A loud car horn pierced the silence, blinding headlights flashing through the darkness. Everyone flinched and shielded their eyes.
The car came to a halt with a loud screech.
Aanya, squinting, blinked in shock.
"Mr. Aryan…?" she whispered, her eyes wide.
The driver's door swung open. Aryan stepped out and slammed the door shut with a cold expression. Aanya couldn't help but smile—relief washing over her face.
But Aryan's serious gaze locked on her.
Her smile immediately faded. She turned her face away, trying to mask her emotions.
"Leave her," Aryan said in a firm voice, stepping forward.
One of the goons sneered.
"Oh look, the hero's here to save his heroine!"
The others laughed.
Before Aryan could respond, Aanya scoffed and said loudly,
"Hero? And him? You can call me heroine if you want, but don't you dare call him a hero. He's worse than a goon… even more annoying than you guys!"
Aryan gave her a look of disbelief.
"Seriously?" he muttered.
Then he turned to the goons, coolly adding,
"If you want to call me a hero, fine. But don't call her a heroine."
Aanya's head snapped toward him.
"Excuse me?"
Aryan continued,
"She's too stubborn, always doing whatever she pleases. A villain suits her more."
The goons exchanged confused looks.
"Really, Mr. Aryan?" Aanya crossed her arms.
"You think I'm a villain? Please. If anyone deserves that title, it's you. You're the most selfish man I've ever met! Everything has to go your way—even when you're wrong!"
Aryan stepped closer, his voice rising.
"Oh really? So I only care about myself?"
"Yes!"
"Then why did I come here, Aanya?"
She paused.
"Maybe because your mom told you to?"
"You seriously think I came here just because my mom asked?"
"Yes!"
He took a deep breath, his voice suddenly emotional.
"I came here because... after you left, I couldn't think straight. I couldn't be normal. I kept thinking about you."
Aanya froze. Her eyes softened, lips parting slightly as her heart skipped a beat.
---
Meanwhile, at Aryan's house...
Devika frowned, pacing.
"When will Aryan return? Did he find Aanya?"
Prerna's phone buzzed. She checked the screen. She looked tense.
"It's not him. Just a wrong number..."
Their mother's face fell in disappointment.
---
Back at the roadside...
Aryan and Aanya stood quietly, emotions swirling between them.
He turned away, trying to compose himself.
"Why didn't you answer my calls, Aanya?"
She looked down.
"Because I didn't want another lecture from you. I wasn't in the mood to be shouted at again."
Aryan sighed and was about to speak—
when one of the goons interrupted, annoyed.
"Excuse us! Hello?! Did you two forget we're still here?"
Aryan and Aanya turned toward them, startled.
"Are you both husband and wife or what?" one asked.
"NO!" they shouted in unison.
The goons blinked, baffled.
"How could anyone marry him?" Aanya scoffed.
"Who can live with someone who has constant mood swings?"
Aryan shot her a deadly glare.
"And who would marry her? She's stubborn and argues over every little thing!"
Aanya rolled her eyes.
"Oh please. Like you don't argue! You've never let a single thing go without a fight!"
"Stop it, Aanya!"
"You stop it, Mr. Aryan!"
The goons covered their ears.
"Enough! Please stop!" one of them cried.
"We regret stopping her, okay? This is worse than jail. You two are the real punishment!"
Another one sniffled, almost crying.
"Let's just leave. We made a mistake..."
They ran to their bike and zoomed off.
Aanya blinked.
"What just happened…?"
Aryan watched the taillights fade into the distance and turned to her.
she burst into laughter — light, free, and uncontrollably amused.
Aryan looked at her... and he couldn't help but join in.
For the first time in what felt like forever, they laughed — together.
But then, like someone hit pause, Aryan's laughter slowly faded.
Aanya looked at him, still smiling — but when she saw the way his eyes lingered on her, unreadable... she stopped too.
And then...
Silence.
The tension hung in the air like mist, fragile and unspoken.
—
End Of Chapter 23