"But then Tara... what if?" Aanya's voice trembled as she clutched a cushion to her chest, her eyes clouded with worry.
"What if what?" Tara asked, leaning in.
"It won't happen like that," Aanya quickly said, trying to brush it off.
"What do you mean it won't happen?" Nisha raised an eyebrow.
Aanya sighed and said, "Even Ankitha is also there now."
The three girls looked at each other.
"I mean, look at them... now they'll start spending more time together, right? They'll become closer, and I— I can't even imagine it. Mr. Aryan… he'll become more attached to her… more than me."
Her voice cracked slightly, and the room fell silent.
"What if… what if they get married too?" Aanya added suddenly, her eyes widening with helpless panic.
Tara gasped. "Oh stop it, Aanya!"
"Yes!" Nisha nodded firmly. "You're overthinking way too much Aanya!"
"I'm not overthinking," Aanya protested. "I'm just stating facts! I mean, that day when Ankitha came, they connected instantly. Just a few hours and they were laughing and sharing everything— even their choices match! And now, they'll meet every day… who knows how close they'll become?"
Meera put her hand gently on Aanya's shoulder. "Nothing like that will happen. This time, we are with you."
Aanya looked up at her, confused.
Tara nodded with determination. "Yes, Aanya. We won't let Ankitha and Aryan become close. Not this time."
"But how?" Aanya frowned. "You guys will be there during functions… but not for everything. What about shopping? Or small things? I'll be alone then, right?"
"Oh, Aanya." Nisha smiled. "We know we can't be around all the time—"
"Then how?" Aanya interrupted.
Meera replied softly, "Because you'll be there."
Aanya blinked. "Me? What will I do?"
Tara chuckled. "You love him, Aanya. Not us. Only you can stop this."
Aanya looked at her friends.
Nisha added, "Exactly. We'll help you. But you have to believe in yourself and in your love. Trust yourself, Aanya. If you want Aryan, then go win him. This could be the turning point. Think about it."
Aanya stared at them, deep in thought.
---
At Aryan's Office
"Simran, his secretary, is the project completed?" Aryan asked as he adjusted his tie.
Simran smiled confidently. "Yes, sir. Of course. I mean, everyone knows the importance of deadlines. I'm sure it's done."
She left to fetch the in-charge employee. "Aryan sir is calling you," she said.
The employee knocked and entered. "May I come in, sir?"
"Come in."
"Sir… I'm extremely sorry… the project isn't completed."
Aryan immediately turned his head. "What?" His voice was calm but sharp.
Simran was equally shocked. "You were in charge! How can you say that?"
"I know… I know, but my mom was unwell. I had to take her for tests. I didn't get time. Please sir, give me just one more day. I promise I'll complete it."
Aryan remained silent.
Suddenly, Aanya's words echoed in his head:
"You only care about yourself… you don't think about others' feelings."
He took a deep breath.
"Okay," Aryan said.
The room froze.
"Sir?" Simran blinked in disbelief.
"I'll give you one more day," Aryan said, looking at the employee. "But make sure it's done tomorrow. No excuses."
"Thank you, sir! Thank you so much!" The employee left quickly.
Simran leaned forward. "Sir… you never approve delays."
"Simran, will you bring me tea?" Aryan asked calmly.
"Sir? Tea?" she blinked. "But… you don't even like tea you like—"
"I hope you'll follow my instructions without asking unnecessary questions," he said.
"Yes, sir…"
She left, still shocked.
In the hallway, colleagues whispered.
"Did Aryan sir just... give an extension?"
"Yeah, and he didn't shout! Who is this man?"
"Maybe it's because of Aanya?"
"Yes! Ever since she came that day, everything changed."
the office feels... lighter. Happier. Even Aryan sir seems more human."
"He's changing…"
---
At Home – Prerna's Room
"Prerna!" Devika called. "Beta, decide which dress to wear tomorrow, okay? I know you'll take hours."
"Dress? What dress?"
"Prerna have you forgotten! Tomorrow we're visiting Dev's house. Even your aunt is coming. You need to look beautiful!"
Prerna fell silent, her thoughts drifting away.
"Prerna? Are you listening?" Devika asked again.
"Huh? Yes, Mom... I will."
She slowly went to her bed and sat quietly.
Her phone rang.
She cut the call.
It rang again. She declined it again.
Then, the third time, she picked up.
"I don't want to talk right now…"
A gentle male voice responded, "Why so serious? You've been distant lately. Is everything okay?"
"I'm just... tired. That's all. Can I call you later?"
"Of course. Just don't stress, okay? I don't want my queen to feel low."
