Chapter 5: A Familiar Scent

Hazel stood at the counter, waiting for her coffee, tapping her fingers lightly against the surface. It was her daily ritual—walk in, order, take a moment to breathe before the day truly began.

And then—that scent.

Her breath hitched. No way.

It was subtle yet familiar, something rich and warm, with a hint of spice. The kind of scent that lingered just enough to make an impression but not overpower.

Before she could even process, a voice came from behind her.

"You always order the same thing?"

Hazel turned sharply, already knowing who it was. Aarav.

He stood there, hands in his pockets, an unreadable expression on his face. The soft hum of the coffee shop faded for a second as she took him in—because, seriously, did this man ever have a bad outfit day? Today, he wore a dark green sweater that somehow made his brown eyes look even deeper, paired with jeans that fit him just right.

She blinked, trying to snap herself out of whatever trance she was falling into. "It's called having a routine," she replied smoothly. "Unlike some people, I don't just appear in unexpected places."

Aarav's lips curved slightly, not quite a smile, but close. "Unexpected? Or just… interesting timing?"

Hazel narrowed her eyes. "Are you following me?"

His chuckle was low, almost amused. "If I were, wouldn't I have been here before you?"

Damn it. He had a point.

Before she could respond, her coffee arrived. She grabbed it quickly, turning slightly as if to end the conversation, but Aarav wasn't done.

"See you around, Hazel."

He said her name in that slow, deliberate way that made it sound like he knew something she didn't. And just like that, he moved past her, leaving behind the scent that had started this whole encounter in the first place.

Hazel exhaled sharply, gripping her coffee.

This was getting out of hand.

Hazel is now back to campus , while she was Still replaying her coffee shop encounter with Aarav, Hazel made her way to campus, shaking off the lingering effect of his words. See you around, Hazel. The way he said her name stuck with her more than she liked to admit.

No. Not happening. She wasn't going to let some mysteriously charming guy mess with her focus. She had goals.

As she walked into college, Naina spotted her and immediately looped an arm through hers. "You look like someone just handed you a love letter and ran away. Spill."

Hazel groaned. "First of all, no. Second of all… I may have run into Aarav again."

Naina gasped dramatically. "Our very own mystery man? Where? When? How close were you standing?"

Hazel shot her a look. "At the coffee shop. And close enough to realize he has a very unfairly good cologne."

Naina wiggled her eyebrows. "Oh, babe, you're in trouble."

"I am not in trouble." Hazel huffed, walking faster toward the lecture hall. "It's just a coincidence. A very annoying, very smug coincidence."

Before Naina could tease her further, Meera walked up, adjusting her glasses. "Oh good, you're both here. Did you see the announcement?"

Hazel raised an eyebrow. "What announcement?"

Meera held up her phone. "There's a group project for the psychology workshop. Professor Kapoor is pairing us up."

Hazel's stomach dropped.

Oh no.

Naina smirked, catching on immediately. "Hazel, what if—"

Before she could even finish the thought, Hazel's phone buzzed with an email notification. She glanced down.

Group Partner: Aarav Malhotra.

Hazel closed her eyes and exhaled slowly.

Of course.

---

Hazel sat in the lecture hall, staring at her phone screen. Subject: Psychology Project—a formal, straight-to-the-point email from Aarav.

> Aarav Malhotra

to Hazel

Hazel,

Let's coordinate for the project. I'm available after classes tomorrow or Saturday afternoon. Let me know what works.

– Aarav

Hazel blinked. No extra words. No unnecessary small talk. Just business.

Naina, who had been peeking over her shoulder, snatched the phone. "Wow. That's so… professional. Did you two not almost slow dance at a ball?"

Hazel groaned, taking her phone back. "Apparently, he's all about work now."

Meera, sitting beside them, casually flipped through her notebook. "Well, at least he's serious about the project. Unlike some people." She side-eyed Naina.

Naina placed a hand on her chest. "Excuse me, I take my responsibilities very seriously!"

Meera smirked. "Like your volleyball practice?"

Naina huffed. "That is a responsibility."

Hazel ignored their bickering and sighed, fingers hovering over her keyboard.

Should she just say tomorrow? Or make him wait till Saturday? Would choosing tomorrow make her seem too eager? Why am I overthinking an email?

Finally, she typed back.

> Hazel

to Aarav Malhotra

Tomorrow works. Library, 5 PM.

– Hazel

Simple. Professional. No nonsense.

She hit send, locked her phone, and ignored the way her stomach fluttered.

The rest of Hazel's classes went by in a blur. Her mind kept drifting back to the email exchange with Aarav, analyzing every word even though she knew it was pointless.

After college, Hazel and Naina headed back to their apartment. Meera had plans, so it was just the two of them. As soon as they stepped inside, Naina collapsed onto the couch.

"So, Miss Professional," Naina teased, stretching her arms. "You ready for your oh-so-formal project meeting tomorrow?"

Hazel rolled her eyes as she tossed her bag onto the chair. "It's just a project, Naina. Nothing special."

