zebra569 this one is for you bhai..

For Kuldeep Yadav, love had always been a complex, almost impossible phenomenon. He never believed in love at first sight. In his eyes, love wasn't something that bloomed in an instant-it took time, patience, and a deep understanding of the other person. Feelings didn't just appear out of nowhere; they had to be nurtured. Love, he thought, was a slow, delicate process that unfolded like the pages of a well-written book, each chapter revealing a new layer of emotions.

So, when he sat in his Monday morning class, listening to the rustling of pages and the murmurs of students around him, the last thing he expected was for his heart to betray him.

The moment the new professor walked into the classroom, Kuldeep felt something shift inside him. It was subtle at first-a strange flutter in his chest, a slight hitch in his breath. He stared as the man confidently strode to the front of the room, his presence commanding yet effortlessly composed.

"Good morning, class. I'm Rohit Sharma, your new professor."

That was it. Just an introduction. But it was enough.

Kuldeep didn't know why his heart skipped a beat or why his usually sharp mind turned into a muddled mess. He prided himself on being one of the most focused and disciplined students, yet here he was, completely distracted, unable to grasp a single word of what Professor Rohit was teaching. His eyes kept drifting toward him-toward the way he carried himself, the way his voice held authority yet warmth, the way he occasionally adjusted his wristwatch or ran a hand through his thick, slightly disheveled hair.

For the first week, Kuldeep convinced himself that it was nothing. Just a fleeting moment of attraction. Nothing serious. After all, it wasn't uncommon to find someone attractive, especially when that someone looked like Rohit Sharma-sharp jawline, deep brown eyes, and an aura that effortlessly drew people in. It was natural, right? A harmless crush, a passing infatuation.

But then things started to change.

He found himself getting distracted in Rohit's class more often. His usually perfect notes were filled with absentminded doodles, and he barely registered what was being taught. He lingered after class longer than necessary, under the pretense of clearing doubts, when in reality, he just wanted an extra moment in his presence.

Then there were the unexplainable habits he picked up-like roaming near the staff room more frequently than usual, his eyes unconsciously searching for a glimpse of Rohit. He caught himself watching him from afar, his gaze lingering a little too long, his heart beating a little too fast. And worst of all, he started putting extra effort into his appearance on the days he had Rohit's class, unconsciously wanting to impress him.

That was when his friends noticed.

They saw the way Kuldeep's expressions softened when he looked at Rohit, the way his entire demeanor changed around him. The dreamy glances, the lingering stares, the subtle nervousness-everything screamed one thing.

Kuldeep Yadav was falling in love.

And he didn't even realize it.

His friends knew they had to intervene. But Kuldeep was innocent when it came to matters of the heart. He had never experienced love before, and his strong belief that love took time would only make it harder for him to understand his own feelings. They needed someone who could explain it to him, someone who could help him come to terms with what was happening.

And there was only one person who could do that-someone Kuldeep trusted blindly, someone he admired beyond words, someone who had always been his mentor and his biggest support system.

Ravindra Jadeja.

If there was anyone who could make Kuldeep understand what he was feeling, it was him.

The cozy apartment hall was filled with an unusual tension, or rather, a mischievous anticipation. Shreyas, Yuzi, and Hardik sat on the couch, their expressions laced with teasing smiles as they stared at Kuldeep. The poor guy, on the other hand, looked downright terrified. His eyes darted between his friends, trying to decipher the reason behind their eerie silence.

"Hum yahan kyun baithe hain bina kisi kaam ke.. jaane do yaar mujhe.. mujhe padhai karni hai.." Kuldeep muttered, trying to get up, only for Yuzi to shake his head with an amused smirk.
"Thoda wait kar na yaar Kul koi tujhse milne aane wala hai.." Yuzi said, leaning forward, his smirk deepening.
Kuldeep's brows furrowed in suspicion. "Arey kaun aane wala hai? Batao toh sahi.." Before he could finish his sentence, the doorbell rang.
"Ja jaake door open kar." Hardik said, nudging him.

Kuldeep huffed but obeyed, trudging towards the door. The moment he pulled it open, his eyes widened in surprise.

"Ravi sir!" he exclaimed in delight. Without a second thought, he threw himself into Ravindra's arms, hugging him tightly like a child who had just found his lost guardian.
Ravindra chuckled, hugging him back just as warmly.
"Hello to you too, little one." He said
Kuldeep pulled back slightly, still grinning.
"Aap toh seminar mein gaye the na? Itni jaldi kaise aa gaye?" He asked
"The seminar ended early, so I came back.." Ravindra replied, his voice gentle.
"Now, at least let me enter the house, little one." With a chuckle, he added.

Kuldeep laughed sheepishly and moved aside, allowing Ravindra to step inside. The latter greeted Shreyas, Yuzi, and Hardik with warm hugs before settling beside Kuldeep on the couch.

Everyone in their college knew how special the bond between Ravindra and Kuldeep was. It was more than just a teacher-student relationship-it was a deep, meaningful friendship, built on trust, admiration, and unwavering support. Some admired their bond, while others envied it, but none of that ever affected the way they cared for each other.

Ravindra glanced at Kuldeep, his lips twitching in amusement.
"So, I got to know that my favorite student has fallen in love with someone.." he teased, eyes twinkling with mischief.
Kuldeep instantly felt his cheeks heat up. He scoffed, trying to brush it off.
"Arey sir, aap bhi kya inn logon ki baaton ko sach maan rahe ho? Koi pyaar-wyaar nahi hai! Bas attraction hai... kuch dino mein khatam ho jayega.." he said quickly.
"Aur tumhe aisa kyun lagta hai?" Ravindra asked, his voice gentle yet knowing.

Kuldeep shifted uncomfortably on the couch, his fingers fidgeting with the hem of his hoodie as he avoided making eye contact. He could feel the amused stares of his friends, their smirks growing wider with each passing second.
"Kul, tu seriously yeh maanne ko ready hai ki yeh sirf attraction hai?" Shreyas asked, his tone laced with doubt.
"Haan toh aur kya!" Kuldeep insisted, his voice a bit too high-pitched.
"Yeh bas thoda admiration type ka hai, ek phase jaisa.. kuch dino mein khatam ho jayega.." He continued.

Ravindra smirked, sensing his hesitation.
"Acha.. toh batao, jab Rohit lecture hall mein aata hai, tumhari heartbeat normal rehti hai?" he asked, his voice calm but pointed.
Kuldeep froze. His mind raced for an answer, but nothing convincing came to him.
"Matlab woh.. woh thoda excitement hota hai aur meri heartbeat badh jaati hai.." He hesitated for a long moment before finally muttering under his breath.
"Excitement ya phir butterflies? Kya kabhi kisi aur ke aate hi tujhe aise laga hai?" Hardik pressed, his smirk deepening.
Kuldeep shook his head, his blush intensifying.
"Aur jab Rohit sir kisi aur se baat karte hain, tujhe gussa aata hai?" Yuzi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Nahi toh!" Kuldeep responded almost too quickly, but the four of them stared at him with blank expressions, clearly not buying his denial.
A beat of silence passed before he finally sighed, defeated.
"Thik hai, hota hai.. aata hai mujhe gussa jab woh kisi aur se zyada friendly hote hain toh.." he admitted in a small voice, looking down.
"Aur jab tum unke saath hote ho, toh kya feel karte ho?" Shreyas asked softly.
Kuldeep bit his lip, hesitating before answering.
"Accha lagta hai. Safe feel hota hai." he admitted.
Ravindra's expression softened as he reached out to gently squeeze Kuldeep's shoulder.
"Safe feel karna, possessive feel karna, usse dekh ke nervous ho jana, uski khushi mein apni khushi dikhna.. Kul, yeh sirf attraction nahi hai.." he said kindly.
"Yeh love hai, bro. Pure, genuine love." Yuzi added, patting his back.

