College life had a way of blurring lines - between classmates and friends, strangers and confidantes, teasing and flirting, and sometimes... between friendship and something a little more.
That's exactly where Kabir and Rhea found themselves now.
They hadn't confessed anything. Neither had spoken words like "I like you" or "I miss you", but it was there. In the way their eyes sought each other in a crowded classroom. In the way their conversations stretched late into the night. In the way Kabir now waited for her outside class, or how Rhea secretly looked forward to their canteen breaks more than she'd admit.
The air between them was changing - and they both felt it.
---
Morning Moments
The morning sun poured through the half-drawn curtains of Rhea's hostel room as she groaned and grabbed her phone. A message blinked on her screen.
Kabir:
Hope you're not thinking of skipping class today. You owe me coffee.
A sleepy smile tugged at her lips.
Rhea:
In your dreams, Malhotra.
Kabir:
Every night, Sharma😉.
She rolled her eyes, typing fast.
Rhea:
Loser.
A second later, another ping.
Kabir:
See you in 20.
Rhea shook her head, that giddy feeling returning like it always did with him.
---
Classroom
When Rhea reached class, Kabir was already there, sitting on the edge of her desk like he belonged there. He had that smug grin on his face - the one she pretended to hate but secretly waited for.
"Late as usual," he teased.
"Not everyone can run around campus looking like a budget Bollywood hero," she shot back, sliding into her seat.
"Budget? Excuse me, I'm premium material."
"Keep telling yourself that, Malhotra."
He chuckled, leaning a little closer. "Admit it, Sharma. You missed me."
She raised a brow, biting back a smile. "As much as I miss surprise pop quizzes."
The professor arrived, and as soon as the lecture began, Kabir started with his usual note-passing antics.
A bet: you'll check your phone before the lecture ends.
Rhea scribbled back.
Bet you won't survive this class without flirting with me.
Kabir grinned when he read it, then dramatically placed his hand on his heart like she'd mortally wounded him.
As the lecture went on, he'd nudge her elbow, pass snide remarks about the professor's wardrobe choices, and whisper jokes that made Rhea stifle her laughter.
At one point, when the professor asked a question and Rhea answered it perfectly, Kabir leaned over and murmured, "Beauty and brains? Dangerous combination."
Rhea shot him a side-eye glare, though the blush creeping up her neck betrayed her.
---
Canteen
By noon, they were at their usual canteen corner table, both pretending to care about the group assignment while sipping iced coffee.
"You're so lazy," Rhea said, scrolling through her phone.
"Correction - I work smarter, not harder," Kabir replied, stealing one of her fries.
"Smarter? You didn't even know we had a presentation next week."
"I rely on reliable sources," he winked at her.
"Flattery won't save you."
He laughed, brushing a stray hair strand from her face, his fingers lingering for a second too long. Rhea's breath caught. Neither said anything.
To break the tension, she blurted, "You still owe me a treat."
Kabir leaned in. "Name it."
"Cafe date," she challenged. "And no, not your cheap roadside coffee. A proper one."
He smirked. "So it's a date then?"
She scoffed. "In your dreams."
"Every single one, Sharma."
She couldn't help the smile that slipped through. God, this boy was impossible.
They went back to their class. After attending classes they head to a cafe.
---
Cafe
The evening air was crisp as Kabir and Rhea made their way to their favorite café, a small, hidden place at the corner of a quiet street. The glow of fairy lights draped across the entrance gave it a warm, inviting look. Inside, soft acoustic music played, and the low hum of quiet conversations blended with the scent of freshly brewed coffee.
Kabir pushed the door open for her. "Ladies first."
Rhea chuckled, shaking her head. "Such a gentleman."
They picked their usual spot - a corner table by the window. The city lights twinkled outside, the soft clink of cups and the mellow guitar tunes setting a perfect mood. Kabir ordered his regular hazelnut cappuccino, while Rhea went for a caramel latte.
