Sid stood there, frozen, as Kiana disappeared into the crowd, ignoring him. His mind reeled, trying to make sense of her behavior.

His friends nudged him, breaking the spell.

"Who is this buddy?" one of them asked, eyes sparkling with curiosity. "The one you were waiting for at the university entrance one week before?"

Sid didn't respond. His gaze drifted back to the spot where Kiana had vanished.

One of his friends whistled softly. "Her beauty is no joke, Sid. You're one lucky guy."

Sid's head snapped towards his friend, a warning glint in his eye. "Watch your eyes, MF."

His friend raised his hands in mock surrender. "Sorry, I didn't mean to trespass on sacred ground."

Sid's expression remained stern, but his mind was elsewhere. What had changed Kiana? Why was she avoiding him?

Another friend chimed in, "Dude, Sid's got a secret crush!"

Sid shot him a side-eye. "Shut up."

But the comment struck a chord. Sid hadn't considered his feelings for Kiana beyond friendship. He never had time for introspection; his focus was on succeeding in life.

As they walked away, Sid's friend teased, "You're not over her, are you?"

Sid shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Don't be ridiculous."

But the seed of doubt was planted. Sid couldn't shake off the feeling that his feelings for Kiana ran deeper than he cared to admit.

Sid's drive home was a blur. His mind replayed the encounter with Kiana, her indifference stinging like a fresh wound. He couldn't shake off the feeling of rejection.

As he parked his car and stepped into his apartment, the silence enveloped him, mirroring his thoughts. He dropped onto the couch, staring blankly at the wall.

"What happened to you, Ki?" he whispered, his voice laced with frustration and concern.

He recalled the countless times he'd called her after moving to the UK. She never answered, and he assumed she was busy. Now, it seemed deliberate.

Sid's thoughts swirled, trying to make sense of her behavior. Had he unknowingly hurt her? Was she angry with him?

He stood up, pacing around the room, seeking answers. Their past flooded his mind – laughter, late-night conversations, and shared dreams.

Why had she shut him out?

Sid stopped in front of the window, gazing out into the night. London's city lights twinkled, but his focus remained on Kiana.

He realized his feelings for her went beyond friendship. The realization hit him like a ton of bricks.

"Why didn't I see it before?" he muttered.

The more he thought about Kiana, the more questions arose. Was she happy? Did she ever think of him?

Sid's phone lay on the coffee table, tempting him to call her again. But he hesitated, unsure if she'd even answer.

As the night wore on, Sid's thoughts refused to quieten. He knew he couldn't ignore his feelings any longer.

Sid lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. His mind raced with questions and emotions.

"Is this what everyone calls feelings?" he wondered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Can't sit still, can't focus, going nuts when she ignores me?"

He tossed onto his side, frustration etched on his face.

"Ki, why are you ignoring me?" he whispered, his eyes gazing into the darkness.

Suddenly, Brian's words echoed in his mind: "Her beauty is no joke, dude."

Sid's blood boiled. He had already mentally "killed" Brian a hundred times for that comment.

Obviously, Kiana's beauty was no joke. Her flawless, warm-toned skin, her long hair... But Brian shouldn't have said it in front of him.

Sid's possessiveness surprised him. He had never felt this way before.

He threw off the covers and got out of bed, pacing around the room.

"What's happening to me?" he muttered.

He stopped in front of the mirror, gazing at his reflection.

"You're losing it, Sid," he told himself.

But he couldn't shake off the feeling that Kiana was meant to be more than just a friend.

Sid's thoughts swirled, memories of their time together resurfacing.

He recalled the way Kiana's eyes sparkled when she laughed, the way her hair fell in soft waves down her back.

"Damn it," he whispered, realizing his feelings for Kiana went far beyond friendship.

Taking his phone he dialed his comfort places number. And within two rings the other side picked up.

"Mom, please tell me," Sid pleaded, his voice laced with desperation.

"What's wrong, baby?" His mother's concern deepened.

"Kiana... I don't know how, but I think I have feelings for her," Sid confessed.

His mother's tone softened. "I knew this day would come."

