don't want

The next morning, Kirti gets ready for college as usual, trying to shake off the lingering discomfort from the previous day’s events. She carefully picks out her clothes, trying to focus on her routine despite her mind wandering back to the strange encounter with Xiao Zhan. She knows she can’t let it affect her day, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that the man she barely knows has now messaged her.

Once she’s ready, she grabs her bag and heads out the door, where her father is waiting to take her to the exam center. On the ride, she tries to stay focused, but her thoughts keep returning to the text.

As soon as she reaches college, Kirti spots Diya waiting outside the exam hall. Her friend waves enthusiastically when she sees her, and Kirti walks over with a sigh.

"Diya, you won't believe what happened last night," Kirti says as she approaches. "Xiao Zhan messaged me. He asked if we could be friends. And then, when I blocked him, he still found a way to reach out."

Diya’s eyes widen in surprise, her curiosity piqued. "Wait, Xiao Zhan? He messaged you? What did he say exactly?"

Kirti hesitates for a moment, then pulls out her phone, showing Diya the message from Xiao Zhan.

"See? He said, 'Hi, I’m Xiao Zhan. Can you be my friend?' It was so strange, Diya. I didn’t know how to respond. So I blocked him. But I feel like he’s not going to let this go."

Diya grins, sensing the tension in Kirti’s voice. "Ooooh, I told you! He’s interested in you, Kirti. That’s definitely not a ‘just friends’ message. He’s persistent."

Kirti rolls her eyes, slightly embarrassed by her friend's teasing. "I don’t know, Diya. I don’t want to deal with this. It’s all too much."

Diya smirks playfully. "You can run, but you can't hide! But seriously, don’t stress too much. If he’s persistent, he’ll eventually find a way to prove his intentions. Maybe he’s just trying to understand how Indian girls like you think."

Kirti tries to shake off Diya’s teasing, but she can’t deny that the situation is making her feel uneasy. The exam is about to start, and she focuses on that instead, hoping that for a while, she can just forget about Xiao Zhan and everything that came with him.

After the exam, Kirti and Diya make their way out of the center, and Diya suggests they go to their favorite spot for some chowmein to unwind. Kirti, still feeling uneasy about the messages from Xiao Zhan, agrees, hoping the food will distract her. Before they head out, Kirti calls her parents to ask for permission, and after receiving their okay, she and Diya take an auto to the restaurant.

The moment they arrive, Kirti feels a small sense of relief as the familiar place seems to calm her nerves. They quickly find a table, and Kirti begins to relax a little, enjoying the warmth of her friendship with Diya and the delicious food. But her peace is short-lived.

As they’re chatting and eating, Kirti suddenly notices that something feels off. She looks around, her heart pounding, and sees a few people standing in the restaurant, they dress up like bodyguard, looking out of place. Her instincts scream at her that something is wrong.

Before she can react, the unmistakable figure of Xiao Zhan enters the restaurant, his presence almost magnetic. Kirti's breath catches in her throat as their eyes lock from across the room. The chill that runs down her spine is immediate, and she can’t help but feel a surge of unease. His gaze is focused solely on her, and it sends goosebumps across her skin.

Diya notices Kirti’s tension and follows her gaze. "Is that... him?" she whispers, her eyes wide with realization.

Kirti doesn’t respond. Instead, she instinctively grabs Diya’s hand tightly, her fingers trembling slightly. She closes her eyes and prays, hoping that Xiao Zhan won’t come over. She doesn’t want to deal with him, not here, not now.

"Please, God, don’t let him come here for me," she silently prays, her heart racing as she tries to keep her composure.

Xiao Zhan, however, doesn't seem to be in any rush to move away. He stands there for a moment, still staring at Kirti, before slowly making his way toward her table. The tension in the air is thick, and Kirti can feel every step he takes, like a weight pressing down on her chest. She doesn't know what to expect, but she braces

herself for whatever comes next.

Kirti’s heart pounds in her chest as she continues to grip Diya’s hand tightly, her eyes squeezed shut, trying to ignore the tension building in the air. She keeps her head down, hoping that if she doesn’t acknowledge him, Xiao Zhan will leave her alone. But then, she hears it—his voice, smooth and seductive, cutting through the silence.

"Kirti, why did you block me?" Xiao Zhan's voice is calm but laced with an undeniable edge of curiosity and something else that Kirti can’t quite pinpoint. "Tell me."

