice was softer this time, but the edge of frustration was still there.
"Why are you stubborn?"
She didn't respond immediately. Instead, she let out a small sigh. "Mujhe nahi pata," she admitted.
"I don't know,"
He glanced at her briefly before turning his focus back on the road.
She looked at him then, the soft glow of the sunset illuminating his face.
When they reached her building, he parked and got out before she could protest. Coming around to her side, he opened the door and helped her out, his grip steady yet gentle.
"Main chali jaungi," she mumbled, feeling her face heat up.
"I'll go on my own."
"Hmm" he hummed back, already locking the car and grabbing her bag.
She sighed but didn't argue. With each slow step towards her building entrance and then to the elevator, the unspoken words between them grew heavier. When they finally reached, she turned to him hesitantly.
"Thanks," she said, barely above a whisper.
His eyes softened. "Aaraam karna."
"Take rest."
Before she could respond, the elevator door closed, leaving her standing there with a heart that felt far too unsteady.
Anshika tossed and turned in her bed, staring at the ceiling. Sleep refused to come, her mind occupied with the events of the day—Kartikey's firm yet gentle grip, the way he had effortlessly taken care of her, the concern laced in his voice, the way his voice softened when he told her to rest, the intensity in his eyes when he asked why she was so stubborn.
Her heart gave a tiny, annoying flutter at the memory of him opening the car door for her, adjusting her injured foot. Why did he have to be like this? Why did he have to be so... caring?
She groaned, burying her face into the pillow. This wasn't supposed to happen. She wasn't supposed to let him get to her.
The silence of her room was too loud, her thoughts too chaotic. She needed a distraction. Without thinking much, she reached for her phone and dialed Ananya's number.
"Oye, abhi tak soyi nahi?" Ananya's voice was groggy but laced with curiosity.
"You didn't sleep yet?"
"Main kya karun? Neend nahi aa rahi," Anshika sighed. "Tu mere room mein aa na."
"What can I do? I can't sleep. Come to my room."
Within minutes, Ananya appeared at her door, rubbing her eyes. "Mujhe laga tha tu chup chap so jayegi aaj, considering tujhe chot lagi hai aur tu thak gayi hogi. Par nahi, madam ko raat bhar overthinking karni hai."
"I thought you'll sleep early tonight, considering you're hurt and you must be tired. But no, madam wants to overthink the whole night."
Anshika rolled her eyes as Ananya plopped onto the bed beside her. "Main overthink nahi kar rahi," she defended weakly.
"I'm not overthinking."
Ananya raised an eyebrow. "Haan haan, bas aisehi mujhe itni raat ko bula liya, right? Bata, kya chal raha hai tere dimaag mein?"
"Yes yes, you called me here just like that? Say, what's going on in your mind?"
Anshika hesitated for a moment before sighing. "Kartikey."
Ananya's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "Ohho! Tera football captain phir se tere dimag mein ghoom raha hai?"
"Your football captain is running in your mind again?"
Anshika shot her a glare. "Mazaak mat kar yaar. Bas... aaj usne mujhe ghar drop kiya. He wouldn't take no for an answer. Phir... pata nahi, itna dhyan diya, bina kuch kahe madad ki, bina kisi expectation ke. Matlab... I don't know, mujhe ajeeb lag raha hai."
"Don't joke. It's just he dropped me home today. He was so caring, he helped me without any expectation. I mean... I feel weird."
Ananya hummed in thought. "Ajeeb as in? Accha wala ajeeb ya 'oh no, run' wala ajeeb?"
"Weird as in? Nice weird or 'oh no run' weird?"
Anshika bit her lip. "Dono."
"Both."
Ananya chuckled. "Pagal hai tu."
"You're crazy."
"Mujhe aisa lagta hai ki mujhe dur rehna chahiye. Matlab, tu jaanti hai na, sab kuch. Aur mujhe darr lagta hai ki agar main iss sab mein pad gayi toh kya hoga? Agar sab galat ho gaya toh?" Anshika's voice was laced with uncertainty.
"I feel like I should stay away. I mean you know everything. I'm scared that what if I get into this? What if everything goes wrong?"
