The bell rang sharply, echoing through the classroom.
"Okay, that's it for today. Class dismissed!" the lecturer announced, gathering his papers and leaving.
Aanya slowly packed her books into her bag, her mind wandering somewhere far away.
"Hey, Aanya, why don't you come stay at my place for a while?" Tara's cheerful voice broke her thoughts.
Nisha chimed in, "Yeah, Aanya! Just for a year—it's not a big deal."
Meera nodded eagerly. "Come on, Aanya, it'll be fun!"
Aanya froze for a moment, looking at them doubtfully. "You think one year is small… but what will your parents say? It doesn't feel appropriate."
Meera tilted her head. "Then what do you suggest? Do you have another plan?"
Aanya shook her head, a small frown forming. "No… I don't. But don't worry, I'll think of something, okay?"
With a quick wave, she said goodbye and made her way toward her hostel room.
Aanya entered her room, sighing softly. Her roommate looked up and smiled.
"Ah, Aanya, you're here!" she said cheerfully.
Aanya returned a small smile. "Yeah."
Her roommate leaned on her bed and asked, "Hey, can you make biryani tonight?"
Aanya blinked, surprised.
"I didn't like today's lunch at all. I barely ate anything—you know how our mess food can be." She gave her puppy-dog eyes. "So… please?"
Aanya hesitated. She didn't really feel like cooking, but she couldn't bring herself to refuse.
"…Okay," she said quietly.
"Thank you so much!" her roommate said, grinning. "I'm heading out now. Do you need anything before I leave?"
"No, I'm fine," Aanya replied.
"Alright, bye then!" her roommate waved and left.
Aanya watched her go, letting out a soft sigh as she flopped onto her bed.
"Aaaa…" she groaned, burying her face in her pillow.
Aanya suddenly sat up on her bed, running a hand through her hair.
"Enough is enough," she muttered. "How long am I supposed to stay away from Aryan? I've been living in the same city for two years and never met him once. It's been five years now… I don't even know how he looks anymore."
She sighed, looking lost for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up.
"Wait… idea!" she said, snapping her fingers.
Without wasting a second, she grabbed her phone and dialed her mother's number.
After a few rings, her mother picked up. "Haan, Aanya?"
"Hi, Maa…" Aanya said in a weak, tired voice.
Radha's (Aanya's Mother) tone immediately changed. "Aanya? What happened, beta? You don't sound well. Are you okay?"
Aanya coughed softly for effect. "Y-Yeah, Mom… I'm fine. Just a small cough and fever. The food here isn't good, you know…"
"Food? What do you mean?" her mother asked, worried.
Aanya sighed dramatically. "Maa, what do I say? The food here is just horrible. You know I can cook, but I don't even have proper utensils. And it's really hard to cook in a hostel."
"Oh God… is your health that bad, beta?" Radha asked gently.
"No, no, it's okay, Maa," Aanya said, putting extra emotion into her voice. "I've already adjusted for two years. I can manage one more year somehow…"
Radha fell silent, clearly feeling guilty.
Aanya quickly changed the topic. "Anyway, how's Papa? His health is okay, right?"
"Yes, he's fine," Radha replied softly. "But I'm worried about you."
"Maa…" Aanya began slowly, sounding hesitant. "You know I always listen to you and Papa, right? But honestly, I can't take this hostel anymore. Not just the food—my roommate too! And there's no vacancy in other rooms."
Radha sighed. "Then what do you want to do, beta?"
Aanya bit her lip, trying to hide her excitement. "Well… you know the Mehra family lives here in Bhopal too, right?"
Radha replied, suspiciously, "Yes… so?"
"So I was thinking… maybe I can stay there for my final year."
Radha's tone immediately rose. "At the Mehra house?"
Aanya quickly composed herself and said innocently, "Yes, Maa. I mean, just for one year. Well… Papa knows Mr. Mehra uncle very well, right? He worked with him."
Radha sighed softly. "But Aanya, Mr. Mehra is no more, beta."
Aanya blinked and replied quickly, "So what, Mom? Aryan is there—" she stopped midway, realizing what she said, and hurriedly added, "I mean… his family is still there, right?"
"But Aanya," Radha said seriously, "you know your father won't agree. He didn't allow it even during your first year."
Aanya's voice softened, "I know, Maa. That time, I agreed because Papa said it's not right. But it's just one last year. What's the harm now?"
"You know how your father is," Radha said, torn. "He doesn't want to trouble anyone for our sake."
"Maa, please," Aanya pleaded, "try to convince him once. Please?"
Radha didn't respond for a moment. The silence stretched.
Then Aanya spoke in a faint, emotional tone. "It's okay, Maa… if Papa's prestige is more important than his daughter's health, I understand. I'll adjust. Even if I'm unwell… it's fine."
"Aanya, beta, it's not like that—"
"It's okay, Maa," Aanya interrupted softly. "Take care. Bye."
She quickly cut the call, leaving her mother stunned on the other side.
Aanya put her phone down and sighed dramatically. "Did I overact… or was that perfect?" She looked up toward the ceiling. "Please, God, make Papa agree… please!"
