The library was silent. Nandini had arrived at exact 9:50 and chosen a secluded table in the corner of the library.

She had her notebook, different coloured highlighters and her textbook ready. She looked like she was preparing for a war and not her dissertation discussion.

By the time the clock struck 10:05, she was tapping her pen against the table impatiently. 5 more minutes passed and she was ready to delete his name from the title page.

Just as she fished her phone to send a text, a chair was pulled against the floor opposite her. Dev sat down looking very relaxed. 

He wasn't carrying any bag, books or stationery. Just a single notepad tucked under his arm and a pen tucked against it.

"Puri library dhoond li maine. Itne kone mai kyu baithi ho? Kisi se chhupna hai kya?"

(I searched the entire library. Why are you sitting in a corner? Are you hiding from someone?)

Dev asked and leaned back, stretching his legs under the table. His foot accidentally brushed against hers, but it didn't move it away. Nandini pulled back sharply and narrowed her eyes at him.

"Chhupna nhi hai kisi se, bas kaam pr focus krna hai mujhe. And you're late. Again. I told you, mai akele kaam shuru kr dungi."

(I am not hiding from anyone, just want to focus….I told you, I’d start working alone.)

Dev leaned forward, rested his chin on his palm and stared at her with that an unbothered smirk.

"Don't take too much stress. It causes wrinkles. Aur phir strawberry se dried strawberry ban jaaogi."

(And you will become dried strawberry from a strawberry.)

Nandini felt heat rise to her neck. She ignored it and clicked her pen open.

"Bakwaas band kro. Focus on the topic. I've made a list of case studies we can analyze. Tumne kuch padha?"

(Stop this nonsense….Did you read anything?)

Dev didn't even spare a glance at the list she pushed toward him. His eyes were fixed on her face, watching the way her nose crinkled when she was annoyed.

"Padha toh hai. But topic se jyada interesting cheezein tumhare baare mai mili."

(I did. But I found more interesting about you than the topic.)

Nandini slammed her hand against the table harshly, which caused a few students to turn their head her way. Ignoring them, she hissed at Dev.

"Dev! Get serious! Final year hai. Graduation ruk jaayegi agar dissertation thik nhi bani toh. Tumhe farak nhi padta?"

(It’s the final year. Graduation will be at hold if dissertation is not right. Do you not care?)

Dev picked up her pen and twirled it between his fingers with an expert grace.

"Ofcourse farak padta hai. Par tum gusse mai itni pyaari lagti ho ki mera dimaag padhai se hat kr tumhare chehre par chala jaata hai."

(Ofcourse I do. But you look so cute in anger that my mind goes to your face instead of studies.)

Nandini felt her brain lag. She grabbed her pen back from his hand, her fingers brushing against his lightly.

"Just look at the paper, Dev. Chapter one: Introduction and Rationale. We have to write how hierarchy affects mental health."

Dev sighed, and leaned closer, reaching across the table.

"Mental health ka nhi pata, par tumne meri mental peace bhut affect kri hui hai. Itni paas baithi ho...you smell so nice...how am I supposed to focus on managers and employees?"

(I don’t know about mental health, but you are affecting my mental peace a lot. You are sitting so close…you smell so nice…)

Nandini's heart skipped a beat at his words. She stared at her notebook, trying to get rid of the rising heat in her neck.

"Itni paas nhi hu mai. Table hai beech mai."

(I am not so close. There is a table in between.)

Dev leaned closer, until his face was just inches away from hers.

"Table toh chhoti si hai. And your eyes are so big, looking at me like I'm a subject of your study. Should I lie down on the table? Achhe se observe kr paaogi."

(It’s a small table….You’ll be able to observe better.)

Nandini's breath hitched at his shameless words. She had no idea why she imagined him laying down on the table. Naked. 

She shook her head to get rid of the unholy thoughts and looked at him. His eyes were dancing with mischief.

"Chup raho! Tum...tum thik se baitho warna mai chali jaaungi."

(Shut up! You…you sit properly otherwise I’ll leave.)

Dev finally chuckled and leaned back.

"Achha baba, thik hai. Bhaago mat. Padhai krte hai."

(Ok, fine. Don’t run. Let’s study.)

For the next 15 minutes, Nandini tried to explain her point and how they should proceed, but Dev kept interrupting with small, flirtatious comments. Every time she mentioned a point, he'd find a way to link it to her.

"Industrial hierarchy is about power dynamics."

She explained, trying to maintain professionalism but he quipped playfully again.

"Exactly like tumhare paas power hai aur mai bas ek bechara sa bhola sa student hu jo tumhare gusse ka shikaar ho raha hu."

(Exactly like you have all the power and I am a poor, innocent student who is a victim of your anger.)

He winked at her. Nandini was about to lose her cool and walk out. But she took a deep breath and continued. 

She mentioned a point about Organizational Silence and how employees stop speaking up due to fear. Dev's posture suddenly shifted. He sat up straight, the lazy smirk vanished, and his eyes sharpened.

He got up and searched for a particular textbook, scanning the pages with an intensity she'd never seen before.

"Actually,  Organizational Silence is a bit more complex than just fear. It's often a collective behaviour."

Dev said, his eyes very serious and professional. Nandini blinked at the sudden change.

"Collective behaviour? What do you mean?"

Dev flipped a few pages, his fingers moving with purpose. He pointed to a graph about communication flow.

"Dekho, managers Mum Effect create krte hai. People don't want to share bad news because they don't want to be the messenger who gets shot. Agar hum isko feedback loops se link karein, toh hum prove kar sakte hain ki hierarchy productivity ko kill karti hai, sirf mental health ko nahi."

(Look, managers create a Mum Effect….If we link this to feedback loops, we can prove that hierarchy not only affects mental health but also kills productivity.)

He grabbed his notepad and started sketching a quick flow chart. His movements were precise. She watched him work. The way his brow furrowed in concentration, the way he held his pen, and the deep tone of his voice as he explained a complex theory.

"Nandini? Sun rhi ho?"

(Are you listening?)

Dev asked when he noticed her looking at him with a transfixed expression. 

"H-haan. Sun rahi hoon. Tumne... tumne kaafi achha point pakda hai."

(Y-yes. I am listening. You…you caught a very good point.)

She felt a strange flutter in her chest. It was an odd attraction, a sudden realization that this nonchalant guy had a brain that could match hers, and a focus that was actually quite intimidating.

Dev noticed her staring. He didn't smirk this time. He just gave her a small, almost soft smile.

"Ab chalo laptop kholo. Let's draft the first chapter. Agar humne aaj ye finish kar liya, toh main tumhe coffee pilaunga. And no, it's not a date... unless you want it to be."

(Now open your laptop….If we finish this today, I will get you coffee.)

He teased and Nandini bit her lip, trying to hide the smile that was threatening to break through. She opened her laptop, her fingers trembling slightly.

"Coffee ke baare mein baad mein sochenge. Pehle kaam karo."

(We will think about coffee later. First work.)

Dev nodded mischievously, but still focused on work.

"Fine. As you say, my strawberry."

Nandini looked at him one last time before typing. He looked so handsome when he was being serious.

She realized then that her wittiness was no match for a man who knew exactly when to play and exactly when to work.