Flashback – 8 Years Ago
(It was the day Armaan was leaving for abroad)
Aarohi's eyes shimmered with tears, her voice shaky as she tried to hold back her emotions. Armaan stood close to her, trying his best to comfort her, though he himself looked like he was barely holding it together.
"I'll come back, Aarohi," he said softly. "I promise. This isn't goodbye forever. You'll always be my best friend—nothing will change that."
Before she could respond, a voice from behind broke the moment.
"Don't make promises you won't keep," Laksh said, stepping forward with that familiar air of skepticism. "You'll leave, settle into your new school, find new friends… and forget all about her."
Armaan turned, his gaze calm but steady. "I will make new friends, Laksh. That's life. But that doesn't mean I'll forget the people who matter."
He glanced at Aarohi again, a small, meaningful smile tugging at his lips. "Aarohi is my best friend. And she always will be."
Laksh scoffed. "You say that now. But once you're thousands of miles away, you'll have your own life. You won't even remember what she meant to you."
Armaan shook his head, his tone soft but firm. "That's not true. You don't forget people you truly love. Distance doesn't erase real bonds. I've never even met my mother, but I still carry her in my heart. Just like I carry all of you — Badi Maa, Bade Papa, Akshit Bhaiya, Naaz… and Aarohi."
Laksh muttered under his breath, "Yeah, but there's a difference between family and… her. She's just a friend."
That stung. Aarohi looked at Laksh, hurt flashing across her face before it twisted into anger. Her voice cracked as she shouted, "He said I'm his best friend! He said he won't forget me! So why are you acting like that doesn't mean anything?!"
She glared at him, fists clenched. "He's not lying — you are! You're the one who always ruins everything, Laksh!"
Laksh exhaled sharply. "I'm just being honest. But fine… if you think I'm wrong, let's make a deal."
He turned to Armaan, his voice challenging. "Let's see how long you really remember her."
Laksh stepped closer, eyes locked on Armaan.
"Let's make a deal," he said. "From the moment you leave — no calls, no messages, no asking about her. Don't even try to find out how she's doing."
Aarohi's breath hitched, her eyes darting between the two boys.
Laksh continued, voice low but firm.
"Let's see if, when you return, you still remember her. Let's see if she still matters."
The challenge hung in the air like a dare too heavy for their young hearts.
Armaan looked at Aarohi — her trembling lips, her hopeful eyes — then back at Laksh. A quiet resolve settled over his face. He gave a tiny smile, bittersweet but unwavering.
"Alright," he said. "Let's see."
Present Day.....
"I'm sorry, Aarohi," Laksh said, his voice barely above a whisper.
She didn't respond. Didn't even look at him.
"Let's not talk about this," she said, trying to sound indifferent but failing to mask the hurt beneath her tone. "We're already late for university. Just drive."
Laksh swallowed hard. Her cold silence cut deeper than any words. Though the car had already resumed after the earlier stop, he pulled over again, this time more gently.
"I'll be back in two minutes," he said abruptly.
Before she could question him, he stepped out of the car and walked away.
Aarohi blinked in surprise, watching him rush off with confusion etched all over her face. "What's wrong with him now?" she mumbled to herself. "Where is he running off to like that?"
A few minutes passed.
Laksh returned, slightly out of breath, clutching something in his hand. He got back into the car without a word and, without meeting her eyes, held the box out toward her.
Aarohi looked at him. Then at the box. Then back at him.
"What is this?" she asked flatly, suspiciously.
"What do you mean what is this?" Laksh shot back with a smirk. "Can't you see? It's ice cream. Here—take it before it melts."
Without waiting for her response, he gently shoved the box into her hands and started buckling his seatbelt like nothing had happened.
But this was Aarohi.
She wasn't the type to give in that easily—especially not to Laksh.
So, with a deadpan expression, she pushed the ice cream box right back into his hands and said coldly,
"I don't want it."
But Laksh knew exactly how to get his way with Aarohi.
Feigning disappointment, he let out a dramatic sigh and said, "Oh, so you're not going to eat it? Alright then… guess I'll just throw it away."
He began to act like he was about to toss the box out of the window when—
"Wait—wait!" Aarohi blurted out quickly. "There's no need to waste it. Since you've already brought it… I'll eat it."
A small, amused smile tugged at Laksh's lips, though he didn't let it show. Inside, he was laughing to himself.
She's just like a little kid. Stubborn like a child, angry like a child, and innocent like one too. Just a moment ago she was fuming with rage, and now—one ice cream and it's all forgotten.
He was still lost in his thoughts, smiling inwardly, when Aarohi's voice snapped him back to reality.
"Where are you lost?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "We're already late—let's go."
Laksh nodded, started the car, and they drove off toward the university.
A short while later, they arrived.
Aarohi stepped out of the car and walked toward the entrance without looking back. Laksh, meanwhile, headed off to find a parking spot.
Aarohi had just stepped into the university campus when she noticed a crowd gathered near the central lawn. Curious, she slowed her pace, eyebrows furrowing slightly as she tried to peer over the heads.
What's going on there? she wondered.
