According to hostel regulations, everyone must return to hostel by 10 p.m., and based on the events of the day, she was certain that the gates must be shut by now. She attempted to call her roommates and the warden but both numbers were switched off. Jatin observed the entire scenario sitting in his Mazda, He didn't say much and immediately signaled with the horn of the car.

"The hostel's gates have been closed; now what? Where to go?" Jhanvi asked.

"My apartment," Jatin replied with his customary warmth. She fell silent, although she was apprehensive about following a man in the middle of the night.

However, considering that she would be moving into his apartment the next day, she believed that it would be ok to relocate there today, especially because she had no other choice. She stole a glimpse at his profile. Why does my brother have so much faith in him? Is he truly dependable? When she considered this, she couldn't help but ask, "Are you really into men"

Jatin looked at her through the front mirror, but did not answer.

"What's it like in men?" she inquired. "Just ask yourself, don't you like to enjoy men?" He countered her question as he curled his lips. She was astonished for some time before responding. Indeed She had a sexual preference toward guys.

"Finally, we have something in common." She cracked a joke while concealing her discomfort. After the small talk, she slumped back in her seat and groaned, "So professor Jatin actually doesn't like girls... not even a little bit of a crush on someone."

His grip on the driving wheel tightened but he remained silent. So she decided to shut her mouth thinking, 'It is preferable not to make him uncomfortable with his sexual orientation... Additionally, I should always keep in mind that he is not just my brother's ally but also my professor.'

In the meantime, Jatin's mind was a complete mess. His thoughts were thrown into disarray by Jhanvi's inquiry regarding his crush. Since he met her at the club, he hasn't been able to get her out of his head. This was the first time he'd ever had a fresh perspective on her. The extent of his feelings for her went beyond simple infatuation, and he wasn't sure about that yet. Are affections for someone seven years younger acceptable? Is Jhanvi his crush? If so, she's his first crush ever. This simple insight brought a grin to his face that he never wanted to part with.

He never dared to confess his feelings... nor even looked at anyone else, not even at men's outings to clubs. He remained so sincere to his junior that he was even rumored as gay when he rejected proposals from many females.

She cocked her head and questioned, "How can one tell whether he or she likes someone?"

After a deep thought, he stated, "Probably, one pays greater attention to someone unknowingly." After some consideration, it seemed to make sense. 'Do you like someone?' he was about to question her, but he refrained.

Jhanvi reasoned, if that's the case, she must also have a significant other, therefore it's not too tragic that she shouldn't die like this... She can still confess. However, she has not even spoken to him since graduating high school.

Dr. Jatin Aggarwal, flat no 666, welcomed Jhanvi in. It was a typical Mumbian Flat, not greater than 100 square meters in size, extremely clean, and well-maintained. 'Only this man is the misfit in this relaxed place, flowers, plants, surroundings, everything is just up to my liking.' she muttered under her breath.

When he spotted the wandering female in his apartment, his heart sought a few words of appreciation. He was never bothered about anyone's opinion before but was behaving like a goofy love sick teenager. He hadn't thought he would lose his focus but it happened.

'She is Goly's sister, I have to be a good host.' he confronted his mind while restocking the coffee table with an assortment of teas, while she was enjoying the view, sound of the waves from the Arabian Sea outside the window.

"How did you find this place?" he asked to get her attention.

"Incredibly relaxing and comforting."

'Indeed...' "This is the guest room." Clearing his throat he caught her attention.

"Yes, thank you, and sorry for troubling you."

"Anything for Goly... Ms. Goel, Please provide me with your class schedule." She followed him into the guest room, observing him and his emotions while he spoke, and turned on the computer.

He got onto the college website, and she proceeded to obtain her class schedule in order to show him. "Since you don't have any early morning classes, you should return to your dorm, pack up your belongings, and move them here. Taking his responsibility as her guardian seriously, he made a choice on her behalf.

"Okay." she shook her head in agreement, despite her annoyance, knowing that if she defied Karan, her education would come to an abrupt end. She looked around the guest room intently, oblivious to his presence. In other words. 'Everything is OK, but might have been ideal if there was a connected restroom.' She had some demands as a resident but she was an unpaid guest of his apartment and she dared not say them out loud.

"Get some sleep!" Jatin gave her a quick look over before he went to his bedroom.Once he left, she sprawled out on the bed, hoping the pain in her heart, body, and nerves would be alleviated. She got busy judging her professor's nature. 'It's been a while, and he seems quite composed. Is he always like this? Despite his good natured demeanor, he was unfair to me. I was the subject of other's jokes, but he ... he wrecked my reputation in front of my Bhai.'

She let out a torrent of expletives at him, not expecting to see him again till morning, but Jatin came holding a set of track pants and a T-shirt for her. " For tonight, I believe this will be helpful to you. I don't have any woman's clothing." he said.She stared at the fresh clothes in his hands. They were a set of men's workout clothes., much like the ones her brother wears when out for a jog. Then, with a little nod, she took it from his outstretched palms. Both felt emotional for their own reasons. and decided to call it a day, but were sleep deprived.