Chapter 11: CHAPTER 9

Degrees of DesireWords: 14874

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After chapter 10 ig I won't be able to update for 2-3 days because it's my brother's Roka ceremony in 2 days!! Nd I have to prepare for it yk.

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Noor's POV

I sat in my cramped dorm room, the disarray of books and clothes surrounding me like a chaotic fortress, my mind racing. He had suspended me for something I didn't even do.

I could still feel the sting of that day-the way the classroom had fallen silent, all eyes on me.

Why had he jumped to conclusions?

My mind flickered back to Karan from the same day when I was about to go back home, his infuriating smirk lingering in my thoughts. "I told you this would happen," he had said, leaning against the wall like he owned the place.

I hated how he was right, how he always seemed to know just how to twist the knife.

I sighed heavily, the weight of frustration pressing against my chest. Just then, my phone pinged-a distraction I desperately needed. I grabbed it, curiosity piqued.

An unknown number flashed on the screen, and my heart skipped a beat as I read the message: "Use this password to login." First I ignored but after 2 hours I finally decided to reply.

"Who's this?" I typed, my fingers trembling slightly.

"Ms. Sharma, use this password to login."

I froze. Crocodile? It had to be him. The thought sent a wave of confusion through me. Why would he contact me like this? I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts.

I cautiously typed in the password he provided and, with a few taps, I was in.

The screen illuminated with familiar people, my heart racing at the thought of seeing my account restored. But then, another message appeared: "Change your personal information and password. Turn on two-step verification."

"Okay," I replied, my heart pounding.

"Join college again from tomorrow."

My breath hitched in my throat. I was ecstatic. I knew I had to respond, but my fingers hesitated.

"Thanks," I typed, and his quick thumbs-up emoji popped up, sending a strange thrill through me.

Crocodile. I chuckled to myself, hovering over his contact before saving it. After a moment of hesitation, I hit save.

I fell asleep with my mind swirling, torn between gratitude and confusion about his sudden change of heart.

[Noor ne to number save kar liya ab tum log bhi vote k sath sath comment kardo!!🎀 Hehehhehe]

The next morning, I walked into the lecture hall, the weight of stares heavy on my back.

Everyone was watching me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and sympathy.

I pushed my hair behind my ear, determined not to let it get to me. I spotted Arushi and Aarav, their faces lighting up when they saw me.

"Hey! You're back!" Arushi exclaimed, pulling me into a quick hug.

"Didn't think I'd miss the chaos," I replied, grinning.

Aarav nudged me playfully. "You sure know how to stir things up, don't you?"

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't help but laugh. "Not my fault I was framed!"

As Crocodile entered the room, the atmosphere shifted. He scanned the class, and when his gaze landed on me, my heart raced. I avoided his eyes, focusing on my notes instead. He began the lecture, his voice steady, but I could feel the weight of his scrutiny.

"Let's recap what we covered in the last few days," he said, his tone clipped. The lecture flowed, but I could sense a tension in the air. He didn't speak to me, but I could feel his gaze lingering on me.

When the class ended, I started gathering my things, my mind swirling with mixed emotions. Just as I stood, ready to slip out, he called me.

"Ms. Sharma." I turned to him.

"We need to talk."

I froze, my heart thudding in my chest. "About what?" My voice came out weaker than I wanted, a mix of anxiety and curiosity.

"Just... come to my office." He said with a pause.

I swallowed hard, nerves bubbling as I made my way to his office.

Reyansh's POV

I leaned back in my chair, staring at the stacks of papers on my desk, my mind racing with thoughts of Noor. The day had started off fine, but then the news of her suspension had twisted everything into chaos. I rubbed my temples, the guilt gnawing at me. I had acted in anger, and it felt like a weight pressing down on my chest.

The soft knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts, the endless loop of guilt that had become the soundtrack of my day. I looked up to see Noor standing there, a hesitant silhouette against the hallway light. “Come in,” I said, my voice hoarse, betraying the weight of my remorse.

She stepped inside, her gaze flitting around the office like a startled bird, avoiding mine entirely. I swallowed hard, my pulse quickening as I fumbled for the right words.

"Noor," I started, but the words felt heavy on my tongue. "I’m really sorry for what happened."

Silence hung in the air like a thick fog, and I could feel my heart racing. She didn’t respond, just crossed her arms and looked anywhere but at me. I swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. "I didn’t know the whole story. I acted too quickly. You have to believe me."