Ananya placed a reassuring hand on her cousin's arm. "Anshu, tu hamesha cheezon ko itna complicate kyun karti hai? Life hamesha safe nahi hoti, aur har cheez ka result pehle se plan nahi kiya ja sakta. Kabhi kabhi bas flow ke saath jaana padta hai."
"Anshu, why do you always complicate things. Lige is not always safe, and we can't plan results of anything in future. Sometimes you just have to go with the flow."
Anshika looked at her, doubt still clouding her expression. "Par agar—"
"But what if?"
"Agar magar chhod na," Ananya interrupted. "Jo bhi ho, abhi toh tu sirf itna soch ki tujhe uska dhyan accha laga, uski care acchi lagi. Bas iss feeling ko enjoy kar na, bina overthink kiye."
"But nothing, whatever happens. Right now just think you liked his care, just enjoy that feeling without overthinking."
Anshika remained silent for a while, then sighed. "Tu sahi keh rahi hai, shayad mujhe itna nahi sochna chahiye."
"You're right, maybe I shouldn't think so much."
Ananya grinned. "Finally! Chal, ab so ja. Baaki kal subah sochna."
"Now sleep, leave some overthinking for the morning."
Anshika giggled, feeling a little lighter. "Theek hai."
"Okay."
As Ananya turned off the lights and went back to her room, Anshika lay there, her mind still buzzing with thoughts of Kartikey. But this time, instead of fear and hesitation, there was a small, tentative warmth.
Maybe, just maybe, she could let herself go with the flow.
Anshika stayed home for the next few days, resting her injured ankle as per the doctor's advice. But staying home also meant having too much time to think. Her mind replayed everything—Kartikey's care, his concern, the way he had effortlessly stepped in to help her. And now, the longer she stayed away from college, the more confused she felt.
Kartikey, on the other hand, was restless. He hadn't seen Anshika in days, and it was bothering him more than he cared to admit. Every time he passed by the spot where he usually spotted her, the library, the tree, her usual bench in the garden, an odd emptiness settled in his chest. Even during practice, his concentration faltered.
"Captain, tu itna lost kyun lag raha hai aajkal?" one of his teammates asked after a particularly bad play.
"Captain, why are you so lost these days?"
"Kuch nahi," Kartikey muttered, shaking his head. But even he knew he was lying to himself. His mind kept drifting back to Anshika—was she okay? Did she need anything? Why hadn't she texted?
"Nothing,"
Finally, he gave in and asked Meera. "Meera, Anshika kaisi hai? Woh college nahi aa rahi... theek toh hai na? uski ank-"
"Meera, how's Anshika? She's not coming to college... Is she fine? Her ank-"
Meera chuckled knowingly. "Theek hai voh bas, thoda rest kar rahi hai. Waise, tumhe itni chinta kyun ho rahi hai?"
"She's fine, she's just resting a bit. Why are you so worried?"
Kartikey sighed, rubbing his forehead. "Bas... pata nahi. Usey dekhne ki aadat si ho gayi hai."
"I don't know. I have developed a habit of seeing her."
Meanwhile, Anshika sat by the window in her room, watching the world outside move on while she felt stuck in her own thoughts. She knew Kartikey would be worried, but she couldn't bring herself to text him. It wasn't just about her injury anymore—it was everything.
Her family, their expectations, her self-doubts. Would her family approve of Kartikey? Would they even let her decide for herself? She wasn't sure. And more than that, did she even deserve someone like him?
She let out a frustrated sigh, pressing a pillow against her face. "Main yeh sab kyun soch rahi hoon? Mujhe bas normal rehna chahiye," she muttered.
"Why am I thinking all this? I should be normal."
Ananya, who had been quietly observing her cousin's turmoil, finally spoke up. "Tu usey pasand karti hai na?"
"You like him na?"
Anshika looked at her, startled. "Main... main nahi jaanti. Bas... jab woh paas hota hai toh sab kuch ajeeb lagne lagta hai. Aur jab woh nahi hota, toh aur bhi zyada."
