the food was served.
Kunal and Aanya started eating.
But still… Aanya was still lost in her thoughts.
Her mind kept going back to the moment she saw Aryan.
"Aanya," Kunal said, trying to break the silence.
"How's the food? Do you like it?"
Aanya didn't respond.
She continued eating quietly, her mind somewhere else.
Kunal frowned slightly.
"Aanya?"
She suddenly snapped out of her thoughts and looked at him.
"Huh…?"
"What's wrong with you?" Kunal asked. "You're neither talking nor listening."
"Nothing happened," Aanya said quickly.
Kunal shook his head.
"No… something is wrong. I've been observing you since we came here. You're completely lost."
He paused, then added,
"Did you not like this place?"
"No, it's not like that," Aanya said. "I'm just…"
She hesitated.
Then she took a breath.
"Kunal, I need to tell you something."
Kunal looked at her.
"What is it?"
Aanya lowered her gaze.
"Actually, I used to—"
Suddenly, Kunal's phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
It was a WhatsApp call.
He immediately looked a little nervous.
"One minute," he said quickly. "I need to take this call."
He stood up and walked toward the restroom.
Inside, he picked up the call.
"Why did you call me now?" he whispered.
From the other side, a woman's voice came playfully,
"Baby… aren't you happy that I called you?"
Kunal sighed softly.
"I am, baby. But didn't I tell you I'm out with my parents?"
"Oh… I'm sorry," she said.
"It's okay," Kunal replied. "Did you have your breakfast?"
"Yeah. What about you?"
Kunal smiled faintly.
"Baby, here in India it's almost 7 PM. I'm having dinner."
She laughed.
"Oh right… I forgot."
Then she asked softly,
"When are you coming back to the US?"
"Just a few more days," Kunal said. "Then I'll come back… and we can enjoy again."
"Hmm… okay. Love you," she said.
"Yeah… love you too," Kunal replied.
He cut the call.
For a moment, he stood there, taking a deep breath… as if preparing himself.
Then he went back to the table.
Aanya looked at him as he returned.
Kunal sat down and forced a small smile.
"Sorry… it was a work-related call. I had to take it."
Aanya nodded calmly.
"No problem."
Kunal looked at her.
"By the way, what were you saying earlier?"
Aanya went silent.
Should I tell him about Aryan… or not? she wondered.
What if he tells my parents? It will become a big issue...
"Aanya…?" Kunal called again.
She quickly snapped out of her thoughts.
"I was saying… we should come here again. The food is really nice."
Kunal laughed.
"Didn't I tell you?"
Aanya gave a small smile.
Kunal then said,
"By the way, Aanya… you'll graduate in five months, right?"
"Yeah," she replied.
"And you'll also prepare for the GMAT, right? That means it'll take nearly a year for you to go to the US."
Aanya stayed quiet.
Kunal continued,
"Well, you know what? In between, I'll come and visit you. Don't worry."
He paused, then added,
"And if you don't want to do an MBA, we can go to the US within five months after your graduation."
Aanya immediately said,
"No, I want to do an MBA."
"Yeah, sure," Kunal smiled. "It's your choice. I won't pressure you—I was just saying."
Aanya looked at him… but her thoughts drifted back to Aryan.
Kunal leaned slightly forward and said softly,
"Aanya, I promise… I will keep you happy."
Aanya looked at him again.
But in her heart… she was thinking of someone else.
After some time, the waiter brought the bill.
Kunal paid it and stood up.
"Let's go."
Aanya nodded, and they both walked outside.
The wind was blowing strongly.
Kunal looked up at the sky.
"Looks like it's going to rain."
Aanya smiled faintly.
"Yes… I love rain."
"Me too," Kunal said. "Wait here, I'll bring the car."
She nodded.
As Kunal walked away, Aanya stood there, feeling the cool breeze against her face.
For a moment… she felt calm.
Kunal brought the car.
Aanya got in, and they both left.
Meanwhile, at Aanya's house…
Aryan arrived.
Naveen and Radha saw him and warmly welcomed him inside.
They all sat down.
Radha asked,
"Aryan beta, did you eat? If not, I'll prepare something."
"No, aunty," Aryan replied politely. "I've already eaten. I went to a restaurant with my client."
Radha smiled lightly.
"Oh, a restaurant? Even Aanya went to a restaurant just now… with Kunal."
Aryan froze.
For a moment… everything around him went silent.
After a pause, he asked slowly,
"Kunal…?"
Radha nodded.
"Yes, he is Aanya's fiancé. A very nice boy. He works in the US."
Aryan didn't respond.
Naveen looked at him and asked,
"Is everything sorted, Aryan babu?"
"Yes, uncle. Almost sorted," Aryan said.
Naveen nodded.
After a pause, Aryan looked at both of them seriously.
"Aunty… Uncle… I'm sorry for being rude that day."
Radha and Naveen exchanged a glance.
Aryan continued,
"I just wanted to say… in Prerna's wedding cancellation, there was no fault of Aanya. She didn't do anything wrong. In fact… Prerna loves someone else."
Radha and Naveen were shocked.
"What?" Radha said. "Prerna loves someone else?"
Aryan nodded.
Naveen sighed deeply.
"We should have at least listened to Aanya…"
Aryan frowned in confusion.
