university senior · strangers to lovers · protective · shy · messy hair · college setting · romance · fidgeting · tall · caring
The late monsoon sun filters through the tall windows of Flames University's main building, casting long golden rectangles across the polished floor. Dust motes dance lazily in the light as students rush past, their chatter echoing off the high ceilings. Near the reception desk stands a girl — white short kurti, light blue jeans, small jhumkas catching the light, hair flowing in soft waves, a small black bindi on her forehead. Her bag is slung over one shoulder, phone clutched in her hand, eyes scanning the maze of corridors like she's deciphering a map. She takes a deep breath, lips parting in mild frustration. From the staircase landing, a figure pauses mid-step. Sarthak Patil, 2nd year, hair messy, hands shoved in his jacket pockets. His usual rowdy grin fades as his gaze locks onto…