The morning sunlight streamed through the hostel window, falling on Arjun's face, but his eyes were already open. Sleep had evaded him all night. Over and over, he found himself thinking about Priya—her smile, her touch, and especially that last line: "You'll love the surprise tomorrow."
What kind of girl is she? Arjun thought, staring at the ceiling. Friendly? Flirty? Or… something else? Normal girls don't look at someone so deeply, right? How does she know so much about a complete stranger?
He got up before the 7 a.m. alarm rang. Rohit was still asleep, sprawled in the guitar corner, clothes scattered everywhere—a classic roommate mess.
Arjun quietly went to the bathroom and freshened up. Staring into the mirror, he noticed dark circles. Great, now I look like a zombie. If Priya sees me like this…
Wait. Why do I even care so much about how I look for her?
He shrugged on a light blue shirt and jeans, applied a bit of gel—something he normally reserved for special days. Foolish. Why am I even trying this hard?
But deep down, he already knew the answer.
---
The mess hall was crowded with the morning rush. Students lined up for potato parathas, the air thick with the aroma of chai and noisy chatter about assignments, weekend plans, and complaints about hostel food.
Arjun chose his usual corner table, back to the door so he wouldn't keep glancing outside. Yet his peripheral vision remained alert.
She won't come this early. Psychology students probably sleep till ten.
But precisely at 8:15 a.m., while Arjun was halfway through his second paratha, a familiar jasmine scent hit him.
Priya walked into the mess hall, hair perfectly set, wearing a light pink kurta and white jeans, effortlessly beautiful. This wasn't coincidence—her eyes scanned the room, locking onto Arjun.
How did she know I'd be here at this time?
She carried a tray—simple breakfast, an apple, coffee—and chose a table. There were plenty of empty tables, but she picked the one diagonally across from him. Perfect observation angle.
Arjun tried focusing on his food, but he could feel her gaze. Every few seconds, she casually looked up, met his eyes, then glanced away with a faint smile.
She's watching me eat. It's weird. But… it doesn't feel weird.
Midway through breakfast, Priya got up for a coffee refill. Passing by his table, her dupatta deliberately brushed against his shoulder.
"Good morning, Arjun," she said sweetly, slowing her pace just a fraction.
"G-good morning," he stammered, cheeks immediately warming.
Then, suddenly, something happened… "by accident." Her coffee mug tilted—just a few drops spilling near Arjun's chair.
"Oh no! I'm so careless," Priya said, bending down with a tissue.
But instead of just cleaning, she strategically positioned herself near his feet, shoulder brushing his knee as she wiped the floor.
"Sorry, did it fall on you?" she asked, looking up with wide, innocent eyes—but with a playful glint.
Arjun's breath hitched. From this angle, her face was close, her perfume stronger. "N-no, I'm fine."
"Should I check?" she murmured softly, hand brushing near his ankle—completely unnecessary, yet sending jolts through him.
"You okay?" she whispered, still bent, voice meant only for him.
Before Arjun could respond, Rohit appeared with his tray.
"Arjun! There you are! I was looking—oh." Rohit paused mid-step, taking in the scene.
Priya straightened casually, tissue in hand, smile perfectly innocent. "Just cleaning up a little mess. Hi, you must be Rohit—Arjun's roommate, right?"
Rohit raised an eyebrow. How does she know my name?
"Yes… and you are?"
"Priya. Second-year Psychology," she extended her hand, but her eyes remained on Arjun. "Arjun and I… study partners."
Study partners? Since when? Arjun thought, but he didn't correct her in front of Rohit.
"Study partners?" Rohit teased. "Arjun never mentioned a study partner. Especially not one this beautiful."
Arjun swallowed nervously. "Rohit!"
Priya chuckled softly. "Thanks, Rohit. You're sweet. But don't embarrass Arjun too much—he turns so red."
All three looked at Arjun, whose face had indeed gone crimson.
"I should go," Priya said, picking up her tray. "See you later, Arjun. In the library?" Her tone was casual, but her eyes were claiming.
As she walked away, Rohit let out a low whistle. "Bro, what's happening? That girl is clearly… into you!"
"Nothing's happening," Arjun said.
"Nothing? Dude, she was at your knees! And she knows my name! Since when are you this popular?"
Arjun had no answer, because he was asking himself the same thing.
---
After breakfast, Arjun had his computer networks class on the third floor, Block C. Usually boring, but today his mind was elsewhere.
During the break, as he headed toward the library, something strange caught his eye.
At the coffee counter—there she was, the same girl, hair neat, pink kurta.
Priya? Her classes were in the Psychology building, completely separate.
He tried to ignore her, but curiosity won. He peeked again—definitely Priya, ordering coffee, books in hand.
Maybe she had a free period too.
