Aanya's breath caught as the realization struck her.
Oh no… I didn't say Mr. Aryan… I said just Aryan.
Aryan's eyes locked on hers. For a heartbeat, silence stretched between them.
Flustered, she cleared her throat and tried to cover it up. "Uh… Mr. Aryan… well, will you not eat the ice cream?"
He shook his head lightly. "No. You can eat it."
Relieved, Aanya quickly began eating. Still, she felt his gaze lingering on her. When she dared to glance up, she caught the faintest smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
Trying to change the topic, she spoke between bites. "By the way, Mr. Aryan… tomorrow you should not go to the office."
His brows drew together. "Why?"
"Because the day after tomorrow is the Sangeet, and we still haven't practiced our dances. Tomorrow, we have to practice!" she declared, her eyes sparkling with determination.
He raised one eyebrow, skeptical.
Aanya leaned closer, animated. "Think about it—if the bride's family doesn't dance well, they'll look down on us. We need to perform so well that they feel jealous!"
Aryan tilted his head, pausing, before replying dryly. "And what exactly does that have to do with me?"
Her jaw dropped. "Mr. Aryan… what do you mean 'what'? You're also dancing tomorrow! We'll all be practicing together!"
He gave her a completely confused look. "What dance? I don't like dancing."
Aanya's eyes widened in disbelief. "What? Mr. Aryan, you agreed that day when we discussed with Ankitha!"
He frowned. "When did I ever say yes?"
"Yes, you did!" she insisted. "During the wedding card selection, you nodded when I asked!"
He opened his mouth to argue, but before he could speak, Aanya cut in quickly, lifting her chin stubbornly. "Anyway, Mr. Aryan, that day you told me to stay, and I stayed. So tomorrow you are staying, and you're rehearsing with me. Done. Accepted."
Aryan just stared at her, baffled, his expression practically a question mark.
Aanya turned to leave but suddenly stopped. "Oh, by the way, Mr. Aryan… can you give me Dev's number?"
He blinked. Before he could respond, she waved her hand dismissively. "Never mind, I'll just ask Prerna. Good night, Mr. Aryan."
With that, she left, leaving him standing there, still confused.
"Did I really say yes?" Aryan muttered to himself, still doubtful. Even as he tried to recall, he couldn't understand how he had been dragged into this.
After that, Aanya told everything to her friends during a group call.
Tara gasped. "Wow, Aanya! So romantic—he actually bought ice cream just for you!"
Aanya's cheeks burned. "Stop it…" she muttered shyly.
Nisha smirked. "Well, Aanya, I think this is the perfect time."
"The perfect time for what?" Aanya frowned in confusion.
Tara tells "Tomorrow, we're coming over too. We'll help you get closer to Aryan and make sure Ankitha stays far away from you both."
"Exactly," Nisha agreed.
"But what about our classes?" Aanya asked.
Meera said dramatically. "Our friend is more important than any class."
All four burst out laughing.
The next day, Dev, Prerna, and Ankitha were sitting on the sofa when Dev asked curiously, "Aanya, you called everyone here. So… what's the reason?"
Aanya paced slowly, lost in thought, until she suddenly spotted Aryan entering. Without hesitation, she hurried toward him. "Mr. Aryan!" she said brightly, and to everyone's surprise, she grabbed his hand and guided him to sit on the sofa.
Then she returned to pacing, glancing repeatedly at the clock.
Ankitha tilted her head. "Aanya… since Aryan is already here, maybe you can finally tell us what's going on?"
Aanya gave a mysterious smile. "Just a few more minutes. You'll know soon." She went back to walking nervously.
Aryan stood, clearly about to say something. "Look, Aanya, you—"
But before he could finish, Aanya's eyes darted to the door. "They came!" she shouted, rushing forward.
Everyone turned to see who it was.
Aanya's face lit up. "Thank God you guys came!" She hugged her friends tightly.
Then Tara cleared her throat loudly.
Aanya turned around—and froze. Her eyes widened. "H-hi… Suraj? Hi… Mayank? You guys are here too?"
Suraj grinned. "Of course. Tara told us you needed us for dance practice, so how could we refuse?"
Aanya blinked in shock. "But when did I—"
Before she could finish, Tara quickly pulled her aside. "I told them."
Aanya hissed, "Why would you do that? This wasn't our plan!"
Nisha leaned in with a sly smile. "Plan changed."
Aanya's eyes narrowed. "Then what's the new plan?"
Aryan was watching all this quietly, his expression unreadable.
Just then, Devika entered. "Aanya, are those your friends?"
"Yes, Aunty," Aanya replied.
"Then why are you letting them stand there like guests? Invite them in properly."
Aanya smiled and nodded, motioning for her friends to come inside.
Aanya guided everyone to sit down. "Aunty, these are my friends—Tara, Nisha, Meera, Mayank, and Suraj."
Aryan's eyes flickered toward her as she introduced them.
"And guys," Aanya continued, "this is Devika Aunty."
"Hi, Aunty," they all greeted warmly.
Devika smiled. "Well, Aanya didn't tell me your friends were coming. Wait, let me arrange something—"
"No, Aunty, we don't need anything," they all said quickly.
Meera piped up mischievously, "Actually, I need—"
Before she could finish, Aanya cut her off with wide eyes. "Nothing! You need nothing too, right, Meera?"
Meera blinked, caught in the moment, then laughed awkwardly. "Yeah, Aunty, I need nothing."
Devika chuckled softly at their antics.
Dev leaned forward. "So, Aanya… looks like all your friends are here. But you still haven't told us why you called us."
Aanya clapped her hands together. "Right! Sorry, sorry—I almost forgot. Well, tomorrow is Dev and Prerna's Sangeet, guys!"
Her friends clapped and cheered loudly. Dev blushed a little, while Prerna remained calm, her face unreadable.
Aanya went on, "So today, we're all preparing for dance performances. Tomorrow, we'll perform together!"
Dev nodded slowly, realizing where this was going. Ankitha's smile widened. Aryan quietly turned his face away, expression hard to read.
"We'll have one group dance," Aanya explained, "and another duet dance."
Dev raised his brows. "Duet dance?"
"Yes," Aanya said with a bright smile. "For example, you and Prerna can be partners."
Dev's face lit up. "Oh, I see."
Aanya's eyes flicked nervously toward Aryan. Her friends' gazes sharpened, silently urging her: Say his name. Pair yourself with him.
But before she could, Ankitha leaned forward with a bright smile. "And I'll partner with Aryan."
Aanya's smile froze instantly. Her friends' excitement dimmed as well.
Aryan glanced at Ankitha. She smiled at him sweetly.
Aanya's throat tightened. She forced a laugh. "Dance partners, huh?" she muttered under her breath.
Ankitha tilted her head innocently. "Well, Aanya, what about you? Who will you dance with?"
For a moment, Aryan's gaze shifted toward Aanya, as if waiting for her answer.
Aanya's mind raced—What should I say? Her lips parted, but before she could speak, Tara jumped in brightly.
"Well, that's easy. Aanya will pair up with Suraj."
Aanya froze in shock. Suraj? Seriously? Her friend's words from earlier replayed in her head, and her chest tightened.
Aryan's head snapped toward her, then to Suraj. His eyes narrowed slightly, something unspoken flickering in them. The feeling was strange, unsettling.
Aanya's face went blank, unable to show what she was really feeling. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to Aryan—only to find that he was already looking at her.
The silence between them was louder than any words.
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End Of Chapter 37.