Suddenly, Radha entered Aanya's room with a plate of fruits and snacks. She saw Aanya standing quietly in the corner.
What are you doing there? And where is Kunal? Radha asked.
Aanya replied, a little irritated, "Seriously, Mom? He got a call and went out of the room."
Went out? I didn't see him, Radha said.
Just then, Kunal walked in.
Aanya looked at him seriously.
"Kunal beta, where did you go?" Radha asked.
"Aunty, I got an important work call," Kunal replied.
"Oh, okay. No problem. Here, have some fruits," Radha said, offering the plate.
"No, aunty, I'm not hungry. And I also need to leave. I have some other work," Kunal said.
Radha looked surprised. "What? I thought you would stay for some time."
"No, aunty, I really need to go," he said politely.
"At least have something before you leave. It will make me happy," Radha insisted.
Kunal smiled lightly. "Okay, aunty."
He took a few bites.
"I hope you're happy now," he said.
Radha smiled. "Yes."
"Okay, aunty, I'll leave now."
He turned to Aanya. "Bye, Aanya."
Aanya didn't respond.
Kunal paused for a second, then left.
Radha looked at Aanya. "Why didn't you say bye when he said it?"
Aanya stayed silent.
"Aanya, I'm asking you something," Radha said.
"Because it's my choice," Aanya replied bluntly.
"YOU—" Radha started.
"Please, Mom, don't start again," Aanya cut her off.
Radha fell silent.
"I want to rest. I'm really tired," Aanya said.
Radha frowned. "What have you done to be so tired? Kunal is doing everything, yet he isn't tired."
Aanya clenched her jaw, irritated.
Without saying anything—
She slammed the door.
Right in front of her mother.
Radha stood there, stunned.
Inside, Aanya walked to her bed and lay down, her mind once again drifting to Aryan.
Radha came downstairs.
Naveen asked, "Did you ask Kunal to stay?"
"Yes, but he said he had some work," Radha replied.
Naveen nodded. "What was that sound just now?"
Radha sighed. "Your daughter slammed the door on my face."
"Did you say something?" Naveen asked.
"Does she even let me say anything?" Radha replied, frustrated, and walked into the kitchen.
At night…
Aryan returned home.
At the dining table, Devika, Prerna, and Nandini were having dinner.
"Aryan, you're late," Devika said.
"I had work," Aryan replied shortly.
"Won't you eat?" she asked.
Nandini interrupted, "Come, Aryan. Sit and eat with us."
"I already ate with my clients," Aryan said without looking at them, and walked to his room.
Nandini looked at Devika. "Looks like he's tired."
Devika didn't respond.
Later, Devika and Prerna went to Aryan's room.
He was sitting on a chair, his eyes closed.
"Aryan," Devika called softly.
Aryan opened his eyes and stood up.
"Today, I spoke to Radha ji," Devika said.
Aryan stayed silent.
"She said yesterday you left suddenly without even eating," Devika continued.
Aryan turned his face away.
"What important work came up so suddenly? You didn't even go to the office yesterday," she asked.
Aryan remained silent.
"Aryan?" Devika called again.
Aryan exhaled sharply and said, "Mom, my work was done, so I thought there was no reason for me to stay. So I left. That's it."
Devika nodded slowly. "Oh… then why didn't you tell me that Aanya's wedding is happening here in Mumbai, at a resort?"
Aryan suddenly went silent, not knowing what to say.
After a pause, he replied, "I forgot."
Devika and Prerna exchanged glances.
"You forgot?" Devika asked.
Aryan didn't reply.
"You forgot about Aanya's wedding?" Devika questioned again.
Aryan's patience finally started slipping.
"Why are you asking me about Aanya all the time?" he said in frustration. "It's not like she's the only thing I have to think about. I have a lot of other things to deal with too."
Devika stayed silent.
Aryan continued, "Mom, I already made things clear, right?"
you haven't made anything clear, Aryan," Devika replied firmly.
Aryan became silent again.
"You're hiding something from us," Devika continued. "You're not telling us what exactly is between you and Aanya."
There is nothing between us, Aryan said immediately. "How many times do I have to tell you that, Mom?"
Devika looked straight into his eyes.
"Until you tell me the truth."
Aryan clenched his jaw. "My answer will be the same every time."
Devika stared at him seriously for a moment, then quietly left the room.
Prerna stayed behind.
She looked at Aryan carefully. Bhai… are you sure you don't like Aanya?
Aryan paused for a second before replying,
Prerna, I already told you. I don't have feelings for Aanya.
Prerna nodded slowly. If you really don't have feelings for her, then it's okay, Bhai.
Aryan listened silently.
But… Prerna continued softly, whether you like her or not, you don't have to tell us now. At least don't lie to yourself.
Aryan looked at her.
I made the same mistake once,Prerna said with a faint, sad smile.And I suffered because of it.
Aryan stayed silent.
Prerna looked at him for a moment, then quietly walked away.
The room fell silent again.
"Am I… lying to myself?" he whispered to himself.
The next day, Aryan woke up late. After getting ready, he came outside.
Nandini saw him and smiled. Aryan, you finally woke up. Come sit and eat. I've been waiting for you for so long.
Aryan looked at her silently.
Then his eyes moved around the house.
Nandini said, Aryan, Devika and Prerna went to the market.
Aryan just listened without replying.
Nandini walked toward the dining table. Come, Aryan. Eat something.
Suddenly, Aryan remembered something.
"I need to ask you something," he said coldly.
Nandini looked confused. About what?
"Answer my question directly," Aryan said firmly.
Nandini became slightly nervous.
Aryan stared at her. Did you call Aanya's mother and ask her to come take Aanya away?
Nandini froze in shock.
Aryan kept looking at her intensely.
