The dorm was quieter than usual. After everything that had happened between Shumaila and Hamza, the group had finally taken a step back to breathe. But Akansha felt like she hadn't exhaled in weeks.
She sat on her bed, her laptop open but long forgotten. Her mind was elsewhere.
On him.
Aarav.
She wasn't the type to get caught up in emotions. She had always been the rational one—the one who analysed situations before diving in. But Aarav had a way of disrupting her carefully built walls without even trying.
She liked him.
There was no point denying it anymore.
But liking someone was easy. Trusting them was another thing entirely.
She had agreed to let him court her, partly because she was curious if he would actually put in the effort and partly because… she liked the way he looked at her. Like she was someone worth chasing.
But how long could she let this go on before she ruined it?
Before she pulled away too much?
She sighed, closing her laptop and rubbing her temples. This wasn't like her. She needed to stop overthinking. But Aarav made her feel things she wasn't used to, and it terrified her.
Aarav had been consistent.
More than anyone she had ever known.
From the moment he had declared that he was going to court her, he hadn't wavered once. Not in words, not in actions.
He showed up when she didn't expect him to.
"I figured you'd forget breakfast, so here." He had casually handed her a sandwich one morning before class, acting like it was no big deal.
She had taken it without thinking, but later that day, she realized… he had been paying attention. He knew she often skipped meals when she was too focused on classes.
Then there were the little moments.
How he always adjusted his walking pace to match hers.
How he remembered the tiny details she never thought anyone noticed.
How he always teased her but never crossed the line.
And the one thing she was really struggling with?
The way he touched her.
Not in a way that was forceful. Not in a way that made her uncomfortable.
Just... casual, yet intentional.
Like the way he would brush a stray strand of hair behind her ear when she was too distracted to do it herself.
Or the way his fingers would linger when he passed her something, just long enough to make her heart race.
He was patient, steady, unwavering.
And she was running out of excuses.
It happened after class.
The group had split up, everyone heading back to their dorms or making plans for the weekend. Aarav had walked her to the library—something he had done multiple times before.
But today felt different.
She could feel the weight of his gaze, sensing that he had been waiting to say something.
And then, just as she turned to leave, he finally spoke.
"Akansha."
She froze at the way he said her name. There was no teasing lilt, no playful smirk.
Just... honesty.
She slowly turned around, meeting his gaze.
"What's going on?" he asked, voice steady. "I mean, really?"
Akansha blinked. "What do you mean?"
Aarav exhaled, running a hand through his hair before giving her a pointed look.
"I told you I'd court you. And I meant that. But you… you keep pulling away."
Her stomach tightened. "I—"
"No." He shook his head. "I need you to be honest with me. Do you actually want this, or are you just waiting for me to give up?"
She flinched slightly at his bluntness, caught off guard.
"I—" she started again, then stopped, exhaling sharply.
Aarav took a step closer. "Because if you don't want this, tell me now."
Akansha knew she should say something. Anything.
But nothing came out.
Because she didn't want him to give up.
She just… didn't know how to say it.
Aarav watched her carefully, waiting. Giving her space, but not letting her escape.
She swallowed, heart pounding.
Then, instead of answering, she slowly reached for his hand.
Aarav stilled.
His eyes flickered with something unreadable, but he didn't pull away.
Instead, he simply turned his palm upward, interlocking their fingers.
Akansha felt her breath hitch at the simple act. It felt... different.
Real.
Aarav didn't push further. He just held her hand.
And for the first time, she didn't let go.
The next time they all hung out, the group noticed. Of course, they did.
Siddarth raised an eyebrow at Aarav, then at Akansha. "So… something changed?"
Akansha rolled her eyes. "Don't start."
Komal smirked. "Oh, we're definitely starting."
"Rudra, you owe me 500 rupees," Sneha said, grinning.
Rudra groaned. "Dammit, I thought she'd hold out at least another week."
Akansha groaned, but the warmth from Aarav's hand on hers didn't fade.
Later that evening, as they walked back to their dorms, Aarav glanced at her.
"So… does this mean I'm officially past the courting phase?"
Akansha huffed a laugh. "Not even close."
Aarav grinned. "Challenge accepted."
And for the first time, she didn't feel the urge to run.