Without making a sound, Aryan turned away and walked off—his face unreadable, his heart unbearably heavy.
Inside his room, he shut the door behind him.
He paced for a while, restless, his thoughts crashing into each other. Finally, he sat down on the edge of the bed, burying his face in his hands.
"No, Aryan… you can't do this," he muttered to himself.
"What Nandini aunty said… it's true."
He clenched his fists.
"If I'm with Aanya, everyone will blame her," he thought bitterly.
"They won't look at my age… they'll only judge her."
He swallowed hard.
"She's just twenty. She won't be able to handle that pressure. She doesn't even know how cruel people can be."
His chest tightened.
"I'm twenty-nine. I know how the world works."
Images of Aanya's smile flashed in his mind—and it hurt even more.
"Aanya won't be able to tolerate that pain," he whispered.
"They'll talk… they'll say horrible things."
He closed his eyes tightly.
"It's better if I keep my distance from her," he decided.
"I should avoid her."
His voice broke.
"I can't let Aanya suffer because of me."
---
Meanwhile in Devika's room,
Devika remained lost in thought.
Nandini watched her for a moment and then asked softly,
"You're understanding what I'm trying to say, right?"
Devika paused, then replied calmly,
"Sister-in-law, what is there to misunderstand? People talk about us all the time—sometimes in front of us, sometimes behind our backs. We shouldn't live our lives worrying about what others say."
Nandini tried to interrupt,
"But—"
"But what?" Devika cut in gently.
"Tell me, sister-in-law. What even happens if Aanya likes someone who is Aryan's age… or even older?"
Nandini froze.
Devika continued, her voice steady,
"Aanya isn't a child. She's almost twenty-one and very mature. She has her own opinions. Love shouldn't always be judged by age alone."
Nandini listened silently.
"Nowadays," Devika went on,
"many couples have age gaps and still live happily. If people keep listening to society, they can never truly be happy. And anyway, we know there's nothing between Aryan and Aanya… but even if there were, what would be so wrong about it?"
Nandini looked shocked.
"It's not like Aryan is forty or fifty," Devika added calmly.
"He's only twenty-nine. A nine-year age gap isn't such a big issue these days."
"But Devika," Nandini said hesitantly,
"Aanya is still very young. At that age, people don't always understand what love really is."
"You're right," Devika nodded.
"Not everyone understands love at that age. But not everyone is the same. Some people are more mature than their age—like Aanya."
Nandini's expression turned serious.
"And if Aryan truly loves someone younger," Devika continued firmly,
"and if their feelings are genuine, then I would accept it."
She smiled softly and added,
"If two people truly love each other, they should think about their happiness—not about what others say. We can't make everyone happy, can we, sister-in-law?"
Nandini fell silent.
Then Devika suddenly laughed lightly.
"By the way, we've completely forgotten—tomorrow is Prerna's wedding! There's so much to do. If we don't sleep now, our dark circles will be clearly visible in the photos tomorrow."
Nandini forced a small smile, nodded, and quietly left the room.
---
Next day Morning,
The wedding day.
Prerna sat on the edge of her bed, staring at the date on her phone.
She swallowed hard and whispered to herself,
"It's my wedding… today."
She opened her gallery.
Her fingers paused as old pictures filled the screen—smiles, memories, moments with Aahil. Her chest tightened.
I should delete these,
My marriage is with Dev now… not with Aahil.
Just then, there was a knock on the door.
Startled, Prerna quickly locked her phone.
The door opened, and Devika walked in.
"Prerna," Devika said warmly, pulling her into a hug.
"Today is your wedding."
Prerna stood still in her arms, listening.
"I'm so happy for you," Devika continued softly.
"You're going to a family those who treat you like their own daughter."
Prerna said nothing.
"Dev is a good boy," Devika added.
"He will keep you happy."
A faint sadness crossed Prerna's face.
Devika noticed.
"Why do you look sad?"
Prerna quickly shook her head.
"No, Mom… I'm fine."
Devika smiled knowingly.
"I understand. Everything has happened so suddenly. That's why you're nervous, right?"
She held Prerna's hands gently.
"Don't worry. Everything will be fine. Today is your wedding—it should be one of the most memorable days of your life. So don't keep a sad face. Smile."
Prerna forced a small smile.
Devika kissed her forehead and left the room.
The door closed.
Prerna stood there silently, watching her mother walk away.
Then she whispered to herself,
"No, Prerna… you have to move on."
She picked up her phone again.
One by one, she selected the photos.
And with trembling fingers, she deleted every picture of Aahil.
The wedding preparations began.
Both the bride's and groom's families were busy, the house filled with noise, laughter, and excitement.
Aanya, dressed in a beautiful lehenga, was enjoying the celebration.
Yet, somewhere in her heart, she was waiting to see Aryan.
When Aryan finally arrived, Aanya noticed him instantly.