What? No… I mean… I didn't directly tell her. I was just—
"I only want a yes or no answer," Aryan cut her off sharply.
Nandini went silent.
"ANSWER ME!" Aryan shouted.
Nandini flinched. "Yes…"
Aryan let out a bitter laugh.
I never thought you would do something this cheap.
Aryan, I didn't mean it like that. I just told her what happened—
Really? Aryan shouted again.
Nandini fell silent.
You just told her what happened? Aryan said angrily. "Didn't I tell you to stay away from this matter?"
Nandini looked at him helplessly.
And by the way, Aryan continued coldly, how did you even get her number? Are you checking people's phones or what?
"No…" Nandini said softly.
Aryan turned his face away, trying to control his anger.
I'm telling you for the last time, he said firmly. "Stay away from me and my family matters."
Nandini looked heartbroken.
You came here to stay for a few days, right?Aryan continued. "I think those few days are over. It's better if you leave now."
Nandini was stunned by his words.
"Stay away from your family?" she said emotionally. Aryan, I'm your aunt… your father's sister. I'm also your family.
Then behave like family! Aryan shouted.
Nandini went silent.
Why are you doing all this and embarrassing me? Aryan continued angrily. What was the need to call Aanya's mother and say all those things?
"Because of you only, Aryan!" Nandini replied emotionally.
Aryan looked shocked.
Nandini continued, You were getting close to Aanya, and she's nine years younger than you. I don't want you to get close to her.
Even your own mother and sister are starting to suspect something between you two.
Aryan stayed silent.
"I don't want you to repeat the same mistake your father made," Nandini said.
Aryan looked away sharply.
Your father was a kind-hearted person. He only helped that girl, but what did she do in return? She used his kindness for money.
Aryan clenched his fists, trying to control himself.
"And this Aanya is just like her," Nandini continued. She's also using you for money. Girls like Aanya are—
"That's enough!" Aryan shouted.
Nandini immediately went silent.
You've already done enough, Aryan said coldly. And now you're crossing every limit. Don't ever talk about Aanya like that again.
His eyes hardened.
"Otherwise, I'll forget that you're my aunt."
Nandini stood there, shocked.
"Aryan…" she whispered.
But Aryan walked out without looking back.
Meanwhile, after some time, Devika and Prerna returned home. As soon as they entered, they saw Nandini sitting quietly at the dining table.
Devika frowned slightly. "Sister-in-law?"
Nandini suddenly looked at them.
Prerna asked, What are you thinking about, Aunty?
Nothing,Nandini replied softly.
Devika looked around. Did Aryan leave for the office?
Nandini nodded. Yes, he left… but he didn't eat anything.
Devika looked shocked. "What? But why?"
"I don't know," Nandini replied. "He didn't say anything."
Devika sighed. At least you ate, right?
Nandini shook her head. No. You both eat. I'm not hungry.
With that, she quietly went to her room.
Devika and Prerna exchanged confused glances.
Prerna whispered, "What happened to Aunty? Why is she talking like that?"
Devika stayed silent, lost in thought.
---
Later, at Aanya's house, the doorbell rang.
Aanya opened the door—
And froze in shock.
"Tara? Meera? Nisha?!"
"AANYA!" the three shouted together before hugging her tightly.
You guys are here? Aanya asked in surprise.
Meera pulled back slightly. "Yeah! You weren't answering our calls or even seeing our messages. We were really worried about you."
Aanya looked stunned. "You guys were worried about me?"
"Of course, Aanya," Tara said. We thought something bad had happened. And then suddenly we found out that you're getting married!
Aanya looked shocked. "You guys know about my marriage?"
Nisha nodded. "Our HOD sir told us. But seriously, Aanya… what is all this? Your marriage? Suddenly?"
Tara quickly added, "And what about you and Aryan? Did you tell him your feelings?"
Aanya looked at all three of them quietly.
You guys… aren't angry with me? she asked softly.
The three friends exchanged glances.
"Of course not," Tara said immediately. We were just worried about you.
Aanya looked at Nisha and Meera.
Both nodded gently.
Aanya's eyes suddenly filled with tears.
"I'm sorry, guys…" she said emotionally.
Nisha quickly held her hand. "Hey, Aanya… why are you crying?"
"I was completely hurt… and I really didn't know what to do," Aanya said through tears.
"I should have told you everything earlier."
"It's okay," Meera said softly. We're friends, right?
Aanya smiled faintly and wiped her tears.
Tara looked around. By the way, where are your parents?
"They went to invite guests," Aanya replied.
Meera sighed dramatically. Guys, can we sit and talk? My legs are hurting.
A small smile appeared on Aanya's face.
Meera immediately pointed at her and said, "That's my girl." You look really good when you smile.
All four of them sat down together.
Aanya looked at them."How did you guys come here? And how did you convince your parents?"
Tara groaned. "It was SO hard." But somehow, we convinced them, booked a cab, and came here.
Meera looked at Aanya seriously. "Now tell us properly. What happened?"
Aanya took a deep breath…
And told them everything.
About confessing to Aryan.
His rejection.
The sudden marriage.
Everything.
After hearing it all, Tara looked furious.
"Is Aryan mad or what? How could he reject you? And after that, he still came to your house to stay?"
Aanya stayed silent.
Nisha held her hand gently. Aanya, you're genuinely a good person. You're beautiful, and you truly loved him. Just because you're younger than him doesn't mean he can reject you like that.
"Exactly," Meera added. "You're 20. There's only a nine-year age gap. So many couples have a bigger age gap than that."
Aanya smiled sadly.
"The main thing is… he doesn't love me," she said quietly. "The age gap was probably just an excuse. He even said… 'I never loved you, and I never will.'"
The three friends fell silent.
(To be continued)
---
End Of Chapter 74.