It had been over a month since we last talked, mostly because he was catching up with his studies after joining mid-term. He spent most of his time with the popular group, which made sense; he was handsome, easy to talk to, and quickly became the centre of attention. Girls swooned over him, while I—boring old me—watched from a distance, pouting and wondering when I'd get the chance to talk to him again.

Every day, I'd catch glimpses of him, mentally tracing his features: his sharp jawline, dark tousled hair that fell perfectly over his forehead, and those deep-set brown eyes that sparkled with confidence, framed by thick lashes. His effortless smile and the neatly trimmed beard along his jawline only added to his rugged charm. I couldn't help but commit every detail to memory, like a sketch I was afraid to lose.

"Karan Thappar, you're the only one who's stolen my attention from the books I usually bury myself in," I sighed, watching him effortlessly interact with everyone except me.

A pang of disappointment hit me as I stood there, invisible in the crowd, while he laughed and joked with others. It was silly, I knew that. After all, we barely knew each other. But his presence had a way of drawing me in, igniting a longing for something more.

"Come on, Pashmina, get a grip," I muttered to myself, trying to shake off the feelings. But my eyes kept drifting back to him, captivated not just by his looks but by the ease with which he navigated social situations.

As I leaned against a nearby wall, wishing for the courage to join them, I couldn't help but think, "Why do I keep doing this to myself?" I had my studies and goals to focus on, and I didn't want a crush to distract me, especially when it felt like a distant dream.

Then, something unexpected happened. Karan glanced around, and for a split second, our eyes met. My heart raced, and a spark of hope ignited within me. It felt like time slowed down, the noise around us fading away. At that moment, I wasn't invisible.

"Maybe there's still a chance," I thought, my heart pounding with a mix of excitement and nerves. I straightened up, determined to project a little more confidence. Perhaps it was time to step out of my comfort zone. After all, every story needs a little risk, right?

As the group laughed again, I reminded myself that I was more than just the quiet girl with her nose in a book. I was Pashmina Kohli, and maybe it was time to show Karan that there was more to me than met the eye.

So after a week of gathering all my courage in my introverted self, I walked into the cafeteria. As I entered, every eye turned toward me, and I could practically hear the collective sigh of surprise. Of course, it was the girl who always buried herself in books at the library, stepping into the cafeteria for the first time.

I could feel my cheeks heat up as I stood there, acutely aware of the curious glances. I quickly scanned the room, spotting Karan at a table alone, which was unusual. He was eating his lunch and seemed absorbed in something on his phone. As I walked closer, ignoring the stares, his screen became more visible, and I realized he was watching a test match.

To my surprise, Paaji was batting, and Karan's eyes were glued to the screen. His spoon hung mid-air, forgotten, as he leaned closer, biting his lip in anticipation. I watched, captivated, as he practically held his breath when Paaji hit his iconic cover drive. The way Karan blew out air in relief and joy, fanboying over the shot, was both adorable and endearing.

Smiling, I took a seat in front of him. "I swear I've never seen even Nush Bhabhi look at Paaji with so much love as you do," I teased, watching him startle and look up, his cheeks turning a shade of pink.

"Uhhh, you know, cricket is my thing," he replied, a bit embarrassed but also amused. "Watching your Paaji play is equal to having butterflies when someone says 'I love you.'" He chuckled, shaking his head as if to downplay his excitement.

I couldn't help but laugh along with him. "That's quite the comparison! So, I guess you're a bit of a romantic when it comes to cricket, huh?"

"Absolutely," Karan replied, leaning back in his chair, his confidence returning. "It's not just a game; it's an experience. The way he plays, it's like poetry in motion."

I could see the admiration in his eyes, and it made me feel a little more at ease. "I get that. It's nice to see someone so passionate about something."

Karan leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand, and looked at me with a playful glint in his eyes. "So, Pashmina, what brings you here? But wait—your name is so long to say. How about a nickname?"

