Aradhya Gupta had never been the type to back down from a challenge. Whether it was acing a test, beating someone in a game of chess, or even taking the last slice of pizza at lunch, she prided herself on being quick-witted and sharp. But there was one challenge that constantly tested her limits—Zayn Khan.
Zayn, the school's resident troublemaker, seemed to have it out for her. He had an uncanny ability to get under her skin. It wasn't just his smug smile or the way he always seemed to have something to say. It was the fact that, despite everything, he was annoyingly good at everything. From sports to debate to even art, Zayn seemed to win every contest without trying.
"Hey, Gupta, you coming to the math club meeting?" Zayn asked, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he leaned against the door frame, casually twirling a pencil between his fingers.
Aradhya rolled her eyes and continued writing in her notebook, pretending to ignore him. She had learned long ago that responding to Zayn only gave him more ammunition for his teasing.
"I can already see the headline: 'Queen of the Nerds Finally Breaks Down and Concedes.'" Zayn chuckled, clearly enjoying his own joke.
"Not everyone spends their life trying to get attention, Khan," Aradhya shot back without looking up, her pen moving across the page in sharp, determined strokes.
She could feel his gaze lingering on her, like he was waiting for a reaction. But Aradhya was resolute. She had no time to engage with him. He was just another distraction in her otherwise perfect school life.
"Well, if you ever need help with those equations," Zayn said, his voice dropping a little, "I'm always around. I'm sure your pride won't let you ask, but... just saying."
Aradhya finally glanced up, her brow furrowing in disbelief. "Since when did you care about helping anyone?"
Zayn's grin widened, his eyes glinting with mischief. "I don't. But I do enjoy seeing you squirm."
Before Aradhya could retort, the bell rang, signaling the end of the lunch period. She gathered her books quickly, eager to escape the trap of his presence.
"See you in class, Gupta," Zayn called out as she headed for the door.
Aradhya didn't answer, but something inside her stirred. Was it the fact that Zayn, despite his arrogance, seemed to know exactly how to get under her skin? Or was it something else? It was the same feeling she got whenever she had to share a space with him—an unspoken tension, the kind that could be cut with a knife.
---
Zayn Khan leaned back in his seat in their first-period English class, his eyes briefly meeting Aradhya's across the room. She was sitting near the window, furiously scribbling in her notebook, likely drafting her next brilliant essay. He smirked. No matter how hard she tried to ignore him, Zayn always found a way to insert himself into her thoughts.
He had to admit, there was something about her—her sharp wit, her determination. Aradhya was the only person who could keep up with him. And that made her both infuriating and... oddly intriguing. But the idea of acknowledging that was too much for Zayn. After all, who wanted to admit they were interested in the one person who challenged them at every turn?
As the teacher started the lesson, Zayn's thoughts wandered back to the lunchroom earlier. Maybe he had pushed her too far with his teasing, but he couldn't help it. Something about the way she reacted—her eyes flashing with annoyance, her lips curving into that sarcastic smile—drove him crazy. He leaned back further, an idea forming in his mind.
For once, Zayn didn't want to just annoy her. He wanted to see if he could make her laugh. He wanted to see if he could get under her guard and maybe, just maybe, find out what it was about Aradhya that had him so captivated.
---
Aradhya, meanwhile, was completely unaware of Zayn's plans. As the lesson continued, she focused on the task at hand—making sure she was prepared for the upcoming quiz, maintaining her perfect grades. But, despite her best efforts, her mind kept drifting back to the encounter at lunch.
Why did Zayn always have to be so... infuriatingly charming? And why did she find herself feeling so off-balance around him? It wasn't just his teasing. It was something deeper. Something that made her want to scream... or kiss him. It was that confusing mix of feelings that she could never quite place.
As the bell rang to signal the end of class, Aradhya quickly packed up her things and stood up, eager to escape Zayn's magnetic presence. But before she could leave, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
Turning around, she found Zayn standing behind her, an unreadable look on his face.
"So," he began casually, "the math club meeting... I'll be there. Maybe you'll join me?"
Aradhya stared at him, taken aback by the unexpected offer. There was no teasing, no sarcasm in his voice. Just... sincerity.
"Why would I go to that?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
Zayn shrugged, his usual cocky grin returning. "Maybe because you want to be seen with the school's brightest star."
Aradhya couldn't help but roll her eyes, but something in her heart fluttered, and she realized—she might just be falling for him.
"Accidentally, of course," she muttered, walking past him.
Zayn watched her walk away, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "We'll see about that, Gupta," he whispered under his breath. "We'll see."
And so it began—their accidental journey toward something neither of them saw coming.