The first time she heard her name from him, it didn't feel wrong.
It felt... practiced.
"Avni," Aarav said, standing just close enough to make her heart skip, but not enough to give her a reason to move away.
She turned from the bookshelf, a surprised smile flickering on her face.
"You know my name?"
He didn't blink. "Everyone does."
It was a lie. Most people barely noticed her outside class.
But something about the way he said it made her believe him.
His voice was calm, smooth like still water. And yet, there was a quiet current under it — dangerous, almost pulling her in.
They were in the library. 4th floor. Section D.
Nobody came there at that hour.
"You read poetry?" she asked, glancing at the book in his hand.
The Art of Burning Slowly.
He looked at the cover like it meant nothing to him. "Not really."
"Then why this book?"
"Because you were here."
Her heart paused for half a beat. And before her mind could form a response, he stepped back, giving her space again.
"Sorry," he said, soft but unapologetic. "That came out wrong."
Avni nodded, unsure if it had.
---
For the next few days, she noticed him more.
In small glances. Brief moments. Passing encounters that didn't feel like coincidences anymore.
He never lingered too long. Never forced a conversation.
But somehow… he was always there.
When she forgot her water bottle during class, it was returned by someone she didn't know — with a note: Stay hydrated, Ms. Mehta.
No name. But a handwriting she later saw in his notebook.
When her roommate caught the flu, and Avni posted online asking for ginger, a delivery boy showed up within twenty minutes. No bill. No sender.
She laughed it off at first.
"Coincidence," she told herself.
But deep down, a strange shiver lived behind her spine.
---
One evening, as she waited outside the auditorium for her drama club meeting, Kabir came jogging up beside her, grinning.
"You're getting popular, Avni."
She raised a brow. "How so?"
"Someone's got a serious crush. Silent types are dangerous, I tell you."
Her smile faltered.
"What do you mean?"
He shrugged, eyes dancing with mischief. "That Aarav guy. Tall, looks like he kills emotions for breakfast. He was staring at you in class today. Like—"
Kabir narrowed his eyes, mimicking a death stare, "—you murdered his cat and he still wanted to marry you."
Avni chuckled awkwardly. "Don't be dramatic."
But Kabir leaned closer. "No seriously, I think he likes you. Be careful though. I've heard weird things."
She frowned. "What kind of weird things?"
Kabir looked around, lowering his voice. "Like… last year, a guy who tried to mess with him disappeared from college. Another time, a professor got suspended after shouting at him in class. No proof, but Aarav doesn't need proof. He just… exists like a threat."
Avni stared at him, unsure whether to laugh or feel uneasy.
Kabir nudged her shoulder. "You're too sweet to get involved in stuff like that. Promise me you'll stay away, okay?"
She nodded, but something about his words stuck with her.
---
That night, she got a message on her phone.
Unknown Number
Stay away from Kabir.
Her fingers trembled.
She read it again.
Stay away from Kabir.
She replied instantly.
Who is this?
No answer.
She blocked the number and tried to sleep.
She couldn't.
---
Next day, Kabir didn't come to class.
She texted him. No reply.
By noon, rumors were flying: Kabir had been caught cheating in an online exam. Disciplinary action. Suspension for two weeks.
Avni felt sick.
Her head spun as she left the classroom and ran into — him.
Aarav stood near the staircase, as calm as a winter morning.
She looked at him. Hard.
"Did you do something to Kabir?"
His expression didn't change. "Why would I?"
"He got suspended," she said, voice low but sharp. "Right after I got a threatening message. From an unknown number."
"I'm sorry to hear that," he said, like it was news to him. "But you should be careful, Avni. Some people pretend to be your friends. Then hurt you."
"Are you threatening me?"
His jaw tightened. Just a flicker. Barely there.
"No," he said. "I'm protecting you."
He took a step closer. She stepped back.
"I don't need protection," she said firmly.
His gaze dipped to her lips for the briefest moment. "You will."
---
Later that evening, she told her roommate about everything.
"Maybe he just likes you," her friend said, munching chips. "Guys get weird when they fall hard."
"This isn't love. It's scary."
"Then tell him off. Directly."
But could she?
Somewhere, a part of her didn't want to.
Not yet.
---
Two nights later, she found a gift at her door.
No name. No note. Just a box wrapped in silver.
Inside was a book — her favorite.
And a sketch.
Her sketch.
Someone had drawn her — exactly the way she sat in the library, looking out the window. Every detail. From the loose strand of hair near her ear to the small scar on her wrist.
Only one person had seen her like that.
She dropped the sketch in horror and backed away.
---
The next morning, she waited for him near the parking lot.
When she saw him, she didn't hesitate.
"You're crossing a line," she said.
He didn't pretend to misunderstand.
"You sent me a drawing of myself. How do you even—what do you want from me?"
He looked at her. Really looked. Not like a man in love. Like a man obsessed.
"I don't want anything from you, Avni."
She blinked.
"I just want everything around you to be… perfect. Safe. Protected. Uncontaminated."
She felt her stomach twist. "You sound insane."
Aarav leaned in.
"You smiled at me," he whispered. "That day. Do you remember?"
She swallowed.
"That one smile ruined me," he continued, voice calm. "Now, nothing else matters. I don't want the world. I just want it away from you."
Avni stared at him in disbelief.
"This is not love," she said.
"No," he agreed. "It's not. Love is weak. This… this is devotion."
She turned and walked away, faster than her breath.
And behind her, he stood still.
Smiling.
---
That night, she received another message.
Unknown Number
You've been warned. Don't test me again.