The moment she hears his words, Kirti’s entire body tenses. Her heart skips a beat, and she can feel her breath catching in her throat. His voice, so close yet so commanding, sends a wave of discomfort through her. She knows that he’s standing right in front of her now, but she’s too scared to look up.

The soft clinking of fan and sound around them seem to fade as all her attention sharpens on Xiao Zhan's presence. His question is not just an inquiry—it feels more like an accusation, a challenge. And it leaves her feeling exposed, vulnerable.

With her hand still tightly gripping Diya’s, Kirti bites her lip, her thoughts racing. She feels trapped. Should she say something? Should she stand up and leave? But the thought of confronting him, especially here, in front of everyone, terrifies her. She’s not ready to face him, and certainly not to explain her actions.

Xiao Zhan’s eyes, as penetrating as ever, seem to read her every movement, every hesitation. The weight of his gaze feels almost tangible, and Kirti can feel the heat rising to her cheeks as she battles the urge to look at him.

"I... I didn’t want to talk to you," she whispers quietly, barely audible, hoping that her simple response will push him away. But deep down, she knows that Xiao Zhan doesn’t give up that easily.

Xiao Zhan stands there for a moment, watching Kirti’s nervous reaction closely. The tension between them is palpable, and as he studies her, a smirk plays at the corner of his lips. His eyes, intense and filled with an unspoken challenge, never leave her as he leans in slightly, his voice lowering to a seductive whisper.

"Why?" he asks again, his tone both curious and somewhat obsessive. "Why did you block me, Kirti? Is it something about me?"

Kirti’s heart races at the way he’s looking at her. She can feel his eyes on her, even though she’s determined to keep her gaze fixed firmly on her lap. The weight of his stare is too much, and the words catch in her throat. She’s trembling now, her grip on Diya’s hand tightening even more.

Taking a deep breath, Kirti forces herself to speak, her voice shaky but firm, though she still won’t look at him.

"I… I don’t talk to boys," she says, her words coming out in a nervous rush. Her cheeks burn with embarrassment, and she can feel her heart pounding in her ears.

Her voice barely reaches him, but Xiao Zhan’s expression softens just slightly, though the intensity in his eyes remains unchanged. Kirti can feel the discomfort pooling in her chest as the silence stretches, and she hopes he’ll just walk away.

But she knows Xiao Zhan. He’s not the type to let something like this go easily.

Xiao Zhan leans in a little closer, his presence overwhelming as he speaks, his voice low and smooth, almost coaxing. "I’m not like other boys, Kirti," he says, his words dripping with intent. "You don’t have to be scared of me."

Kirti feels a shiver run down her spine as the weight of his words settles in. She tries to keep her composure, but the combination of his voice and his proximity makes her feel like she’s trapped in an invisible bubble, unable to escape. Her grip on Diya’s hand tightens even further, but she still doesn’t dare to look up, too afraid of what she might see in his eyes.

"I just want to get to know you," Xiao Zhan continues, his tone softening slightly, but the underlying tension is unmistakable. "You don’t have to run away from me."

The way he says it makes Kirti's stomach twist in anxiety. She knows he’s not asking for a simple friendship—there’s something more in his voice, something that makes her pulse race with unease. But she can’t find the courage to look him in the eye, to respond in a way that will make him back off.

Instead, she forces out a shaky breath and whispers, "I... I can’t. I don’t know you." Her voice falters as she speaks, the weight of her words clashing with the desire to stay calm.

Xiao Zhan watches her for a moment longer, his expression unreadable. Then, with a small, almost imperceptible smile, he straightens up and steps back, but the air around them still crackles with unspoken tension. "I’ll wait, Kirti," he says, his voice still smooth, almost a promise. "When you’re ready to talk, I’ll be here."

And just like that, he turns to leave, his presence lingering in the air long after he’s walked away. Kirti is left standing there, her heart still pounding, trying to process what just happened.

Kirti’s heart races in her chest as Xiao Zhan walks away, his words echoing in her mind. The thought of him waiting for her, the idea that he might want something more, sends a wave of fear over her. She can feel the weight of his gaze lingering even though he’s no longer in front of her. The words "I’ll wait" circle in her thoughts like a haunting whisper.

The reality of the situation finally hits her, and she can’t push it away anymore. She doesn’t want any part of this—no friendship, no relationship, not with someone like him. Her stomach churns with anxiety as she imagines Xiao Zhan’s determination, his presence in her life.

"No, this isn’t right," she mutters to herself, feeling a sudden burst of panic. She can’t let him think he can just walk into her life whenever he pleases.

