Aanya suddenly stood up from her bed, eyes wide in shock.
"What?!" she exclaimed.
On the other side of the call, Radha smiled softly.
"Yes, beta. Your dad spoke with Devika ji. She said, 'Why didn't you tell me earlier?'"
Aanya's face lit up instantly. She kept the phone at a little distance and screamed in joy, "Yesss!"
Radha frowned. "Aanya? Hello? Are you there?"
Aanya quickly composed herself. "Yes, Maa! I'm here!"
Radha chuckled. "Wait, your father wants to talk to you."
Then Naveen's firm but calm voice came on the phone.
"Aanya."
"Yes, Papa," she said, trying to sound calm but her heart was racing.
"I've sent you the address," he said. "You'll go there tomorrow. I've also sent you a phone number."
Aanya blinked in excitement. "Whose number, Papa?" she asked quickly—hoping, praying it would be him.
"Devika aunty's," Naveen replied.
Her smile faltered a little. "Oh…" she said softly.
Naveen continued, "Devika ji said she would send Aryan babu to your hostel to pick you up, but I told her not to. You can go by yourself."
Aanya froze. "What?! Aryan would have come— I mean—" she stopped mid-sentence, realizing what she said.
"What did you say?" Naveen asked suspiciously.
Aanya laughed awkwardly. "Nothing, Papa. I mean… yes, I can go myself."
"Good," Naveen said firmly. "Remember, they're very respectable people. Don't be silly, be polite, and don't cause any trouble, alright?"
"Yes, Papa," she said quietly, still feeling her heart drop.
"Okay then. Take care," he said, and the call ended.
Aanya sighed, flopping back on her bed.
"So close… Aryan could've come to pick me up," she murmured to herself, half smiling, half disappointed.
"Anyway," she said softly, clutching her pillow, "at least… I'll finally see him tomorrow."
Just then, her roommate Shruthi walked in.
"Aanya!" she called.
Aanya, who was still lost in her thoughts, quickly looked up and stopped smiling.
"Ha… what?" she asked nervously.
Shruthi narrowed her eyes. "Why are you so happy?"
"Me? No, no, I'm not!" Aanya said too quickly, trying to hide her blush.
Shruthi shrugged. "Okay then. Anyway, I'm starving! Come on, let's eat biryani."
Aanya blinked. "Biryani?"
"Yeah," Shruthi nodded eagerly.
Aanya grinned. "Okay, let's eat!"
Shruthi smiled. "Then come on—bring it!"
Aanya frowned in confusion. "Bring what?"
"Biryani!" Shruthi said impatiently.
"But you said let's eat biryani…" Aanya said, looking puzzled.
Shruthi crossed her arms. "Didn't I tell you earlier to make it?"
Aanya froze for a second. "Me? Wh—oh!" She slapped her forehead dramatically. "I totally forgot!"
Shruthi sighed. "That means… even tonight also, mess food?"
Aanya nodded slowly, lifting her shoulders with a helpless smile. "Yes."
Shruthi groaned. "Aanya! You dream too much!"
Aanya laughed softly, mumbling under her breath, "Only about one person…"
At the Mehra residence, Aryan walked in wearing a crisp black suit.
Prerna looked up from her phone. "Bhai, you came!"
Devika, who was sitting beside her, turned and smiled. "Aryan beta, you're so late today."
Aryan sighed lightly. "Mom, I had a meeting. That's why."
Devika nodded. "Oh, by the way, Aryan—you have to do something."
Aryan raised an eyebrow. "What, Mom?"
Devika smiled thoughtfully. "Do you remember Sharma Uncle? He used to work in your father's office."
Aryan frowned slightly, trying to recall. "Yeah… why?"
Devika continued, "His daughter, Aanya—she's studying here in Bhopal. She used to stay in the hostel, but because of her health and the food there, she'll be staying with us now."
Aryan listened silently as Devika added, "I want you to check if the guest room is ready. She's coming tomorrow, and we don't have much time."
Aryan looked up and asked, "By the way, is she coming by herself, or should I go pick her up?"
Devika shook her head. "I already told her father that you could go and bring her, but he said she'll come by herself. Don't worry, I've sent her the address."
Aryan nodded slightly. "Alright, I'll make sure everything's ready before she arrives."
Devika smiled softly. Now go freshen up and eat dinner."
Aryan nodded again and walked toward his room, loosening his tie slightly.
Meanwhile, across the city, Aanya lay wide awake on her bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, her heart racing with thoughts.
"I'm actually going to see Aryan…" she whispered with a dreamy smile. "Wow… after so long."
She hugged her pillow and giggled softly. "I just hope he remembers me. But… he's only seen me once. I'm sure he doesn't."
A small pause—then her cheeks flushed as she whispered, "But from tomorrow… he'll have to see me every day."
She smiled to herself, turning on her side as her excitement danced with her heartbeat. Sleep didn't come that night—only dreams of tomorrow did.