She ended the call and quietly sobbed, wiping away tears before they could fall.
---
At the Office – Devika Calls Aryan
"Ha, Mom?"
"Aryan, did your aunt call?"
"No, not yet. Don't worry. I'll pick her up when she does."
"You know how she is. One missed call and she'll start World War III."
Aryan chuckled. "Don't worry. I'll be alert."
---
Evening – Outside Aanya's College
Aryan waited in his car. Aanya slid in.
"Sorry, Mr. Aryan. Looks like I made you wait long today."
"No problem."
"I know I'm late. Actually, we had some… work to finish."
"Like chit-chatting?" Aryan raised a brow.
Aanya frowned. "No, Mr. Aryan! It was serious… about studies."
"Studies?" Aryan said with amusement.
"Yes! Important topic discussions." She crossed her arms.
Aryan gave her a side-eye.
"What? We don't just gossip, you know!" Aanya huffed.
"Didn't you listen to music while waiting?" she asked.
"Aryan was about to say—"
"Oh wait, I forgot. You don't like music, right?"
"I never said that."
"Then let's listen now!" she beamed.
"Now?"
"Yes, you just said you don't hate music. So why not?"
"I'll get a headache…"
"Oh please, I have great taste in music
Mr. Aryan. Your phone's connected, right?"
"Yeah…"
"Perfect!" she grabbed the screen to play a song.
But just then, a call popped up.
"Mr. Aryan! You get so many calls!" she said and hit decline.
Aryan's eyes widened as she decline the call.
"…Wait—don't disconnect—!"Aryan suddenly shouted, his voice loud and urgent.
Startled, Aanya looked at him, confused. "What happened, Mr. Aryan? Why are you shouting? I'm right here…"
Without a word, Aryan pulled the car sharply to the side of the road. Aanya blinked in shock as the tires screeched slightly. He quickly unbuckled and leaned over her, snatching his phone from her hands with a rushed motion.
"Mr. Aryan?" she asked, completely lost. "What's going on?"
Aryan didn't respond. He furiously opened his call history. The moment he saw the name on the screen — Aunt Nandini — his expression darkened.
Aanya saw the shift in his face and grew nervous. "Mr. Aryan… is everything okay?"
Aryan's jaw clenched. Then, in a harsh tone, he snapped, "Just shut up, will you?!"
Aanya froze. "W-What did I do, Mr. Ar—"
"Stop!" he shouted. "Stop, Aanya! Don't irritate me!"
She recoiled at the tone, her fingers curling tightly around her dress.
"I don't know if you do it on purpose or you're just that—" He stopped, then banged the steering wheel with his fist. "Stupid!"
Tears welled in Aanya's eyes. "But what did I do now, Mr. Aryan? Why are you being so serious?"
Aryan turned to her, voice thundering. "What did you do?! Really, Aanya?! Who told you to touch my phone? Why did you cut the call?!"
Her lips trembled. "I-I was just trying to play music... I didn't mean—"
"Really?!" he shouted again, hitting the steering wheel once more. "You wanted to listen to music, so you declined my aunt's call?! Now she'll think I did it intentionally! She'll feel disrespected!"
Aanya's eyes filled with tears. "Mr. Aryan, I'm sorry. I didn't do it on purp—"
"Yeah, of course! You never do anything on purpose, right? You just do them!" he mocked, voice laced with bitterness.
Aanya tried to hold back her sobs. "Before scolding me like this... you could've just called her back."
Aryan's eyes burned with frustration. "Do you think I don't know that?! You think I'm stupid?!"
Aanya flinched at his tone.
"She won't answer now. Do you get that?! She's coming to my house today, and now she thinks we're ignoring her… all because of you!"
Tears slipped down Aanya's cheeks silently. Her voice broke. "I… I didn't mean to…"
Aryan glared at her, breathing heavily. Then he growled, "Get out."
She looked at him in disbelief. "W-What?"
"I said, get out of the car!" he barked. "Whenever you're near me, something always goes wrong!"
Aanya stared at him, her face pale, eyes brimming with pain. The hurt in her heart was deeper than anything she'd felt in a long time. With shaking hands, she opened the door and stepped out. Her legs felt weak, her mind numb.
Aryan glanced at her one last time. Their eyes met — hers filled with unshed pain, his with anger and guilt he didn't want to admit.
He started the car and drove off.
Aanya stood there, silently watching the car disappear into the distance. Her hair danced in the wind. She blinked rapidly, trying to hold in her sobs.
In the rearview mirror, Aryan looked back.
And for a moment… he saw her — standing alone, tears falling.
But he didn't stop.
---
End Of Chapter 28.