Naveen continued,
"But we didn't. She tried to tell us… and we ignored her."
Aryan looked at them, surprised.
"Wait… what are you saying, Uncle? Aanya didn't tell you about this?"
Radha shook her head.
"No, she didn't. Your aunt, Nandini ji, told us everything over the phone."
Aryan's expression changed instantly.
"What…? Aunt told you this?"
"Yes," Radha said. "It's our mistake. We didn't even think of asking Aanya."
Aryan felt anger rise inside him… but he controlled it.
Naveen then said,
"Radha, even though Aryan babu has eaten, serve him some fruits or something."
"Oh, I completely forgot," Radha said.
"Aunty, no need—" Aryan started.
"You go upstairs, Aryan babu," Radha interrupted gently. "There's a guest room. Freshen up. I'll bring some fruits."
Aryan hesitated for a moment.
Radha went to the kitchen, and Naveen got a phone call.
Seeing no other option, Aryan went upstairs.
But instead of the guest room…
He unknowingly entered Aanya's room.
He stepped inside slowly and looked around.
Dresses were scattered on the bed.
The room looked messy…
Meanwhile, Aanya and Kunal reached home.
Aanya got down from the car and said,
"Don't you want to come inside?"
Kunal shook his head.
"No, Aanya. I have some work. I'll leave now."
"Okay…" she said softly.
He left.
Aanya walked to the door and knocked.
Radha opened it.
"You came early."
"Yeah," she replied tiredly.
"Why didn't you ask Kunal to come in?" Radha asked.
"He said he has work."
Aanya's eyes fell on the fruits placed on the table.
She casually picked one.
"Wait! Don't eat that," Radha said quickly.
Aanya frowned.
"Why?"
"That's for Aryan babu."
Aanya froze.
The fruit slipped from her hand.
"What… did you say?"
Radha realized.
"Oh! I forgot to tell you. Aryan is here. He's upstairs."
Aanya's heart started racing.
Radha continued,
"He has some—"
But before she could finish…
Aanya rushed upstairs without saying a word.
"What happened?" Radha called from behind.
Aanya reached her room.
The door was slightly open.
She pushed it gently…
And saw him.
Aryan.
Standing there.
Looking at her pictures.
Aryan turned around.
He froze the moment he saw her.
Aanya didn't think.
She ran to him… and hugged him tightly.
Aryan was completely shocked.
Tears rolled down Aanya's cheeks as she said,
"I knew it, Mr. Aryan… I knew you would come and talk to my parents…"
Aryan slowly moved her away.
Aanya looked at him, confused.
Before anything could be said—
"Aanya!"
Radha's voice came from behind.
Both of them turned.
Radha looked at Aryan, surprised.
"Aryan babu… what are you doing here?"
Aanya quickly turned her face away and wiped her tears.
Radha continued,
"Oh! I'm sorry, I forgot to show you the guest room."
Aryan gave a faint smile.
Radha looked around the room and said with a light tone,
"This is Aanya's room. Anyone can tell… just by the way she keeps it."
Aryan's eyes instinctively went to Aanya.
Radha then looked at her.
"And you… why did you come here so fast?"
Aanya glanced at Aryan and said, trying to stay normal,
"I thought Devika aunty and Prerna also came…"
Radha shook her head.
"No, they didn't. Only Aryan babu came. He had some work here in Pune."
Aanya looked at Aryan again… holding back her tears.
Radha then said,
"Alright, Aryan babu, come. I'll show you the guest room."
Then she turned to Aanya.
"And you, go and change your dress."
Aanya didn't move.
She kept looking at Aryan… her eyes filled with unspoken pain.
Then suddenly she said,
"Mom, I'm going out."
Aryan immediately looked at her.
Radha frowned.
"Now?"
"I want to eat ice cream," Aanya said stubbornly.
"Now? Have you seen the weather? It's about to rain, and you want ice cream?" Radha scolded.
Aanya replied firmly,
"Mom, when I say I want ice cream… I want it. I'm going."
She turned and walked away.
Aryan watched her silently.
"Wait! Go with your father," Radha called out.
"No need. I'll go by myself," Aanya replied without turning back.
"Take an umbrella at least!" Radha said.
But before she could say anything more—
Aanya had already left.
Radha sighed and looked at Aryan.
"She never listens to anyone…"
Meanwhile, Prerna was discharged from the hospital and brought back home.
Devika looked at Aahil with gratitude.
"Thank you so much, Aahil."
Aahil smiled gently.
"Aunty, there's no need to thank me."
Devika smiled back.
"Okay, aunty, I'll leave now," Aahil said.
"Alright, beta. Thank you," Devika replied.
After Aahil left, Nandini came near Devika.
"Devika, where is Aryan? Why didn't he come to the hospital?"
Devika answered calmly,
"Sister-in-law, he went to Pune. He had some work there."
"Pune? When will he come back?" Nandini asked.
"Maybe tomorrow… or the day after," Devika said.
Nandini nodded.
Devika then added,
"Sister-in-law, I've already prepared dinner. If you want—"
Nandini shook her head.
"No, Devika. I'm not hungry. I'll go and rest."
Devika said softly,
"Yes, you should take some rest. You've been at the hospital since morning."
Nandini nodded and went to her room.
---
End Of Chapter 69.