I felt my cheeks heat up at his suggestion, and I mentally blushed. "What do you suggest?" I asked, my voice a little lower than usual, unsure of where this conversation was headed.

He thought for a moment, his brow furrowing cutely. "How about just 'Pasho'? It's short, sweet, and easy to remember. Plus, it has a nice ring to it," he said with a grin.

"Pasho?" I repeated, rolling the nickname around in my head. It felt strange yet oddly comforting coming from him. "I kind of like it."

"So, Pasho, what brings you here?" he asked between bites of his lunch, his eyes still twinkling with curiosity.

I found myself absentmindedly playing with the bracelet my mom had gifted me for my birthday, a small comfort in the overwhelming social atmosphere. "You know, just like that," I replied, trying to sound casual. "We hadn't talked in a month or so."

His expression shifted, and I could see a hint of surprise mixed with amusement. "Really? I didn't think I'd missed that much of a conversation!" He smiled, clearly pleased by my sudden appearance.

"Yeah, well, it's easy to get lost in the books," I admitted, feeling a little self-conscious. "But I figured I should at least say hi instead of watching you from a distance."

"Ah, so I was being watched?" he teased, leaning forward. "I knew it! I must be more charming than I thought."

I rolled my eyes playfully, trying to suppress a smile. "Don't let it get to your head, Karan."

He laughed, and I couldn't help but feel more at ease. "So, Pasho, what's on your mind? Besides me, of course," he added with a wink.

I felt my heart race slightly at his flirtation. "Honestly? Just trying to figure out how to balance my studies and maybe... make a few more friends."

"Making friends is important," he nodded thoughtfully. "And look at you! You're already off to a good start by chatting with me."

"Yeah, I suppose that's true," I said, feeling a warm glow at his words. Maybe stepping out of my comfort zone wasn't such a bad idea after all.

After a minute of comfortable silence, I broke it. "So, are you working with anyone on a short film?" I asked, trying to keep my tone casual while secretly hoping he'd say no. Maybe then he'd consider pairing up with me.

"Actually, yes! With Summer Martin," he replied, his voice carrying a thick British accent that I hadn't noticed until now.

Internally, I groaned at the mention of her name. Why did girls with attitude always get their way in everything? Summer was the kind of girl who effortlessly commanded attention, and the fact that Karan was working with her made me feel an odd mix of disappointment and irritation.

"Oh, cool," I said, trying to sound enthusiastic, but I could hear the hint of disappointment in my voice. "Summer's talented."

"Yeah, she is," he nodded, seemingly oblivious to my unease. "We've been brainstorming ideas together. It's been fun!"

I felt a familiar frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Once again, I'd find myself paired with someone who might not pull their weight in a project while I ended up doing half the work. My smile felt forced as I replied, "Well, I should be going. I need to find a partner for my project."

"Nice talking to you, Karan," I added, trying to keep my tone light, even though my heart felt heavy.

"Wait, Pashmina!" he called out as I stood to leave. Suddenly, he reached out and held my hand, sending my heart racing quicker than Paaji ran between the wickets.

"You can join us! Three are allowed in the group, I guess Summer won't mind, and even if she does, I don't care," he said, giggling.

I looked at our hands, then up at him. His warm brown eyes locked onto my black ones, and I felt a flutter in my stomach.

"Really, Thappar? Are you sure?" I asked, trying to sound casual but unable to mask the hint of vulnerability in my voice.

"Absolutely," he replied with an easy grin, his thumb lightly brushing against my hand. "I wouldn't offer if I didn't mean it. It'll be fun, I promise."

His sincerity was disarming, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. It was hard to believe that this charming, confident guy wanted me to be a part of his project.

"Okay, then," I said, allowing a smile to spread across my face. "Let's do it. I'm in."

"Cool, Pasho! Then how about coffee at the end of our classes? We can discuss our ideas," he said, grinning widely.