"I... I don't know. I just know that I feel weird when he's around. And when he is not around, it feels even more weird."
Anshika took a deep breath as she stepped onto the college campus after days of staying home. The buzz of students rushing to classes, chattering in groups, and the occasional honk of a bike passing by felt familiar. But amidst all this, her heart was fixated on one thing—Kartikey.
She told herself she was here to attend classes, to get back to normal, and also, to thank Kartikey properly for all that he had done for her.
As she stepped into the campus, her eyes instinctively searched for him. The library, the canteen, the garden—where was he? She told herself it didn't matter—she would see him when she saw him. Yet, the unsettling restlessness inside her refused to fade. She needed to thank him properly, yet the anticipation of seeing him again made her uneasy.
Meera, spotting her near the main corridor, rushed to her side. "Anshika! Tu aa gayi? Kaisi hai ab?"
"Anshika! You're back? How are you now?"
Anshika smiled, trying to ignore the way her heart pounded. "Haan, theek hoon ab."
"Yes, I'm fine now."
"Aur tujhe koi aur bhi miss kar raha tha yahan," Meera teased, raising an eyebrow.
Her eyes searched for him before she even realized it.
"Kya dhoond rahi hai?" Meera teased, nudging her shoulder.
"What are you looking for?"
"Kuch nahi," Anshika said too quickly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Nothing,"
Meera smirked. "Haan haan, mujhe sab dikhta hai. Waise abhi ground pe hoga, football practice chal rahi hai, aaj kal wahin busy rehta hai. Koi badi match aa rahi hai." Meera added, grinning knowingly.
"Sure, I can see everything. He's on the ground practicing football. He's busy there these days. Some important match is coming up."
Anshika tried to feign indifference. "Mujhe bas usey thank you bolna tha, uss din ki help ke liye."
"I just want to say thank you to him, for helping me that day."
Meera smirked. "Haan haan, bas thank you."
"Sure sure, just thank you."
Anshika hesitated for a moment, but eventually, her feet led her toward the ground, her heart hammering against her ribs. As she reached the field, she spotted him instantly—Kartikey in his football jersey, sweat glistening on his forehead as he barked instructions at his teammates.
Her breath hitched.
He looked so different when he was in his element—confident, commanding, focused. And yet, she could see the slight crease in his forehead, the tension in his movements. Was it just the pressure of the upcoming match, or was something else bothering him?
Kartikey, on the other hand, was struggling. His focus, his rhythm—everything felt off today. And he knew exactly why.
It had been days since he'd seen Anshika. He had expected to be fine, to push through like he always did. But every time he took a break, his mind betrayed him, painting images of her—the way she used to sit in the library, how she tucked her hair behind her ear when she was nervous, the way she scrunched her nose when she was annoyed with him.
"Bhai, dhyan kahaan hai tera?" one of his teammates called out when he missed an easy pass.
"Bro, where are you lost?"
"Focus, Kartikey!" his coach yelled from the sidelines.
Kartikey exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath.
"Match sirf do din dur hai!" his coach shouted, and Kartikey nodded, adjusting his position.
"Match is only 2 days away!"
He hadn't noticed her yet, as he took a powerful shot at the goal. The ball soared through the air and landed perfectly in the net. His teammates cheered, and he ran a hand through his slightly damp hair, a small smirk playing on his lips.
Anshika's heart skipped a beat. She had seen him before, interacted with him countless times, but watching him like this—so confident, so in control—felt different.
And suddenly a strange feeling washed over him—like something had shifted. His instincts kicked in, and almost as if drawn by an invisible force, his eyes flickered towards the boundary of the field.
And there she was.
For a second, his breath hitched.
Standing at a distance, wearing a soft pink kurti, her hair falling in loose waves around her shoulders. Their eyes met, and for a fleeting second, everything else faded, she looked so effortlessly beautiful. But it was the way she was looking at him—soft, hesitant, almost... longing?— that made his heart pound harder than his intense practice ever could.
Anshika felt her breath catch in her throat. She had come here to thank him, but now that she was actually in front of him, she felt frozen in place. Kartikey's gaze bore into hers, intense and unreadable.
