After much discussion and laughter, the group finally settled on one design.
"This one! Let's go with this card," Aanya said, holding it up with a hopeful smile.
Shreya nodded with genuine warmth. "Aanya, we all loved the card you selected. It's perfect."
Aanya's eyes sparkled with happiness. She gave a small, shy smile, proud yet modest.
Nandini, however, simply turned her face away, her expression stiff and unreadable.
Devika, unfazed, turned to Shreya. "Shreya ji, we should get going now. There's still a lot of work left."
Shreya nodded. "Of course, Devika ji. I completely understand."
The two women exchanged polite smiles as the group rose to leave.
"Bye! Take care!" Shreya called out warmly as everyone stepped out.
Outside, Aanya glanced at Aryan with a soft, shy smile.
Aryan looked at her, his eyes searching for a reaction. "What are you smiling at?" he asked in a low, teasing voice.
Aanya quickly shook her head, pretending nothing happened. "Nothing…" she said softly.
Back at home, the atmosphere was heavy. Prerna stood near the door, tears threatening to fall. "Aahil… please leave. Please… don't try to contact me anymore."
Aahil's eyes glistened with unshed tears, but he didn't speak immediately. His chest heaved with the struggle between his emotions and reality.
Finally, his voice broke the silence. "Okay, Aanya… I mean, Prerna. I'll leave. I won't come here again. Goodbye."
With that, he turned to leave. Prerna's hands trembled, and a lump formed in her throat. Tears streamed down her cheeks, unstoppable.
Just before disappearing from sight, Aahil turned back once. His voice, soft yet firm, reached her.
"By the way… congratulations on your wedding."
Prerna swallowed hard, blinking rapidly as he walked away. She closed the door gently, but the moment she was alone, her composure broke.
She sank to the floor, her sobs loud and helpless, echoing through the empty room.
After Sometime Suddenly, the doorbell rang, startling her. She quickly wiped her tears, trying to look normal, and opened the door.
To her shock, it was none other than her family standing there.
Devika (concerned): "Prerna… what happened?"
Prerna (forcing a smile): "Nothing, Mom."
They all stepped inside the hall. But a strange silence lingered—everyone felt something was off.
Aanya (squinting at her): "Prerna… why are your eyes so red? Did you cry?"
All eyes turned toward Prerna.
Prerna (nervously): "No… no, I didn't cry."
Devika (frowning): "Then why are your eyes red?"
Even Aryan spoke, his voice calm yet sharp.
Aryan: "Prerna, are you sure you didn't cry?"
Prerna opened her mouth but couldn't think of what to say. Just then—
Nandini (suddenly): "Ouch!"
Everyone looked at her.
Devika (worried): "What happened, sister-in-law?"
Nandini bent down, frowning at her foot.
Nandini: "There's a glass piece here…"
Prerna's heart skipped a beat. Glass piece?
Nandini's eyes roamed the hall and fell on the broken vase.
Nandini (pointing): "Prerna… how did this flower vase break?"
Everyone turned toward the vase… then toward Prerna.
Devika (stern): "Prerna! That's Aryan's favorite flower vase. How did this happen?"
Prerna froze for a moment, then forced herself to speak.
Prerna (hesitant): "I… I broke it. By mistake. I know it was bhai's favorite… that's why I cried."
The family exchanged glances.
Devika (softening): "Oh, Prerna… you're still such a child. Why didn't you just tell us?"
Before she could say more, Aryan stepped forward.
Aryan (gently, walking to her): "It's okay, Prerna. You don't need to cry over that. It's just a flower vase."
He placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.
Prerna tried to smile, though her eyes were still wet.
"Oh no, Prerna! You cried for that?" Said Aanya
Then her tone turned cheerful, excitement bubbling in her voice.
"By the way—your wedding card is finalized! Guess what? I'm the one who selected it."
Prerna managed a small smile. Aryan glanced at her quietly, while Nandini's eyes burned with silent anger.
Aanya digging into her phone
"Wait, I even took a picture. I'll show you!"
She hurried closer.
Nandini coldly "First clean these glass pieces before anyone gets hurt."
Aanya paused, staring at her.
Devika Says "Yes, sister-in-law. I'll ask the maid to clean it."
She left to give instructions.
Devika says "Aanya, Prerna, Aryan—be careful while walking, okay?"
Aryan: "Yes, Mom."
Then Aanya "Yes, Aunty, don't worry—we'll be careful!"
Aryan's gaze lingered on Aanya. She caught his eyes, and for a fleeting second, they both smiled before Aryan turned away.
Aanya said "Look, this is your wedding card!"
Prerna glanced at it and forced a soft smile.
"It's nice."
"Yes, right? That's why I selected it!" Said Aanya
At night during dinner, Devika said,
"By the way, Aryan, tomorrow you all should go shopping."
