Aanya suddenly stood up from her bed, eyes wide in shock.
"What?!" she exclaimed.
On the other side of the call, Radha smiled softly.
"Yes, beta. Your dad spoke with Devika ji. She said, 'Why didn't you tell me earlier?'"
Aanya's face lit up instantly. She kept the phone at a little distance and screamed in joy, "Yesss!"
Radha frowned. "Aanya? Hello? Are you there?"
Aanya quickly composed herself. "Yes, Maa! I'm here!"
Radha chuckled. "Wait, your father wants to talk to you."
Then Naveen's firm but calm voice came on the phone.
"Aanya."
"Yes, Papa," she said, trying to sound calm but her heart was racing.
"I've sent you the address," he said. "You'll go there tomorrow. I've also sent you a phone number."
Aanya blinked in excitement. "Whose number, Papa?" she asked quickly—hoping, praying it would be him.
"Devika aunty's," Naveen replied.
Her smile faltered a little. "Oh…" she said softly.
Naveen continued, "Devika ji said she would send Aryan babu to your hostel to pick you up, but I told her not to. You can go by yourself."
Aanya froze. "What?! Aryan would have come— I mean—" she stopped mid-sentence, realizing what she said.
"What did you say?" Naveen asked suspiciously.
Aanya laughed awkwardly. "Nothing, Papa. I mean… yes, I can go myself."
"Good," Naveen said firmly. "Remember, they're very respectable people. Don't be silly, be polite, and don't cause any trouble, alright?"
"Yes, Papa," she said quietly, still feeling her heart drop.
"Okay then. Take care," he said, and the call ended.
Aanya sighed, flopping back on her bed.
"So close… Aryan could've come to pick me up," she murmured to herself, half smiling, half disappointed.
"Anyway," she said softly, clutching her pillow, "at least… I'll finally see him tomorrow."
Just then, her roommate Shruthi walked in.
"Aanya!" she called.
Aanya, who was still lost in her thoughts, quickly looked up and stopped smiling.
"Ha… what?" she asked nervously.
Shruthi narrowed her eyes. "Why are you so happy?"
"Me? No, no, I'm not!" Aanya said too quickly, trying to hide her blush.
Shruthi shrugged. "Okay then. Anyway, I'm starving! Come on, let's eat biryani."
Aanya blinked. "Biryani?"
"Yeah," Shruthi nodded eagerly.
Aanya grinned. "Okay, let's eat!"
Shruthi smiled. "Then come on—bring it!"
Aanya frowned in confusion. "Bring what?"
"Biryani!" Shruthi said impatiently.
"But you said let's eat biryani…" Aanya said, looking puzzled.
Shruthi crossed her arms. "Didn't I tell you earlier to make it?"
Aanya froze for a second. "Me? Wh—oh!" She slapped her forehead dramatically. "I totally forgot!"
Shruthi sighed. "That means… even tonight also, mess food?"
Aanya nodded slowly, lifting her shoulders with a helpless smile. "Yes."
Shruthi groaned. "Aanya! You dream too much!"
Aanya laughed softly, mumbling under her breath, "Only about one person…"
At the Mehra residence, Aryan walked in wearing a crisp black suit.
Prerna looked up from her phone. "Bhai, you came!"
Devika, who was sitting beside her, turned and smiled. "Aryan beta, you're so late today."
Aryan sighed lightly. "Mom, I had a meeting. That's why."
Devika nodded. "Oh, by the way, Aryan—you have to do something."
Aryan raised an eyebrow. "What, Mom?"
Devika smiled thoughtfully. "Do you remember Sharma Uncle? He used to work in your father's office."
Aryan frowned slightly, trying to recall. "Yeah… why?"
Devika continued, "His daughter, Aanya—she's studying here in Bhopal. She used to stay in the hostel, but because of her health and the food there, she'll be staying with us now."
Aryan listened silently as Devika added, "I want you to check if the guest room is ready. She's coming tomorrow, and we don't have much time."