Before he could react, the ball rolled towards him, and his teammates shouted, "Bhai, pass! Dhyaan kidhar hai tera?"
"Bro, pass? Where are you lost?"
Shaking his head, he quickly got back into the game, but his concentration wavered. Anshika being here after days of absence was enough to throw him off. Is she okay now? Why was she here? Had she finally decided to talk to him? Did she care maybe?
Anshika, on the other hand, suddenly felt self-conscious. What was she doing standing here like this? She had come to say thank you, not to get lost staring at him! Flustered, she turned around abruptly and walked away, her heart hammering in her chest.
Kartikey caught the movement from the corner of his eye. A frown settled on his face as he saw her leaving. Was she avoiding him? Again?
"Timeout!" he called out suddenly, earning confused looks from his coach and teammates.
"Bhai, abhi toh sirf das minute hue hai," one of them pointed out.
"Bro, it's only been 10 minutes now,"
"Kartikey!" his coach yelled.
Kartikey ignored them, quickly jogging off the field and wiping the sweat off his face with the hem of his jersey. Without thinking twice, he followed her path. He didn't know what he would say, but he knew one thing—he wasn't letting her walk away this time.
🌻
Anshika quickened her pace, her heart pounding louder with every step. She had no idea why she had come here in the first place-what had she been thinking? Kartikey was in the middle of his practice, she shouldn't have disturbed him. And yet, the way he had looked at her just moments ago... it made her breath hitch.
Just as she reached the shaded corridor near the ground, a firm yet gentle grip closed around her wrist, stopping her in her tracks.
"Anshika," Kartikey's voice was low, slightly breathless, but commanding enough to send a shiver down her spine.
She turned, her eyes widening as she found him standing close-too close. His hair was damp, a thin sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead. His jersey clung to him, his breathing slightly uneven from the exertion, yet his eyes held nothing but concern.
"H-hm?" she hummed, trying to pull her wrist free, but his grip tightened just enough to stop her from running away.
His gaze flickered down for a moment. "How is your ankle?" His voice softened, and there was something unguarded in his expression, something that made her stomach flip.
Anshika blinked, momentarily thrown off by the question. She had expected teasing, maybe a smirk, but not this... not genuine concern.
"Theek hai," she mumbled, looking anywhere but at him.
"It's fine,"
"Pakka?" His fingers loosened around her wrist, but instead of letting go completely, his thumb brushed lightly against her pulse. It was unintentional, perhaps-just a fleeting touch-but it sent a spark through her, making her breath catch.
"Sure?"
She nodded quickly. "Pakka."
"Sure."
There was a beat of silence between them, filled only by the distant shouts from the football ground. The tension hung thick in the air, the unspoken words weighing heavily between them.
She forced herself to speak. "Woh... main actually bas tumhe thank you bolne aayi thi..." She finally met his gaze, her voice quieter now. "Uss din ke liye. Tumne meri help ki... aur main properly thank you bhi nahi bol payi thi."
"I actually came to say thank you to you... for helping that day. You helped me... and I couldn't even say thank you properly."
Kartikey tilted his head slightly, his lips curving into the faintest smile. "Bas thank you?"
"Just thank you?"
Anshika's brows furrowed. "Aur kya bolun?"
"What else should I say?"
His smile faded into something softer-something that made her pulse race. "Agar tum sach mein thank you bolna chahti ho, toh aise bhaagna band kardo."
"If you really want to say thank you, please stop running away like this."
She swallowed, feeling the weight of his words settle over her. The way he was looking at her, like he could see past every wall she had built, was almost too much to handle.
She took a step back, but in doing so, her balance wavered ever so slightly. Instinctively, Kartikey reached out, his hands settling lightly on her arms to steady her.
"Dekha, abhi bhi dhyan nahi hai tumhara," he muttered, his voice quieter, his fingers lingering for just a moment longer than necessary.
"See, you're not careful right now."
Her breath hitched. He was too close. Or maybe she was too aware. The warmth of his touch seeped through the fabric of her sleeves, his fingers firm yet gentle against her skin. And for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel like pulling away.
