Aanya's Thoughts:
Why do I always turn into a complete mess around him?
Every time Aryan looks at me, says something softly, or just stands near me… my heart forgets to beat like a normal human being.
Next Morning – In the Hall
Devika was seated on the sofa when Aryan entered, adjusting the cuffs of his shirt.
"Aryan, we have to leave soon, okay?" Devika reminded him.
"Yes, Mom, I remember. I'm not going to the office today."
Just then, Prerna walked downstairs. She looked tired, her eyes dull and shoulders drooping.
"Prerna? What happened, dear?" Devika asked with concern, standing up.
Aryan turned to look as well.
Prerna replied weakly, "Mom, I'm not feeling well. I have a terrible headache. I don't think I can come with you today. Please go ahead without me."
Devika started, "But, Prerna—"
Aryan interrupted gently, "It's okay, Prerna. You don't need to come. Take rest. We'll manage."
Just then, Aanya came down the stairs with bag. Her expression was unreadable.
Devika spotted her and blinked. "Aanya, what's with the bag? Aren't we going to the Raichand house? Did you forget?"
Aryan looked at her too, clearly confused.
"No, Aunty, I didn't forget. I just… I think it would be better if I don't come today."
Her words stunned Devika. Even Aryan looked taken aback.
"What? Why would it be better?" Devika asked, her voice rising slightly with surprise.
Aanya opened her mouth to respond, but a voice echoed through the hallway—
"She's right. It would be better if she didn't come."
Everyone turned to see Nandini walking in, her tone sharp, her presence cutting the room like a blade.
Aryan's eyes narrowed.
"Sister-in-law! What are you saying?" Devika asked, bewildered.
Nandini crossed her arms. "If she doesn't want to come, then don't force her. Isn't that fair?"
Aanya looked at Nandini silently.
Devika replied, "I'm not forcing her. I just asked why she didn't want to come. Aanya, is there something urgent in college? Or some issue with leave?"
Aanya shook her head, "No, Aunty. It's just that… I think this is your family matter. I shouldn't interfere. I'm not your family."
Her words fell like a bomb. The room froze.
Nandini gave a slow, fake smile. "Wow. Finally, you realized it. You're not our family. Glad we're all clear."
Aryan's jaw clenched. Aanya's eyes flickered with hurt.
"Sister-in-law, please!" Devika snapped, then turned to Aanya. "Aanya, why are you thinking like this? Of course, you're family. You live with us. You're one of us. How can you even say that?"
Aanya lowered her gaze. "Aunty, I'm…"
"Devika, let her go. Maybe she has better things to do," Nandini interrupted with a smug expression.
Aanya tried to speak again, but Nandini didn't let her.
"Aryan, drop her off. We have to leave anyway, right?"
Aryan looked at Aanya. She looked at him too, unsure. Slowly, she walked toward him, her steps hesitant.
They both moved towards the door when Aryan whispered under his breath, barely audible—
"Don't go…"
Aanya stopped. Her eyes widened as she turned to face him, stunned. He looked at her, clearly flustered.
She paused… then turned to Devika.
"Aunty, I'll come with you. Let me go change quickly."
Devika's face lit up with relief. "Okay, dear. Yes. Go quickly."
Nandini scowled silently. Aryan smiled to himself.
At the Raichand Mansion
As everyone settled into the living room, Shreya looked around. "Prerna didn't come?"
Devika replied, "She's not feeling well, so she stayed back."
"Oh, that's okay. She should rest," Shreya smiled warmly.
Soon, the wedding card selection began.
Shreya showed one. "How's this one?"
"Not nice, Mom," Ankitha wrinkled her nose.
Devika picked another. "Look at this—this one's lovely."
"Yes! I really like this," Shreya nodded.
"Aunty, what about this one?" Aanya chimed in sweetly, holding up a card.
Aryan glanced at her. Shreya and Devika both looked at the card.
"Wow! This is beautiful, Aanya," Shreya exclaimed.
Nandini's smile faded. She picked a card quickly. "Shreya ji, look at this one. This one looks elegant."
Aanya exchanged a brief glance with Nandini.
Suddenly, Aryan's phone rang. He excused himself and stepped aside.
Curious, Aanya quietly followed him.
