Chapter 33

Morning sunlight filtered through the tall arches of St. Xavier’s College, glinting off the glass windows as students hurried into their classes. The usual rhythm of the campus pulsed around them, but for two professors, the day already felt different—charged with the weight of things left unsaid.

Professor Poornima Rai arrived first. She wore a soft pastel kurta, her dupatta pinned neatly, her books hugged close to her chest. As she crossed the courtyard, she caught herself glancing toward the Economics wing—searching. When she realized it, she frowned slightly. Why am I looking for him? she scolded herself. Yet her heart knew.

Inside, her class was alive with chatter until she began. She spoke about romantic poetry, about how emotions often found their truest expression in silence. As she read a verse aloud, her own mind betrayed her, whispering: Eyes speak where words dare not. Her voice faltered for a second before she steadied it, forcing a calm smile for her students.

At the same time, Professor Veeresh Raj strode into his lecture hall. His posture was straight, his voice strong, his chalk moving across the board with crisp precision. He explained business models and market growth, his tone firm, every example sharp. But even as he spoke of numbers, his mind replayed the softness in her eyes the night before.

When the bell rang, fate pulled them into the same corridor.

Poornima stepped out of her class, adjusting her dupatta, her books still in her arms. Veeresh was walking toward the staff room, files in hand. Their eyes met in the middle of the hallway.

The world narrowed.

Her eyes—calm but questioning—searched his. Why do you keep coming closer only to push me away?

His gaze, sharp yet restless, lingered. Because you make me forget everything else. And that is dangerous.

Neither spoke. Students walked past, greeting them with “Good morning, sir! Good morning, ma’am!” but the two professors barely moved. Only when a colleague called out to Poornima did she break eye contact, giving a polite nod before moving ahead.

Veeresh continued to the staff room, but his grip on the file was tighter than before.