For a second-just a second-she let herself meet his gaze fully. And she swore she saw something shift in his eyes, something raw, something unspoken.
Then, as if realizing the moment had stretched too long, Kartikey cleared his throat and stepped back, running a hand through his hair. "Accha, ab phirse toh nahi bhagogi?"
"Okay, you won't run away now?"
Anshika exhaled sharply, shaking her head. "Nahi."
"No."
He smiled again, but it was softer this time. "Thank you."
With that, he took a step back, giving her space. And yet, as he turned to leave, Anshika found herself lingering for just a moment longer, staring at the place where his hands had been, where his touch still lingered like an unspoken promise.
Maybe, just maybe, she wasn't the only one feeling this way.
Kartikey walked back to the field, but his mind wasn't on football anymore. He ran a hand through his damp hair, exhaling sharply. What was happening to him? Why did that moment feel so... intense?
He had only wanted to check on her ankle giving her the space he decided he will. That was it. A simple, harmless question. But the way she had looked at him, the way her breath hitched at his touch-it made something inside him stir.
It wasn't new, this pull he felt towards her. He had always been drawn to her in ways he couldn't explain. But today was different. Today, he had felt it in his bones-the way her presence could unbalance him in ways nothing else ever had.
His grip on her wrist had been light, yet he could still feel the ghost of her skin against his fingers. And when she had swayed slightly, allowing him to steady her, a part of him had wanted to hold on a little longer.
She wasn't just any girl. She was Anshika.
And Kartikey wasn't sure if he could keep pretending that it didn't matter.
The way her breath hitched, the slight tremble in her fingers... had she felt it too?
He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his damp hair. What was happening to him? He had always been in control, always known how to navigate their interactions. But today, the moment she had looked at him-truly looked at him-it had shaken something deep inside him.
"Bhai, tu aa raha hai ya nahi? Coach is mad!" one of his teammates called out from the field.
"Bro, are you coming or not? Coach is mad!"
"Haan," he responded automatically, but his gaze lingered in the direction Anshika had gone.
"Yes,"
Maybe he had imagined it. Maybe he was reading too much into a simple touch, a hesitant look.
Or maybe, just maybe, something between them had changed.
Anshika traced the spine of a book absentmindedly, trying to focus on the words in front of her, but her mind kept drifting back to what had happened earlier. The way Kartikey had held her wrist, the way his touch had lingered-why was it affecting her so much?
She shook her head, mentally scolding herself. "Shh Anshika. Kuch bhi nahi tha voh," she mumbled under her breath, trying to push away the warmth creeping up her neck.
"It was nothing,"
"Sach mein?"
"Really?"
The deep voice made her jump.
Her fingers froze on the book as she turned slowly, only to find Kartikey leaning against the opposite bookshelf, arms crossed, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. His damp hair was slightly tousled from practice, and his jersey had been swapped for a fitted black T-shirt. He looked effortlessly casual, but the intensity in his gaze was anything but.
"Tum... yahan kya kar rahe ho?" she asked, stepping back slightly, only to find herself trapped between the bookshelf and his gaze.
"What are you doing here?"
"Tumse milne aaya hoon," he said smoothly, his smile widening when she narrowed her eyes at him.
"Came to meet you."
Anshika narrowed her eyes but didn't leave. Maybe she was too tired to run, or maybe-just maybe-she didn't want to.
"Library mein?" she questioned, taking the seat nearby.
"In library?"
"Yahin milti ho tum," he quipped sliding into the chair beside her, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"You're found here only."
She rolled her eyes, opening her laptop in an attempt to ignore him, but it was useless. His presence was impossible to tune out. Especially when he was watching her like that-like he could see every thought running through her head.
Silence stretched between them, punctuated only by the quiet flipping of pages and the faint clicking of her keyboard. And yet, it wasn't uncomfortable. It was... new. A silent truce between them, perhaps.
After a few minutes, Kartikey leaned forward, resting his arms on the table. "Anshika."
She looked up reluctantly. "Hmm?"
