Sidharth’s POV
As they stepped out of the Physics room, Sidharth’s palms were still clammy, his heart thudding harder than he wanted to admit. The noise of the bustling corridor felt distant, muffled under the weight of Sir’s words that kept looping in his head: “I’ve chosen you three for the competition.”
He clutched his notebook tightly, staring at the ground as they walked. Beside him, Natalia walked a little ahead, her books hugged close to her chest, her steps light but steady. She didn’t seem fazed at all—if anything, there was a quiet determination in the way her chin lifted ever so slightly.
Sidharth’s throat felt dry. She’s… really serious about this, he thought, equal parts impressed and overwhelmed. She answered questions in class so confidently, while he barely scraped through. Now he was supposed to team up with her and Nikhil?
A knot twisted in his stomach. It wasn’t just about the competition anymore. For Sidharth, this felt personal—like he needed to prove something, not just to Sir, but to himself. And maybe… to Natalia too.
He risked a glance at her. The morning sunlight through the corridor window caught in her hair, and for a moment, he froze. She looks so… calm. Like she belongs here. While I’m just… He exhaled sharply, shaking off the thought.
Sidharth had always been the quiet one, the boy who stayed in the background, unnoticed. But ever since Sir paired him with Natalia for study sessions, he couldn’t help but feel like he was slowly being dragged into her orbit.
I just hope I don’t mess this up, he prayed inwardly. For Sir’s sake… and for hers.
Nikhil’s POV
Nikhil strode out of the classroom with his hands shoved deep into his pockets, his usual cocky swagger hiding the storm brewing inside him. Outwardly, he looked cool and unaffected, but inside? He was ready to curse the entire situation.
A competition… with her? Seriously, Sir?
He shot a side glance at Natalia, walking a few steps ahead with Sidharth trailing near her. She was completely oblivious to the mess she’d just dragged him into, her focus clearly on the upcoming challenge.
Nikhil gritted his teeth. He didn’t want to admit it, but working this closely with a girl was going to cause problems—big ones. Not because Natalia had done anything wrong. No. It was because his friends would never let him live it down. The teasing, the jokes, the knowing smirks—it would ruin his carefully built image as the untouchable, effortlessly cool playboy.
And I can’t even ignore her like I do with other girls, he thought bitterly. Natalia wasn’t loud or attention-seeking. She was… different. Too innocent to even realize how she affected people around her.
And that was dangerous.
His eyes flicked to her again, lingering a moment longer than he intended. The way she adjusted the strap of her bag, completely unaware of his gaze, made his chest tighten with something he didn’t care to name.
Great. Just perfect, he cursed inwardly. How am I supposed to focus on Physics or Chemistry when she’s… like that?
Part of him wanted to back out, to tell Sir this whole thing was a mistake. But another part of him—one he didn’t want to acknowledge—felt a flicker of excitement.
Maybe this competition wouldn’t just test his academics. Maybe it would test his control, his patience, and his ability to keep his cool around Natalia.
He smirked faintly to himself, masking the war raging inside. Well… at least it won’t be boring.
With that thought, he fell into step beside Sidharth, already plotting how to handle the two weeks ahead.
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Updated 5 Episodes
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