Kuldeep swallowed hard, his throat suddenly feeling dry.
"But.. but Rohit sir mere professor hain. Yeh galat hai.. woh kabhi accept nahi karenge!" he said, his voice laced with uncertainty.
Ravindra smiled gently, reaching out to caress Kuldeep's hair.
"Pyaar sahi ya galat nahi hota, little one. Bas pyaar hota hai. Rohit bhi insaan hai, sirf ek professor nahi. Agar yeh feelings genuine hain, toh tumhe apni emotions se bhaagne ki zarurat nahi hai." He said.

"Par agar unhone reject kar diya toh?" Kuldeep asked hesitantly, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Toh phir tu move on kar sakta hai. Par kam se kam apne dil ki baat na kehne ka regret toh nahi rahega." Yuzi assured him.
"Risk lena padta hai, Kul, tu apne doston ki baat sun aur apne dil ki bhi. Rohit sir ka reaction kya hoga yeh baad ki baat hai, pehle tu apne emotions accept toh kar." Hardik added.

Kuldeep took a deep breath, his heart pounding. He looked around at his friends-at their encouraging smiles-and finally at Ravindra, who gave him a reassuring nod.
He exhaled slowly before whispering,
"Okay, main confess karunga." He said
The room erupted in cheers.
"That's my brave little one." Ravindra said proudly, patting Kuldeep's back.

Kuldeep gulped, his mind already racing ahead, imagining how he would confess. His heart was a chaotic mess, but deep down, he knew-this wasn't just admiration. This wasn't just a passing phase.

This was love.

The classroom had emptied out, leaving behind the faint echoes of shuffling chairs and murmured conversations. The soft rustling of papers and the distant chatter of students in the hallway were the only sounds that filled the silence. Kuldeep took a deep breath, his fingers curling into fists at his sides as he watched Rohit gather his things, preparing to leave. His heart pounded against his ribs, the weight of his unspoken feelings pressing heavily on his chest. He had waited for the perfect moment, and now that it had arrived, he felt an overwhelming wave of nervousness crashing over him.

Stepping forward hesitantly, he called out, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Rohit sir, mujhe aapse baat karni hai.." He said
Rohit, who was zipping up his bag, barely spared him a glance.
"Haan Kuldeep, bolo. Kya baat hai?" he asked, his tone casual, unaware of the storm brewing in Kuldeep's heart.

Kuldeep swallowed, his throat dry. His palms were sweaty, and he could feel the heat creeping up his neck. He had rehearsed this moment in his head countless times, but now that it was happening, his words stumbled over each other, refusing to come out smoothly.
"Woh sir.. woh na.. mujhe kuch.. kuch kehna hai.. important.. important hai.." he said, his voice shaking slightly.
Rohit finally looked up at him, his brows furrowing.
"Haan Kuldeep, jo kehna hai kaho na.." he said, his tone urging but still gentle.

Kuldeep clenched his fists and exhaled sharply before finally letting the words slip past his lips.
"Woh Rohit sir.. I.. I like you.." he said, barely above a whisper, as if saying it too loudly would make it more real.
Rohit blinked, his face frozen for a split second.
"What?" he asked, confusion evident in his voice.
Kuldeep forced himself to lift his gaze, meeting Rohit's bewildered eyes. His heart pounded furiously, threatening to escape his chest.
"Yes sir, I like you.. I like you a lot. Mujhe na hamesha se lagta tha love at first sight ek myth hai, but jab aap aaye na, sab badal gaya.. I don't know how, but I fell for you, sir.." he confessed, his voice firmer this time.

Rohit stared at him, his expression unreadable. For a brief moment, there was something in his eyes-something that made Kuldeep's heart leap with hope. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by an emotion that made Kuldeep's stomach drop.

Rohit took a step back, running a hand through his hair. His jaw tightened, and when he spoke, his voice was laced with something sharp-something Kuldeep hadn't expected.
"What the hell are you even saying, Kuldeep? Do you understand what that means?" He asked.
Kuldeep flinched at the harshness in his voice but stood his ground.
"I do, sir.. I am saying I like you." he repeated, his voice softer but unwavering.

Rohit let out a shaky breath, his fingers gripping the edge of his desk.
"Kuldeep, I am your professor. We are teacher and student. How can you say that?" he said, his voice filled with a mix of frustration and something else-something that sounded like fear.
Kuldeep shook his head, his eyes pleading.
"So what, sir?" he asked, his voice desperate.
Rohit clenched his jaw.
"See, Kuldeep, we can't do this. We can't have anything like that. I am sorry. I am your professor. I can't be in a relationship with you. I can't.. it's wrong. It's very, very wrong." Rohit said.
The words hit Kuldeep like a punch to the gut. He felt a lump forming in his throat, and no matter how hard he tried to swallow it down, it refused to go away. His vision blurred as the sting of rejection settled deep within him.
"But sir, I.. I really like you.." he whispered, his voice cracking.
Rohit sighed, his expression torn.
"See, Kuldeep, I don't want to break your heart, but I don't think I can do this... for me, it's wrong." Rohit said.

Kuldeep's breathing became uneven. His fingers curled into fists as he forced himself to ask the one question that could break him completely.
"At least tell me that you don't feel anything for me.. all the moments we shared mean nothing to you?" He asked.
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Rohit's face flickered with emotions, but he quickly masked them.
"Kuldeep, that's not the matter.. I can't do it, and that is final." Rohit said.

And just like that, Kuldeep felt the last piece of hope inside him shatter. His chest ached with the weight of heartbreak, his throat tightening as he fought to keep his emotions in check.
He forced a broken smile, blinking away the tears threatening to spill.

"It's okay, sir. I understand.. sorry for wasting your time." Kuldeep said and with that, he turned around, walking away as quickly as he could, his vision blurry from unshed tears. He didn't want to break down in front of Rohit. He couldn't.

As soon as Kuldeep left the room, Rohit fell onto his chair with a thud, his head dropping into his hands. He exhaled sharply, the weight of what just happened crashing down on him.

He had broken the heart of the one person who had come to mean so much to him.

His mind flooded with memories-of long conversations about studies and random topics, of the small moments where their eyes met across the classroom, where their hands brushed accidentally, where they laughed at stupid jokes and smiled over the smallest things.

He had always convinced himself that it was nothing. That the warmth he felt whenever Kuldeep was around was just admiration, that the way his heart raced whenever their fingers touched was just accidental.

But he knew.