He tilted his head slightly, as if studying her. "Parso match hai. Aaogi?"
"I have a match day after tomorrow, will you come?"
Her brows furrowed. "Kyun?"
"Why?"
"Mujhe support karne," he said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
"To support me,"
Anshika hesitated. "Main kyun aau?"
"Why should I come?"
Kartikey sighed, shaking his head. "Yeh bhi main bataun? Bas aa jana. Mujhe accha lagega."
"Do I need to tell? Just come. I'll like it."
Something about the way he said it, so simple yet firm, made her stomach flip. He wasn't teasing her. He wasn't asking for the sake of it. He wanted her there.
Before she could think too hard about it, she nodded. "Dekhti hoon."
"I'll think about it."
His lips curved into a slow smile, the kind that made her heart stutter. "Mujhe pata tha."
"I knew it."
She frowned. "Kya?"
"What?"
"Ki tum nahi maanogi," he said, his voice softer now. "Lekin phir bhi aaogi."
"That you won't agree, but still, you'll come."
Anshika opened her mouth to argue, but before she could, he did something unexpected. He reached out, tucking a stray strand of her hair behind her ear. His fingers barely brushed against her skin, but the touch was enough to send a shiver down her spine.
Her breath caught, and she stared at him, wide-eyed. It was the gentlest thing he had ever done, and for a moment, neither of them moved.
Then, as if realizing what he had just done, Kartikey pulled back, clearing his throat. "Accha, ab main ja raha hoon. Kal milte hain, okay?"
"Ok, I'll leave now. See you tomorrow, okay?"
She could only nod, still too stunned to speak.
As he walked away, leaving her alone in the quiet library, Anshika let out a shaky breath. Maybe ignoring Kartikey was no longer an option. And maybe... she didn't want it to be.
Kartikey walked out of the library, the usual noise of the campus fading into the background as his mind remained stuck on Anshika. He hadn't planned on pushing her, but the moment he looked at her, he couldn't help himself.
Her expressions, her hesitations, the way her breath hitched when he brushed that stray strand of hair back-it was all playing in a loop in his head. He smiled to himself, running a hand through his hair. "Kya kar rahi ho, Anshika..." he murmured under his breath.
"What are you doing, Anshika?"
He had always known there was a pull between them, an unspoken connection. But today... today, he had felt it more than ever. She was right there, standing in front of him, finally acknowledging his presence instead of running away. And that changed everything.
As he made his way back to the football field, he exhaled sharply, a new determination settling in his chest. He didn't just want her attention. He wanted her to see him the way he saw her.
He will be careful, he will give her the time she needs. He will gain her trust. He will make her his, slowly but completely.
The ground buzzed with energy as students from both colleges filled the stands, waving banners and cheering for their respective teams. The sun hung low in the sky, casting a golden hue over the field, but Kartikey's mind wasn't on the game just yet.
Dressed in his team's jersey, sweat already forming on his brow. His eyes skimmed the crowd restlessly, searching, hoping. He had been sure she would come. She had said she would think about it, but Kartikey knew better. Anshika never made promises lightly.
"Bhai, focus," Rahul clapped him on the shoulder. "Match shuru hone waala hai!"
"The match is about to begin!"
Kartikey exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension. "Haan, pata hai." But even as he said it, his gaze flickered back to the stands.
"Yes, I know."
And then, he saw her.
Anshika walked in with her friends, looking a little out of place but still there. The sight of her sent a rush of adrenaline through him, far more intense than any pre-match excitement. Dressed in casual jeans and a simple top, she wasn't doing anything special-yet, to him, she stood out more than anyone else in the crowd.
She glanced around, searching for a spot, and for the briefest second, their eyes met.
Kartikey smirked, tilting his head slightly in acknowledgment. Anshika blinked, her lips parting as if caught off guard before she quickly looked away, feigning interest in her surroundings.
His smirk deepened. "Bhaagna band kar diya, lekin sharmaana abhi baaki hai," he muttered to himself before jogging to his position.
"She has stopped running away, but shying away is still there."
Time to win.
