Zoya’s pen dropped from her hand as the professor read out the project partner list.

> “Zoya Sheikh and... Akif Malik.”

Her heart stopped.

Literally skipped a beat.

She blinked up from her desk, hoping she misheard.

But Akif, sitting two rows behind her, leaned forward with that lazy smirk she was slowly learning to hate-love.

> “Guess you’re stuck with me, Chota Don.”

She glared. “Don't call me that in public.”

> “Can’t help it,” he winked. “You look exactly like one when you’re mad.”

She wanted to roll her eyes.

Instead, she sighed dramatically.

---

The next day, they met after class.

> “So… library?” Zoya asked, clutching her notebook.

Akif raised a brow. “Too boring. My place?”

Zoya stared. “Excuse me?”

> “It’s quieter,” he shrugged. “You’ll actually focus. Promise I won’t bite.”

She hesitated.

Aarfa wasn’t around today. Ayaan had dragged her off for “best boyfriend ever” plans.

And something inside her said:

> Just go. You’ll regret it if you don’t.

> “Fine,” she muttered. “But if you bite, I bite back.”

Akif laughed. “Noted.”

---

His House

Zoya didn’t expect it to be this… cozy.

The Malik residence was clean, modern, and somehow still warm.

There were basketball medals in the showcase, sneakers lined perfectly at the door, and framed photos of Akif with his family.

> “Welcome to the jungle,” he said, dropping his bag.

> “You’re the lion?” she asked.

> “More like the tired panther.”

She shook her head, hiding a smile.

---

His room was exactly what she expected — and not at all.

Walls had posters of Kobe Bryant, a messy study table, a neat bookshelf, and… a guitar?

> “You play?”

Akif rubbed the back of his neck. “A bit. When no one’s home.”

Zoya smirked. “Didn’t know you had a soft side.”

> “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”

She turned away quickly, hiding the blush.

---

They started working.

At first, it was all business — economics notes, PowerPoint layout, research websites.

But then... the distractions kicked in.

> “Stop tapping your pen,” he said.

> “I’m thinking!”

> “You’re giving me a headache.”

> “You are a headache.”

They bickered.

Laughed.

Shared snacks.

Shared glances.

And at one point… Zoya’s hand brushed his.

They both froze.

Neither pulled away.

---

Later, as the sun set outside and soft music played in the background, Zoya looked up from her notebook.

> “You’re not as annoying as I thought,” she said.

Akif grinned.

> “And you’re not as scary as everyone says.”

She chuckled. “Don’t spread that. I have a reputation.”

> “Too late.”

He looked at her.

She looked at him.

> Something flickered in the silence.

> Something real.

---

Just then — his phone buzzed.

Ayaan.

> “Bro. Done with the project or are you two writing a rom-com?”

“Call me after. Also, Aarfa said Zoya better not be blushing rn lol”

Zoya peeked at the message.

> “Show me that!”

> “Nope.”

> “Akif!”

> “You’ll have to fight me for it.”

> “I will.”

They ended up laughing so hard, they forgot they were supposed to be working.

---

As she packed her bag to leave, Akif walked her to the door.

> “Hey,” he said quietly, as she reached for the handle.

“This was… kinda fun.”

Zoya smiled softly.

> “Yeah. You’re not so bad, Malik.”

He smirked.

> “Don’t fall for me now.”

She looked him dead in the eyes.

> “Too late.”

His face froze.

Her eyes widened.

> “WAIT— I meant too l

ate to warn me, not— oh my God— that’s NOT what I—”

Akif laughed — full-on laughed — and leaned against the wall.

> “Goodnight, Don.”

He closed the door with a smirk.

Zoya stood there, red as a tomato.

---

To be continued...