A shiver ran down her body, he was standing too close to her. He didn't know what his proximity was doing to her. She breathed sharply.

"No one walks out on me." He said.

"So, don't ever do that." He whispered in her ear, making her nervous all over again. She could feel his menacing tone which was enough to lose all her confidence.

He made her turn towards him by grabbing her arm. She was looking down - she had lost all her courage.

"Look at me when I'm talking." He said but she didn't budge. She was fighting with her inner turmoil. His hold tightened on her arm making her wince.

He didn't like this strange behaviour of hers. He was feeling insulted by her actions. She was getting on his nerves now.

He opened her palm and put the card in her hand, harshly. He pulled her a little closer so she could feel his hot breath on her face.

She gasped at his action.

"Don't ever behave like a brat in front of me. Just do as I say." He said gritting his teeth and unknowingly hurting her.

A painful sob escaped her mouth, making him stop immediately. He could see her trembling lips.

She is crying.

His hold loosened but didn't leave her yet. He looked away and closed his eyes for a second. He took a long breath before speaking again.

He did not mean to make her cry.

"Samaira..." He called out, but this time a little softly. She instantly looked up - her wet lashes met with his dark eyes. They were not cold anymore. They now held something, maybe guilt.

They just kept on looking at each other, standing close - in the same position. He was busy admiring her eyes when a tear escaped her eye. He watched it and felt something sink in his heart.

He immediately took a few steps back leaving his hold on her. He furiously rubbed his palm on his face. She was watching his changed expression.

Anger, irritation, and guilt then again anger.

She rubbed her arm where he was holding her, he watched her actions keenly. He walked towards her again, which made her flinch.

He didn't like that.

"Why are you crying?" He asked her, this time in a normal tone.

"You... are... are screaming at me." She said with her eyes brimming with tears. She couldn't compose herself before speaking. She said as if she was complaining to him.

"I didn't want to. You compelled me to do this, to behave like this. And why are you stepping away?" He said, watching her stepping back.

"Because you are scary and you will hurt me." She said timidly with fear dripping from her voice. Her tears were flowing freely now.

His eyes widened hearing her. He didn't know what to do. How to react. He stepped back again and left, leaving the poor soul all alone.

She wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

"I would have been happy taking your money if you had given me as your right or my right but not after knowing that you think of me as a gold-digger who's after your money."

She collected her things and went to her room with his card still in her hands. She was afraid of him now. She didn't want to give him another reason to scream.

I sighed heavily.

I didn't intend to be harsh on her.

My mind was already whirling around the cafe scene - she came to serve coffee at the table. I couldn't concentrate on my work after that.

I couldn't stop myself from thinking about her. I yelled at her and behaved harshly.

Damn.

I was just trying to make her understand my problem but she had to behave all annoyed with me when I was already in a bad mood.

I just need to forget this incident or she would again take over my mind the way she had been for the past few days. But her alluring eyes, her pink lips, her breath getting hitched when I move close to her. I saw her blush when I touched her.

I thought shouting at her would help me not to think about her... but no. Instead, I'm feeling guilty for yelling at her. It was not her fault.

She always behaves well. I behaved like a jerk to her.

God!!!

When I saw the hurt in her beautiful, innocent eyes I regretted it immediately. I couldn't forget how she flinched when I shouted and when I pulled her harshly.

I felt like wiping off those fat drops of tears and hold her to my chest. I felt like protecting her. She wasn't like what I imagined her to be.

She must be doing something with me. She is playing with my mind.

"I'm a very mad man Samaira, don't play with me."

....

The next morning, Samaira had her breakfast early without waiting for him. He came and saw her already eating. He felt strange because for the last couple of days they were eating together. Although not talking to each other.

She always made coffee and food for him and waited for him to come. She thought he didn't notice but he noticed everything.

He knows how suddenly his coffee's taste had changed. How his food became more nutritious and healthy.

But today was different. She got up and left for her college.

He didn't like that - she is ignoring him.

"Don't think about all this, Abhi. It is better to let it be like this."

He too came out after some time and found her still standing out the gate as if waiting for someone. He instantly stopped - curious to find out who she was waiting for like that.

But soon a cab arrived, she settled inside and it drove off. She took a cab for college. Well, she never used his cars.

He too left - with his mind occupied by her thoughts all the while.

The whole day rolled on like this. In front of Ritika, Samaira didn't show anything. She immersed herself in her study and classes and forgot everything.

After the classes, her professor announced the upcoming seminar which was going to be held next week. The students could participate in the different sections available. They would get to meet with many other renowned personalities from their field to boost their knowledge.

They could also help their professors and also work as a team for their project. The seminar would also include a cultural program in the end.

Samaira's mood instantly changed with the new announcement. She was excited to attend this, so she could learn so many new things.

All the students got excited and started talking about it. She was walking out of the class when her professor called her back.

"You seem to be interested and excited about the seminar." Her professor Mr Sandeep Mishra asked her in a casual tone.

"Yes Sir, I'm very excited to be a part of this opportunity." She replied with enthusiasm.

"I can see that. Well, I have an offer for you, if you are interested." He said, clearing his throat, looking towards the door suspiciously.

Samaira didn't understand.

"I need an assistant for my lab work. I generally pick students from 1st year, so they can learn while helping me. You seem to be very active in class so you could join me in the lab." He said.

Samaira smiled whole-heartedly. Among so many students, her professor selected her. She would get to work with him and learn so much from him.

"That's so nice of you, Sir. Thank you for giving me this opportunity." She replied.

"C'mon, you are a bright student. I know how to sharpen the talent of girls like you." He said, resting his hand on her arm.

She felt different. She stepped back immediately and gave a little smile.

She nodded and left, shrugging off all her negative thoughts.

...

She met Ritika who was waiting for her, so they could go to the cafe. She was thinking about how to tell her that she was leaving her job.

"What took you so long?" Ritika asked, keeping her mobile in her bag.

"Nothing, Professor Mishra asked me to assist him in the lab for a few days." She replied.

"Ohh... Lucky you," Ritika said twisting her lips. Samaira smiled and rolled her eyes.

"Let's go, we are getting late," Ritika said.

"Ritika stop, I wanted to tell you something," Samaira said, biting her lips.

"Go on, I'm listening." She encouraged her.

"I won't be able to continue my job in the cafe," she said feeling a little bad. She liked that place but...

"Why? What happened?" Ritika asked her. Till yesterday everything seemed fine!

"Now our classes have started. So it will be difficult for me to handle both together. I wanted to concentrate on my studies. I'm sorry for leaving in the middle." Samaira said. She couldn't tell her the truth.

"Ohhh!! Well, what can I say now? I understand because I also get tired after classes." She replied.

"Don't worry, I will inform my Dad. But at least take your payment for the days you have worked there." She said shifting their mood. She is a little upset about not having her in the cafe but she knows their study is more important.

"You are not angry, are you?" Samaira asked in her low voice.

"Why would I be angry?"

"I'm also working for a few days only. Chill!" Ritika said, making her feel relaxed. Both talked for some time and left for the cafe.

I