"You knew?" Sid's surprise was evident.

"Well, I suspected," she clarified. "The way you talked about her, the way you helped her... it was more than just tutoring."

Sid's mind raced. "But she's so young, Mom. And now she's ignoring me."

"Give her space, Sid," his mother advised. "And reflect on your feelings. Are they genuine or just nostalgia?"

Sid nodded, even though she couldn't see him. "I'll try, Mom. But it's hard."

"I know, Sid. But you're strong. You'll figure it out."

Their conversation continued, with Sid pouring out his emotions and his mother offering guidance.

"Mom, I understand," Sid reassured, "but I need closure. I can't keep wondering why she's ignoring me."

His mother's sigh was audible. "Fine, baby. But remember, respect her boundaries. Don't push her if she's not ready to talk."

"I will, Mom. I promise," Sid vowed.

"And don't forget, Kiana's not the same girl you knew in India. She's grown, and her thoughts may have changed," his mother cautioned.

Sid's determination hardened. "I'll consider that, Mom. Thanks for understanding."

The conversation ended with his mother's parting words: "Be gentle, Sid. And don't hurt her."

Sid's resolve solidified. Tomorrow, he would confront Kiana and uncover the truth behind her silence.

"Whatever it is, even if you don't want it, you will be mine," Sid declared, his voice low and husky, dripping with possessiveness and dominance.

His eyes gleamed with intensity, his gaze seeming to pierce through the darkness, claiming Kiana as his own.

"Kiana Singh Noir, you're mine. Only mine," he whispered, his lips curling into a confident smile. "Your laughter, your tears, your smiles - everything belongs to me."

Sid's resolve was clear: Kiana would be his, no matter what. He wouldn't rest until she was wrapped in his arms, her heart beating for him alone.

"You can try to resist, but you'll surrender," he murmured, his voice weaving a spell of seduction. "Your body will crave my touch, your soul will yearn for my love."

His eyes burned with desire, his voice dripping with sensual promise.

"I'll claim every inch of you, Kiana. Every kiss, every touch, every whispered secret."

Sid's words painted a picture of primal possession, leaving no doubt about his intentions.

"You're mine, Kiana. Now and forever."

Sid opened his phone, in gallery he found her pic.

Sid's eyes blazed with intensity, his gaze locking onto Kiana's face in his phone as he spoke.

"I was a fool not to recognize my feelings towards you," he murmured, his husky tone can send shivers down through anyone's spine.

His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking in his cheek, betraying his pent-up emotions.

"Otherwise, I wouldn't have set a spy to get information about your well-being," he admitted, his voice laced with regret.

Sid's shoulders squared, determination etched on his face.

"It's not too late," he declared, his eyes never leaving Kiana's face.

"And I will claim what's meant to be mine," he vowed, his voice dripping with possessiveness.

Sid's gaze roamed over Kiana's face in his phone, as if memorizing every feature.

"I'll awaken the passion within you," he whispered.

"You'll burn for me, Ki," he promised.

His eyes sparkled with confidence.

"No worries," he whispered.

"I'll make you crave my love," he murmured.

"Your body will ache for my love only," he vowed.

"You're mine, Ki," he breathed.

As he lay in bed, Sid's thoughts swirled around Kiana. Her smile, her laughter, her piercing eyes.

"Will she accept someone as old as me?" he wondered, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind.

But his resolve quickly snuffed out the uncertainty.

"Whatever it is, she's mine. Mine only," he reaffirmed, a possessive smirk spreading across his face.

Sid's eyes closed, his mind conjuring images of Kiana. He envisioned her in his arms, her lips pressed to his, her body surrendering to his touch.

A low growl rumbled in his throat as he shifted uncomfortably, his desire for her intensifying.

"Kiana," he whispered, his voice barely audible.

His hand instinctively reached for his phone, itching to text her, to claim her.

But reason prevailed, and he restrained himself.

Tomorrow, he'd make his move.

Tonight, he'd dream of her.

Sid's eyelids finally drooped, his thoughts swirling in a haze of passion and possession.