That night, when Dr. Mehra returned home, the silence of his house felt heavier than usual. He placed his bag on the table, changed his clothes, and tried to distract himself with a book — but the words refused to stay still.
Every page turned into Shrawani’s face.
He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling. The clock ticked loudly in the darkness. Midnight passed. Then one. Then two.
Sleep never came.
A voice inside him kept whispering —
Enough. I can’t hold these feelings anymore. I have to tell her.
But how?
She was his student. There was an age gap. There were rules. Boundaries. Reputation.
Still… his heart was louder than logic.
Suddenly, he remembered someone — Aditya.
Fun-loving. Sharp-minded. An expert in understanding girls. The kind of boy who always knew what to say and when to say it. Over time, Dr. Mehra had guided him like a mentor, giving life advice, career tips.
Now, perhaps, it was his turn to seek advice.
The next morning, Dr. Mehra called him.
Dr. Mehra :- “Aditya, I need to talk to you.”
Aditya :- “Of course, sir. Anytime. After class?”
Dr. Mehra :- “Yes. Department office.”
After lectures ended, they met in the quiet department room.
Dr. Mehra hesitated for a moment, then spoke carefully.
Dr. Mehra :- “Tell me something… if an older man falls in love with a younger girl, is that wrong?”
Aditya leaned back in his chair.
Aditya :- “Not necessarily, sir.”
Dr. Mehra cleared his throat.
Dr. Mehra :- “And what if… she is his student?”
Aditya looked at him closely. A slow smile appeared.
Aditya :- “Sir… don’t go in circles. Just tell me her name.”
Dr. Mehra couldn’t help but smile faintly.
Dr. Mehra :- “You’re smarter than I thought.”
Aditya laughed.
Aditya :- “Sir, I deal with these matters daily. Who is she?”
After a brief pause, Dr. Mehra finally said it.
Dr. Mehra :- “Shrawani.”
Aditya’s eyes widened.
Aditya :- “Ohhh… her? Sir, you chose a tough one.”
Dr. Mehra frowned slightly.
Dr. Mehra :- “What do you mean? Is there something wrong with her?”
Aditya quickly shook his head.
Aditya :- “No, no, sir. Nothing wrong. She’s just… strong-minded. Not easy to impress. But don’t worry. We’ll try.”
He leaned forward like he was planning a strategy.
Aditya :- “First rule — don’t confess directly. Build attachment. Talk about her life. Her dreams. Her family. Make her comfortable. Once she feels close to you emotionally, then we’ll see.”
Dr. Mehra listened carefully.
It sounded logical.
And so, he followed the plan.
The next time Shrawani came to the lab, he changed his approach.
Dr. Mehra :- “What do you like to do in your free time?”
Dr. Mehra :- “What are your long-term goals?”
Dr. Mehra :- “What kind of life do you imagine for yourself?”
Shrawani answered sincerely.
Shrawani :- “Sir, I want to do a PhD in philosophy. I want to research deeply… maybe even teach one day.”
Dr. Mehra felt proud hearing that.
Dr. Mehra :- “That’s impressive. Very few students think that far.”
Day by day, he tried to grow closer — slowly, carefully.
Then one afternoon, he crossed a line.
Dr. Mehra :- “Can I ask you something personal?”
Shrawani :- “Yes, sir.”
Dr. Mehra :- “Do you… like someone? Have you ever had a boyfriend?”
For the first time, she looked slightly uncomfortable.
Her smile faded just a little.
Shrawani :- “No, sir.”
Dr. Mehra tried to lighten the mood.
Dr. Mehra :- “You’re smart and beautiful. Still no one?”
Shrawani replied calmly, but her tone was firmer now.
Shrawani :- “Sir, I think all that is a distraction. If I ever find someone truly right for me, maybe I’ll think about love. But not now.”
There was clarity in her voice.
Then she added gently —
Shrawani :- “And sir… please don’t ask me such personal questions again. I don’t feel comfortable.”
The words were respectful. But they were a boundary.
In that moment, Dr. Mehra understood.
He had gone too far.
He nodded slowly.
Dr. Mehra :- “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
After that day, he stepped back.
No more personal questions.
No more hidden attempts.
He didn’t want to lose the bond they had built. Even if it remained only teacher and student, he wanted it to stay pure.
Yet, the feelings inside him were not fading.
They were growing quietly.
And somewhere deep within, a dangerous thought was beginning to take shape —
If love cannot be earned… can it be created?
What that thought would lead him to do… even he did not know yet.
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