ISHQ : PROFESSOR'S DESTINY

                     •NEXT DAY•

I reached the university earlier than usual, hoping to catch a glimpse of Dhruv. My steps echoed in the stillness as I walked past the auditorium and spotted Aman lounging nearby.

"Have you seen Dhruv?" I asked, my voice tinged with urgency.

"Dhruv?" he echoed, confusion flickering across his face.

"I mean, Professor Dhruv," I clarified impatiently.

"Whoa, whoa! Is everything okay?" he inquired, narrowing his eyes suspiciously.

"Just tell me—have you seen him?" I pressed.

"Nope, haven’t seen him. Maybe Ma’am Gayatri knows where he is," he teased, a mischievous grin playing on his lips.

"You know what? Just go to hell," I snapped, brushing past him without a second glance.

Determined, I began searching the entire campus for Dhruv. My frustration mounted until I overheard Miss Gayatri speaking to another professor.

"Professor Rathore, why isn’t Professor Roy here yet?" she asked, her tone laced with curiosity.

"He’s on leave today," came the reply.

I froze in place, murmuring to myself, "Leave? He took the day off?"

I tilted my head toward the sky, my voice barely a whisper. "Oh God, did I hurt him so badly that he had to stay away from work?"

As my thoughts swirled, Aman appeared behind me, his expression one of concern. "Hey, what’s going on?"

"Aman, can you submit my leave application? I won’t be able to take my classes today," I said flatly, my focus elsewhere.

"Wait, what? Are you okay?" he asked, his worry deepening.

Before I could respond, my eyes caught Dhruv entering the university. He wore black sunglasses, his presence commanding even from a distance.

"Don’t give my application," I said abruptly, dashing off toward Dhruv without another word.

"What’s gotten into you, Aradhya?" Aman called after me, but I waved him off.

"I’ll explain later. Just go," I urged. Reluctantly, he left.

"Dhruv! Dhruv, wait!" I called out, my voice carrying through the corridor.

He didn’t stop, didn’t even look my way. Desperation took over, and I grabbed his wrist, forcing him to face me. "Dhruv, please, listen to me!"

He pulled his hand away, his eyes cold and unyielding. "Miss Aradhya, this is a university, and I am your professor. Behave yourself."

His words struck me like a slap, tears pooling in my eyes. "Please, just hear me out," I pleaded in a voice barely above a whisper.

"I can’t. It’s time for my class," he replied curtly.