Radha thought for a while as she reached home. Naveen looked up from the newspaper and asked, "You came, Radha?"
She nodded softly, her face dull. "Haa," she murmured.
Noticing her expression, Naveen frowned. "What happened, Radha? Why do you look so upset?"
Radha sighed softly and said, "Aanya called earlier."
Naveen looked surprised. "Then why are you sad? If Aanya called, you should be happy, right?"
Radha sat beside him and sighed. "Aanya's health isn't good."
"What?" Naveen straightened immediately. "What happened to her?"
Radha replied worriedly, "It's because of the food at her hostel. The food there isn't good at all. I don't even know how our daughter managed these two years."
Naveen tried to sound calm. "Well… other students are also living there, right?"
Radha looked at him seriously, and he fell silent.
After a pause, she said gently, "You remember, right? The Mehra family lives there too. Let her stay at their house for this one year."
Naveen looked shocked. "At Anand Mehra (Aryan's father) sir's house?"
Yes," Radha said softly.
"No, Radha," Naveen shook his head firmly. "We shouldn't ask for their help again. You know how much Anand sir already helped me during my operation. I can't take any more favors. And now… he's no more."
Radha tried to reason with him. "Still, the Mehra family isn't like that. You know how kind Devika ji (Aryan's mother) is. I still remember her — she would never mind helping. I'm sure she'll happily agree to let Aanya stay there."
Naveen remained silent for a while. "But it's been years since we last talked to Devika ji," he said quietly.
"You're thinking too much," Radha said softly. "Devika ji wouldn't see it as trouble. If she even knew that our Aanya was studying in the same city, she would have called her home long ago."
Naveen looked away, lost in thought. Radha placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "We only have one daughter, Naveen. I can't see her struggling like this."
She stood up and walked toward the kitchen, leaving Naveen sitting quietly, his mind heavy with thoughts.
At the Mehra Residence
Devika was sitting on the sofa, watching TV. Beside her, Prerna — Aryan's younger sister — was watching too.
Devika sighed. "Why hasn't your brother come home yet?"
Prerna glanced up. "Maybe he had a meeting, Mom. You know how busy he gets."
Devika nodded silently, her eyes still on the screen.
Just then, the phone rang. Devika looked around. "Where did I keep my phone? Oh—looks like Aryan is calling. Prerna, bring it here."
Prerna got up. Their golden retriever, Max, followed behind her wagging his tail. "Come on, Max, move aside," she said, smiling. She picked up the phone from the table.
"Mom," Prerna called out, "it's not Aryan. It's showing Naveen Sharma."
Devika froze for a second, then her eyes softened with recognition. "Naveen ji… after so long."
"Bring it here, beta," she said quickly. Prerna handed her the phone, and Devika answered with a warm smile.
"Namaste, bhabhi ji," Naveen's familiar voice came through.
"Namaste, bhai saab!" Devika replied cheerfully. "After so long! You've forgotten us completely, haven't you?"
Naveen chuckled softly. "How can I forget you, ma'am?"
Devika laughed. "Bhai saab, not ma'am, please!"
He smiled faintly on the other end.
"By the way," Devika asked warmly, "how is Radha ji?"
"She's fine," Naveen replied.
"And Aanya?" Devika's voice brightened. "She must have grown up so much now! What is she doing these days?"
Naveen hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Actually… I called because I need a small favour."
Devika's tone softened. "Tell me, bhai saab."
"My daughter Aanya is studying in Bhopal — she's in her final year of BBA," Naveen said.
"What?" Devika sounded surprised. "Aanya is studying here, in Bhopal? And you didn't even tell us before?"
"Well…" Naveen said gently, "I didn't want to trouble you, bhabhi ji."
Devika shook her head with a smile. "Trouble? What trouble, bhai saab? You're family. Where is she staying?"
"She's been staying in a hostel until now," Naveen explained, "but lately her health hasn't been good… mostly because of the food there. Radha has been very worried. So we thought—just for this final year—maybe she could stay at your house. But if it's any problem, it's okay. We'll manage someother way."
Devika smiled kindly. "Yes, there is a problem, bhai saab."
Naveen tensed. "Problem?"
"Yes," Devika said, chuckling. "The problem is that you didn't tell me earlier!"
Naveen smiled in relief.
"Aanya is like my own daughter," Devika continued warmly. "She can stay here as long as she wants."
"Thank you, bhabhi ji," Naveen said gratefully.
Devika smiled. "Then it's settled. Tomorrow, Aryan will go and pick her up."
"Oh no, bhabhi ji," Naveen said quickly. "Aryan babu must be very busy. Don't trouble him. Just send the address — I'll tell Aanya to come by herself."
Devika tried to insist. "But—"
"Please, bhabhi ji," Naveen interrupted gently. "It's fine."
Devika smiled softly. "Alright then. I'll send the address."
"Namaste, bhabhi ji," Naveen said.
"Namaste, bhai saab," Devika replied warmly, ending the call.
---
End Of Chapter 1.