Priya stormed out of the sick room, her heart racing as she replayed the encounter with Ashish in her mind. The air felt thick with unresolved tension, and she could still feel the heat of embarrassment prickling at her cheeks. How dare he interrupt her? She was not one to be easily trifled with, especially not by someone who seemed to think charm could mask arrogance.

“Priya, wait up!” her friend Aanya called, jogging to catch up with her. “Are you really going to let that guy get under your skin?”