Project?

They worked in silence for a few minutes, the only sound between them the soft rustle of pages turning and the occasional scratch of a pen.

Pearl kept her eyes on the book in front of her, underlining a section on post-independence trade reforms, but her mind wasn't on the text.

Not really.

She could feel him beside her—too close, too warm. Every time he shifted in his seat, her senses flared, betraying her calm facade.

Then it happened.

She reached across the table for her notebook at the same moment Vansh reached for the highlighter. Their hands brushed—barely a second—but it was enough.

Enough to send a jolt straight through her.

Pearl froze.

Vansh didn't pull away.

Their eyes met. And just like that, the tension roared back to life, thick and unspoken.

Pearl (quietly): "You did that on purpose."

Vansh (his voice low, teasing but rough around the edges): "If I did, would you be mad... or disappointed that it ended too quickly?"

She stared at him, caught between a retort and something she didn't want to name.

Pearl: "You're playing with fire."wandering soul

Vansh: (a small smirk tugging at his lips) "I know."

He leaned in just a fraction—not close enough to touch, but close enough that she could feel the heat of him.

Vansh: "But so are you."

Her breath caught in her throat.

For a second, she forgot about the project, the books, the reason they were even sitting here. All she could think about was how loud the silence had become—and how much she didn't hate it.

Pearl (pulling herself back with effort): "We have a deadline. Focus."

Vansh: (grinning as he leaned back) "Whatever you say, drama queen."

But even as he turned his attention back to the page, she knew neither of them was really thinking about Indian economic policies anymore

The silence was thick, only the sound of pages turning and the occasional scribble from pens breaking it. Pearl sat hunched over a book, trying to focus on the historical data about Indian economic policies. Across from her, Vansh tapped his pen against his notebook in an almost rhythmic pattern, clearly not as focused as she was.

Pearl (glancing up, annoyed): "You know, you've been tapping that pen for five minutes. I'm about to throw it out the window."

Vansh (smirking, not missing a beat): "Maybe it's my way of keeping you on your toes."

She gave him an unimpressed look, her eyes flicking back to the book in front of her.

Pearl (snapping): "If your goal is to get on my nerves, congratulations, you've won."

Vansh chuckled, the sound low and amused. But there was something in his eyes—something that made Pearl's heartbeat pick up just a little faster than usual.

Vansh (teasingly): "I thought we were partners in this. Shouldn't we be working together instead of... well, whatever this is?"

Pearl didn't answer at first. Her fingers traced the edge of the book, her mind not entirely on the project.

Pearl (dryly): "We are working. Just, it would be a lot easier if you weren't making everything so... distracting."

Vansh's smile widened, his gaze playful, like he knew exactly what he was doing.

Vansh (leaning in slightly): "Distracting, huh? You can't focus because of me?"

Pearl froze for a second before recovering, shaking her head in frustration.

Pearl (glaring, half-teasing, half-annoyed): "Don't flatter yourself. If I'm distracted, it's because of your constant interruptions."

Vansh (raising an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair, arms folded): "And yet you're still here, putting up with me."

Her eyes narrowed as she met his gaze, an unspoken challenge hanging in the air between them.

Pearl (smiling sweetly): "I'm here for the grade. Nothing more."

Vansh looked at her for a long moment, studying her face as if trying to read the truth behind her words.

Vansh (leaning forward just a bit): "You sure about that?"

Pearl felt the heat creep up her neck. She cleared her throat, refocusing on the book in front of her.

Pearl (trying to stay composed): "I'm sure. Now, let's just finish this already."

But she could feel his eyes still on her, the silence between them charged in a way that hadn't been there before. Maybe it was the proximity. Maybe it was the way he looked at her like there was more he wanted to say. But Pearl couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting.

Pearl (softly, to herself): "Great. Just great."