Prerna suddenly stopped eating and looked up quickly. Aryan was about to say something, but Aanya shouted in excitement,
"What? Shopping tomorrow? Wow!"
Aryan tried to hide his smile while Nandini rolled her eyes.
"Yes, Aanya," Devika nodded.
Aanya turned to Prerna and said happily,
"Well, Prerna, I'll help you choose your lehenga!"
Nandini gave her a sharp look.
But Devika added,
"Not only for Prerna's selection. You should also buy new dresses for the sangeet, mehendi, haldi—for every event."
Aryan looked at Aanya, and she froze in shock. Nandini tried to control her anger.
"Aunty, I mean… why should I? I already have dresses," Aanya stammered.
Devika frowned gently.
"What, Aanya? It's Prerna's wedding. You should wear new dresses. Why would you wear old ones?"
"But aunty—" Aanya tried to protest.
"No buts. Tomorrow, you are also going and selecting, okay?" Devika insisted.
Aanya finally smiled shyly, while Aryan kept looking at her.
After dinner, Aanya was on a group call with her friends.
Tara said excitedly,
"Wow, Aanya! So tomorrow is shopping day!"
Nisha chuckled,
"Hm, looks like you're really enjoying yourself."
Aanya grinned,
"Well, guys, you should also be ready with your dresses. You're coming to every event too!"
Meera asked curiously,
"By the way, Aanya, what are you planning to buy tomorrow? I mean, for the sangeet and the wedding?"
"Yeah, which color are you thinking of?" Tara added.
Nisha teased,
"Maybe Aryan's favorite color?"
"Stop it, guys! Don't tease me," Aanya pouted.
Tara giggled,
"Aanya, come on. We're just stating facts. You will buy what Aryan's favorite color is."
Aanya sighed,
"Well… I don't even know what his favorite colors are."
Meera laughed,
"What's the big deal? You can just ask him."
Aanya's eyes widened,
"What? You want me to ask him directly? Really?"
Nisha replied,
"Aanya, sometimes you have to be brave and just ask. Otherwise, how will you ever know?"
Tara agreed,
"Yes! And by the way, even Ankitha will be there… so you should be—"
"I know," Aanya interrupted softly.
The next day, Prerna, Aanya, and Aryan were in the car on their way to shopping. Suddenly, Aryan's phone rang.
"Hello," he answered.
It was Ankitha. "Aryan, where are you guys?" she asked.
Aanya listened quietly as Aryan replied, "We are on the way."
"Oh, okay." Ankitha said.
"Bye," Aryan ended the call.
Aanya glanced at him and tried to start a conversation. "Mr. Aryan, today the weather is nice, right?"
Aryan paused for a moment before replying, "Yeah, as usual."
"Yes, Mr. Aryan," Aanya continued, "I mean as usual, but today the sky looks so clear—no clouds, just blue."
Aryan said nothing, and Aanya tried again. "Mr. Aryan, look at that building. Isn't it nice? The painting is so bright, the colors look good."
This time, Aryan asked, "You like bright colors?"
Aanya quickly shook her head. "No, Mr. Aryan, I'm just saying. By the way, what do you—"
Before she could finish, the car stopped suddenly. Aanya looked ahead in surprise.
"We've reached," Aryan said as he got out.
Realizing he had already left, Aanya turned to Prerna. "Prerna, come on, let's go."
But Prerna seemed lost in thought. Aanya called again, "Prerna? Prerna?"
"Huh? What?" Prerna snapped out of it.
"Where were you lost? We've reached."
"Oh, okay," Prerna murmured.
"Is everything okay?" Aanya asked softly.
"Yeah, I'm fine," Prerna replied, though still distracted.
They both got off, and Aanya immediately spotted Aryan talking with Ankitha. She quickly rushed toward them and said cheerfully, "Hi Ankitha, hi Dev."
Aryan noticed her sudden excitement. Dev greeted back with a "Hi," while Ankitha smiled, "Hi Aanya. Where is Prerna?"
Aanya turned, "Prerna?" Just then Prerna walked over.
"Hi, Prerna," Ankitha said warmly. "How are you now? Yesterday aunty said you were tired."
"I'm fine," Prerna answered.
"Good. Then let's go, all of us," Ankitha said.
In her playful way, Aanya pushed Prerna lightly toward Dev. Dev instinctively held her, and for a moment both looked at Aanya.
"Oh, sorry guys, I slipped," Aanya said, pretending innocence.
Dev smiled at her, then turned to Prerna. "Are you fine?"
"Yeah, I'm okay," Prerna replied softly before walking ahead.
Aanya blushed to herself at the sight of them, but her moment was cut short when Aryan suddenly appeared in front of her. She froze under his gaze, quickly changed her expression, and walked quietly without saying a word.
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End Of Chapter 34.