An Innocent Crush ?

"You scared me, dear." Dhruv’s mother exhaled, placing a hand on her chest before turning toward him. Her eyes narrowed as she took in his rain-drenched form. "And why are you just standing here? Go freshen up! You’ll catch a cold, gadha!" she scolded, glaring at him before settling beside Kiara.

("you donkey!")

Dhruv muttered something under his breath, kicked off his shoes, and headed upstairs.

His mother shook her head before turning back to Kiara with a small smile. "I often call him 'gadha,' but my son is very intelligent. Yes, sometimes he does foolish things, but he’s got a good heart."

Kiara accepted the warm ladoos his mother offered, her fingers sinking into the soft, golden sweetness. "Dhruv sir bohot ache hain," she said before taking a bite, savoring the taste.

His mother chuckled, shaking her head. "He’s been tutoring since the 8th grade, you know? Believes everyone should have access to education. That’s just how he is."

Kiara listened intently, surprised yet impressed.

"He wakes up early to study, then goes to college, comes back around five, and heads straight to tutoring. Some nights, he even has to go to the hospital for duty..."

Kiara’s brows furrowed. "He works that much?"

Dhruv’s mother nodded, but then she glanced at the clock and quickly stood up. "Eat quickly. He’ll be back any moment." She left the room, disappearing into another part of the house.

Kiara smiled softly to herself, her eyes landing on a nearby photo album. She flipped it open again.

She started looking at the rest of the pictures.

A baby Dhruv staring up at the camera with the roundest cheeks, dressed in an oversized sweater.

Kiara clamped a hand over her mouth, suppressing a laugh. "Who knew sir was such an adorable child?" she murmured, quickly pulling out her phone. She snapped a photo, biting her lip to keep from giggling too loudly.

"Was I really that cute?"

Kiara jumped, nearly dropping her phone. Her eyes widened as she turned to see Dhruv standing right behind her, his lips curling into a smirk as he glanced at her screen.

Panic set in.

"U-uh… sir! You’re here!" she stammered, fumbling to lock her phone.

Dhruv folded his arms, amusement dancing in his eyes. "Yes, I am. Now delete that."

Kiara pursed her lips. "Why? You looked adorable!"

His smirk faltered, replaced by a smile before it faded into a thin line. "It’s embarrassing!"

Kiara couldn’t help but giggle. "No, it’s not!"

Dhruv raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly do you plan to do with that photo?"

"Uh… nothing… oh wow, look at the time! I should go. I’ll come tomorrow... I have some doubts to clear!" She grabbed her bag, making her way towards the door. But she slowly, spinned back around with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Sir, you said Aunty doesn’t call you ‘gadha,’ right?"

Dhruv’s jaw clenched. Uh-oh.

Kiara leaned on the table, twirling a ladoo between her fingers. "Besan ke ladoo, khayenge?"

("Would you like some gram flour sweets?")

Dhruv exhaled sharply, narrowing his eyes at her. "You better not tell anyone about this."

She grinned. "Tell anyone what? That your mom calls you ‘gadha’?"

("Tell anyone what? That your mom calls you ‘donkey’?")

"Yes," he gritted out.

Kiara dramatically gasped. "Oh no, what a secret! I must inform everyone by tomorrow morning!"

"Kiara!"

"Bye-bye, sir!" she called out, bolting toward the door.

"Oi! Pagal ladki!" Dhruv groaned, running a hand through his hair as she disappeared.

("Oi! Crazy girl!")

🌷

Kiara collapsed onto her bed, face-first into a pillow.

"Stop blushing, Kiara. Stop it right now."

She turned onto her back, staring at the ceiling before rolling herself into a blanket burrito. But the grin wouldn’t leave her face.

With a sigh, she got up, walked over to her study table, and grabbed her phone.

Romantic song... Play.

She started twirling around her room, pretending to dance with an invisible partner. She spun, hummed along, and then—

She caught her reflection in the mirror.

Kiara paused, pointing at herself. "Seriously. Control yourself."

But instead of listening, she burst out laughing at her own antics before finally plopping onto her chair.

"Okay. Focus."

She flipped open her book, pen in hand, determined to study.

Except… she kept thinking about Dhruv’s irritated-yet-amused face.

She sighed, shaking her head. "Concentrate, Kiara!"

Minutes passed. Then an hour. But her thoughts refused to cooperate.

***

Meanwhile, at Dhruv’s place, he was standing by his bed, ironing his convocation outfit. But his mind was elsewhere.

Kiara.

Her ridiculous but cute giggles. The way she teased him relentlessly.

A chuckle escaped his lips. "Completely nuts."

Finishing up, he carefully folded his trousers when his phone rang.

He picked up. "Hello?"

"DHURV, CONGRATULATIONS!!!"

Dhruv blinked. "Uh… Thanks Bhai, but what happened?"

His brother practically shouted through the phone. "YOU GOT THE SCHOLARSHIP! YOU’RE GOING TO THE USA!"

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Edited
Wc 826