They both looked at each other. Silence hung in the air.
Aryan broke it first. "Let's go," he said quietly, turning to walk away.
But Aanya didn't move.
She stayed rooted to the spot, arms crossed, her eyes fixed on him.
Aryan noticed. He stopped and turned back, puzzled. "Aanya?"
"I don't want to come with you, Mr. Aryan," she said calmly.
He rolled his eyes. "Come on, Aanya. What now? You're being stubborn again?"
"No, Mr. Aryan. I'm not being stubborn. I'm just… hurt. Really, really hurt. And you don't get it. You always think about yourself. You never consider how others feel," she said, her voice trembling, eyes soft and filled with emotion.
Aryan looked at her—his gaze softened too, seeing the raw honesty in hers.
"I know I shouldn't have interfered in your personal or professional life, and I'm sorry for what I did," she continued, voice growing heavier. "But Mr. Aryan, what you did was wrong too. You punished your employee… and they didn't deserve it. You did it because of me, didn't you?"
Her voice cracked slightly.
"I feel guilty. I never wanted anyone to suffer because of me."
Tears welled up in her eyes. Her voice became a whisper. "I hate this feeling, Mr. Aryan…"
Aryan clenched his wrist, unable to meet her eyes. "I've taught you a lot, but maybe I forgot how to deal with… this. I didn't know what else to do. Yes, I hurt you, but I— I honestly don't know why I acted that way."
Aanya looked at him with quiet sadness. "You could say sorry."
He blinked.
"If you really feel guilty like I do, then just say sorry, Mr. Aryan. Say it… with your whole heart."
There was a long pause.
His eyes met hers, finally letting down his pride. "I'm… sorry," he said, voice low but sincere.
Aanya's tears spilled freely, but there was softness in them now. A kind of quiet relief.
Aryan felt something strange stir in his chest. He quickly turned away.
"It's getting late. Let's go," he muttered.
Aanya looked down, wiped her tears, picked up her suitcase. Aryan took it from her silently.
She smiled faintly behind him.
They sat in the car. Aryan drove in silence. The air was heavy but calm.
When they arrived, Aryan took her suitcase and said gently, "You can stay as long as you want. No rush."
Aanya looked at him in surprise. Her heart skipped.
Inside, Devika and Prerna lit up the moment they saw her.
"Aanya! Thank God you're here!" Devika exclaimed, rushing to hug her.
Prerna joined in, smiling brightly. Max, their dog, barked joyfully.
Aanya's lips curved into a genuine smile.
"Have you eaten anything?" Devika asked.
Aanya shook her head.
Devika ushered her to the dining table. "Come, sit. I'll serve you."
She turned to Aryan. "You haven't eaten either, right? Sit. I'll serve you both."
Aanya glanced at Aryan. He gave her a side glance and quietly sat beside her.
Prerna said, "Brother, give me that suitcase. I'll keep it in Aanya's room."
As Devika served them, Aanya reached for a glass of water at the same time as Aryan.
Their hands touched.
They looked at each other.
Time seemed to pause for a second. Aryan slowly pulled his hand back.
Aanya drank the water silently.
Devika, not noticing, handed Aryan another glass. "Here, drink."
After dinner, Aanya lay on her bed, eyes wide open. She remembered Aryan's words: "After you left, I couldn't think straight. I couldn't be normal. I kept thinking about you."
A soft blush crept up her cheeks.
Did he really mean that?
She pulled the blanket over her face and smiled quietly to herself.
---
The Next Morning
Aryan, Prerna, and Devika were at the breakfast table.
Prerna looked up. "Mom, didn't Aanya wake up yet?"
Aryan paused with his spoon in midair.
Devika replied, "Maybe she's getting ready."
Just then, Aanya stepped out—in pajamas.
Everyone looked at her, stunned.
"Aanya, aren't you going?" Devika asked gently.
Aanya yawned and said, "Today, I don't feel like going. I'm just… tired."
Devika smiled warmly. "Okay, beta. Take your time. Come, eat first and rest as much as you want."
Aanya nodded and glanced at Aryan. He looked at her too—expression unreadable.
After breakfast, Aanya returned to her room. She saw her phone buzzing with messages from her friends.
"Why didn't you come today?"
She typed: "Feeling tired", then set her phone aside and lay on the bed again.
---
At Aryan's Office
He sat at his desk, still thinking about Aanya's words.
His secretary entered and placed a cup of coffee on the table.
She turned to leave, but Aryan called her back. "Hey … Simran "
"Yes, sir?"
"Is drinking coffee boring?"
She blinked. "Sorry?"
"I asked… is drinking coffee boring?"
She smiled nervously. "No sir. I think everyone drinks coffee."
Aryan leaned back, lost in thought again.
---
At Home
Aanya, Devika, and Prerna were watching TV together.
"Aunty, this is my favorite show! I love it," Aanya said, grinning.
"Really?" Devika smiled.
"Yes! I always watch it."
"I love it too!" Prerna joined in. "But brother never lets me watch."
"What? Mr. Aryan doesn't like TV shows? Who doesn't like shows?" Aanya made a face.
Devika laughed softly.
Aanya shook her head. "Mr. Aryan is so… different. He doesn't like shows. His favorite food is coffee."
She turned to Devika. "Aunty, why is he like that?"
Devika laughed again. "He's been like that since childhood. We gave up trying to change him."
Prerna added, "You know, Aanya… my brother doesn't even celebrate birthdays."
Aanya's jaw dropped. "What? Seriously? Why? Mr. Aryan has so many… weird traits."
Prerna leaned in. "Actually… there's a reason—"
Suddenly, the doorbell rang.
Everyone turned toward the door.
"I'll go," Devika started.
"No, Aunty, don't worry. I'll get it," Aanya offered.
She walked to the door and opened it—then froze in shock.
---
End Of Chapter 23.