As he ended the call and turned, he almost bumped into her. "Aanya! What are you doing here?"
She folded her arms, smiling slyly. "Mr. Aryan… I want to ask you something."
He blinked. "What?"
"Why did you say Don't go earlier?"
Aryan stiffened. "What? I didn't say anything. You must have heard wrong."
"Mr. Aryan, why are you getting so nervous?" she teased, biting her smile.
"Nervous? I'm not nervous. Why would I be? I didn't say anything!"
She giggled, trying to hold in her laughter.
Meanwhile, at Mehra's house
Prerna heard a knock and opened the door… shocked to find Aahil standing there.
"Aahil? What are you doing here?!"
Without a word, he walked straight in.
"Aahil, stop! What are you doing?"
"Calling your mother. I want to talk about us—our love."
"Aahil, they're not home! They went to Raichand's house to finalize wedding cards!" she shouted, panicked.
Aahil froze, staring at her. "So… even wedding cards are getting printed now?"
---
Back at Raichand House
Aanya laughing softly,
Ankitha walked in, raising an eyebrow.
"What are you guys doing here?"
Both Aanya and Aryan turned around abruptly like kids caught red-handed.
"Uh… nothing," Aanya said quickly, trying to sound casual.
"Nothing?" Ankitha repeated, clearly not buying it.
Aanya paused for a second, then smirked. "Well… it's nothing because it's a secret."
Aryan glanced at her suspiciously. "Secret?" he mouthed silently, narrowing his eyes.
Ankitha folded her arms. "A secret, huh? What kind of secret?"
Aanya tilted her head and replied mysteriously, "Something related to the Sangeet."
Aryan raised an eyebrow again. "Sangeet?" he muttered under his breath.
Ankitha gasped dramatically. "Ohhh! I get it now. You guys are preparing a surprise Sangeet dance performance, aren't you?"
Aanya widened her eyes and acted shocked. "Oops! You found out!"
Ankitha grinned. "I knew it! So… have you prepared anything yet?"
"Well… you'll see it on the Sangeet night, won't you?" Aanya teased with a playful wink.
"Really? Already throwing challenges to the groom's team?" Ankitha laughed.
Aanya turned to Aryan and said with mock offense, "Look, Mr. Aryan, they're underestimating us! They think we can't dance and we'll lose. Say something!"
Ankitha laughed again. "Wait… even Aryan is going to dance?
Aanya looked at her, pretending to be shocked. "And why can't Mr. Aryan dance?"
Ankitha held up her hands. "No offense! It's just a little surprising. He doesn't seem like the 'let's groove' kind of guy."
Aanya smiled slyly. "Well, you'll just have to wait and watch. Mr. Aryan has his own style."
At that moment, Aryan cleared his throat. "Excuse me, ladies. I need to go."
Without waiting for a response, he walked away, clearly flustered.
Both girls watched him leave. Aanya bit back a smile.
Ankitha whispered, "Okay… now I really want to see him dance."
Meanwhile, back at the house, Aahil paced angrily in front of Prerna, his voice laced with disbelief.
"What? So even the wedding cards are getting printed now?" he scoffed bitterly.
Prerna's face tightened. "Aahil, I told you not to come here again. Why are you doing this? Why are you making things more difficult?"
Aahil's eyes burned with frustration. "Why am I doing this? You're seriously asking me that?"
In a sudden burst of rage, he grabbed the flower vase from the table and smashed it against the floor.
Prerna flinched, gasping in shock.
Aahil stepped closer, voice trembling. "Don't you know why I came?! Don't you know that I love you?! Why are you acting like you don't know?!"
Prerna's eyes welled up with tears, but she quickly turned her face away, trying to hide them.
In a soft, broken voice, she replied, "I know, Aahil… I know you love me. But it's over now. Please… we can't change anything anymore."
Aahil took a step back, clenching his fists.
"Why?! Why is it over?! Who decided that? You? Your family?!"
Prerna looked at him, her lips quivering, her voice barely a whisper.
"Because sometimes… love isn't enough. Sometimes, even if two people love each other, they can't be together."
Aahil stared at her, stunned into silence. His expression crumbled.
To be continued...
End Of Chapter 33.