Before she knows it, she’s on her feet, following him out of the restaurant, her heart thudding in her chest. She doesn’t know what exactly she’s going to say, but she knows she has to stop this now before it gets worse. She can’t let him keep pushing his way into her life.

"Sir!" Kirti calls out, her voice trembling as she catches up with him. "Please, I can’t—" Her breath catches in her throat, and she struggles to find the right words. "I don’t want any relationship, any friendship with you. I can’t do this."

Xiao Zhan stops, turning to face her, his expression unreadable. Kirti feels her knees go weak as she stands there, unsure of what he’s thinking. But she knows she has to stand firm, even though every part of her wants to run away.

"I—I’m not ready," she says, her voice shaking but determined. "I don’t want this. Please, just… leave me alone

Xiao Zhan’s eyes glint with a mixture of amusement and obsession as he smirks at Kirti, slowly closing the distance between them. His presence is overwhelming, and with each step he takes toward her, Kirti feels the tension in the air grow thicker. It’s as if she’s become his prey, and he’s savoring every moment of this. His words, laced with a strange intensity, send a chill down her spine.

"Why, Kirti?" he asks in a voice that drips with confidence and something darker. "Why am I not good enough for you? Not good looking? Not rich enough? Tell me."

Kirti feels her pulse race as she instinctively takes a step back. The question catches her off guard, and she doesn’t know how to respond. But she refuses to show weakness—at least not in front of him. She tries to hold her ground, but her body betrays her, retreating a little further with each of his slow, deliberate steps.

"Why do you look at me like that?" Kirti whispers under her breath, her eyes still glued to the ground, not daring to meet his intense gaze. The fear inside her grows, but she tries to control it. She’s not going to let him intimidate her, not completely.

But Xiao Zhan isn’t backing off. He moves closer, until he’s standing directly in front of her. Kirti can feel the heat from his body, and his presence overwhelms her senses. He leans down, his face dangerously close to hers, and in a low, almost predatory tone, he asks again.

"Tell me, Kirti," he murmurs, his voice a seductive whisper that makes her skin prickle. "Why won’t you look at me? Why do you keep looking at your lap?"

The question hangs in the air, and Kirti feels trapped, her mind racing as she searches for the right words to make him stop. But the proximity, the way he’s cornered her, makes it nearly impossible to think clearly. She can feel the weight of his gaze on her, and she can’t shake the feeling that he’s studying her every move, trying to figure her out like some puzzle he’s determined to solve.

Kirti clenches her fists, trying to maintain control. She knows she has to stand up for herself, but the pressure of Xiao Zhan’s gaze makes it harder than ever to find her voice

Kirti's heart is pounding in her chest as Xiao Zhan gets even closer, his eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that sends a wave of unease through her. She can feel the weight of his gaze pressing against her, almost as if he’s trying to invade her very thoughts. It’s too much. She feels trapped in the small space between them, unable to escape his proximity.

Summoning all the courage she can muster, Kirti stammers, her voice trembling with nervousness. "C-Can you keep some distance?" she asks, her words barely above a whisper. She can’t stand how close he is, how his presence fills every inch of the room. But her plea only seems to make him more intrigued, more fixated on her.

Xiao Zhan doesn’t move, still sitting in front of her, his gaze unwavering, as if he’s savoring every moment of this tension. His eyes don’t leave hers, and Kirti feels her throat tighten as she struggles to speak.

"I… I can’t keep a relationship with you," Kirti forces out, her voice still shaky, but more determined now. "I will only marry the person my parents choose for me. I don’t want anything else. Please, can you stay away from me?"

Her heart races as she finishes speaking, the weight of her words hanging in the air between them. She’s never had to be this firm with anyone before, but something about Xiao Zhan—his presence, his intensity—has pushed her to this point. She doesn’t want to be involved with him, not in any way.

Xiao Zhan watches her for a moment, his expression unreadable. His eyes narrow slightly, studying her, but his smirk doesn’t fade. There’s something in the way he looks at her that makes Kirti’s skin crawl, as if he’s not hearing what she’s saying, but only plotting how to make her change her mind.

Finally, after what feels like an eternity, he speaks, his voice smooth and deliberate. "You say that now, Kirti," he murmurs. "But we both know how things can change."

With that, he stands up, taking a step back. But his eyes never leave her. "I’ll respect your wishes, for now," he says softly, his words laced with an underlying promise. "But don’t think you can escape me so easily."

And with that, Xiao Zhan turns and walks away, leaving Kirti standing there, breathless, her heart still racing, the weight of his words lingering in the air long after he’s gone.

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