A Little Jealousy

The next morning, Nila woke up before her alarm. She looked at the time and smiled when she realized she still had a few minutes before she needed to get ready. After getting dressed, she went into the kitchen and started preparing breakfast. She was making dosa when Arjun finally walked in, still looking sleepy.

Nila looked at him and smiled. “You're early today.” Arjun yawned and sat on the chair. “I woke up by myself.” Nila raised an eyebrow. “Really?” He nodded proudly. “Yes.” She laughed. “I'm impressed.” Arjun looked at the dosa on the pan. “Is that for me?” Nila nodded. “If you stop talking and get ready on time.”

Arjun smiled and watched her cook. After a moment, he got up and came beside her. “What can I do?” Nila handed him a plate. “You can put the dosa on the plate.” He carefully did as she said. Nila looked at him and smiled. “See? You're slowly becoming useful.” Arjun laughed. “At this rate, I'll be better than you.” Nila looked at him. “Don't dream too much.”

After breakfast, they left for college together. On the way, Arjun noticed that Nila was unusually quiet. “What's wrong?” Nila shook her head. “Nothing. I didn't sleep properly.” Arjun looked concerned. “You should have told me.” Nila smiled. “Why?” He shrugged. “I could have helped.” She laughed. “How would you help me sleep?” Arjun thought for a moment. “I don't know. I'll figure something out.” Nila smiled at him. “You're impossible.”

When they reached college, they went straight to their classroom. Their professor announced that they would be working on a small group assignment. Everyone started choosing their groups, and Nila remained seated beside Arjun. A few students came over and asked if they could join her group because she understood the subject well. Nila agreed, and soon they had a group of four.

Arjun watched as one of the boys in their group, Karthik, kept asking Nila questions. Nila patiently explained everything to him, just as she did with Arjun. Karthik laughed at something she said, and Nila smiled back.

Arjun looked away.

He didn't understand why he suddenly felt irritated.

Nila noticed him sitting quietly and asked, “Why are you so silent?” Arjun shrugged. “Nothing.” She looked at him suspiciously. “You're doing that thing again.” He frowned. “What thing?” “Pretending nothing is wrong.” Arjun smiled. “Maybe I'm just tired.” Nila accepted the answer and returned to the assignment.

But Arjun couldn't stop noticing Karthik talking to her.

During the lunch break, Nila opened her lunch box and started eating. Arjun sat beside her as usual. Karthik came over and asked, “Nila, can you send me the notes later?” She nodded. “Sure.” He smiled. “Thanks.” After he left, Arjun looked at Nila.

“You're giving everyone your notes now?”

Nila looked at him. “What's wrong with that?”

“Nothing.”

“Then why are you asking?”

Arjun shrugged. “Just asking.”

Nila stared at him for a moment before smiling. “Are you jealous?”

Arjun immediately looked at her. “Jealous? Of what?”

She laughed. “I was joking.”

“Good.”

Nila continued eating, completely unaware that her joke had made Arjun nervous.

The rest of the day passed normally, but Arjun remained unusually quiet. On their way home, Nila finally stopped walking and looked at him. “Okay, tell me what's wrong.” Arjun looked at her. “Nothing.” She crossed her arms. “You're lying again.” He sighed. “I don't know. Maybe I'm just tired.”

Nila studied his face for a moment before nodding. “Fine. But if something is bothering you, tell me.” Arjun smiled slightly. “I will.” She started walking again, and he followed her.

When they reached the apartment, Nila immediately went into the kitchen to prepare something to eat. Arjun followed her and stood beside the counter. “Need help?” Nila smiled. “You can wash the vegetables.” He took the bowl and started washing them.

After a few minutes, Nila noticed that Arjun was still quiet. She stopped cooking and looked at him. “You're really not okay.” He looked at her. “I'm fine.” Nila sighed. “You know you don't have to hide things from me.” Arjun looked at her for a moment before smiling. “I know.”

She didn't push him further.

Instead, she quietly placed a cup of tea beside him.

“Drink this.”

Arjun looked at the cup and smiled. “You're taking care of me now?”

Nila shrugged. “Someone has to.”

He laughed softly. “Thanks.”

While Nila continued cooking, Arjun stood beside her and helped with the vegetables. After a while, he accidentally got flour on his cheek. Nila noticed it and laughed.

“What?”

“You have flour on your face.”

“Where?”

“Here.”

She reached out and gently wiped it away with her fingers. Arjun became still for a moment. Nila didn't seem to notice his reaction and simply returned to cooking.

“There. Clean.”

Arjun smiled quietly. “Thanks.”

That small moment stayed in his mind for the rest of the evening.

After dinner, Nila sat at the dining table to work on the group assignment. Arjun sat beside her and opened his laptop. “I'll help you.” Nila looked at him. “You don't have to.” He shook his head. “I want to.” She smiled and moved her laptop slightly toward him.

They worked together for almost an hour. Nila handled the difficult parts while Arjun organized the information and prepared the presentation. Whenever Nila became confused about the presentation design, Arjun helped her arrange it. Eventually, she leaned back and smiled.

“We make a good team.”

Arjun looked at her. “I told you that.”

Nila laughed. “Don't become proud.”

“Too late.”

Later that night, Nila went to the kitchen to get some water. When she returned, she found Arjun asleep on the sofa with his laptop still open. She quietly walked over and closed it.

She looked at him for a moment before taking a blanket from the bedroom and covering him. As she turned to leave, Arjun suddenly caught her wrist.

Nila froze.

He was still half asleep.

“Don't go,” he murmured.

Nila looked at him in surprise. “Arjun?”

He slowly opened his eyes and realized he was holding her wrist. He immediately let go.

“Sorry. I thought you were leaving.”

Nila smiled softly. “I was just going to my room.”

Arjun nodded. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

She took a few steps before turning back.

“Sleep properly. Don't stay here all night.”