GUYS IM SORRY THIS CHAPTER IS STILL PENDING BUT YOU CAN CONTINUE FROM CHAPTER 4..
Prerna suddenly walked in.
"Mom is calling you," Prerna said with a smile. "She made snacks for you."
"Oh really? I'm coming," Aanya replied, surprised and happy.
Both of them walked to the living room, where Devika was waiting.
"Aanya, you came! Come beta, sit here and try these snacks," Devika said warmly.
Aanya sat down. "Aunty, what was the need for this? You don't have to do all this for me… please don't treat me like a guest."
"No problem at all, beta," Devika chuckled. "By the way, Aryan never lets anyone eat oily food, so I usually don't make these. But today I thought of you. Anyway, you like these, right?"
Aanya's eyes widened for a second at the mention of Aryan, but she quickly smiled.
"Yes, aunty! I love these. In fact, most of my favorite foods are oily foods only," she said shyly.
She tasted the snack, and her face lit up.
"Wow… it's so good. Really good," Aanya said with genuine delight.
Devika's smile grew warmer as she watched her.
The morning light filtered through the curtains as Aanya slowly opened her eyes. It took her a second to remember she wasn't in her hostel room anymore.
She was in his house.
She sat up, adjusted her dupatta, and stepped out of the guest room. The hallway was quiet, except for the faint sound of someone typing.
As she moved toward the kitchen, she paused.
Aryan was sitting at the dining table with his laptop open, sleeves rolled up again, hair slightly messy. He looked… exactly the same and completely different.
"Good morning," she said, trying to sound calm.
He glanced up. "Morning."
That was it. Two words. No smile.
---
In the kitchen, Prerna handed her a glass of juice. "Sleep well?" she asked.
Aanya nodded. "Yes, Didi."
Prerna leaned closer and whispered, "Ignore him. He talks more to his construction workers than to us. You'll get used to it."
Aanya chuckled softly, her eyes flickering back to Aryan as she took a sip.
She eats her breakfast.
Prerna says i packed lunch for you.
Aanya says thank you,
Aryan gives a look at her, When Aanya leaves...
---
Later that evening, the entire family sat together for dinner. The news played softly in the background, but no one paid much attention.
Aryan's mother was the one who brought it up. "Aanya's father spoke to me today," she said.
Aanya looked up, her heart suddenly tight.
"He's not doing too well," she continued gently. "Your parents are worried about your future, beta."
Aanya lowered her eyes. Her mother hadn't told her anything about this.
"We'll take care of everything," Aryan's mother added, almost firmly.
Across the table, Aryan sees Aanya but says nothing.
---
That night, Aanya stood on the balcony outside her room. The air was cool, and the city lights shimmered in the distance. Her thoughts were loud, her chest heavy.
She heard footsteps.
She turned to find Aryan standing a few steps away, holding a cup of coffee.
They stood in silence. The kind that said everything and nothing at once.
"You're adjusting well," he finally said.
Aanya forced a smile. "I'm trying."
He didn't reply. Just nodded.
---
She stood there, arms folded. Then, almost on impulse, she turned around and called,
> "Aryan?"
He paused and turned slightly. "Did you… call me?"
> "Yes. Mr. Aryan," she said with a small smile, testing his reaction.
He raised an eyebrow. "Mister?"
> "Yes, haan… Actually… I wanted to ask something. My college is pretty far from here," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear nervously.
"If it's okay with you… can you drop me and pick me up? I mean, only if it's not a problem. If not, I'll manage. It's fine."
Aryan didn't reply immediately. He just stared at her for a second, unreadable.
Then, without a word, he turned and walked out.
She exhaled slowly, unsure what the silence meant.
---
End of Chapter 3.