I Fall In Love With My Senior
1
Cafeteria – crowded, buzzing with students.
Nina
(grabbing Aryan’s hand)
Nina
Come fast! No seats left!”
She finds one table at the corner and throws her bag down.
Nina
I’m going to the washroom.
Nina
Don’t look so nervous!
Aryan
“Come back soon... please.”
Nina runs off. Aryan sits stiffly, glancing around like a lost puppy.
Everyone greets him like he's a celebrity.
He walks straight to Aryan’s table, raises an eyebrow.
Rudra
(grins)“You’re sitting at my table.”
Aryan
(panicking)“I-I didn’t know! I’ll move! Sorry!”
Rudra
(sits beside him)“No need.
Rudra
You look too scared to bully anyway.”
Aryan clutches his tray tighter.
Aryan
“You sure? I can sit on the floor if it’s less offensive.”
Rudra
What are you, a lost bunny? Relax. What’s your name?
Aryan
“A-Aryan... first year... arts...”
Rudra
(mock serious)“Well,
Rudra
Aryan-first-year-arts, welcome to the throne.
Rudra
You’ve just been recruited as my new table junior.”
Aryan
“Is that... a punishment or a promotion?”
Rudra
“Depends. Can you handle sarcasm with your fries?”
Aryan nervously pushes his fries toward Rudra.
Rudra
(takes one)“Good answer.”
2
College volleyball ground. It's sports period. Aryan stands awkwardly near the net, wearing a loose jersey three sizes too big. Clearly not a sports person.
Aryan
(muttering to himself)
Aryan
“Why is volleyball even compulsory? I can barely throw a paper ball…”
Students gather around. Rudra, in a different group, is casually chatting while holding a volleyball, smirking every now and then.
Aryan spots him but quickly looks away, pretending to fix his shoelace.
Enter Jackie, a bulky senior from the commerce department, tossing a ball up and catching it like a pro.
Jackie
(mocking)“Look who’s here table junior turned sports disaster.”
Aryan
(confused)“Why do you care?”
Jackie
(grinning)“Because weaklings like you don’t belong here. You’ll probably faint if the ball touches you.”
Jackie spikes the volleyball near Aryan's feet hard enough to make Aryan flinch and stumble back.
Jackie
(laughing)“Oops. My hand slipped.”
Some of the other boys chuckle. Aryan’s face turns red not from anger, but embarrassment.
Just then, Rudra’s voice cuts through the crowd.
Rudra
“Jackie, remind me… when did being a jerk become a sport?”
Everyone turns. Rudra walks over slowly, holding a volleyball with one hand, spinning it effortlessly.
Jackie
“Oh come on, Rudra. Just having fun. This junior needs to toughen up.”
Rudra
“Really? Then maybe you should try bullying someone your size.”
He walks up beside Aryan, lightly pats his head like he’s a puppy, then turns back to Jackie.
Silence. Everyone's eyes are wide. Jackie scoffs and storms off.
Jackie
“Whatever, man. Keep your pet.”
He leaves. Aryan is frozen, still clutching the volleyball Rudra tossed toward him earlier.
Aryan
“Y-You didn’t have to...”
Rudra
“Relax. I protect what’s mine.”
Rudra
(grinning)“Cafeteria junior. Table buddy.
Rudra
Future fake boyfriend? Labels are flexible.”
Aryan’s brain crashes like a slow WiFi signal.
3
Volleyball court, next morning. Aryan shows up in track pants and messy hair, holding a bottle like it’s a shield. Rudra is already there, casually bouncing the ball on his knee.
Rudra
“Good. You’re only ten minutes late. That’s a new record
Aryan
(deadpan)“I was rethinking life choices. This training was in top 3 regrets.
Rudra
“Oh, come on. We’re just playing. Not going to war.”
Aryan
“I saw a video last night. A volleyball hit a guy and he forgot his own name.”
Rudra
(laughing)“I promise I’ll remind you yours if that happens.”
Rudra tosses the ball lightly. Aryan panics. Misses.
Rudra
“Panicked? The ball came slower than my grandma’s Wi-Fi.”
Rudra walks over, casually fixes Aryan’s hand posture. Aryan stands still, heart racing.
Rudra
(calmly)“Hands together. Lock your elbows. Don’t overthink.”
Aryan
“I’m only overthinking.”
Their hands brush. Aryan looks away fast.
Rudra
“You always get this nervous around me?”
Aryan
“No. I’m like this with... air too.”
They try again. Aryan hits the ball. It flies off sideways and smacks a metal pole. Loud CLANG.
Aryan
“I broke the pole! Am I banned now?!”
Rudra
(laughing, holding his stomach)
Rudra
Forget volleyball. You’re a weapon.
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