Prerna's lips parted in shock.
"Aahil…" she whispered to herself, her voice trembling.
She stood frozen, stunned at the sight before her.
Aanya, noticing Prerna lagging behind, walked toward her. "Prerna? Prerna!" she called softly.
Prerna snapped out of her daze. "Ha—" she stammered, trying to cover her expression.
"What happened? What are you looking at?" Aanya asked, her brows furrowed with concern.
Prerna quickly shook her head. "Nothing." Without another word, she walked away.
Aanya frowned, feeling something was definitely wrong, but chose not to press further.
---
The next day at college—
"So Aryan chose what you selected?" Tara exclaimed with excitement.
"Wow, Aanya," Meera teased, her eyes gleaming. "That means…"
"That means he likes you," Nisha finished, grinning widely.
Aanya's eyes widened in shock. "What? Really? Does he… does he like me?"
Nisha nodded confidently. "Of course! If not, why would he choose what you picked?"
Aanya's cheeks flushed pink.
Meera raised her eyebrows. "Or maybe… he just liked that color. That's why he chose it."
The three of them turned to stare at her.
"What?" Meera asked defensively.
Aanya tilted her head. "You said… it means he liked the color?"
Meera quickly backtracked, noticing Tara's warning expression. "Ah—no, no, Aanya! I mean, maybe it also means he chose it because you liked it."
Aanya looked down, embarrassed. "Stop it, okay…"
Meera pouted. "No, Aanya, I didn't mean anything wrong. I was just talking normally."
Tara cut in, changing the topic. "Leave that. Aanya, by the way—what songs have you guys selected for the Sangeet dance?"
Aanya's eyes widened. She smacked her forehead lightly. "Oh no! I totally forgot about that!"
"What?!" Nisha gasped. "How could you forget? It's the day after tomorrow, and you haven't planned anything about the dance?"
Aanya bit her lip. "Well… I was only thinking about dress selection. I completely forgot."
Tara leaned forward. "It's fine, Aanya. Even now, it's not too late. Tomorrow you still have time—you and Aryan can practice."
"Yes," Nisha added quickly. "Exactly! Tomorrow you two can rehearse your duet."
At the mention of dancing with Aryan, Aanya's face burned red.
"But…" Meera's voice cut in, hesitant. "What about Ankitha? Even she'll be there."
The three of them turned and stared at her seriously.
Meera blinked. "What? Did I say something wrong?"
Aanya sighed. "No, you didn't. Even Ankitha will be there. By the way, it was already so hard to stop her from getting close yesterday. And tomorrow… and then on the Sangeet…" Her voice lowered. "Guys, I'm scared."
Nisha placed a hand on hers firmly. "Don't be scared, Aanya. This is your chance—your only chance to get close with Aryan. Don't miss this opportunity. And besides, during the Sangeet, we'll all be there. Don't worry—we'll help you."
All three of them nodded in unison, their faces determined.
Aanya smiled softly, comforted by their support.
But then Meera suddenly asked, "By the way, Aanya, your parents will be there, right? Won't they get suspicious?"
Aanya froze. "They…" Her eyes widened as realization hit her. "I totally forgot!"
"What happened?" Tara asked, concerned.
"I didn't ask my parents when they're coming," Aanya said quickly, panic creeping into her voice. "I have to ask them!"
That night, Aanya called her parents. Her mother picked up the phone.
"Mom, how are you?" Aanya asked softly.
"I'm fine, dear," her mother replied warmly.
"And what about Dad?"
"He's fine too," her mother said.
Aanya hesitated for a second before asking, "By the way, Mom, when are you both coming?"
Her mom paused. "Coming? Where?"
Aanya frowned, feeling something strange in her chest. "What do you mean, where? To Prerna's wedding, of course."
There was silence for a moment. Then her mother sighed. "Aanya… actually, we can't come."
Aanya froze in shock. "What?"
"Your father has a lot of work. So… we informed Devika ji."
Her voice cracked. "Oh, so you told everyone except me?" She cut the call abruptly, anger and hurt flooding her eyes.
She stormed to Devika's room. Devika looked up, surprised. "Aanya, what happened?"
Aanya's voice trembled. "Aunty, did my parents tell you that they're not coming?"
Devika's expression faltered. After a pause, she said softly, "Aanya… yes. They told me."
Aanya's eyes welled up. "Aunty, why didn't you tell me?"
"I knew you would feel bad, that's why I didn't say anything."
Unable to hold back her disappointment, Aanya left silently.
Later, Aryan entered Devika's room and asked, "Mom, what happened?"
Devika told him everything.
Meanwhile, Aanya sat alone, her thoughts swirling with sadness. A few moments later, Aryan found her. She looked up at him, her voice fragile.
"Mr. Aryan…" she whispered.
He didn't reply right away, only stood beside her, his presence quiet yet steady.
After a moment, he asked softly, "Are you okay?"
Aanya turned toward him doubtfully. "You… you know about it?"
Aryan gave a small nod.
Her lips trembled. "Sometimes I feel like my family doesn't share anything with me. I mean… I'm their only daughter, and still they hide things from me."
"Maybe," Aryan said gently, "they just didn't want to put stress on you."
"Stress? Mr. Aryan, they didn't even tell me until now that they wouldn't come!"
Aryan looked at her calmly. "Well… did you ask them before?"
Aanya froze, her thoughts halting. "No… but still… I feel like an outsider sometimes."
Aryan was silent for a moment, then turned toward her. "Aanya."
She lifted her eyes to him.
"Sometimes, we need to look at things from another person's point of view. We can't just judge right away. If we think calmly, we'll understand their reasons. Your dad has work, and that's why your parents can't come. They probably wanted to tell you earlier, but…" He paused, watching her carefully.
"But?" she asked, her eyes searching his.
"They didn't… because they knew it would hurt you."
Aanya's eyes softened as the truth slowly sank in.
Aryan studied her for a moment, then said quietly, "Well… I think it's too late now."
Aanya frowned in confusion. "Too late?"
Aryan gave her a small, almost teasing look before suddenly holding out a butterscotch cone.
Her eyes widened in shock. "You… you bought this?"
He gave a faint smile. "Actually… I remembered that day you asked for butterscotch for both of us. Today, while I was on my way home, I saw the same shop on the street. I thought of buying one… because you like it."
Aanya's heart swelled with happiness. She smiled brightly.
"Thank you so much, Aryan."
The name slipped from her lips before she realized it.
Aryan froze, his eyes widening slightly. And thinking in his mind did she just… call me Aryan?
Aanya's breath caught as the realization struck her. Oh no… I didn't say Mr. Aryan… I said just Aryan…
Silence wrapped around them, heavier than words. Their eyes locked—hesitant, questioning, charged with something unspoken. Neither of them looked away.
---
End Of Chapter 36.