He knew he had feelings for Kuldeep. He knew he cared. A lot.

And yet, he had rejected him.

Not because he didn't want him, but because he was scared.

Scared of what people would say. Scared of what would happen if someone found out. Scared that if he let himself love Kuldeep, their careers, their futures, everything they had worked for-would be jeopardized.

He had no choice.

Or at least, that's what he kept telling himself.

Outside, just a few feet away, Hardik, Shreyas, Yuzi, and Ravindra stood frozen, having witnessed the entire heartbreaking scene. They had secretly been watching from a distance, their hearts aching for both of them-one who had just had his heart shattered, and the other who had broken his own heart out of fear.

A heavy silence lingered between them, none of them knowing what to say.

Kuldeep had confessed. Rohit had rejected him.

But both of them were hurting.

Ravindra clenched his fists, his chest tightening at the sight of Kuldeep walking away with his head down, his pain visible even from afar.

"Kuldeep ke paas chalte hain.. he needs us now." Ravindra said, his voice laced with concern.

The others nodded, and without another word, they followed after Kuldeep, determined to be there for him-because right now, he needed his friends more than ever.

Kuldeep barely made it through the door of the apartment before his emotions completely shattered. The moment he stepped inside, the weight of Rohit's rejection came crashing down on him like a tidal wave, and his knees almost gave out. His heart hurt-physically hurt-like someone had reached inside his chest and squeezed it until he could barely breathe.

His friends, who had followed closely behind him, immediately surrounded him, their faces filled with concern. They had seen everything-every heartbreak, every unshed tear that Kuldeep had fought to hold back in front of Rohit. But now, away from Rohit's piercing gaze and cold words, Kuldeep had no strength left to pretend.

Yuzi was the first to approach, his voice gentle but firm.
"Kul, don't cry na, bro.." He pulled Kuldeep into a comforting hug, his hand rubbing soothing circles on his back.
But Kuldeep only cried harder, burying his face in Yuzi's shoulder. His sobs were broken, raw, and full of despair. "He rejected me, Yuzi.. He doesn't like me.. He doesn't even like me.." Kuldeep's voice cracked, the pain in his words piercing through everyone's hearts.
"Kul, aisa kuch nahi hai.. He likes you, okay.. He's just scared.." Shreyas said, stepping closer. His tone was filled with certainty, as if he refused to believe otherwise.
Kuldeep pulled away slightly, his teary eyes filled with doubt.
"Scared? For what?" Kuldeep asked
"Because of all this teacher-student thing. Agar woh tujhe like nahi karta hota, toh woh aise reject karne se pehle hesitate nahi karta." Ravindra explained.

Kuldeep bit his lip, his mind replaying Rohit's reaction-how his face had frozen for that split second, how his hands had clenched into fists, how his voice had wavered. There was something there.. something more than just a teacher rejecting a student.

And yet, that rejection still stung.

Before he could overthink it further, Hardik, who had been watching everything with narrowed eyes, suddenly smirked. That smirk-the one that had always been a warning sign for trouble-made everyone instantly wary.
"If that's the reason, mere paas ek plan hai.." Hardik announced, crossing his arms.
The room went silent for a second before all of them looked at him with suspicion, their eyes filled with equal parts curiosity and fear.
"Nahi.. tera plan nahi. Bahut khatarnak hoga." Yuzi said immediately, shaking his head.
"Arrey, suno toh pehle!" Hardik protested.
"Nahi sunna hai hume!" Shreyas added, stepping in before Hardik could start his usual nonsense.
But Ravindra, always the voice of mischief and reason combined, raised an eyebrow.
"Let him tell." Ravindra said.
Hardik grinned triumphantly, before turning to Kuldeep.
"Rohit sir ko yahi problem hai na ki tu student hai aur woh professor?" Hardik asked and Kuldeep nodded hesitantly, not sure where this was going.

"Toh agar tujhe kisi aur professor se pyaar ho jaye toh?" Hardik suggested, his smirk widening.
Kuldeep's brows furrowed in confusion. "Hardik, kya bol raha hai? Mujhe kisi aur se pyaar kaise ho sakta hai?" He said.
"Arey, acting toh kar sakta hai na.. woh bhi Ravi sir ke saath!" Hardik wiggled his eyebrows.

There was a moment of stunned silence. Then-

"Kya matlab?" Ravindra asked, crossing his arms.
Hardik leaned forward like he was sharing top-secret classified information.
"Matlab yeh ki sirf natak karna padega.. tum dono ko boyfriend banne ka natak karna hoga.. aur Rohit sir ke saamne specially.. aur woh aap dono ko saath mein dekh ke jealous honge.." Hardik said.
Shreyas's eyes lit up with realization. "Aur ek insaan jo pyaar mein hota hai, uski jealousy high level ki hoti hai.. specially Rohit sir jaise shaant insaan ki.." he added, grinning mischievously.
Yuzi nodded in agreement.
"Aur jealousy insaan se kuch bhi karwa sakti hai.." he said with a smirk.
Ravindra finally caught onto the plan, his lips curling into a knowing smile. "Aur ussi jealousy ki wajah se Rohit, Kul ko apne pyaar ka confess karega.." he finished.
Kuldeep blinked in confusion.
"Matlab?" Kuldeep asked.
Ravindra turned to him, his smirk deepening.
"Matlab yeh ki aaj se hum aapke boyfriend hain, little one." he declared, his voice dripping with amusement.

Kuldeep's eyes widened as the realization hit him. His heart raced at the idea. It felt crazy-insane, even. But was it? If Rohit truly had feelings for him, would this be the only way to get him to admit them?

Before he could say anything, the others started chiming in excitedly, already scheming.

"Sabse pehle, Kul aur Ravi sir ko ek saath zyada se zyada time spend karna hoga.." Shreyas suggested.
"Haan! Aur Rohit sir ke saamne thoda zyada hi touchy-touchy hone ka.." Yuzi added, wiggling his eyebrows.
"Public mein bhi.. jaise ke cafeteria mein, ya phir library mein!" Hardik threw in.

Kuldeep still felt hesitant, but the hopeful glint in his friends' eyes made his heart soften. Maybe this plan was ridiculous, but if there was even a small chance that it could work, wasn't it worth trying?

Ravindra, still smirking, placed a hand on Kuldeep's shoulder.
"Toh.. tayaar ho na, little one?" He asked.
Kuldeep swallowed hard but nodded. "Tayaar hoon.." Kuldeep replied.

And just like that, the plan to make Rohit Sharma jealous and possessive enough to finally confess his love for Kuldeep Yadav was officially in motion.

Kuldeep walked into the classroom the next morning with a mixture of anxiety and regret twisting in his gut. This was crazy. Stupid, even. He was faking a romantic relationship with one professor just to make another professor confess his love for him.

Who even did that?

But here he was, heart pounding as he stole a glance at Ravindra, who was casually leaning against his desk at the front of the class, flipping through a book as if nothing in the world could bother him. Unlike Kuldeep, who was practically vibrating with nerves, Ravindra looked as relaxed as ever-like fake dating his own student was the most normal thing in the world.

And maybe that was what made it even more nerve-wracking for Kuldeep.

