Chapter 3. Collide

This is where the fire really starts.

This is “the project pairing”—the catalyst moment. Expect tension, defiance, subtle cracks forming in their emotional armor, and a decision by the professor that shocks the entire class.

PROFESSOR RINA KHOSLA

(POV)

The moment I walked into the lecture hall, I knew what I was about to do was evil.

Educational, yes. Pedagogically sound? Debatable.

But necessary? Without a doubt.

Today was the midterm project announcement—a semester-defining assignment. Everyone expected the usual: pick your partner, research, present, repeat.

But not this time.

I cleared my throat. Silence. Eyes forward.

Except for two. Tara Vyas and Kian Raheja, already scanning the room like generals mapping a battlefield.

Perfect.

“This semester,” I said, “you will not be choosing your partners.”

A ripple went through the room.

“This time, I’m assigning them. Randomly, fairly, and with purpose.”

I paused for effect.

Then smiled wickedly.

"Rayan Kapoor and Lia Mehra ‐ you’re together"

" Aadil khan and Roshani Hassan - you’re together"

"Vikram Mehta and Aarna Sharma - you’re together"

.........And...

“Tara Vyas and Kian Raheja—you’re together.”

The gasp was audible.

Someone dropped a pen. I think Meher laughed. Rayan just whispered, “It’s happening.”

Tara blinked. Kian sat back, arms folded, expression unreadable.

Good. Let the games begin.

***TARA VYAS***

What.

The actual.

Hell.

Did I hear that right?

Me. And Raheja?

This had to be a joke. A punishment. A social experiment gone wrong.

I raised my hand—cold, calm, professional.

“Ma’am, I believe there’s a mistake.”

Professor Khosla didn’t even flinch. “No mistake. In fact, it’s quite intentional.”

“But—”

“No further arguments, Miss Vyas. I expect excellence from both of you.”

I sat back slowly, trying to keep my heart rate from showing on my face.

Excellence? She expected excellence from two people who would rather wrestle in mud than work together?

Kian hadn’t said a word yet.

Which made it worse.

He knew I was fuming. And he was enjoying every second of it.

I turned my head to glare at him. He met my eyes, smirked, and gave me a slow, mocking nod.

I swear, if murder wasn’t illegal...

***KIAN RAHEJA***

Oh, this was delicious.

Professor Khosla, I underestimated you.

Pairing us together?

That’s not just smart. That’s borderline cinematic.

I could feel Tara’s fury rolling off her in quiet waves—like a storm on mute.

She looked like she was calculating how many academic crimes she could commit before it cost her a scholarship.

I didn’t say anything. That’s the move.

Silence. Let her stew. Let her squirm.

Let her wonder if I was planning revenge for every sarcastic comment she ever made.

Which, I was.

The twist? I wasn’t dreading this.

I was excited.

This wasn’t a partnership. It was an arena.

And now? The war was official.

Let’s see who breaks first.

***STUDENT REACTIONS***

RAYAN (Classmate):

“She’s going to stab him with a pencil. I can feel it.”

MEHER (Student Council):

“Finally. It’s like watching ‘Pride & Prejudice’ if Darcy had a six-pack and Lizzie ran on caffeine and vengeance.”

LIA (Backbencher):

“Wait, what if they fall in love though?”

Everyone Else:

“No chance.”

(They had no idea.)

/) /)

( ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ )

/ づ づ ~ ♡

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