ARNA

The moment he walked in, the room changed. Conversations faltered, chairs stilled, and even the sunlight filtering through the windows seemed to pause in curiosity.

It wasn't just him — Mentor Gugan followed close behind, both of them moving with a quiet authority that drew every pair of eyes in the room.

He wore black. Not just any black — but the kind that seemed to command attention without trying. The shirt fit him like it had been made for this moment, sharp and simple, almost like a uniform.

"Good morning, class!" Gugan began, his voice as warm and steady as ever.

"You all know me — but this," he gestured toward the man beside him, "is your professor, Hridhan. You've heard the name, though perhaps you've never seen him in person. He's been busy at the palace... but finally, he's back to meet a pers—" He stumbled, then corrected himself with a small, awkward smile. "I mean, to meet you all."

A low chuckle rippled through the class.

Hridhan didn't laugh. He simply inclined his head, his voice low and deliberate when he spoke. "Nice to meet you."

That was all. But it was enough — his tone carried weight, as if every syllable had been chosen and carved from stone.

"Alright," Gugan clapped his hands once. "Let's begin. Since it's Saturday, there won't be any history or geography today. Think of this as a light session."

The class erupted in cheers, relief and excitement spilling into laughter.

Behind me, someone whispered, "Mentor hridhan is totally giving off grumpy billionaire vibes."

I smiled to myself, not daring to look back. She wasn't wrong.

"No. Maybe a king?"

No.

"Aah, he could suit the role perfectly," the other murmured back, barely above a whisper.

In which angle ?

Gugan had already started pacing as he spoke, his voice filling the room with easy confidence. For all his casual demeanor, he was a good professor — the kind who knew how to hold attention without trying too hard. His words were sharp, measured, and never lingered longer than they needed to.

He caught my eye mid-sentence, nodded, and smiled. I managed a polite smile in return. My eyebrows froze in confusion.

Hridhan, on the other hand, leaned casually against the table beside him, his gaze sweeping over the class — everyone except me. I should've been grateful; at least he wasn't drawing more attention. Still, I could sense the silent curiosity buzzing in the room. Most of them had probably already stalked his Instagram, connecting dots that weren't meant to be connected.

I didn't know what reactions would come once they did. Maybe shock. Maybe gossip. But fear? No — I couldn't afford that. Not when I was the one who signed the marriage papers.

I told myself I didn't care what people thought. Their opinions were fleeting, like dust caught in a sunbeam — bright for a second, then gone. No one really sits around wondering what happens in my life. And if they do, it's only because they have nothing better to do.

Who cares if I married my mentor or a fellow student?

Maybe it would make headlines for a day, two at most. Then it would fade — like every story does.

Because the truth, no matter how heavy it feels in the moment, always finds a way to disappear into thin air.

"So, let's take a break, guys," Gugan said, and the class immediately erupted in a chorus of 'Thank you, sir!'

He chuckled, shaking his head. "Alright, alright. How about we play a game?"

A collective gasp of excitement filled the room.

"Ohhh yes, sir!" voices overlapped, laughter spilling through the air. I couldn't help but smile — the energy was infectious.

"Okay then," he said, hands raised in mock surrender. "What do you all want to play?"

Instantly, chaos broke loose. Everyone shouted something different — Dumb Charades, Truth or Dare, Rapid Fire, and a few things that didn't even sound like games.

Gugan laughed, glancing at Hridhan as if to say see what I deal with?

"Alright, fine," he said, pretending to sound stern. "We don't have that much time now. How about we play everything next time I come?"

A few students gasped. "Sir, you'll come again?" someone from the back called out hopefully.

"Yes," Gugan said after a pause, his smile softening. "Most probably."

That was enough to earn another round of cheers.

"Okay, okay," he continued, clapping his hands once more. "Before you all disappear for lunch, let's have a quick Q and A. Ask anything — but keep it interesting."

A ripple of excitement spread across the room. Phones were lowered, backs straightened, and the quiet hum of curiosity settled in the air.

I glanced at Hridhan — still silent, still leaning against the table, his gaze steady on nothing in particular. The faintest smirk curved his lips, as if he already knew the questions wouldn't be as harmless as they sounded.

Hands shot up the moment Gugan finished speaking.

"Okay, okay," he said, pointing toward the front row. "Yes, you—go ahead."

"Sir, what's your favorite subject?" a boy asked, trying to sound formal.

Gugan smiled. "Lunch," he said instantly, and the class burst into laughter.

"Good answer," someone called.

"Alright, next," he said, scanning the room. "Something interesting, remember?"

Then Kevin — of course, it had to be Kevin — shot his hand up, grinning from ear to ear.

"Sir! Sir! I have a question!"

Gugan groaned good-naturedly. "Kevin, this better not get me in trouble."

Kevin clasped his hands together in mock sincerity. "Promise it won't. It's educational."

A ripple of laughter ran through the class.