The match was intense, both teams fighting for dominance. Kartikey, as the captain, played fiercely, leading his team with skill and determination. Every time he scored, his eyes instinctively searched for her reaction, and though she tried to remain composed, he didn't miss the way she clapped a little too enthusiastically when he secured a crucial goal.
And when the final whistle blew, signaling their victory, he couldn't help but glance toward her once more.
She was smiling.
His teammates patted his back, celebrating their win, but his focus remained on the girl. He spotted her near the exit, lingering as her friends chatted animatedly about the match.
Without thinking, he walked toward her, weaving through the crowd until he was standing just a few steps away.
"Mujhe laga tum nahi aaogi," he said, his voice casual but his eyes betraying the relief he felt.
"I thought you won't come,"
Anshika turned, startled and looked at him.
Meera interrupted. "Mujhe laga tum sirf football pe focus karoge. Par tum toh match ke beech mein idhar-udhar dekh rahe the."
"I thought you'll focus on football. But you were looking here and there throughout the match."
Kartikey chuckled, stepping closer to Anshika. "Kya karein, distractions mil gayi thi."
"What can I do? I found distractions."
Anshika shook her head, but a small smile tugged at her lips.
For a second, neither of them spoke, the night air filled with distant cheers and laughter. Then, unexpectedly, Anshika reached out, hesitated for just a moment, before brushing off grass strands from his shoulder.
"Tumne accha khela," she murmured, not meeting his eyes.
"You played well,"
Something warm curled in Kartikey's chest. He caught her wrist gently before she could pull away. "Bas accha?"
"Just well?"
She looked up, her breath hitching slightly at the way he was watching her.
"Bohot accha," she admitted, her voice quieter now.
"Very well,"
His fingers lingered against her wrist for a moment longer before he let go. "Good. Kyunki tumhari wajah se extra mehnat ki maine."
"Because I worked extra hard for you."
She looked down, shaking her head. "Tum waise bhi jeet jaate."
"You would have won anyway."
"Shayad," he said, his voice softer now, teasing yet sincere. "Lekin aaj tum yahan thi, isliye jeete."
"Maybe, but I won today, because you are here."
Anshika looked away, but he didn't miss the way her fingers curled slightly, as if still feeling the warmth of his touch.
The night felt different somehow. Something had shifted between them. And this time, neither of them was running away from it.
As her friends called out to her, she gave him one last look-one that stayed with him long after she walked away.
As she walked away, her heart drummed against her ribs, the echo of Kartikey's words replaying in her mind. "Aaj tum yahan thi, isliye jeete."
She knew he was teasing, but there was something about the way he had said it-soft, almost sincere-that made her chest tighten. Her fingers curled unconsciously, still tingling from where he had held her wrist. It had been such a fleeting touch, yet it had left a warmth behind, one that refused to fade.
Why does he always do this? Always finding ways to catch her off guard, to make her heart trip over itself. She had come to the match only because he had insisted. But standing there, feeling the weight of his gaze, seeing the quiet intensity in his eyes-it made her feel something.
She kept replaying that one moment-the way her hand had moved on its own, brushing off the strands of grass from Kartikey's shoulder.
Why did I do that?
It had been instinctive, a simple, meaningless gesture. And yet, the second her fingers had touched the fabric of his jersey, the warmth of his skin just beneath it, something had shifted. She had felt his gaze sharpen, his entire focus narrowing on her as if that small touch meant more to him than the match he had just won.
And when he had caught her wrist-lightly, yet firmly-her breath had stilled.
She exhaled slowly, willing her pulse to settle. This wasn't supposed to happen.
As her friends chattered excitedly beside her, Anshika found herself glancing back once, only to find Kartikey still watching her, that same smile tugging at his lips.
Her cheeks burned. She turned away quickly.
This is dangerous, she thought. And yet...
She bit her lip, a small smile breaking through despite herself.
And Kartikey knew, without a doubt, that this was only the beginning.
Kartikey smirked as he caught Anshika glancing back at him, only for her to turn away just as quickly.
Caught you.
His amusement deepened, watching the way her fingers fidgeted slightly, her shoulders tensing as if willing herself not to look again. But she had looked. That was enough.