As Aarohi walked past a girl heading the opposite way, she lightly tapped her shoulder.
"Hey, excuse me… do you know what's going on over there? Why's there such a big crowd?"
The girl paused, glanced over her shoulder, and then smirked knowingly. "Oh, that? The seniors are ragging the freshers. That's why everyone's gathered around."
Aarohi raised her eyebrows, a small amused laugh escaping her lips. "Ragging, huh?" she murmured, half to herself, a mischievous glint dancing in her eyes. "Looks like your first day's going to be fun, Aarohi."
Just as she turned to walk toward the commotion, a familiar voice called out behind her.
"Aarohi!"
She spun around to see Aman hurrying toward her, a wide grin on his face. His hair was a little messy, and he looked slightly out of breath—like he'd been trying to catch up to her for a while.
"Where were you off to in that direction?" he asked, squinting a little against the sun.
Aarohi gave a casual shrug, glancing back at the crowd. "Just thought I'd check out the chaos. Looked interesting." Then she turned back to him with a polite smile. "But now that you've caught me, let's save the catching-up for later, yeah? I'll see you around—bye!"
Before he could reply, she flashed him a grin and started walking away, her steps light with curiosity.
Aman stood there for a second, debating whether to follow her. Just then, Laksh arrived, catching sight of his old friend looking strangely flustered.
Laksh raised an eyebrow, looking at Aman's worried face.
"Why do you look like someone just stole your lunch?"
Aman ran a hand through his hair, clearly restless.
"It's Aarohi. She went towards that crowd over there."
Laksh glanced in the direction he pointed.
"So? What's the big deal?"
Aman looked at him like he was missing the obvious.
"Dude, that crowd? It's not a fan club meet. Seniors are ragging freshers over there. What if she gets caught up in it?"
Hearing that, Laksh couldn't help but laugh—loud and carefree. Aman looked at him like he'd lost his mind.
Laksh shook his head, smirking.
"How long have you known her? You really think she's the kind of girl who'd get bullied? Come on, man. If anything, I feel bad for the seniors."
He looked toward the crowd with an amused glint in his eyes.
"The way she marched in, full of confidence… I'm pretty sure she's planning something. Aarohi doesn't walk into chaos—she walks in to control it. Let's go. I'm curious to see what she's up to."
And with that, both of them started walking toward the crowd, a mix of curiosity and amusement in their steps.
Aarohi reached the spot where all the chaos was unfolding. A crowd had gathered—curious, amused, some intimidated. And just as she'd planned, she paused near the center and, with a deliberate flick of her hands, let all her books fall to the ground. Pages scattered dramatically across the floor.
Pretending it was an accident, she knelt down to gather them, subtly angling her phone to record everything. Her face held just the right amount of innocent confusion as she glanced around and softly said,
"Oh… I'm sorry. Was something going on here? I didn't mean to interrupt."
Exactly as expected, the entire group's attention snapped to her.
Senior 1 stepped forward, eyes gleaming with mischief.
"No worries at all… Let me guess—you're a fresher, right?"
Aarohi nodded politely.
"Yes…"
Senior 2 smiled wider.
"Perfect. We're just doing some friendly introductions. Why don't you go next? Start with your name."
She gave a small smile.
"I'm Aarohi. Aarohi Rajput."
Senior 1 tilted his head.
"Nice name. So, do you sing? Dance?"
"Not really," Aarohi replied.
Senior 1 smirked.
"No problem. Then dance for us. We'll even play a song of your choice."
Aarohi's smile faded slightly.
"I… I don't know how to dance. And I'm not comfortable with this."
Senior 3 rolled his eyes.
"It's not a dance competition. Just do something. Come on, hurry up."
Senior 2 stepped closer, playing the "nice guy" card.
"Don't worry, I'll help you. I can teach you."
Saying that, he reached out and grabbed her hand.
That was it.
Aarohi's patience snapped.
In one swift motion, she grabbed his wrist, twisted it behind his back, and forced him to his knees. The boy yelped in pain.
"Ahh! Let go! You're hurting me!" he cried.
"Hurting?" Aarohi's tone turned icy.
"Maybe you should've thought about that before grabbing me."
Senior 3 stepped forward.
"What the hell are you doing? Let him go!"
Aarohi's glare could have cut through steel.
"Don't take another step. Unless you want your friend's arm broken in the next three seconds."
Everyone froze.
She turned the volume up on her voice just enough.
"Oh, and by the way—every single thing you just did is recorded on my phone. So consider this your first… and only warning. Try this stunt with anyone else, and you'll see just how bad things can get for you."
With a sharp push, she let go of the boy's arm. He fell to the ground, groaning, as his friends rushed to help him.
Without sparing another glance, Aarohi turned and walked away.
Just as the boys began to follow her in fury, Laksh stepped into their path, casually but firmly.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa. I'd rethink that if I were you." He folded his arms, cocking his head.
"Do you even know who you just messed with? She's Aarohi Rajput—youngest daughter of Rakesh Rajput, this university's trustee and a top-tier businessman. So if you want to continue your education here, I'd suggest staying far, far away from her."
He gave them a crooked smile and turned on his heel, walking off.