"Uh-huh, sure," Naina smirked. "You're totally not overthinking his one-word replies or his mysterious presence."

Hazel grabbed a cushion and threw it at her. "Shut up and help me decide what to wear tomorrow. I don't want to look like a mess in front of my project partner."

"Ah, see? You care!" Naina laughed, dodging the cushion.

Hazel sighed, shaking her head. Maybe she did care—just a little.

Next day , Hazel stepped into the library, adjusting her headset as a soft melody played in her ears. She had thrown on a comfortable green hoodie today, pairing it with jeans—nothing too fancy. She wasn't here to impress anyone. Just study.

But the moment she scanned the room, her eyes landed on a familiar figure. Aarav.

Of course, he was already here, sitting at a corner table, flipping through a thick book with his usual unreadable expression. His presence was effortless, yet it carried an intensity Hazel couldn't ignore.

She hesitated for a second before walking over, dropping her bag onto the chair across from him. He looked up briefly, acknowledging her with a slow nod before returning to his book.

Hazel, refusing to let this turn awkward, pulled out her laptop and a notebook. They had a project to work on, and if he wasn't going to say anything, neither was she.

But then, just as she opened her notes, Aarav slid a cup of coffee across the table toward her. No words, just the gesture.

Hazel raised an eyebrow, lowering her headset. "What's this?"

Aarav leaned back in his chair, finally meeting her gaze. "Figured you'd need it. You look like you're about to spend hours here."

Hazel smirked, taking the cup. "Observant, aren't you?"

"Just practical," Aarav replied smoothly before returning to his book.

And just like that, Hazel knew this study session wouldn't be as simple as she thought.

Hazel took a slow sip of the coffee, letting the warmth settle in as she watched Aarav casually flip through his book. He hadn't said much, yet somehow, his presence felt… heavy. Like he was aware of her every move without actually looking at her.

She cleared her throat and opened her laptop, pretending to be fully immersed in her notes. "So, about the project," she started, keeping her tone neutral.

Aarav looked up, closing his book with an easy flick of his wrist. "Yeah. I went through the guidelines. We need to choose a specific case study related to cognitive biases."

Hazel nodded, impressed. "You already did the reading?"

Aarav smirked. "Didn't you?"

She narrowed her eyes. Cocky much? Of course, she had read the material—Hazel Roy wasn't one to slack off. But his tone? It made her want to prove something.

"Obviously," she replied smoothly, tapping on her screen. "I was thinking we could analyze decision-making in high-pressure situations—how emotions affect rational choices."

Aarav leaned forward, interested. "That could work. We'd need real-life examples."

Hazel shrugged. "I figured we could look into courtroom cases, emergency response decisions, maybe even military strategies."

Aarav considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I'll pull up research on past studies. You can check psychological theories that explain the patterns."

Hazel typed a quick note. "Sounds like a plan."

For a few minutes, they both fell into quiet focus, only the sound of typing filling the space between them. It was oddly comfortable, working with him—until she caught him watching her.

Not obviously. Just small glances, like he was studying something beyond just their project.

She lifted an eyebrow. "Something wrong?"

Aarav didn't look away. Instead, his lips curved into a barely-there smirk. "Just wondering what's going on in that head of yours."

Hazel scoffed, shaking her head. "You'd have to be a mind reader for that."

Aarav simply leaned back, amused. "Or just good at human psychology."

Hazel rolled her eyes but couldn't fight the small smile creeping onto her lips. This guy…

Hazel stretched her arms, her eyes still glued to the screen as she scrolled through research papers. The library was quieter now, with only a few students scattered around. The clock on the wall read 9:00 PM.

Just then, her stomach betrayed her with a low growl. She froze, hoping Aarav hadn't heard it—but of course, he had.

Aarav smirked without looking up from his laptop. "You planning to survive on just psychology theories, or do you actually eat?"

Hazel sighed, rubbing her forehead. "I'll eat when I finish this."

Aarav leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. "That's a terrible plan."

She shot him a glare. "Says who?"

"Says basic human psychology," he replied smugly. "Low blood sugar affects concentration. You'll be less efficient if you don't eat."

Hazel exhaled sharply. He had a point, but she wasn't about to admit it.

Aarav stood up, closing his laptop. "Let's go. Pizzariya sounds better than an empty stomach."

She hesitated. "I don't—"

"You can get back to your obsession with cognitive biases after." His tone was casual, but there was something firm about it, like he wasn't leaving room for debate.

Hazel rolled her eyes but finally shut her laptop. "Fine."

As they walked out, she wondered—was he just being practical, or was this his way of making sure she was okay? Either way, she wasn't complaining.

They reached Pizzariya, the warmth of the place instantly making Hazel feel a little less exhausted. The scent of freshly baked dough and melted cheese filled the air as they found a corner booth.

Aarav casually flipped through the menu. "What's your go-to pizza?"

Hazel hummed, thinking. "Anything with extra cheese. And no pineapples."

Aarav smirked. "Finally, something we agree on."