The plan was simple: start small. Lingering glances, little touches, and subtle moments that would make anyone watching believe there was something brewing between them.

And so, it began.

The first real test of their act began in the college cafeteria, right in front of Rohit.

Rohit was sitting at a table with some of the other professors, casually sipping his coffee, while Kuldeep was seated with Yuzi, Hardik, and Shreyas, deep in conversation. The four of them were laughing about something when Ravindra walked in, his usual confidence radiating off him like a second skin. Without hesitation, he slid onto the seat beside Kuldeep, close enough that their shoulders touched.

Kuldeep stiffened for a brief second, feeling the weight of the stares around them. But he forced himself to relax, offering a small smile before continuing his conversation with his friends.

"Itna nervousness matt dikha, little one.. thoda relax kar.." Ravindra murmured, his fingers brushing against Kuldeep's hand before clasping it like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Kuldeep swallowed hard. His heart was hammering.
"Aap itne relax kaise ho? Aise behave kar rahe ho jaise aapka roz ka kaam hai.." he whispered back, barely moving his lips. He could feel the curious glances from the people around them.

Ravindra chuckled, tilting his head toward Kuldeep.
"Tere Ash anna ko yaad kar leta hoon." he said with a mischievous smirk.
Kuldeep's eyes widened in horror. "Unhe pata hai aap yeh sab kar rahe ho bolke?" he asked in a hushed tone.
"Haan... usne kaha ki 'agar mere Kul ko uska pyaar nahi mila toh tum mujhe bhool jaana.'" Ravindra replied, casually playing with Kuldeep's fingers.
"Haw, sacchi?" Kuldeep gasped, eyes widening in shock.

Ravindra nodded, and Kuldeep let out a deep, unrestrained laugh. The kind that bubbled straight from his chest and filled the cafeteria with warmth.

And that laughter.. that single moment of pure joy.. caught everyone's attention.

For most of the students and professors, it was just confirmation of what they had already assumed-that there was something between Kuldeep and Ravindra. They had always shared a deep connection, and now, it seemed like they were simply making it public.

But for Rohit, it was a big thing.

A very big thing.

His grip on his coffee cup tightened, the ceramic creaking under the pressure of his fingers. His jaw clenched as he watched them whispering, touching hands, sharing smiles that seemed too intimate. And then... that laugh. That damn laugh of Kuldeep's-light, carefree, beautiful-for Ravindra.

It was too much.

Rohit's eyes darkened as he glared at the scene unfolding in front of him. His stomach churned with something sharp and ugly. Possessiveness. Jealousy. He wanted to break something. He wanted to grab Kuldeep and pull him away, away from Ravindra's grasp, away from his teasing smiles, away from his touch.

"Guys, Rohit sir ko dekho.." Shreyas muttered, sipping his coffee.

At that, Kuldeep turned slightly, stealing a glance toward Rohit. His face was unreadable, but the way his hand gripped his cup spoke volumes.

And just like that, a flicker of hope ignited in Kuldeep's chest.

Maybe this plan might actually work.

"So, the plan is actually working.." Ravindra murmured, a smirk playing at his lips.

The five of them exchanged knowing smiles.

The next day, they took it up a notch.

Once again, Kuldeep and his friends sat at a table directly across from where Rohit was seated with the other professors. And once again, Ravindra made his entrance-this time, more deliberate.

He slid into the seat beside Kuldeep and smirked.
"Little one, wanna try the dessert?" he asked, voice dripping with playful intent. His eyes flickered toward Rohit for the briefest second, just enough to gauge his reaction.
"Haan bol, Rohit sir dekh rahe hain." Kuldeep barely had time to react before Hardik leaned in and whispered.
Taking the cue, Kuldeep nodded.
"Haan, sir, leta hoon." He said.

Just as he was about to pick up the fork and take a bite of the chocolate pastry, Ravindra smirked, lifted the fork himself, and brought it to Kuldeep's lips.

He winked.

And Kuldeep understood.

Suppressing a smile, he leaned forward and took the bite straight from Ravindra's fork.

"Kaise hai?" Ravindra asked, eyes locked onto Kuldeep's.
Kuldeep swallowed, then smirked.
"Puch toh aise rahe ho jaise aapne banaya ho.. but sach baat yeh hai ki aapne khilaya toh zyada tasty tha.." he replied, voice dipped in flirtation.

The cafeteria fell silent for a moment.

Students and professors who had been watching gaped at them, stunned. Some exchanged glances. Some gasped audibly. And some-especially the younger female students-squealed in excitement.

"See, I told you they are dating." one student whispered.

"To be honest... they look cute together." a young professor said, her eyes practically heart-shaped.

"Bhai, sab convince ho rahe hain.. bas Rohit sir ho jaien.." Yuzi murmured.
"Woh bhi ho raha hai.. look at him.." Ravindra whispered back.

They all turned to glance at Rohit discreetly.

His fingers were curled into a fist, his jaw so tight it looked painful. His eyes... they held a storm. A tempest of emotions-anger, jealousy, frustration. But in the next second, as if realizing he was being watched, he masked it all. The calm, composed Rohit Sharma resurfaced, his expression betraying nothing.

But they had seen it.

And it was enough to push forward.

The next move was in the college library.

Kuldeep sat at a desk, his book open as he took notes. Everything was peaceful until Ravindra sauntered over, pulling up a chair beside him.

Then, casually-far too casually-he dragged Kuldeep's chair closer to his own.

Kuldeep shot him a glare.
"Kya kar rahe ho sir? Library hai.. behave." He said.
"Haan, par Rohit bhi toh yahin hai.."
Ravindra leaned in, his voice a whisper.
Kuldeep exhaled in frustration.
"Aap kuch zyada maza nahi le rahe ho iss jealousy natak ka..?" He said.

"Tujhe pata hai Rohit used to be my classmate in school and college?" Ravindra said with a smirked.
Kuldeep blinked.
"What?" Kuldeep whisper shouted.
"Aur pata nahi kyun, usse humesha mujhse gussa rehna pasand tha.. toh main aur gussa dilata tha usse. Bas wahi tradition follow kar raha hoon.." Ravindra said with a wink.
"Aap na, bahut bade wale devil ho." Kuldeep said with a smile while shaking his head.
"Woh toh main hoon hi, little one.." Ravindra murmured before reaching out and tucking a stray strand of hair behind Kuldeep's ear.

It was a simple gesture.

But to anyone watching? It was a moment straight out of a love story.

Then-thud.

A loud noise made them turn.

Rohit had slammed a book shut, his grip so tight on the hardcover that his knuckles were white. His eyes were dark, filled with barely contained rage as they locked onto Ravindra.

For a second, it looked like he was about to explode.

Instead, he shoved the book back onto the shelf with force and stormed out of the library, his fists clenched, his entire body radiating fury.

And Kuldeep realized-

They were playing with fire.

Rohit felt the burn of jealousy clawing at his insides, a slow, simmering fire threatening to consume him whole. Every time he saw Kuldeep laughing with Ravindra, every time their hands brushed even accidentally, every time Ravindra leaned in just a little too close-something dark twisted in his chest.