Aryan looked up and asked, "By the way, is she coming by herself, or should I go pick her up?"
Devika shook her head. "I already told her father that you could go and bring her, but he said she'll come by herself. Don't worry, I've sent her the address."
Aryan nodded slightly. "Alright, I'll make sure everything's ready before she arrives."
Devika smiled softly. Now go freshen up and eat dinner."
Aryan nodded again and walked toward his room, loosening his tie slightly.
Meanwhile, across the city, Aanya lay wide awake on her bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, her heart racing with thoughts.
"I'm actually going to see Aryan…" she whispered with a dreamy smile. "Wow… after so long."
She hugged her pillow and giggled softly. "I just hope he remembers me. But… he's only seen me once. I'm sure he doesn't."
A small pause—then her cheeks flushed as she whispered, "But from tomorrow… he'll have to see me every day."
She smiled to herself, turning on her side as her excitement danced with her heartbeat. Sleep didn't come that night—only dreams of tomorrow did.
The next morning arrived sooner than Aanya expected. Standing outside the grand Mehra Residence, she took a deep breath. Her heart raced as her eyes traced the familiar nameplate — Mehra Residency.
"After five years…" she whispered softly to herself, a nervous smile tugging at her lips. "I'm finally going to meet Aryan again."
She adjusted her bag, took another deep breath, and knocked gently on the door.
Within seconds, the door opened, and Prerna's cheerful face appeared. "Oh! Aanya, you came! Hi!"
"Hi," Aanya replied, her nervousness melting into a warm smile.
Prerna turned around and shouted excitedly, "Mom! Aanya came!"
From the living room, Devika's voice echoed back, "Aanya came?" A few seconds later, she appeared, smiling warmly.
Prerna hugged Aanya lightly. "How are you?"
"I'm good," Aanya replied, her eyes already drifting toward the staircase, hoping to catch a glimpse of Aryan.
Devika came closer, her face glowing with affection. Aanya quickly bent down to touch her feet, trying to make a good impression.
"Oh no, no, beta! No need for that," Devika said quickly, helping her stand up.
"Oh no, no, beta! No need for that," Devika said quickly, helping her stand up.
Just then, a loud bark echoed through the hallway. Aanya turned around in surprise to see a golden retriever trotting happily toward her, tail wagging like a little tornado.
"Hey… hi there!" Aanya said, bending slightly with a bright smile.
But before she could go closer, Max barked again — loud enough to make her take a startled step back.
Prerna burst out laughing. "Don't worry, Aanya! He's friendly!"
Aanya smiled politely. "It's been five years since I last saw you, Aunty."
Devika nodded fondly. "Yes, time flies, doesn't it? Come inside, beta. Sit down."
They all sat on the sofa in the cozy living room. As Devika and Prerna chatted, Aanya's eyes subtly wandered upstairs, searching for him.
Devika noticed her distraction but continued, "We really didn't know you were studying here, Aanya."
Aanya smiled nervously, still pretending to be interested while trying to look around without being obvious.
"How's your health now, beta?" Devika asked kindly.
Aanya blinked, confused. "Health?" she echoed before realizing something was off.
Devika gave her a curious look, and Aanya quickly started coughing dramatically. "Oh! That… I mean, it's better now, Aunty," she said with a weak smile.
Devika chuckled softly. "Good to hear that."
Aanya let out a sigh of relief, murmuring to herself, Nice save, Aanya.
Then Devika added, "Actually, Aryan should have gone to pick you up."
At the mention of his name, Aanya's eyes lit up instantly. "Oh, really?" she asked, trying not to sound too excited.
"Yes," Devika continued, "but your father said you'd be coming by yourself."
Aanya forced a polite smile. But inside,
Aanya sighed silently. Dad, you always ruin my perfect plans.
Then after Aanya thought to herself,
"By the way where's Aryan? Maybe he went to the office... Wait, should I ask aunty about him? No, no, Aanya, stop! You just came—if you ask about Aryan right away, they'll get suspicious. Better not ask."
---
End Of Chapter 2.