Viren's eyes flicked between them again, a muscle in his jaw ticking. He looked like he was about to say something, but then stopped himself. Instead, he grabbed a stack of books and turned sharply, heading toward the shelves closest to where they were supposed to be working.
Aarushi let out a breath she didn't realize she had been holding. The tension between them seemed to thrum in the air, and she couldn't help but wonder why Viren had been so on edge. He usually didn't care enough to get this worked up—especially over something as trivial as who helped her with a task.
Aarav scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Uh, should I...?"
"It's fine," Aarushi muttered, her eyes still following Viren's retreating form. "Let's just get this done."
As they began sorting through the books, Aarushi found herself glancing at Viren every so often. His shoulders were tense, his usual easy confidence replaced with something heavier, more brooding. It was unlike him. But she wasn't about to dwell on it—she had enough on her plate without trying to figure out the enigma that was Viren Sharma.
As they got to work, the air between them buzzed with unresolved tension, each movement heavy with the weight of unspoken words and buried feelings. 
Aarushi couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. Whenever she and Aarav came into close proximity, she noticed Viren lingering in the nearby rows, his gaze never leaving them. She tried to ignore it, focusing on the task at hand, but the awareness of his presence was like an itch she couldn't scratch. 
Even though he was busy with the books, every time Aarav got a little too close, or their hands brushed as they reached for the same shelf, she'd hear the unmistakable thud of a book being dropped a little too loudly, or the sound of a shelf being shoved shut with unnecessary force.
Aarushi tried to ignore it, but the persistent disruptions were starting to wear on her nerves. What was his problem?
Finally, as she finished organizing the last of the books, Aarushi thanked Aarav. "Thanks for the help, Aarav. I owe you one—maybe a treat sometime?"
Aarav smiled, his chocolate-brown eyes warm as he responded, "Looking forward to it."
Aarushi quickly gathered her things and left the library without glancing back, but she could still feel the weight of Viren's stare on the back of her head as she hurried down the hallway.
At Home
As soon as Aarushi entered her apartment, the warm, inviting aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air. Her best friend, Neil, was busy in the tiny kitchen, humming to himself as he stirred something in a pot.
"Well, well, how was your library outing with one of your best friends?" Neil teased, a playful grin on his face as he glanced at her over his shoulder.
Aarushi groaned, dropping her bag onto the floor and kicking off her shoes. "Don't even start, Neil. It was a disaster waiting to happen. And the disaster's name is Viren Sharma."
Neil laughed, setting the pot on the stove to simmer. "Ah, the infamous Mr. Sharma. I'm surprised the library didn't collapse under the weight of all that tension."
Aarushi rolled her eyes, too tired to argue. "It's exhausting dealing with him. I just want to get through this last year without any more drama."
Neil handed her a bowl of soup, his expression softening. "You will. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for. But until then, eat something and get some rest."
Aarushi smiled gratefully, taking the bowl from him. "Thanks, Neil. You're the best."
As exhaustion settled into her bones, Aarushi changed into her pajamas and placed a soft, knitted throw over the couch, arranging a pillow while her thoughts drifted off, memories of when she first arrived at college surfaced. She had been desperate to find a cheap place to stay and had been lucky to find Neil. He had been a godsend from the start, helping her navigate the city and adjust to her new life. 
The couch wasn't the most comfortable, but it was hers. Neil had insisted on contributing more to the rent as he took the only bed in the one BHK apartment and Aarushi was not complaining as long as she had a roof over her head and food on the plate. 
But the past still haunted her—the parents who had abandoned her when she was too young to understand why. Everyone had told her they were dead, but she knew better. They hadn't died; they had just run away, unable to handle the responsibility of raising a child. All she had left was an uncle who wasn't exactly warm or nurturing, but he cared for her in his own way. To avoid being a burden on him, she relied on her savings and worked tirelessly to support herself.
As she laid down on the semi-firm couch, the day's events played over in her mind. The weight of everything—her studies, her previous part-time jobs, and the constant pressure of staying on top—was starting to take its toll. But tonight, at least, she hoped for a few hours of peace.
Just as she was about to drift off to sleep, her phone buzzed on the table next to her.  Her heart skipped a beat when she saw an unknown number. Hesitating for a moment, she opened the message.
"Stay away from Viren if you know what's good for you."
Aarushi's breath caught in her throat. Who could have sent this? And why? She sat up, staring at the screen, trying to make sense of the cryptic warning.
Was this a prank, or was there something more to it? She felt a chill run down her spine. Maybe this year wasn't going to be as simple as she had hoped.
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