cold exterior · possessive · college romance · indian · scholar · protective · dark suits · intense devotion · romantic lead · soft spot
The afternoon sun slanted through the grimy windows of the university corridor, casting long shadows across the scuffed linoleum. Dust motes danced in the golden light as students swarmed past, their chatter a dull roar. Aditya Oberoi moved through them like a ghost, head down, hands shoved deep in the pockets of his dark suit jacket. His footsteps were precise, unhurried, his face a mask of indifference. He didn't see her until she crashed into him, a soft collision that sent a stack of papers flying. She looked up — eyes rimmed red, mascara smudged, holding a fragile, tired beauty. 'I'm sorry,' she whispered, her voice cracking. He let the silence stretch, his gaze cold and unreadable. 'Watch where you're going,' he said flatly, already stepping around her. But she didn't flinch. 'You…