Enemies to lovers - PART 3 — “THE MISUNDERSTOOD HATE THAT KEPT GROWING”

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The moment Sohum left the class, Suniti’s friends jumped on her like bees to honey.

“He was targeting you, yaar!”

“He literally ignored everyone except you!”

“Why was he so rude?”

“Maybe he has some problem with girls?”

“No no, only with HER!”

Suniti felt each word like another pinch on her already bruised pride.

She didn’t want to talk.

She didn’t want sympathy.

And she definitely didn’t want to remember that morning accident or the humiliation he threw at her like knives.

Their voices grew louder, comments sharper.

Finally, Suniti slammed her desk so hard the class fell silent.

The sound echoed.

Her anger cracked through the room like thunder.

Without a word, she grabbed her bottle and walked out, her heart banging against her ribs.

Her friends didn’t follow—

they knew that walk.

It was the walk of someone trying not to cry.

Outside in the corridor, Suniti leaned against the wall, swallowing the bitterness in her throat.

She inhaled slowly.

Again.

But no matter how much fresh air she pulled in…

she still felt suffocated.

Every class that followed went normally.

She answered when needed.

She noted everything.

She tried smiling with her friends.

But her mind…

Her mind was stuck on him.

On the bike almost hitting her.

On him not apologizing.

On that cold glare.

On that humiliating tone.

On the way he made her feel small in front of everyone.

And the worst?

The thought that he looked at her chest that morning.

Her jaw clenched so hard it hurt.

He is disgusting.

Arrogant.

Heartless.

And a teacher only by degree, not by humanity.

By the last bell, everyone rushed out excitedly, talking about going home.

Suniti too walked out with her friends—

until a firm voice stopped her.

“Suniti.”

The HOD.

She turned, her friends stepping back respectfully.

“Yes, sir?”

“I want your feedback on the new faculty. How is Sohum’s teaching style? You understand well, so your evaluation matters.”

Great.

Another reason to think about that man.

Suniti sighed, but answered honestly.

She never lied about studies.

Meanwhile, inside the staff room door, left half-open—

Sohum paused mid-packing.

His shoulders stiffened.

He heard his name.

He moved closer, listening…

bracing himself.

She’s going to complain.

Of course she is.

She slapped me. I insulted her.

Now she’ll twist everything and get me fired.

His pulse quickened in frustration.

Then he heard her voice—

“He is rude.”

His breath stopped.

“He is an arrogant man"

His jaw clenched.

“Full of ego"

His fingers curled around the table edge.

That was all he heard.

Because the staff room door swung shut with a loud thud as another teacher passed.

He didn’t hear the rest.

He didn’t hear her actually defend him.

He didn’t hear her say—

“No sir, he is nothing like that. I was just kidding.

He explained everything clearly.

His teaching skills are very good.

I understood every word he taught today.”

He didn’t hear the sincerity.

Or the truth.

All he heard was the insult.

And that was enough to ignite the fire he’d been holding in since morning.

When Suniti walked home, tired and trying to forget the day—

Sohum sat inside the staff room, eyes burning dark, hatred sharpening.

“She wants war?” he whispered under his breath.

“Fine. I don’t lose.”

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