That corner of the library always remained the emptiest. Near the window, an old desk — the very spot Kartik often sat at. He liked silence, and only the library offered him that.
In his hands was a dull book on Signals & Systems, but his mind kept drifting — again and again — toward Tanvi, the green-eyed girl who once handed him a pen without saying a word.
That day started off normal.
Until the mistake happened.
Kartik placed his water bottle on the desk, unaware that the cap wasn't properly closed. It toppled over — and cold water spilled straight into Tanvi's lap.
Her face instantly snapped up — the calm sadness in her eyes had now turned into something colder... rage. A quiet, piercing kind that cuts deeper than words.
"I... I'm sorry... really... it was an accident..." – Kartik quickly apologized.
Tanvi looked directly at him. A heavy silence fell across the library. And then, in a single line, she said:
"Don't show up here again."
Kartik stood frozen, mouth slightly open. Shock in his eyes. Guilt in his chest. He walked away silently... but something inside him had shaken.
That Evening
Outside the library, Kartik waited. He wanted to say something — a clarification maybe... or just a simple "Are you okay?" But as Tanvi walked out, she didn't even look his way.
He called from behind, "Tanvi, wait…"
She stopped, turned — and shoved him.
Kartik stumbled but said nothing. He simply looked at her, trying to understand what was hidden behind her eyes — but all he found was a wall of silence.
He went back to his hostel, quietly.
That Night – Rainfall & Collapse
It rained that night.
Kartik stood alone on his hostel balcony, without an umbrella. Sometimes, silence brings answers — or maybe just more questions.
Then he saw her — Tanvi, entering through the gate. Soaked, exhausted, clutching some books. Her steps were wobbly. And then... she collapsed.
Kartik didn't think for a second. He ran.
He lifted her gently in his arms and rushed towards her hostel block. The girls' hostel gate was locked — but Tanvi had a room key. Kartik searched her bag, found the key, and opened her room.
She was barely breathing. Fever. High.
There was no one else in the room. No friends. No one.
Just Kartik — the only person there that night.
He removed her wet jacket, placed her on the bed, and noticed her body burning with fever. He ran to the hostel kitchen, made instant soup, grabbed some medicine, and came back. He took a towel and began gently wiping her forehead and hands.
That's when her eyes slowly opened.
"You...?" – her voice was heavy and confused.
She looked at him — and within a second, her expression flipped to rage.
Slap.
"You touched me?! How dare you?!"
Kartik lowered his eyes. "I... I was just trying to help. You fainted. Please change your clothes... I'll wait outside."
And he left the room instantly.
Tanvi, still trembling with panic, changed her clothes. Her mind raced with fear. Her trust had died long ago — and Kartik, despite everything, still felt like a piece of that broken past.
Midnight Encounter
Kartik returned. This time with soup in hand. Tanvi's eyes were still red with anger.
"Please drink this," Kartik said softly. "Your fever's too high."
She shoved his hand away — then suddenly grabbed him by the collar and scratched his neck with her nails.
"What did you do to me? Tell me!"
Kartik closed his eyes, voice steady, "I did nothing. You collapsed. I only helped. Eat this... take your medicine... or you'll get worse."
There was only quiet truth in his words.
Tanvi said nothing. Her anger — it didn't vanish, but it weakened. Exhaustion weighed heavier now. Kartik fed her the soup slowly, massaged her feet gently, and then — taking a blanket — he lay on the floor near her bed.
Morning Realization
Sunlight streamed in.
Tanvi opened her eyes. Her head felt lighter — the fever had gone down. She looked around — Kartik was still there, asleep on the floor. His hand was resting close to her feet.
She shook him awake, fuming, "Why are you still here? Did you change my clothes?!"
Kartik didn't answer. He looked towards the table — the soup bowl, the medicine, the towel.
Tanvi saw it too.
And suddenly — a flood of memories returned. Kartik carrying her, wiping her forehead, feeding her.
Her face changed — from confusion to guilt... but her voice still carried anger.
"Just leave. Now."
Kartik said nothing. He picked up his bag, opened the door... and left.
Tanvi stared at that open door. Her eyes... they didn't hold tears, nor clarity — just a storm of emotional chaos.
In one night, Kartik had entered her pain.
And she didn't know whether to push him out... or hold on.