He wanted to look away. He wanted to ignore it. But he couldn't. His jaw clenched, his hands curled into fists so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. The sight of Kuldeep smiling-for him-for someone else-felt like a punch to the gut. A bitter taste settled on his tongue, a war waging in his head.

But Rohit Sharma wasn't weak. He wasn't someone who let emotions dictate his actions. He had mastered control, perfected the art of hiding what truly boiled beneath the surface. So, he masked it. His expression smoothed out, his posture relaxed, and when he walked out of the library, he made sure no one could see the storm raging inside him.

No one would ever know how much it killed him.

No one would know how desperately he wanted to be the only one Kuldeep looked at like that.

Because Rohit Sharma didn't break. He didn't lose control.

Not yet.

Kuldeep watched as Rohit Sharma stormed out of the library, his hands clenched into tight fists, his jaw so taut it looked like it might snap. His eyes had been burning with anger, frustration, and something darker-jealousy.

But then-just like that-it was gone.

By the time Kuldeep followed him out, he was met with the sight of a perfectly composed Rohit, standing near the corridor, his posture relaxed, his face unreadable.

Not a single trace of the rage that had just been boiling in his eyes moments ago.

He had masked it again.

As if nothing had happened. As if he didn't care.

Kuldeep hated it.

He hated how Rohit never showed anything, never reacted, never let himself be seen as anything but in control.

Did it really not affect him?

Did it mean... this whole plan was useless?

A dull ache settled in Kuldeep's chest, an unspoken sadness creeping in. Because despite seeing the truth-despite seeing how Rohit clenched his fists, how his entire body screamed tension and anger-in the end, he had still managed to hide it so damn well.

And that only made Kuldeep feel like a fool.

A fool for hoping.

A fool for thinking Rohit might actually care.

Kuldeep exhaled shakily, turning away. Maybe it was time to give up on this game.

Kuldeep sat curled up in his room, his head buried in his knees, silent tears streaming down his face. His body trembled with each sob, but he made no effort to suppress them. The weight of his emotions was too much to hold back.

That's how Ravindra, Yuzi, Shreyas, and Hardik found him. The sight of their usually cheerful friend so broken made their hearts clench. Without hesitation, Ravindra stepped forward and pulled Kuldeep into his arms, holding him close. Kuldeep didn't resist. Instead, he clung to Ravindra's shirt, sobbing like a child against his shoulder, his fingers gripping the fabric tightly.

"Little one, kyun ro raha hai? Kya hua hai?" Ravindra's voice was gentle as he rubbed soothing circles on Kuldeep's back, trying to calm him down.
Kuldeep hiccupped between his sobs, his voice coming out in broken whispers.
"Ravi sir.. he doesn't care.. he really doesn't like me.. unhe bilkul farak nahi pad raha hai mere yeh sab natak se.." His chest ached, his heart heavy with unspoken emotions.

Ravindra's hold on him tightened slightly, while Yuzi crouched beside them, his brows furrowed in frustration.
"Aur yeh tujhe kisne keh diya?" he asked, his voice laced with disbelief. "Hum sab ne dekha hai how much Rohit sir gets angry looking at you with Ravi sir.." Yuzi continued.
Shreyas, standing nearby with his arms crossed, nodded knowingly.
"Bas woh dikha nahi rahe hain.. he's just very good at controlling his emotions.." he added, his lips curling into a smirk.
Kuldeep wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, looking up at them with desperate hope.
"Toh.. kya karein?" His voice was small, almost afraid to believe that maybe, just maybe, there was still a chance.
Hardik leaned against the doorframe, a mischievous glint in his eyes.
"Hume kuch aisa karna padega ki Rohit sir apna gussa aur apni jealousy control hi na kar sake.." he suggested, his smirk deepening.
Kuldeep's brows knitted in confusion.
"Par kya?" he asked, his voice still tinged with sadness.

A slow, devilish smile spread across Ravindra's face as he took a step back, looking at everyone around him. His eyes gleamed with an idea so wicked that the other three immediately caught on, exchanging knowing looks.

"Main batata hoon kya karna hai.." Ravindra said, his voice filled with amusement and certainty.

Everyone turned toward him, intrigued.

"Control karne mein expert hai na Rohit Sharma?" Ravindra began, his voice laced with mockery.
"Tab kaise apne aapko control karega jab usse pata chalega ki woh jisse pyaar karta hai, woh sirf usse door nahi ja raha hai.. balki usne usse kho diya hai.." He said with a smirk.

His words hung in the air, and within seconds, Yuzi and Shreyas smirked, understanding his plan. Hardik let out a low whistle, clearly impressed.

"What are you planning, sir?" Kuldeep asked, still clueless about the scheme forming in Ravindra's mind.
"Bag pack kar le.. tu aaj raat mere saath mere staff apartment mein rehne wala hai." Ravindra said, his smirk growing.
"WHAT? WHY?" Kuldeep exclaimed, completely taken aback.

The other three chuckled at his reaction, fully aware of what Ravindra was trying to do.

"Sir, aise hi hum aapko 'devil' nahi bulate.. aap actually mein devil ho.." Shreyas said, shaking his head in amusement.
"Kya sahi plan hai, sir.." Hardik added with a teasing grin.

Kuldeep, however, was still utterly lost. His brows furrowed as he looked at them in confusion.
"Arey, kya plan hai? Mujhe bhi toh batao! Mujhe kuch samajh nahi aa raha.." he asked, exasperated.
Ravindra chuckled before tilting his head slightly.
"Dekh, college mein sabko lagta hai ki tu aur main date kar rahe hain.." he started, pausing to let the words sink in.
Kuldeep blinked.
"Haan toh?" He asked still in confusion.
"Agar sabko pata chala ki tu mere saath mere apartment mein tha, toh woh kya sochenge?" Ravindra asked with a smirk.

Kuldeep's eyes remained blank for a moment before realization hit him like a truck. His mouth fell open.
"They will think that we... oh God, sir! That's a bad idea! What about your reputation?" he gasped, his ears turning red.
"Don't think about my reputation.. think about your Rohit sir's situation." Ravindra shrugged nonchalantly.

Hardik nudged Kuldeep playfully.
"Yeah, he will be very much jealous and sad thinking he lost you.." he said, his voice dripping with amusement.
"And then he will finally break and confess his love.." Yuzi added, grinning.

Kuldeep's mind raced as he processed the plan. His heart clenched at the thought of Rohit thinking he had lost him, but a part of him-the tiny, wicked part-whispered that it just might work. Still, he shook his head.
"No, that's a bad idea." He said.
"It's a very good idea.. and you are going to listen to us.." Shreyas said, raising an eyebrow at him.

"You can't back out from here, little one." Ravindra said with a smirk, his tone daring.
"But sir-" Kuldeep started, but Ravindra cut him off, this time his voice softer, almost pleading.
"Little one.. do it.. for your love.. please.." he said, his gaze holding sincerity beneath the mischief.

Kuldeep looked at him, then at his friends. They were all too sure that this would work. And deep down, he knew they were right.

His logical side screamed at him to refuse, but his heart-the part of him that longed for Rohit's love-won this battle.

Taking a deep breath, he exhaled slowly and nodded.
"I will do it." he finally said.

