The library had never looked so poetic.

The soft rustle of pages. The lazy afternoon sun dancing through the tall windows. The distant humming of the ceiling fan. Zoya was curled on the floor, her back resting against the bookshelf, a novel open on her lap. She wasn’t even reading anymore — just pretending to — because her eyes kept drifting toward him.

Akif Malik sat two rows ahead, leaning forward on the table, one arm bent as he scribbled notes, brows furrowed in that intense, focused way that made her breath catch.

He’d been there since morning. He didn’t have to be.

But he stayed.

For her.

Every time she looked up from her book, she found his gaze already on her — soft, thoughtful, guarded. And every time he’d glance away like he wasn’t just watching her breathe.

---

“Hey,” his voice was low, velvet-smooth, when he approached.

Zoya blinked up at him. “Hmm?”

“You’ve been stuck on the same page for the last 10 minutes.”

“I was... just admiring the font.”

Akif smirked. “Of course.”

She rolled her eyes, blushing lightly.

He crouched beside her. “Want to grab something to eat?”

Zoya hesitated. “I don’t want to interrupt Aarfa and Ayaan.”

“Oh no,” Akif chuckled. “They’re... quite occupied.”

---

Cut to: a quiet corner of the library courtyard, under a shaded tree.

Aarfa was practically in Ayaan’s lap, giggling as he whispered something in her ear. Zoya had never seen her best friend so lost. So glowy. So red in the cheeks.

Before she could look away, Ayaan cupped Aarfa’s face gently and leaned in.

A kiss.

Not wild. Not rushed.

Soft. Long. Sure.

Zoya’s eyes widened. “Well... damn.”

Akif, who had followed her gaze, raised an eyebrow. “And we thought we were being intense.”

Zoya laughed, still a little pink. “Should we leave them a tent or something?”

“They’d still tear it down,” Akif muttered under his breath.

---

The day passed like that — with casual jokes, shared glances, and every moment soaked in something unspoken.

By evening, they were outside Zoya’s apartment. The streetlights buzzed gently above them, casting soft glows across the quiet lane.

Akif didn’t say much. He just stood with her, hands in his pockets, swaying gently on his heels.

“I had fun today,” Zoya whispered.

“You didn’t study at all.”

“I said I had fun.”

Akif smiled. “Good.”

There was a beat of silence. Their eyes met. The breeze danced between them.

And then — her dupatta caught on his watch.

Classic.

Zoya turned, confused for a second, before realizing it was tangled between the dial.

He gently reached out, slowly untangling the fabric. His fingers brushed against hers. Once. Twice.

Neither moved.

And in that stillness, they both felt the world pause.

“I should go,” she said softly.

“Should you?” he whispered.

Zoya smiled nervously. “You’ll be late.”

He leaned closer, just enough to make her heart go wild.

“For you?” His voice dropped a note. “I can be late forever.”

She didn’t reply. Just turned quickly and walked into her apartment — heart racing, cheeks burning, mind screaming.

On the other side of the door, Akif stood still for a long moment… his fingers still holding onto the scent of her dupatta.

---

Is it burning? Oh yeah it's a slow-burn right? Don't worry will not burn more! Just 'some' chapters!