They placed their order, and while waiting, Hazel tapped her fingers against the table. "So, do you always force people to eat, or am I just special?"

Aarav shrugged. "You're just predictable."

Hazel narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?"

"Spent enough time around you to know you get so caught up in things that you forget basic survival." He leaned back, arms crossed. "And I bet if I hadn't dragged you here, you'd still be in the library, starving."

Hazel opened her mouth to argue but shut it just as their pizza arrived. She grabbed a slice, determined to prove a point by taking an exaggerated bite. But just as she did, the cheese stretched, refusing to break, and in her attempt to pull it apart, the entire piece slipped from her grip—landing straight onto her lap.

She froze. Aarav blinked.

Then he burst out laughing.

Hazel groaned, looking down at the mess. "This is so unfair."

Aarav shook his head, still chuckling. "I swear, I didn't think I'd see you lose a battle to pizza."

Hazel grabbed a napkin, muttering under her breath. "Laugh all you want."

But when she glanced up, Aarav wasn't laughing anymore. He was just watching her, something unreadable in his gaze. Like he was seeing her in a way no one else did.

Hazel cleared her throat, breaking the moment. "Next time, you're the one embarrassing yourself."

Aarav smirked. "We'll see."

And just like that, the night felt a little lighter.

As they settled into their meal, the earlier laughter made it easier for them to talk—not as classmates, not as two people playing a silent game of mystery, but as Hazel and Aarav.

Hazel leaned back, finally relaxed. "So, what's your deal? You're quiet, observant, always conveniently showing up where I least expect."

Aarav raised a brow. "Conveniently?"

"Yes." She pointed at him with a fry. "Like at the library. At the workshop. And now here."

He smirked. "Maybe you're the one showing up where I am."

Hazel scoffed. "Please, I was at Pizzariya first."

Aarav shrugged. "Fair point." He took a sip of his drink. "But if you must know, I don't talk much because I don't see the need to fill silence with meaningless words."

Hazel tilted her head, intrigued. "And what makes a conversation meaningful?"

He met her gaze, his expression unreadable. "When both people actually want to be there."

Hazel blinked, momentarily thrown off.

She wasn't sure why that hit differently, but it did.

Trying to shake it off, she twirled her straw. "So, what do you do besides staring intensely at people and answering psychology questions like a know-it-all?"

Aarav smirked. "Music."

Hazel's interest piqued. "You play?"

"Guitar. And a little piano."

"Seriously?" Hazel grinned. "That's… unexpected."

Aarav leaned forward slightly. "Unexpected how?"

"I don't know." She shrugged. "You just have this whole mysterious, brooding thing going on. Didn't peg you for a musician."

Aarav chuckled, a real, low laugh that made something stir in Hazel's chest. "People assume a lot of things."

She nodded, understanding that more than she wanted to admit.

They kept talking—about music, their classes, random things that had nothing to do with their usual tension-filled encounters. It was easy, effortless in a way Hazel hadn't expected.

For once, she wasn't overanalyzing every second.

And for once, Aarav wasn't just some unreadable mystery.

He was just… Aarav.

And Hazel found herself wanting to know more.

As Hazel took the last sip of her drink, her phone buzzed on the table. She glanced at the screen—Naina's name flashed with a message:

Naina: Can't pick you up, babe. Going out with someone. Think of it as a date. You'll survive!

Hazel rolled her eyes, a small smirk playing on her lips. Of course, Naina had found herself a spontaneous plan.

Aarav, who had casually noticed the message over her shoulder, leaned back in his chair. "Looks like you're stranded."

Hazel locked her phone. "It's fine. I'll grab a cab."

Aarav raised an eyebrow. "At this hour?"

"It's not that late."

He glanced at his watch. "It will be by the time you reach home."

Hazel exhaled, pretending to consider her options. She wasn't entirely opposed to the idea, but still—"You don't have to."

"I know." Aarav stood up, grabbing his keys. "But I'm offering."

As they drove through the quiet streets, the city lights casting a soft glow inside the car, Hazel's phone buzzed again. She glanced at the screen—Naina. She sighed, knowing exactly what kind of interrogation awaited her.

Aarav noticed. "You're not answering?"

Hazel locked her phone. "She'll just overanalyze everything."

Aarav smirked, his fingers tapping lightly on the steering wheel. "So there is something to analyze?"

Hazel shot him a look. "No. But Naina has a talent for making things up."

Aarav chuckled, pulling up to her apartment building. Before she could unbuckle her seatbelt, he held out his hand.

She frowned. "What?"

"Your phone."

Hazel hesitated before placing it in his palm. Aarav swiftly entered his number and handed it back. "In case we need to coordinate."

She stared at the screen, his name now saved in her contacts. He wasn't wrong, but something about the way he said it made her feel… different.

Hazel tucked her phone into her bag and opened the door. "Thanks for the ride."

Aarav nodded. "Goodnight, Hazel."

She stepped out, but before shutting the door, she glanced back. "Goodnight, Aarav."

As he drove away, she took a deep breath. This was getting complicated.