"Well, I have my part-time job after classes, so maybe we can meet after 6?" I said, trying to keep my voice steady despite the butterflies swirling in my stomach.

"Part-time job? I didn't know you worked!" Karan exclaimed, genuinely surprised. "What do you do?"

I shrugged, feeling a bit shy about it. "I work at a café as a cashier and manage the place," I admitted, trying to sound casual.

"Wow, Lady Kohli being independent! I already like you," he said, patting my hands lightly.

My heart leapt into my throat at his words. Even though he meant it casually, hearing him say he liked me, even in that offhand way, sent a thrill through me. I felt a blush creeping up my cheeks, and I could barely manage a smile in response.

"Thanks! It's just a job, really," I said, trying to downplay it, but inside I was buzzing with excitement.

Karan's playful demeanour made it hard to focus on anything else. "And here I thought you were just a bookworm! Turns out, you're more than that," he teased, leaning in a little closer.

I laughed, trying to keep the moment light. "Yeah, I'm full of surprises," I replied, feeling a surge of confidence. "Who knew the quiet girl had a life outside the library?"

"Definitely! And I'm looking forward to hearing more about it over coffee," he said, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

"Would you love dinner over at my place?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as I felt a rush of courage. The idea had popped into my mind, and before I could second-guess myself, the words were out.

Karan looked surprised but intrigued. "Dinner? At your place? Sounds interesting!" he replied, his grin widening. "What's on the menu?"

"What do you want? And what about Summer?" I asked, rolling her name off my tongue a bit bitterly in my mind.

Karan waved his hand dismissively. "Nah, she won't be coming. It'll just be the two of us. She has some party tonight; she invited me too, but I'm not interested." He paused, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So how about chole bhature? You know, like Ram ke chole bhature?"

I laughed, my nose scrunching up involuntarily. "You're really in love with my Paaji, aren't you?" I teased, raising an eyebrow.

Karan grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Guilty as charged! I mean, can you blame me?

I couldn't help but chuckle at his enthusiasm. "No, I suppose I can't. I mean, he is pretty great," I said, my voice softening a little as I thought about Paaji and how much he meant to me.

Karan smiled, his eyes twinkling. "See? Even you agree. Now I don't feel as bad," he joked, leaning back in his chair. "So, about that dinner..."

I raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Chole bhature, huh? You're really setting the bar high with your food requests."

"What can I say?" He shrugged playfully. "I like to keep things interesting."

Shaking my head, I rolled my eyes but couldn't suppress the smile spreading across my face. "Fine, but you better show up hungry. I'm not making all that for nothing."

Karan nodded eagerly. "Deal. I'll bring my appetite."

We shared a moment of comfortable silence, and for once, it didn't feel awkward to be sitting here with him, like I wasn't just the bookish girl watching from the sidelines. Maybe, just maybe, I was a little closer to being part of his world.

"So, Karan, I'll be leaving now," I said, gathering my books and feeling a surge of newfound confidence. "Bye," I added, daring to ruffle his hair as I passed by.

He closed his eyes with a smile, clearly enjoying the playful gesture. As I headed toward the door, I suddenly felt his hand gently grip mine, stopping me in my tracks.

"Pasho, hope you have a TV at home," he said, grinning mischievously. "I missed your Paaji's innings, and I'm counting on catching the highlights tonight."

I rolled my eyes, smiling. "Of course, I do. But you're coming for dinner, not just to fanboy over Paaji, alright?"

He chuckled, letting go of my hand. "Promise. But, you know, a little cricket never hurt anyone."

I shook my head, laughing softly as I made my way out of the cafeteria. As I caught my breath from the laughter, I glanced back toward where I had just come from.

"Humpty Dumpty is falling from the wall," I murmured to myself, feeling a strange flutter in my chest, "and maybe... in love."

The thought felt silly but undeniable. With a sigh, I pushed the idea aside, reminding myself that dinner tonight was just dinner—nothing more, right?