"Why do you care?" she finally shot back, her voice sharp, cutting through the tension.

"Because you’re my student," I replied, desperation creeping into my tone. "I made a mistake in anger, and I care about the truth. If there was someone else in your place, I would’ve done the same."

Her eyes flashed with something—hurt, anger, disappointment, I couldn’t be sure. "I don’t want your apology," she said, her voice steady but laced with emotion. "I don’t want to talk to you."

With that, she turned on her heel and walked out, leaving the door ajar behind her. I slumped back in my chair, the guilt tightening its grip.

I left the office with a heavy heart, the streets blurring past as I drove home, lost in thought. The familiar surroundings felt foreign now, every building a reminder of the mistake that haunted me.

The drive home was a blur, the city lights rushing past as I replayed our conversation in my head. Guilt, regret, and a strange sense of loss settled in the pit of my stomach.

When I walked into the house, the familiar scent of my mom’s cooking wrapped around me like a warm blanket.

She was chatting with my dad and grandfather, their voices a background hum as I greeted her with a half-hearted smile.

"How was your day, Ansh?" my mom asked, her eyes sparkling with concern.

"Fine," I muttered, sliding into a chair, the weight of the day still pressing down on me.

Just then, a voice boomed from the entrance. "Guess who’s back!"

All heads turned toward the door, and there stood Rohan, my younger brother, grinning from ear to ear. He looked taller, more confident, and somehow even more charming than I remembered.

"Rohan!" Mom squealed, rushing over to envelop him in a tight hug.

I stood up, a smile breaking through my gloom, and pulled him into a brotherly embrace. "You didn’t miss me, did you?" I teased, ruffling his hair.

"Of course I did! London was dull without you to annoy bhai," he shot back, his laughter infectious.

Our dad cleared his throat, attempting to regain control of the moment. “We have dinner plans with my business partner tonight. Sharma.”

Rohan’s eyes lit up. "Sharma uncle? Does that mean Jojo will be there too?"

“Yeah, she should be,” our dad replied, a hint of a smile creeping onto his face.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not going anywhere. I’ve had enough of these business dinners.”

Rohan’s expression turned pleading.

“Come on, bhai! I just got back after three years! You can’t say no to me!”

His enthusiasm was infectious, and against my better judgment, I found myself nodding. “Fine, but only because you asked so nicely.”

Rohan beamed and hugged me again, squeezing the air from my lungs. “You’re the best!”

As we dressed for dinner, I couldn’t shake the feeling that Rohan had somehow managed to bring a little light into my otherwise dark day.

We both donned our tuxedos—me in sleek black and Rohan in a crisp white—and I had to admit we looked good.

"Ready to impress the world?" Rohan asked, adjusting his tie in the mirror.

"More like ready to endure it," I replied dryly.

He chuckled, elbowing me. "You’ll have fun. Just let loose for once."

We climbed into the car, the air thick with anticipation. Rohan chattered excitedly about London, his stories weaving a vibrant tapestry of his life over the past three years. I nodded along, my mind occasionally drifting back to Noor and the tension that had built between us.

The luxurious restaurant was a world of its own, the soft hum of chatter and clinking cutlery creating a symphony of life. We settled into our seats, and the atmosphere buzzed with warmth and laughter.

The moment we settled into our seats, a couple of similar age of my parents approached, their smiles wide and welcoming.

"Malhotra family! It’s great to see you all!" The man exclaimed, shaking my dad’s hand.

"Good to see you, Raj," my dad replied, his tone more relaxed than usual.

My dad introduced us to them, Mr. Raj Sharma and his wife Mrs. Anika Sharma.

I greeted them.

I glanced at Rohan, who was already chatting animatedly with Aunty, the two of them lost in their own world. I tried to focus on the conversation, but my mind wandered.

"Where’s your daughter, Anika?" my mom asked, her eyes scanning the bustling restaurant.

Aunty smiled warmly. "She’ll be here soon. Just running a bit late."

And then we heard it—the click of heels, echoing across the polished floor. Everyone turned their heads toward the entrance, and I felt my heart stop.

There she was.

Noor.

Author's POV

When Noor appeared, clad in a stunning cherry red dress, time seemed to halt. The fabric hugged her curves, the color vibrant against her skin, accentuating her playful spirit.

