Yesterday, something had changed.

Aarav had been caught off guard. She had felt his heartbeat race beneath her palm, and even if he denied it, she knew the truth—he wasn’t as indifferent as he pretended to be.

And today… she wanted more proof.

As she strolled through the corridor, she spotted Aarav ahead of her, standing by his locker. He looked effortlessly cool, as always—messy hair, sleeves rolled up, an unreadable expression on his face.

Tanya smirked. Not unreadable enough, though.

Just as she was about to call out to him, a group of students passed by, blocking her path. By the time she moved past them, Aarav was gone.

Frowning, she turned and walked toward the library.

The library was quiet, except for the soft rustling of pages. Tanya weaved through the aisles, searching for a book she needed for her assignment. Just as she reached for it, another hand brushed against hers.

A jolt of warmth shot up her arm.

She looked up—straight into Aarav’s eyes.

For a second, neither of them moved.

Tanya’s fingers were still lightly touching his as they both held onto the book. She could feel his warmth, the slight tension in his grip, the way his breath hitched.

He was about to pull away, but she tightened her hold slightly. “We keep meeting like this, don’t we?”

Aarav cleared his throat and quickly let go, stepping back. “It’s a library. People come here to study.”

Tanya smiled, running her fingers over the book’s spine. “And yet, you happened to want the exact same book as me. Coincidence?”

Aarav didn’t answer. Instead, he exhaled and crossed his arms. “Just take it.”

Tanya tilted her head. “Or… we could share it.”

His eyes narrowed. “Share?”

She pulled out a chair at a nearby table. “You need the book. I need the book. Instead of waiting for each other to finish, we can go through it together.”

Aarav hesitated.

Tanya leaned forward slightly. “Are you scared to study with me, Aarav?”

His jaw clenched. “Scared? Of you?”

She shrugged. “Then sit.”

He looked at her for a long moment before sighing and dropping into the chair beside her.

They flipped open the book, but Tanya was barely paying attention to the words. Every time their hands accidentally brushed—while turning the page, reaching for a pen—Aarav stiffened.

Tanya bit her lip to hide a smile.

He felt it.

Every single touch.

And that made her feel victorious.

Later that afternoon, as Tanya stepped out of the library, she adjusted her bag strap and glanced at her phone.

Before she could react, a stack of books from a nearby student wobbled and toppled over, scattering across the floor.

Tanya immediately bent down to help. As she reached for one of the books, another hand grabbed it at the same time.

Aarav. Again.

She looked up at him, and this time, she didn’t miss the way his breath stuttered for a moment.

“Are you following me?” she teased.

Aarav sighed, shaking his head. “You’re impossible.”

She grinned. “And you’re predictable. You always help.”

He handed her the book without a word, but his fingers lingered against hers for a second longer than necessary.

Tanya felt it again—the warmth, the slight tremor, the silent proof.

Aarav Mehta was losing his grip.

And she was just getting started.