She could pretend all she wanted, act indifferent, avoid his gaze-but her reactions always betrayed her. The way her cheeks flushed, the way she hesitated before brushing that grass off his shoulder.
She felt something. He was sure of it now.
And that was all the encouragement he needed.
He watched Anshika disappear into the crowd, the ghost of her touch still lingering on his shoulder.
She had come. That was enough to send a thrill through his veins, but more than that, she had stayed. She had clapped for him, smiled at him, and-damn it-she had brushed the grass off his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.
His jaw ticked as he exhaled, running a hand through his damp hair. She was frustrating. Impossible. Always acting like she didn't care, always looking away when he caught her staring-but she had come. And that, to him, meant everything.
He could still hear her voice, soft and hesitant. "Tumne accha khela."
Not just that-bohot accha.
A slow grin spread across his face. She thought he had played well, but more than that, she had admitted it. And for someone like Anshika, who kept her emotions locked away like a secret, that was a win bigger than the match itself.
His teammates called for him, pulling him into the post-game celebrations, but his mind was elsewhere.
The next day, the campus buzzed with post-match excitement. Kartikey's name was everywhere-on the lips of excited juniors, admiring glances from girls, and loud retellings of his best moves by his teammates.
Anshika hadn't expected anything less. He was the football captain, after all. But what she hadn't expected was the uncomfortable feeling creeping up on her as she watched a group of girls giggle and approach him near the library steps.
"Kartikey, tumne kal bohot accha khela!" one of them gushed, tucking her hair behind her ear. "Woh last wala goal toh ekdum next level tha!"
"Kartikey, you played so well!" "The last goal was next level!"
"Haan, matlab, seriously! Kitna effortlessly khelte ho tum," another added, her voice full of admiration.
"Yes, I mean you play so effortlessly."
Kartikey, as usual, took it in stride, flashing that easy, confident smile of his. "It's just practice," he said, running a hand through his hair. "But thanks."
Anshika, who had been walking past with Meera, didn't know why she suddenly felt... weird. It wasn't jealousy-definitely not. She had no reason to feel that way. It was just-
She frowned to herself. Why am I even thinking about this?
"It's just practice," Meera mimicked Kartikey under her breath, smirking. "And a little distraction."
Anshika shot her a look. "Meera, chup."
"Meera, shut up."
Meera just chuckled. "Bas keh rahi hoon, kal match mein koi distraction thi, warna itna motivated kaise lag raha tha?"
"I'm just saying, there was some distraction yesterday, otherwise how was he so motivated?"
Ignoring her, Anshika walked ahead toward the library entrance, but just as she reached for the door, she felt a familiar presence beside her.
"Tumne congratulations nahi bola," Kartikey's voice was low, teasing, as he matched her pace.
"You didn't say congratulations,"
Anshika huffed, gripping her books tighter. "Sab keh hi rahe hain, ek aur ki zaroorat nahi thi."
"Everyone else did, you didn't need one more."
He laughed, shaking his head. "Par tum alag ho na."
"But you are different na."
She shot him a warning look, but before she could reply, he suddenly reached out. For a second, she froze, heart skipping a beat-until she realized he was just adjusting the strap of her bag that had slipped off her shoulder.
"Careful," he murmured, his fingers grazing her shoulder lightly before he stepped back, as if it was nothing.
But to Anshika, it was something.
Her breath hitched slightly, the warmth of his touch lingering far longer than it should have. She looked up at him, only to find him already watching her, something unreadable in his gaze.
Her stomach flipped.
Without another word, she turned away, walking into the library before her thoughts could spiral any further.
Kartikey chuckled to himself, watching her go.
"Sab keh hi rahe hain, ek aur ki zaroorat nahi thi." he thought about her words, shaking his head.
I hope you had fun reading this chapter ❤️ Please vote and let me know your thoughts on this chapter. And a big thanks to everyone who's been voting and commenting, it means a lot to me🌻💗
Thank you so much for reading my book. It really means so so much to me and I will make sure that I am deserving of your support through my books🌻🫂❤️
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