"Alright," Gugan said, amused. "Go ahead, Mr. Educational."

Kevin straightened in his seat and pointed at Hridhan with exaggerated seriousness.

"Sir, can you please share your beauty tips? Because honestly—" he gestured broadly, "you're giving major main-character energy right now, and some of us are struggling to get there."

The class exploded. Someone actually clapped.

Gugan laughed so hard he had to steady himself on the table. "Kevin!" he managed between laughs. "You can't just—"

But even he couldn't finish the sentence.

All eyes turned to Hridhan, who hadn't moved a muscle. For a moment, he just stared at Kevin — quiet, unreadable, the corner of his mouth twitching ever so slightly.

"Sleep," he said finally.

Kevin blinked. "What?"

"Get enough sleep," Hridhan repeated, his tone perfectly serious. "It helps with your face."

The class lost it. Even Gugan was laughing now, hands on his knees.

Kevin looked mock-offended. "That's it? No royal skincare routine? No secret herb from the palace garden?"

This time, Hridhan's lips curved just barely into the faintest smirk. "Confidence," he said simply. "That's the only thing that doesn't wash off."

The laughter softened into a mix of awe and surprise.

I felt my pulse skip not because of what he said, but because I could see through it. The tone, the ease, the way he deflected with poise — it was the same mask he always wore.

And the way the others admired it, laughed at it, cheered for it — it almost made me forget that behind that composure was the same man who'd signed those marriage papers with me in complete silence.

Hands shot up everywhere like fireworks. Gugan barely finished his sentence before the room turned into a carnival of questions.

"Okay, one at a time!" he said.

"Sir, do you believe in ghosts?" someone yelled from the back.

"After grading your papers? Absolutely."

More laughter.

The energy was wild now — teasing, unfiltered, almost unhinged in that way only students on a Saturday morning could manage.

Then Kevin raised his hand, eyes glinting like he was about to commit social chaos again.

"Sir! I have a question for Mentor Hridhan," he said loudly.

Not again, kevin.

The room went silent, then burst into hoots and oohs. Even Gugan's eyebrows shot up. "Oh boy. This should be good."

Kevin stood, adopting a mock interview stance. "Sir, serious question — what shampoo do you use? Because this level of shine is unnatural. Like, do you have a royal hairstylist or are you just born luminous?"

The class howled. Someone banged the desk.

Gugan tried not to laugh, covering his face. "Kevin, please—"

But Kevin wasn't done. "And also, sir, do you moisturize? Because if you do, I think I speak for everyone when I say — drop. the. routine."

I bit back a laugh, hiding my face behind my hand.

For a long moment, Hridhan didn't react. He just looked at Kevin, calm as ever, one eyebrow raised — a look that could silence kingdoms.

Then, in that same deep, smooth voice, he said, "Discipline."

Kevin blinked. "Excuse me?"

"Shampoo, moisturizer, whatever," Hridhan continued, his tone dry. "Nothing works better than discipline."

The room erupted. Even Gugan laughed so hard he had to lean on the desk for support.

Kevin threw his hands up. "So I just have to wake up early and suddenly look like that?!"

Hridhan smirked — a quiet, devastating smirk that made the entire class collectively lose its mind.

But then, of course, someone from the corner couldn't resist. "Sir, are you single?"

"Yeah, yeah! Are you?" another joined, the teasing now uncontrollable.

Gugan raised his hands, shouting over the laughter. "Alright, class! Let's keep it academic—"

But it was too late.

Hridhan, still perfectly calm, said, "No."

The room fell silent — just like that.

And I felt every pair of eyes flicker between him and me. Maybe I was imagining. I didn't know but I feel like it was me.

For a heartbeat, even the air seemed to hesitate.

Then Gugan clapped once. "Okay! Moving on! Last question, please — before I lose my job."

But I knew it was too late. The whispers had already started — soft, sharp, and full of questions no one dared ask aloud.

And then, the door opened.

The sound wasn't loud, but it sliced clean through the noise.

A woman stepped inside, her heels clicking softly against the floor. Her white shirt was tucked neatly into a pencil skirt, the fabric crisp and tailored, sleeves rolled up just enough to suggest she didn't need to prove authority — she simply had it. Her hair fell loosely over her shoulders, catching the faint sunlight that streamed through the window.

The class stilled instantly, laughter dissolving into silence.

"Good morning, ma'am," Gugan greeted, recovering first, and the class echoed him in uneven unison.

I leaned toward Kevin. "Who's she?"

"Avanthika ma'am," he whispered back. "Supreme Commander of Sector 17's daughter. Basically, royalty." Then, eyes gleaming, "Isn't she beautiful?"

"More than Hridhan?" I teased.

Kevin pressed a hand to his heart. "That's... debatable. Depends on the lighting."

Avanthika's heels clicked against the floor as she approached the front. Her gaze swept across the room — composed, unreadable.

"The class seems to be enjoying itself," she said.