Passing the corridor on the way to his next class—same pink kurta, walking in the same direction, maintaining distance.
Coincidence.
At lunch, standing in the cafeteria line—he felt like someone was watching. Turning around—Priya at a different counter, positioned perfectly to see him.
This was getting weird.
By afternoon, the pattern became clear. Wherever Arjun went—library, academic blocks, near the hostel gate—Priya was somewhere nearby. Not directly following, but always present. Always watching.
Is she… stalking me? But not so blatantly that I notice immediately?
The internal struggle began. One part of him should feel fear—this wasn't normal behavior. But another part… felt special. Finally, someone considered him worth noticing.
Maybe I'm overthinking. Delhi University is big, but not that big. Same spots, same times—it could be natural.
But deep down, he knew the truth.
---
At 3 p.m., Arjun deliberately headed to the library. If Priya was there, he'd confront her—figure out if this pattern was coincidence.
She was already there. Same corner, but today with a slightly different setup—she'd placed her table close to his usual spot. Not directly in front—beside. So close they were almost sharing the desk.
"Hi, Arjun," she greeted warmly, making the new arrangement feel entirely natural.
"Hi… you moved your table today."
"Better lighting here," she said simply, patting the chair beside her. "Come, sit. I saved this spot for you."
Saved for me? Arjun hesitated. The proximity was intense—her elbow could easily brush his, hair near, notes in view.
Then he noticed what she was writing.
Her notebook was open—not regular Psychology notes, but detailed observations:
"Subject shows increased nervousness if eye contact exceeds three seconds."
"Positive response to physical proximity—does not withdraw; breathing pattern changes."
"Coffee shop interaction: pupils dilate, speech stutters."
She's actually documenting me! Like I'm a research subject!
"Priya," Arjun whispered, "what are you actually writing?"
She looked up innocently. "Psychology. Second-year, remember?"
"No, I mean right now. In that notebook."
Priya glanced at the notes, then smiled faintly at him. "Observational study. Human behavioral patterns in specific social stimuli."
"And I'm the subject?"
"You're the most interesting case study I've seen." She leaned in, voice barely a whisper. "The way intelligent introverts respond to attention is fascinating. It's a balance—enjoying stimulation, yet feeling uncomfortable when it's too much."
Her breath brushed his ear. Arjun's heartbeat accelerated.
"You've been following me across campus," he murmured.
"Doing what?" she looked genuinely surprised. "Or are you just noticing more now?"
That… actually made sense. Maybe I'm noticing her because she's stuck in my head.
"But admit it," Priya continued, "I've strategically positioned myself."
"Strategically positioned means stalking."
Priya laughed softly. "Stalking has malicious intent. I'm purely academically interested." She paused, then added with a mischievous smile, "Mostly academic."
'Mostly'?
"Also," she said, opening her book, "you didn't complain. You didn't avoid me. You didn't stop me. In fact, you came here today knowing I might be here."
Arjun couldn't argue—that was true.
"And," she leaned in closer, hand casually resting on the table, fingers just inches away, "your body language tells me you're enjoying the attention more than you admit."
How is she so precise? It's like she can read my mind.
For the next hour, they sat close. Priya occasionally asked innocent questions—"What's your favorite programming language?" "Do you prefer studying in the morning or evening?"—but Arjun noticed she was taking notes on every answer.
She's profiling me.
Yet instead of feeling trapped, he felt… intrigued. For the first time, someone was trying this seriously to understand him.
---
Around 5 p.m., Priya began packing her books.
"I should go. But Arjun," she turned fully toward him, "I promised a surprise today."
Arjun's heart raced. "What kind of surprise?"
Priya smiled mysteriously. "One that will require you to trust me. Are you free at 7?"
"I… yes, but why?"
"Meet me behind the library, near the old banyan tree. You know which one?"
Arjun nodded. Every student knew that tree—popular spot for couples, quiet chats, sometimes group study.
"Good." Priya stood, flipping her hair to the side—Arjun's stomach fluttered as always. "And Arjun? Dress nicely. You always look good, yes, but today… it's special," she added with a wink.
She left, leaving her signature jasmine scent—and a wildly racing heart.
What kind of surprise requires dressing well? At 7? By the banyan tree?
A flood of thoughts—some innocent, some foolish, some slightly scary—raced through him, recalling her observational habits.
She could plan anything. I barely know her. This could be dangerous.
But even as his rational mind warned him, his feet were already moving toward the banyan tree.
Why am I so curious about someone who's clearly treating me like a subject?
And why does it feel attractive rather than scary?
Arjun slowly packed his books, mind racing. Two hours until 7. Two hours to decide whether he had the courage to find out what Priya's special surprise really was.
This girl is dangerous. But I think… I need to know just how dangerous.
The library's evening light streamed through the windows.