The room erupted into victorious cheers, and Kuldeep couldn't help but smile despite the nervous flutter in his chest. He just hoped that in the end, this risky plan would lead him to the love he had been yearning for.

In the evening

Kuldeep sat on the plush sofa of Ravindra's living room, holding his phone to his ear as he talked to Ashwin, his voice laced with frustration. Ravindra, on the other hand, leaned against the armrest with a smug grin, watching him with evident amusement.

"I swear, Ash Anna, yeh insaan mujhe bhi apne jaisa shaitan bana raha hai! Pehle toh main bilkul seedha saadha tha, lekin ab dekho.." Kuldeep whined dramatically, shooting a glare at Ravindra, who chuckled.
Ravindra smirked, stretching his arms lazily before saying.
"Ek toh main teri help kar raha hoon aur tu meri hi complain kar raha hai.." His voice was laced with feigned hurt, but the mischief dancing in his eyes betrayed him.
"Haan karunga main complain! Aap bahut bure ho.." Kuldeep huffed, crossing his arms over his chest like a petulant child. His pout only made Ravindra's grin widen.

The two of them spent the evening bickering over trivial matters, teasing each other relentlessly. Every small thing turned into a playful argument-who would get the last slice of pizza, who was the better singer, who had the most charming smile. Kuldeep would dramatically whine about Ravindra's devilish influence, and Ravindra would laugh, thoroughly enjoying his reactions.

Next Day

The next day, the college cafeteria buzzed with students enjoying their meals and chatting in groups. The clinking of cutlery and distant laughter filled the air, but none of it mattered to Professor Rohit Sharma as he stepped inside. His sharp eyes instinctively searched for a familiar face, scanning the crowded space for him-Kuldeep.

Like always.

However, today, Kuldeep was nowhere in sight.

A small frown settled on Rohit's face. His steps led him to Kuldeep's usual table, where he expected to find him, only to see three familiar faces instead-Yuzi, Hardik, and Shreyas. Their animated conversation halted for a second when they noticed him approaching, but what made Rohit freeze in his tracks was the topic they were gossiping about.

"Yuzi, Kul kal raat ko ghar nahi aaya na?" Shreyas asked, stirring his coffee absentmindedly.
"Nahi, woh Ravi sir ke saath tha.. unke apartment mein tha.." Yuzi replied casually, but his words struck Rohit like a thunderbolt.
"Raat bhar wahan kya kar raha tha?" Hardik asked, his brows wiggling suggestively.
Yuzi scoffed, rolling his eyes.
"Yeh tu puch raha hai? Abe, iss department mein toh tu expert hai.." he shot back, making Hardik smirk.
"Harry, obviously they would be having some moments.. they were alone, boss.. what else would they do?" Shreyas mused, a teasing glint in his eyes.
A knowing silence settled over the trio before Hardik chuckled.
"Ohh, I get it.. haan, samajh gaya.." he said with a wicked grin.
But it was Shreyas' next words that sent a fresh wave of fury coursing through Rohit's veins.
"Abhi kahan hai woh?" Shreyas asked.
"Arey, uske classes khatam ho gaye na, toh Ravi sir ke saath wapas unke apartment ja raha hai.. parking mein hoga shayad.." Yuzi supplied.

The three of them exchanged knowing smirks. But Rohit? His mind had stopped processing anything else the moment those words sank in.

Kuldeep.

At Ravindra's apartment.

The entire night.

And now, going back to him.

Something dark and possessive twisted in Rohit's chest, his jaw tightening. Without another thought, he turned on his heel and strode out of the cafeteria, his steps purposeful, his mind set on one thing-finding Kuldeep.

As soon as Rohit reached the parking area, his heart pounded against his ribcage. His breath hitched when his gaze landed on a scene that made his blood boil.

There, standing beside a black sleek SUV, was Kuldeep. His Kuldeep.

The younger man was about to step inside when Ravindra, who was already in the driver's seat, leaned slightly towards him and whispered something in his ear.

Kuldeep's reaction was immediate. His cheeks flushed a soft shade of pink, and his lips curled into a shy, almost bashful smile.

And then it happened.

Ravindra Jadeja leaned in and pressed a gentle kiss to Kuldeep's forehead.

Rohit felt his entire world tilt. His heart slammed against his ribs, and something primal-something dangerously possessive-surged inside him.

Kuldeep didn't push him away. He didn't even hesitate. Instead, he just blushed.

That was all it took for the last thread of Rohit's control to snap.

His fingers curled into fists, his nails digging into his palm as he gritted his teeth. His vision blurred with rage as he watched Ravindra start the car and drive off, taking his Kuldeep with him.

No.

No one-no one-could take Kuldeep away from him.

Not Ravindra Jadeja.

Not anyone.

"You think you can take away my Kuldeep from me, Ravindra Jadeja?" Rohit muttered under his breath, his voice low and laced with venom. His grip on his car keys tightened, his mind clouded with one singular thought-you can never take him away from me.

Kuldeep Yadav is mine.

And he belongs to me. Only me.

With that thought consuming him, Rohit wasted no time. He stormed towards his car, slid inside, and ignited the engine with a sharp turn of the key.

If Ravindra Jadeja thought he could steal Kuldeep from him, he was about to learn just how wrong he was.

Rohit Sharma never loses.

And when it came to Kuldeep Yadav, he would ensure he never did.

With a determined glare, he pressed his foot against the accelerator, speeding off to follow the black SUV ahead of him.

Because this was not over.

Not even close.

Rohit parked his car and stepped out, his eyes instinctively following the two figures ahead of him. Ravindra and Kuldeep. He watched as they entered Ravindra's apartment, their laughter ringing in the hallway before the door clicked shut behind them.

His jaw clenched.

Shoving his keys into his pocket, he turned toward his own apartment-conveniently, frustratingly, right beside Ravindra's.

As soon as he entered, he let out a long breath and sank onto the couch, running a hand through his hair. His heart felt restless, an unfamiliar agitation swirling in his chest. A few minutes passed before he got up and walked into the kitchen, grabbing a glass of water and downing it in one go, hoping to drown the unease crawling under his skin.

But it didn't help.

Because his mind wouldn't stop replaying what had just happened.

His Kuldeep was in the next room.

With Ravindra.

Rohit's fingers tightened around the empty glass, his thoughts spiraling.

What would they be doing right now?

Would Kuldeep be laughing at something Ravindra said? Would he be leaning closer, eyes bright with amusement, a soft smile on his lips-the same smile that used to be reserved for him?

Would Ravindra be touching him? Holding him? Whispering something that made him blush?

Would Kuldeep let him?

Rohit's stomach twisted painfully at the thought.

Had he made a mistake?

Had he truly messed up by rejecting Kuldeep back then? Had he given him away by being a coward, by letting his fears dictate his actions? Was it too late now?

A burning sensation coiled in his chest-anger, sadness, jealousy.

Ten minutes passed.

Then fifteen.

And finally, he couldn't take it anymore.

He needed to do something.

Before logic could step in, before his mind could silence his heart, Rohit grabbed his phone and stormed out of his apartment.

Kuldeep Yadav was his.

And he would be damned if he let that idiot Ravindra take him away.

