Tejasswi’s hands gripped the worn spine of an old book as she sat alone at a table in the library, her mind buzzing with thoughts of Karan. Her curiosity about him had turned into something more—a need, a compulsion to uncover the parts of him he kept buried. She wasn’t sure when it happened, but now, her thoughts circled around him with an intensity that scared her.

Today, Karan was late. Tejasswi felt a pang of disappointment, but she tried to focus on the pages in front of her. Just as she began to wonder if he’d show up at all, she heard his familiar footsteps echo down the aisle. She didn’t look up, sensing his eyes on her as he approached.