As they waited, Rhea leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand. "So, Mr. Cool, what's going on in that mysterious head of yours?"
Kabir smirked, leaning back in his chair. "If I told you, it wouldn't be mysterious anymore, would it?"
Rhea rolled her eyes, laughing. "Come on, Kabir. You've been acting weird lately. Quiet one minute, teasing the next."
Kabir hesitated for a split second before covering it up with a playful grin. "Maybe I just like messing with you."
Their drinks arrived, and for a moment they sipped in silence, both acutely aware of the electric undercurrent between them.
"You know," Rhea started, tracing patterns on her cup, "it's kind of crazy how we ended up like this. Who would've thought?"
Kabir tilted his head. "Like what?"
She shrugged, avoiding his gaze. "I mean... this. Us. Spending all this time together. It wasn't the plan, was it?"
Kabir's voice softened. "No, it wasn't. But I'm not complaining."
Their eyes met, a long, loaded glance that neither of them broke for a good few seconds.
"So," Kabir cleared his throat, breaking the moment with a smirk, "if you had to pick - one place in the world you could go right now, where would it be?"
Rhea smiled, grateful for the distraction. "Somewhere by the beach. At night. With fairy lights and good music."
Kabir grinned. "Noted. I'll make it happen one day."
"You wish," she teased, but her heart skipped a beat at the thought.
They spent the next hour lost in conversation - from silly college gossip to their childhood memories, and their weirdest fears. Every time Kabir would tease her about her obsession with romantic movies, she'd roll her eyes and nudge him with her foot under the table.
And though neither of them spoke it aloud, both of them knew. The feelings were there, hanging in the air between them like the fairy lights above - warm, undeniable, and waiting.
---
Evening Walk
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Rhea stepped out for a walk. She had barely reached out of the cafe when Kabir appeared, tossing a hoodie at her.
"It's getting chilly," he said nonchalantly.
She caught it. "What are you, my mother now?"
"I care, sue me."
Rhea pulled the hoodie over her head, inhaling the faint scent of his cologne. She hoped the dusk light hid the warmth rising in her cheeks.
They walked side by side, teasing, arguing over which actor was better, who could win an arm-wrestling match, and debating Rhea's questionable taste in music.
"Okay, admit it," Kabir grinned. "Your playlist's trash."
"It's superior to your sad excuse for a playlist."
"Sharma, you have Justin Bieber in your top five."
"Don't you dare disrespect my pop prince."
Their bickering gave way to soft silences, moments where neither spoke but both felt that strange, pleasant awareness of each other.
At one point, Rhea caught Kabir watching her, his expression softer than usual.
"What?" she asked.
He shrugged. "Nothing. Just... you look nice in my hoodie."
And there it was - the flutter again.
---
Nighttime
Later that night, as Rhea lay in bed scrolling through memes, a message from Kabir popped up.
Kabir:
You still awake?
Rhea:
Obviously. Who sleeps before midnight?
Kabir:
Good. 'Cause I had to say... you're not that annoying after all.
Rhea:
Wow. Should I frame this compliment?
Kabir:
I mean it, Sharma. I... I like hanging out with you.
She stared at the screen, heart skipping a beat.
Rhea:
Same, Malhotra.
A minute later, another message arrived.
Kabir:
Wrote something for you.
He sent a poem.
Some people crash into your life
like summer rain - sudden, reckless, beautiful,
and before you know it,
you're standing there,
drenched, laughing,
and hoping it never stops.
Rhea read it thrice, her heart thudding.
Rhea:
It's beautiful.
Kabir:
Not as beautiful as you.
She rolled her eyes, but the grin wouldn't leave her face.
Rhea:
Goodnight, idiot.
Kabir:
Sweet dreams, Sharma.
As she switched off the lights, Rhea realised it.
They were a little more than friends now.
Not quite lovers.
Not officially a couple.
But something in between.
Something real.
And she didn't mind one bit.
---
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