The moment the doorbell rang, Ravindra smirked, setting his phone aside.
"Ready ho jao, little one.. aapke Rohit sir aa gaye.." he drawled, amusement lacing his tone.
Kuldeep, who had been casually scrolling on his phone, blinked in surprise.
"Aapko kaise pata ki yeh Rohit sir hain?" He asked.
"Mujhe sab pata hai.. tum bas thodi der baad door open karna." Ravindra replied smugly.
Kuldeep frowned in confusion.
"Kyun?" He asked.
Ravindra leaned forward, his smirk widening.
"Tumhare Rohit sir ko lagna chahiye na ki hum busy the." Ravindra replied.
Kuldeep's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Aap pagal ho kya? Rohit sir kya sochenge?" Kuldeep said.
"Main toh chahta hoon woh wahi soche.. He needs some more punishment for rejecting my favorite student and making him cry." Ravindra said, stretching lazily.

Kuldeep's lips parted slightly, as if to argue, but no words came out.

After a pause, Ravindra tilted his head and smirked again.
"Acha sun, apne hairs thoda messy kar le aur apne shirt ke 2-3 buttons open kar le." He said
Kuldeep gaped at him.
"Aap pagal hain kya? Rohit sir ka dimaag kharab ho jayega." Kuldeep said.
"Main toh chahta hoon uska dimaag kharab ho.. It's about time he realizes what he's about to lose." Ravindra interrupted, eyes glinting with mischief.
Kuldeep shook his head.
"Main yeh pagalpan nahi karne wala." Kuldeep said.
Ravindra let out an exaggerated sigh. "Apne favorite professor ke liye itna nahi kar sakta?" Ravindra said with a sad look.

That did it.

Kuldeep huffed, pouting as he reluctantly ruffled his hair and unbuttoned the top few buttons of his shirt.
"Aap bahut bure ho." he muttered.
Ravindra grinned.
"That's like my good boy. Ab jao, door open karo." Ravindra said

Kuldeep took a deep breath, nerves creeping in as he stepped toward the door.

And in that moment, Rohit's world tilted.

His breath hitched. His eyes widened as they landed on Kuldeep.

Kuldeep-who always kept himself neat, tidy, and proper-looked like he had just stepped out of a lover's embrace.

His usually styled hair was now a beautiful mess, strands carelessly falling over his forehead. His crisp shirt hung loosely on his frame, the top three buttons undone, exposing his smooth collarbone and the slightest glimpse of his chest. His lips were slightly parted, and his cheeks were faintly flushed as if he had been-

Rohit's mind short-circuited.

What the-

A strange, suffocating sensation clawed at his insides.

And then-

"Kaun hai, baby?" Ravindra's voice.

Rohit's stomach plummeted.

His fingers twitched at his sides, his body going rigid as the words echoed in his ears.

Kuldeep visibly tensed in front of him, his throat bobbing as he swallowed.
"R-Rohit sir " he stammered, voice shaky.

The hesitation. The guilt in his eyes.

Rohit's blood boiled.

Kuldeep stepped back, allowing him inside.

And the sight that greeted him shattered the last thread of his restraint.

Ravindra was leaning against the couch, an infuriating smirk on his lips. His hair was just as messy as Kuldeep's. His shirt wasn't just unbuttoned-it was fully open, hanging loosely off his toned shoulders, revealing his bare chest like he had just-

Rohit's mind went blank.

His Kuldeep.

His Kuldeep.

WHAT. THE. HELL.

His jaw clenched, his fists curling so tight his nails dug into his palms. His pulse roared in his ears, drowning out all logic.

And then-he moved.

Fast.

Without thinking. Without hesitation.

He grabbed Kuldeep's wrist, his grip almost bruising.

"R-Rohit sir-?" Kuldeep gasped, startled.

But Rohit didn't stop.

Didn't listen.

Didn't care.

His grip tightened as he dragged Kuldeep toward the door, his body radiating an intensity Kuldeep had never seen before.

"Rohit sir, kya kar rahe hain-?" Kuldeep tried to resist.

"Chup" Rohit snapped, his voice dangerously low.

Behind them, Ravindra chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.
"Arre arre, itna possessive reaction? Mujhe toh laga aapko koi farak nahi padta, Mr. Sharma." Ravindra teased

Rohit didn't even spare him a glance.

Because nothing else mattered.

Only Kuldeep.

And the burning realization-

That he was about to lose him.

They reached the hallway. Before Kuldeep could protest again, Rohit shoved open his own apartment door, pulled him inside, and slammed it shut behind them.

And this time-

He wasn't letting go.

Rohit's eyes blazed with anger as he stood in front of Kuldeep. The tension between them was palpable.
"What is happening there?" he demanded, his voice thick with frustration.
"Nothing, sir." Kuldeep replied, his expression unreadable, trying to maintain his calm despite the storm brewing in Rohit's eyes.
"Don't lie.. you're with him, looking like this.. why?" Rohit's voice trembled slightly with a mix of anger and confusion, but Kuldeep could sense the hurt beneath the words.
Kuldeep sighed, his gaze shifting away from Rohit for a moment, before meeting his eyes once again.
"Why do you care sir?" he asked, his tone challenging, yet laced with a touch of vulnerability.
Rohit's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Kya matlab?" His voice was tight, the shock of the question seeping through his words.
Kuldeep's expression softened slightly, but his voice remained firm.
"Simple hai, sir. Maine aapko apne dil ki baat kahi thi, aur aapne reject kar diya. Abb main joh bhi karoon, usse aapko kya farak padta hai?" His words hung in the air, almost as if he was daring Rohit to respond, to acknowledge the pain he had carried in silence.
Rohit's heart pounded in his chest, and his frustration only grew. He stepped closer to Kuldeep, his eyes locking onto his.
"Kya farak padta hai? Mujhe farak nahi padega toh kisse padega?" His voice was more intense now, his emotions spilling over as he struggled to keep his composure.
"Par kyun, sir?" Kuldeep asked again, his voice softer now, almost pleading for understanding.

Rohit's jaw tightened, and for a brief moment, it seemed like he was struggling with his own feelings. Then, the words burst from him, raw and unfiltered.
"Because I love you, damnit!" he shouted, the confession exploding into the room.

Kuldeep stood frozen, his eyes wide in shock as he tried to process the flood of emotions coming from Rohit.

"I fall in love with you." Rohit continued, his voice trembling with the weight of his admission.

"The moment I saw you in my first class, my heart betrayed me.. that moment.. tumhe dekhne ke baad sab kuch bhul gaya. Tumhare har cheez se pyaar ho gaya hai mujhe.. tumhare smile se, tumhare confusion se, tumhare ghusse se, tumhare woh curiosity se.. tumhare har ek harkat mujhe pagal kar deta hai.." His voice faltered for a moment as he let out a shaky breath, as if the intensity of his feelings was too much to contain.

Kuldeep's breath hitched as he stood there, still processing the words that hit him like a whirlwind. Rohit took a step forward, his gaze never leaving Kuldeep.
"Tumhe reject karna galti thi meri, Kuldeep.. main darr gaya tha.. apne liye.. tumhare liye.. humare career ke liye.. that's why I rejected you.." he confessed, his voice thick with regret.

