It had been two weeks since university began. Days passed in a blur of lectures, assignments, and lazy afternoons. Aarohi, Laksh, and Aman had quickly settled into their routine.
It was a quiet Sunday morning. The soft rays of sunlight peeked through the curtains, casting a warm glow across Aarohi's room. Wrapped in her blanket, she lay deep in sleep, breathing softly—completely unaware of the day outside.
Suddenly, her phone buzzed beside her pillow, jolting her slightly awake. Half-asleep and without checking the screen, she answered in a sleepy mumble.
"Hello...?"
A familiar voice responded, warm and affectionate.
"Aarohi beta, were you sleeping?"
The moment Aarohi recognized the voice, her eyes flew open. She sat up quickly and glanced at the screen.
"Geeta aunty! Good morning. Is everything alright? You've called so early…"
Geeta laughed softly. "Everything's fine, child. I just wanted to share a piece of good news with you."
Aarohi's voice perked up instantly. "Good news? Really? What is it? Tell me, aunty!"
"Not like this," Geeta teased. "Come over for breakfast first. I've made your favorite—gajar ka halwa. Ever since university started, you've forgotten this house even exists. Come, I'll give you the good news and a big warm hug too."
Aarohi chuckled, already throwing the blanket aside. "Okay, aunty! I'll be there in 30 minutes."
Aarohi quickly ended the call and jumped out of bed. Still shaking off the drowsiness, she hurried through her morning routine, excitement bubbling inside her. Within no time, she was dressed and ready, sprinting out of her room toward the Oberoi Mansion.
As she rushed through the living room, her mother, Kalpana, stepped in front of her, stopping her mid-run.
"Where are you rushing off to so early in the morning?" Kalpana asked, raising an eyebrow. "At least have some breakfast first."
"I'm going to Geeta Aunty's," Aarohi replied, catching her breath. "She called me early this morning. Said she has some good news for me. And she's made my favourite—gajar ka halwa! So, I'll be having breakfast there."
Before her mother could respond, Aarohi leaned forward, kissed her on the cheek, and was about to dash off when she paused at the door and turned back.
"By the way, Mom, the good news isn't that you guys fixed dii and Akshit bhaiya's wedding, right?" she asked teasingly.
Kalpana opened her mouth to speak, but Aarohi cut in, grinning.
"No, no—if that was the case, Di would've told me herself." She narrowed her eyes playfully. "Anyway, when are Di and Akshit bhaiya coming back from their business trip?"
Kalpana chuckled softly and said, "Do you want me to answer that too, or will you keep answering your own questions?"
Aarohi smirked and said, "Obviously, Mom. Who else but you?"
Kalpana smiled. "They'll be back next week. But aren't you getting late for Oberoi Mansion?"
Aarohi gasped. "Oh God—yes! Bye, I'm leaving!"
Saying this in a rush, she grabbed her phone and dashed out the door.
---
Over at the Oberoi Mansion, the living room buzzed with quiet activity. Laksh was slouched on the sofa, completely engrossed in a game on his phone. Naaz sat nearby, carefully applying nail polish. Their father, Vijay Oberoi, read the newspaper with mild disinterest, while Geeta sat calmly on the couch, her eyes flicking toward the entrance every now and then—waiting.
And just then, the door burst open.
Aarohi stormed in like a whirlwind, barely glancing at anyone else in the room. Her eyes scanned the space briefly before she walked straight over to Geeta with an impatient grin.
"Geeta Aunty!" she said, breathless. "Quickly tell me—what's the good news?!"
Geeta chuckled. "Arre, wait—at least catch your breath first..."
Before Aarohi could respond, Vijay folded his newspaper and glanced up with mock offense.
"Looks like our princess has forgotten her uncle," he said dramatically. "Didn't even come to greet me."
Aarohi instantly stood up from beside Geeta and walked over to the couch where Vijay sat, a playful pout on her lips. She plopped down beside him.
"As if that's even possible!" she said sweetly. "How can your princess ever forget the world's best uncle?"
Her words, paired with her adorable tone, made both Geeta and Vijay burst into laughter. The warmth in the room grew a little brighter.
Meanwhile, Naaz leaned closer to Laksh and whispered, "Bhai, don't you think Mom and Dad love Aarohi di more than they love us?"
Laksh didn't even look up from his phone. "Nope, I don't think that," he replied casually. "I know it. They definitely love her more than us."
Everyone was chatting and laughing in the living room when Geeta Oberoi finally clapped her hands softly and said with a teasing smile,
"Alright now, brace yourselves. I have some very good news to share."
All eyes turned toward her, curiosity building up.
She paused for dramatic effect before announcing,
"Armaan is coming back—and for good this time. He's transferring to your university and will be staying with us while he completes the rest of his studies."
There was a beat of stunned silence before two voices rang out in unison.
"What?!"
Aarohi and Laksh shot up from their seats at the exact same moment—but for entirely different reasons.
Aarohi's eyes lit up like a thousand fairy lights. She looked overwhelmed with joy, almost like her world had just fallen back into place.
Laksh, on the other hand, looked like someone had poured cold water over him. His face was frozen, his jaw slightly clenched, and happiness was nowhere in sight.
Naaz noticed her brother's expression and couldn't help teasing him. Leaning in, she whispered with a mischievous grin,
"What's wrong, bhai? You look like you just saw a ghost."
She burst out laughing while Laksh shot her a murderous look.
"Keep laughing and I swear, one punch and your teeth will be all over the floor," he snapped.
Meanwhile, Aarohi rushed over to Geeta Oberoi and clutched her hand, excitement radiating from her.
"Are you serious, aunty? Armaan is really coming back?"
Geeta smiled warmly. "Yes, absolutely… He's really coming back."
Aarohi's eyes widened with joy. "Oh my God! Oh my God! I'm so happy! I need to leave right now—I have so much to prepare!"
Laksh, on the other hand, was far from happy. The very idea of Armaan returning made his chest tighten, but watching Aarohi jump around with excitement for him—that was unbearable. He could feel a strange storm building up inside him, and in a moment of insecurity, he snapped.
"He's coming the day after tomorrow," he said dryly. "What could you possibly need to prepare today? And why are you bouncing around like a monkey? He's coming back after eight years—who knows if he even remembers you or not. So don't get too excited."
Aarohi froze. His words hit harder than she expected. Fury flashed in her eyes.
"Go to hell," she shot back. "I'm not interested in your nonsense. So do me a favor and shut up!"
Without waiting for a response, she stormed out of the Oberoi mansion.
Laksh stood there, seething. A moment later, he turned and walked off to his room, slamming the door behind him.
But the question lingered in the air like electricity—
What will happen when Armaan returns?
How will their lives change the moment the past walks back into the present.