22-06-2025, 02:30 AM
Back to Campus – But Not the Same
The walk back was slow, as if the weight of their shared glances and not-quite-innocent touches had altered the pace of time itself.
The sun had mellowed, casting long golden shadows along the narrow alleyways they meandered through, just a breath apart.
Varnika's hand swung close to his as they walked
Close enough to graze his knuckles now and then.
Every time it happened, neither of them flinched nor pulled away.
If anything, she let it happen again
Casually.
Deliberately.
The air between them buzzed with something electric, stretched taut with unsaid things and undone touches.
Her voice came softer now, like a private whisper tucked into the space between footfalls.
“Next time, we’ll do something longer. Maybe a ride around Necklace Road?”
Her shoulder brushed his again
lingering this time
She tilted her face toward him
Letting her perfume, warm jasmine and something unmistakably her, wrap around him like a secret.
“I’m free tomorrow too,” he said, not missing a beat.
She turned, slowing her step further.
Her fingers slid briefly, daringly, along the back of his hand before retreating again, leaving a trail of tingling awareness behind.
She looked up at him through her lashes, lips parted in a knowing half-smile, sweet, but dangerous. “Let’s see,” she murmured, “if you behave.”
He stepped slightly closer, just enough to feel the heat of her without touching. “And if I don’t?”
Her eyes flicked down to his mouth, then back up,
No hurry
No apology. “You will see”
By the time they reached the campus gate, the world had returned to its usual rhythm, but they hadn't.
The silence between them wasn’t empty now.
It pulsed, charged with all the moments they’d touched without touching.
Their university work was done for the day.
Another visit might be needed before the week was out
But for now, there was nothing urgent left to do.
Except think about tomorrow.
The walk back was slow, as if the weight of their shared glances and not-quite-innocent touches had altered the pace of time itself.
The sun had mellowed, casting long golden shadows along the narrow alleyways they meandered through, just a breath apart.
Varnika's hand swung close to his as they walked
Close enough to graze his knuckles now and then.
Every time it happened, neither of them flinched nor pulled away.
If anything, she let it happen again
Casually.
Deliberately.
The air between them buzzed with something electric, stretched taut with unsaid things and undone touches.
Her voice came softer now, like a private whisper tucked into the space between footfalls.
“Next time, we’ll do something longer. Maybe a ride around Necklace Road?”
Her shoulder brushed his again
lingering this time
She tilted her face toward him
Letting her perfume, warm jasmine and something unmistakably her, wrap around him like a secret.
“I’m free tomorrow too,” he said, not missing a beat.
She turned, slowing her step further.
Her fingers slid briefly, daringly, along the back of his hand before retreating again, leaving a trail of tingling awareness behind.
She looked up at him through her lashes, lips parted in a knowing half-smile, sweet, but dangerous. “Let’s see,” she murmured, “if you behave.”
He stepped slightly closer, just enough to feel the heat of her without touching. “And if I don’t?”
Her eyes flicked down to his mouth, then back up,
No hurry
No apology. “You will see”
By the time they reached the campus gate, the world had returned to its usual rhythm, but they hadn't.
The silence between them wasn’t empty now.
It pulsed, charged with all the moments they’d touched without touching.
Their university work was done for the day.
Another visit might be needed before the week was out
But for now, there was nothing urgent left to do.
Except think about tomorrow.
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