Kuldeep's eyes softened, and his heart skipped a beat as he watched Rohit struggle with his own vulnerability. But the words that followed hit him harder than anything else.
"Nahi dekh sakta tumhe kisi aur ke saath.. mereko dard hota hai tumhe uss idiot Ravindra ke saath dekh ke.. mujhe woh sab moments chahiye tumhare saath, joh woh share karta hai.. mujhe tum chahiye, Kuldeep Yadav.. har halat mein.. har keemat mein.." Rohit's voice broke, and for the first time, Kuldeep saw the raw, unfiltered emotion in his eyes.

When Kuldeep didn't respond immediately, the pain in Rohit's eyes grew, and his heart seemed to shatter.
"I lost you, didn't I?" he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Tum already Ravindra ke ho chuke ho.. I lost you.." His head dropped, a sad chuckle escaping his lips as if he was trying to mask the ache inside.

Kuldeep's heart ached as he saw the pain in Rohit's eyes, and after a long pause, he finally spoke, his voice steady, though the weight of the moment hung heavy in the air.
"That was a plan." he said, his words surprising even himself.
Rohit's head snapped up, confusion clouding his face.
"What?" he asked, his voice almost desperate for an explanation.
Kuldeep took a deep breath, knowing this was the moment.
"Ravi sir aur mene jo bhi kiya, woh sab ek natak tha.. humara plan tha, that aapko jealous karke aapse confession lene ka.." he confessed, his eyes meeting Rohit's with a mix of guilt and honesty.
Rohit stared at him, trying to process what he had just heard.
"Woh sab natak tha?" His voice was almost disbelieving.
Kuldeep nodded, his heart heavy with the truth.
"Haan.. mere friends aur Ravi sir ko pata tha ki aap yeh sab jhoot bol rahe ho, that you don't like me.. isiliye yeh kiya hum sab ne.. I'm sorry." he said, his voice soft and regretful, as if apologizing for the emotional game they had played.

Rohit's eyes searched Kuldeep's, the pain in his heart slowly turning into hope.
"You don't love Ravindra?" he asked quietly, the question barely escaping his lips.
Kuldeep's smile was almost shy, but it was filled with honesty.
"I love you, sir.. I love you and no one else." he said, the words finally leaving his lips after what felt like an eternity.

The silence that followed was heavy, filled with unspoken words and emotions. Then, as if the weight of the moment had lifted, Rohit closed the distance between them, his hands reaching out to pull Kuldeep into a tight embrace.
"I love you, too, I'm sorry for pushing you away. I was scared.. scared of losing you." he whispered against his ear, his voice thick with emotion.

Kuldeep pulled back slightly, his fingers gently lifting Rohit's chin so their eyes met.
"You haven't lost me, not anymore." he said softly, a gentle smile tugging at his lips.

Rohit's heart was still racing, the emotions flooding through him so fast, he couldn't catch up. He had never imagined that a confession, so simple yet so profound, would lead to this moment. They stood there, inches apart, the air between them thick with unsaid words and aching desire.

Kuldeep looked into Rohit's eyes, his heart pounding in his chest. He could see the raw vulnerability in those dark depths, the longing that mirrored his own. There was no more fear, no more hesitation. It felt like the world around them had slowed down, leaving only the two of them in that perfect moment.

"I.. I've wanted this for so long.." Rohit whispered, his voice barely audible, yet carrying a weight that hung between them. He reached out, brushing a stray lock of hair away from Kuldeep's forehead, his touch light, as if afraid to make it real.

Kuldeep's breath hitched as he closed his eyes for a brief second, the warmth of Rohit's touch sending a rush of feelings through him. His fingers trembled, reaching up to gently cup Rohit's face.
"I never thought.. I never thought you'd feel the same way.." Kuldeep admitted softly, his voice filled with awe and disbelief.

Rohit's lips parted as if to respond, but the words died on his tongue. Instead, he leaned forward, his gaze flicking down to Kuldeep's lips, then back to his eyes, searching for any sign of hesitation. There was none. Kuldeep's eyes were soft, open, full of longing, and Rohit knew this was it.

With a soft breath, he closed the space between them, his lips brushing against Kuldeep's in the gentlest of touches. It was barely a kiss-just a whisper of contact-but it sent a shock of warmth through both of them, a silent promise of what was to come.

Kuldeep's hands tightened around Rohit's neck, pulling him closer, deepening the kiss. This time, the kiss was no longer tentative, no longer hesitant. It was raw, passionate, filled with the emotions they had both kept buried for so long. Kuldeep's lips moved against Rohit's, matching his urgency, his hands tangling in Rohit's hair, pulling him even closer, if that was possible.

Rohit responded with equal fervor, his arms wrapping around Kuldeep, holding him tight as if he was afraid to let him go, afraid this was just a dream. But it was real. The warmth of Kuldeep's body against his, the taste of his lips, the beating of their hearts in sync-it was all real.

The kiss continued, slow at first, but then a flurry of emotions took over them. Every kiss was a confession, every touch was a declaration. Kuldeep felt the weight of the past weeks lift off his shoulders, the tension he had carried for so long melting away in the heat of the moment.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they pulled away, their foreheads resting together, both breathing heavily. The world around them was silent, but inside, they both felt the storm of emotions finally settling into something more peaceful, something more beautiful.

Rohit's eyes fluttered open, a soft smile curving his lips.
"I've wanted to do that for so long." he murmured, his voice husky from the intensity of the kiss.

Kuldeep's smile was just as soft, just as genuine.
"I know, I've wanted you just as much." he whispered back, his hand tracing the line of Rohit's jaw.

They stood there for a moment longer, their hands intertwined, their hearts still racing, but this time, with a sense of peace. The confessions were out, the emotions bared. And in that silence, in that shared moment of vulnerability, they both knew this was just the beginning of something beautiful.

Rohit finally broke the silence, his voice low and filled with sincerity.
"I love you, Kuldeep. I promise.. I'll never let you go." He whispered.

Kuldeep's heart swelled with affection as he leaned in once more, pressing a soft kiss to Rohit's lips.
"I love you too, sir, and I'll always be by your side." he said, his voice filled with certainty now, no more doubts, no more fears.

As they pulled away from the kiss, they both smiled, knowing that they had crossed a line they could never go back from-but this time, it didn't matter. They were no longer unsure, no longer lost in the confusion of their feelings.

Rohit wrapped his arms around Kuldeep once more, pulling him into a tight hug, the kind that promised forever.
"This feels right, this feels like home." he murmured into his ear, his voice thick with emotion.

Kuldeep rested his head on Rohit's shoulder, feeling the comfort of his presence, the warmth of his love.
"It does." he whispered, closing his eyes as he let himself drift into the feeling of being safe, loved, and finally, truly seen.

As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, the world outside didn't matter anymore. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear-they had each other now, and that was all that mattered.

(So here the another one shot of this book.. I hope you guys will like it..
Please vote and comment as much you can.. that's a request..)

(Longest story I ever wrote)

[Like aur comment kar dena please.. it will be a great thing for me.. 🙏]

THANK YOU ❤️