Gugan chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, yes, ma'am. Just a short Q&A before we wrap up."

Her lips curved faintly. "Q&A, hmm? Were the questions at least intelligent?"

The class erupted in nervous laughter.

Kevin, of course, couldn't resist. He shot his hand up like a rocket. "Ma'am, may I ask you a question?"

"Kevin, you better shut" Raha said from behind.

Avanthika raised an eyebrow. "You may try."

"Do you also use Hridhan sir's shampoo? Because your hair is giving the same divine shine."

Gugan doubled over laughing. "Kevin, please—"

But Kevin wasn't done. "No seriously, ma'am, if this is some royal conditioner from Sector 17, please tell us commoners where to apply!"

Avanthika didn't miss a beat. "Confidence," she said smoothly, echoing Hridhan's earlier words. "And a bit of patience."

Kevin gasped theatrically. "Patience? So it is true love's secret formula!"

The room roared again, students wiping tears from their eyes. Even Gugan was controlling hard.

But when the laughter died down, Avanthika turned her head slightly — toward Hridhan. "Wouldn't you agree, Hridhan?"

His expression didn't change, but something flickered there — a quiet, dangerous amusement. "I'd say she's right," he said. "Confidence works best when... shared."

The class groaned dramatically. "OHHHHHHH!" someone shouted.

Kevin slapped his desk. "Sir, that's a power couple quote right there!"

Avanthika's eyebrow lifted, but there was a spark in her eyes now — something half-challenge, half-dare. "Careful, Kevin," she said lightly. "You sound like you're shipping us."

"I mean, are we wrong?" Kevin blurted.

Avanthika turned slightly, as if to leave, but there was the faintest smile tugging at her lips. "Well," she said over the laughter, "it seems your students have... imagination."

"They get that from him," Gugan joked, pointing to Hridhan.

Hridhan just sighed, low and deep, the sound cutting through the noise like velvet. "Or maybe," he said, eyes flicking briefly toward her, "from observation."

Kevin had both hands in his hair. "Oh my god. Did we just witness royal flirting? Did that actually happen?"

I didn't answer. Well, I wasn't interested.

"Any more questions?" Avanthika asked, her voice calm despite the storm of giggles still echoing through the room.

Kevin's hand shot up instantly. "Ma'am, this one's serious. On a scale of one to ten, how much patience does it take to work with Hridhan sir?"

The class screamed with laughter. Someone in the back yelled, "Good question!"

Avanthika smiled — slow, deliberate. "Hmm... eleven," she said.

The class howled. Gugan actually choked trying to hold in his laugh.

Kevin wasn't done. "Eleven? That's harsh, ma'am. Sir, do you have anything to say in your defense?"

Hridhan looked up lazily, arms still crossed, expression unreadable. "She's exaggerating," he said. "It's only a ten."

Kevin was practically on the floor now but he is overreacting. That's not even a joke.

Avanthika folded her arms, pretending to think. "Well, considering you once disappeared for three months without warning—"

Gugan made a sound halfway between a gasp and a laugh. "Oh-ho, context!"

Kevin's eyes went huge. "Wait—sir, what kind of disappearing act are we talking about? Like, secret mission? Romantic exile? Midlife crisis?"

"Kevin," Gugan warned.

But Avanthika tilted her head slightly, eyes glinting. "He tends to vanish when he's avoiding things."

"Like what?" Kevin pushed.

She paused just long enough for the tension to thicken. "Questions," she said finally.

The class exploded again, the laughter almost deafening.

Even Hridhan's lips twitched just barely and that was enough to make Kevin jump out of his chair. "He smiled! He actually smiled!"

"Noted," Avanthika said dryly, "that seems to be a rare occurrence."

"I have another!" someone shouted from the back. "Ma'am, if you had to describe Hridhan sir in one word, what would it be?"

She didn't hesitate. "Trouble."

The class screamed. Gugan lost it completely. "Okay, okay—let's stop before someone files a report on us!"

But Kevin, of course, wasn't done. "Sir, your turn! One word for Avanthika ma'am?"

The laughter dimmed, everyone suddenly curious.

Hridhan looked straight at her — not a blink, not a twitch. "Unforgettable," he said simply.

And just like that, the room went silent. The laughter died, the air turned heavy again — electric, charged, like a secret had just slipped through the cracks of a joke.

Avanthika held his gaze for a moment, the faintest smile curving her lips. "Still dramatic as ever," she murmured.

Gugan clapped his hands, breaking the spell. "Alright, that's it! Q&A over! This class is officially out of control."

But the damage was done.

Kevin leaned toward me, whispering, "Tell me I'm not the only one who felt that. That was chemistry."

"Oh, you're not," I said quietly, my pulse still quick.

I think I am not the one.

________________

So, Cuties 💕

It was a long chapter. Hope you enjoyed. Now, I am going back to my exams until then strictly no updates.

I will back on 11th. Until then, take care sweethearts 😘

Btw, how was the chapter ?