Her face lit up, and she felt happy seeing him. She walked toward him, wanting to talk.
Aryan also saw Aanya.
She looked stunning—her lehenga, her smile, everything about her caught his attention.
But instead of responding to his feelings, he deliberately tried to avoid her.
Aanya went closer and said softly,
"Mr. Aryan, today—"
Before she could finish, Aryan walked past her without even looking at her and joined Ankitha in conversation.
Wait… Mr. Aryan is avoiding me again? Didn't he say sorry yesterday? Didn't he promise that he would never avoid me again? Then what suddenly happened now?
She frowned slightly, confused.
Why does Mr. Aryan act so weird? Does he have some rule that in the morning he has to be rude to me and at night he suddenly becomes good? What's wrong with him?
Trying to hide her feelings, Aanya walked toward Aryan and Ankitha.
"Hi, Ankitha," she said.
"Hi, Aanya! You're looking so beautiful today," Ankitha replied warmly.
"Thank you," Aanya smiled, then glanced at Aryan—
but he didn't look at her at all.
Aanya felt a flicker of anger and added,
"You're looking good too."
"Thank you," Ankitha said, then laughed lightly.
"By the way, girls always compliment each other, but boys rarely do."
She turned toward Aryan and teased,
"So tell us, Aryan… who looks more beautiful today—me or Aanya?"
Aanya suddenly looked at Aryan, waiting for his answer.
Her heart raced.
Aryan hesitated.
"Well…"
"Come on, Aryan," Ankitha said playfully. "We won't feel bad. Just say your opinion. Right, Aanya?"
Aanya smiled brightly and nodded.
"Yes," she said cheerfully—
I know Mr. Aryan will say my name, she thought confidently.
Aryan looked at Aanya.
He knew she looked beautiful—more than beautiful.
But then he said,
"Ankitha."
Aanya's smile faded instantly.
"Oh my God!" Ankitha laughed. "Thank you so much, Aryan. I really thought you'd say Aanya's name."
Aryan gave a small smile and looked at Aanya, who was now staring at him seriously.
"Well… please excuse me," Aryan said, and walked away.
Aanya stood there, watching him leave—
her eyes filled with hurt and unanswered questions.
Meanwhile, at Aahil's house…
Asma noticed that Aahil still hadn't woken up.
A strange uneasiness crept into her heart.
She walked closer to him and gently shook his shoulder.
"Bhai… wake up."
No response.
Her heartbeat quickened.
She shook him again, a little harder.
"Bhai, wake up!"
Still nothing.
Fear gripped her chest.
"Aahil bhai… Aahil bhai!" she called out, panic rising in her voice.
But he didn't move.
Suddenly, her eyes fell on a bottle lying nearby.
She picked it up and checked the label—
A poison bottle.
Asma froze.
Her hands started trembling as realization hit her.
She screamed at the top of her lungs,
"Ahad bhai!"
Ahad rushed in immediately.
"What happened, Asma? Why are you shouting?"
Tears streamed down her face as she pointed toward Aahil.
"Ahad bhai… Aahil drank poison!"
Ahad stood frozen in shock.
"We need to call an ambulance!" Asma cried.
Without wasting a second, Ahad dialed the hospital.
Just then, their mother rushed into the room.
"What happened? Why are you all shouting?"
Asma turned to her, sobbing.
"Ammi… Aahil bhai drank poison."
Hearing this, their mother went pale and almost collapsed.
"Ammi!" Asma quickly held her.
Tears filled Ahad's eyes as he tried to stay strong.
"Ammi… please don't worry. Nothing will happen to Aahil."
Their mother cried helplessly,
"Ya Allah… why is all this happening to us?"
Ahad held her hands tightly.
"Ammi, please calm down. I've called the ambulance. They'll be here any moment."
Moments later, the sound of the ambulance echoed outside.
They rushed Aahil to the hospital, fear and prayers filling their hearts.
Ahad held their mother's hand and said firmly, "Ammi, stay strong. Nothing will happen to Aahil."
Asma broke down, sobbing. "Ahad bhai… I can't believe Aahil did this."
Ahad clenched his jaw, holding back his tears. "All of this is because of Prerna."
Asma suddenly stopped crying, an idea flashing in her eyes.
"Bhai… we need to call Prerna."
Ahad stared at her in shock. "Are you mad? You want to call Prerna?"
"Yes, bhai," Asma said desperately.
Ahad's voice hardened. "You want to call the person who caused all this?"
"But bhai," Asma pleaded, "Aahil loves Prerna. If she comes… he'll be happy."
Ahad fell silent.
Their mother spoke through her tears, her voice trembling.
"I will talk to her. I will convince her. I can't lose my son."
Ahad gently held her shoulders.
"Ammi, please calm down. You shouldn't take stress. We'll call her, okay? Please calm down.
---
End Of Chapter 51.