Aanya looked at the pizza slice on the floor and then turned to Aryan, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Aryan met her gaze, but before he could speak, she took a sharp breath.
"Mr. Aryan, what have you done?" she said, her voice cracking with frustration. "I put so much effort into that slice, and you just threw it away."
Aryan rubbed the back of his neck. "Look, I didn't mean to. It just—"
Aanya cut him off. "If you didn't want to eat it, you could've just said so. But throwing it? Now no one can eat it!"
"I told you more than three times that I didn't want to eat!" Aryan snapped, rolling his eyes. "But you never listen."
Aanya clenched her fists. "You always find reasons to argue with me! I just wanted you to try something homemade!" She placed the rest of the pizza on the table, her voice shaking. "Forget it!"
She stormed into her room, slamming the door behind her.
Devika sighed. "Aanya…" she called out, but there was no response.
She turned to Aryan. "Why do you always end up hurting her?"
Aryan looked away. "Mom, you're taking her side again. She just wants to fight over everything."
Devika shook her head. "Hmm... Anyway, I need to tell you something important."
Aryan raised an eyebrow. "What is it?"
"Mr. Raichand and his wife came over today."
Aryan's expression turned confused. "They came? Why?"
Devika took a breath. "They've come with a marriage proposal… for Prerna. For their son, Dev."
Aryan looked stunned. "Marriage proposal?"
"Yes," Devika nodded. "I told them we need some time to think about it."
"What about Nandini aunt?" Aryan asked, still trying to process everything.
"She said she'd come and speak to us tomorrow."
Aryan was silent for a moment, then said, "It's your call, Mom. The Raichand family seems good. If you're okay with it…"
Devika smiled faintly. "Even Aanya said the same. She mentioned that you told her about them."
Aryan blinked. When did I— Then it hit him. He remembered.
"Bhai!" Prerna walked in, surprised. "You came back so early?"
Her eyes fell on the slice on the floor. "What happened? Why is there a slice on the floor?"
Devika answered without missing a beat. "Your brother threw it."
Aryan groaned. "Mom, I didn't throw it on purpose! It was an accident."
Prerna laughed and sat down and picked up a slice from the tray. She took a bite and smiled. "Wow! Aanya's cooking is seriously amazing."
"Really?" Devika said with interest. "Wait, let me try it too." She joined Prerna at the table, taking a bite. "Oh wow… she really is good."
Aanya descended the stairs and saw Devika and Prerna still eating.
Prerna looked up and grinned. "Aanya! This is seriously one of the best pizzas I've ever had!"
Aanya blinked, a little surprised. "Really?" she asked softly.
Devika smiled. "Yes, dear. I loved it too. Please make it again sometime."
Aanya smiled shyly. "Sure," she said, her heart finally lightening a little.
---
Later that night, during dinner
Everyone gathered around the table. Aanya glanced at Aryan but quickly looked away. Aryan noticed her cold expression and silently returned the gesture.
As Devika reached for the final slice, she looked at Aanya. "Aanya, will you eat this last one?"
Aanya smiled. "Aunty, keep it in the fridge. I'll reheat it and eat it tomorrow."
She smiled again, this time directly at Aryan. Aryan looked back, but her smile slowly faded into seriousness as she turned to Aryan.
"Alright, I'll keep it," Devika said, sensing the tension.
Everyone continued eating. Suddenly, Devika spoke.
"By the way, Aryan… Nandini Aunt is coming so...."
Prerna paused, her spoon in mid-air. "Aunt? Now? Why?"
Devika raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean why? She's coming to discuss your marriage."
Prerna quickly lowered her eyes and continued eating silently.
Devika turned back to Aryan. "She might arrive tomorrow."
Aryan opened his mouth,
But Aanya jumped in. "So… Nandini aunty is coming tomorrow?" Her voice was calm.
Aryan turned his head sharply toward her, his expression unreadable.
Devika chuckled. "Yes, Aanya. You know her—she's very strict."
Aanya's smile instantly vanished. Aryan noticed it and allowed himself a slight smirk.
"Don't worry, Mom," Aryan said confidently. "I'll handle everything."
Devika smiled, clearly reassured.
---
Later That Night – 11 PM
Aanya had just laid down on her bed, her eyes fluttering shut when she realized her bottle was empty. With a sigh, she got up, grabbed the bottle, and stepped quietly out of her room. The house was dark and still, everyone seemingly asleep.
As she approached the kitchen, she rubbed her eyes, half-asleep, her steps soft on the floor.
Suddenly—
She froze.
A tall figure stood near the sink, his back to her. The dim moonlight from the window lit up his broad shoulders and sharp profile.
Before she could react, the figure turned.
Aryan.
Startled, Aanya let out a small scream and stumbled a step back.
Aryan's eyes widened. "You? What are you doing here at this hour?" he asked, water droplets dripping from his hands as he turned fully to face her.
Still clutching her bottle, Aanya blinked at him, her heart pounding. "M–me?" she stammered, trying to steady her breath.
She stepped closer, narrowing her eyes. "First you tell me, Mr. Aryan. What are you doing here at this hour?"
Her voice was soft but teasing, layered with the tension from earlier and the mystery of this sudden meeting.
She moved slowly towards him—one step at a time—her eyes locked with his.
Aryan didn't move. He just stared at her, the kitchen suddenly far too silent, far too small.
She stopped barely a breath away from him.
The distance between them was gone.
The tension wasn't.
And neither of them said a word.
---
End of Chapter 26.