Reyansh realised he was getting hard down down there. He swallowed hard, his heart racing as she made a beeline toward Rohan, his younger brother.

“Rohan!” Noor exclaimed, a bright smile lighting up her face as she threw her arms around him.

Reyansh’s stomach twisted, a pinch of jealousy biting at him. In that fleeting moment, he felt exposed, as if everyone could see the turmoil brewing beneath his calm exterior.

“Hey, Jojo! It’s been ages!” Rohan replied, returning the embrace with youthful exuberance. Reyansh’s eyes narrowed, and he shifted in his chair, trying to will away the discomfort that had taken residence in his groin.

Why did she have to look so radiant? Why did Rohan have to act like she was the only person in the room?

As they settled into their seats, Noor turned her attention to Reyansh’s parents, greeting them with a warm smile. “Hey uncle aunty, it’s so lovely to see you again!”

“Dear, you look beautiful tonight,” Reyansh’s mother beamed, her eyes twinkling with affection.

“Thank you, aunty!” Noor replied, her laughter like music, piercing through Reyansh’s thoughts.

When she finally turned to him, the world around them faded. Their eyes locked, a jolt of recognition sparking between them.

“Why are you staring at her like that?” Rohan’s voice cut through the silence.

Reyansh cleared his throat, forcing himself to look away. “I was just…uh…reminding her that I’m her professor.”

Rohan’s eyes widened in shock. “You’re her professor?” he blurted out, his tone a mixture of disbelief and amusement.

Reyansh nodded, feeling the weight of everyone's gaze. “Yes, and I teach mathematics.”

Noor’s father chuckled, his eyes twinkling. “So, you’re the infamous Professor Malhotra. Noor talks about you all the time.”

Reyansh’s heart raced. “She does?”

His inner mind was squealing thinking she talks about me!!!

“Yes, usually when she’s complaining about math,” Noor’s father replied with a wink.

“Dad!” Noor gasped, her cheeks flushing a delicate pink.

Reyansh’s mother shot him a disapproving look. “How can you scold such a sweet girl like Noor?”

“I didn’t scold her!” Reyansh protested, his voice rising slightly. “I merely suggested she might want to study a bit more.”

“Sweetheart, you’re too hard on her,” Reyansh’s mother insisted, her tone warm but firm. “Look at her! She’s so lovely tonight.”

Noor smiled, her eyes sparkling as she soaked in the praise. It was infectious, and Reyansh felt a tug at his heartstrings. But as Rohan recounted their school days, the laughter between them felt like daggers piercing through him. He picked at his salad, glaring at the plate as if it were the source of his woes.

“Bhai, did you know Noor was my junior in school? We were best friends,” Rohan announced, his voice filled with nostalgia.

“Best friends?” Reyansh echoed, his heart racing. “I wasn’t aware of that.”

“Yeah, we had so much fun together,” Noor chimed in, her eyes gleaming with memories as she looked at Rohan. “Remember that time we had a math competition, and I beat you?”

“You cheated!” Rohan laughed, shaking his head. “You had the answers in your backpack!”

“Who cares?” Noor grinned, her laughter infectious. Reyansh felt a pang of frustration.

His mother’s cheerful voice broke through his reverie. “If Ansh were married, I would have decided to marry Rohan and Noor myself!” she joked, her laughter ringing out.

Reyansh choked on his juice, sputtering as he tried to regain his composure. Rohan patted his back, concern rippling across his features. “You okay, bhai?”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Reyansh muttered, glaring at his mother, who was barely containing her laughter. “Noor is too young for Rohan anyway.”

“Reyansh, you’re being ridiculous,” his mother said, shooting him a sharp glance. “It’s just a joke.”

“Right, a joke,” Reyansh replied, his voice dry, his gaze flicking back to Noor. She was looking at him, her expression a mix of surprise and amusement.

They chatted and had dinner. But Reyansh was still looking at Noor and Rohan who were engrossed in their talks like the world faded around them.

Reyansh felt a pang as Noor was neither talking to him nor she was glancing at him. He was thinking how he had mad her upset.

He felt sad when he saw her smiling and laughing with Rohan. This was something she never does with Reyansh.

He was ready to apologise on any cost. Just when Rohan suggested them to join the dance floor.

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2521 words.

Lo bhyii hogyi Reyansh k Bhai ki entry.

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