"Aanya will not go with you."
Aryan's voice was firm.
Aanya and her parents stopped at the doorway and slowly turned around.
Aryan walked forward.
Aanya looked at him — confused, hopeful.
Devika looked at him in confusion.
Nandini's heart skipped.
Oh no… looks like Aryan won't let this girl go. What should I do? she thought.
Naveen spoke calmly,
"Why, Aryan babu?"
Aryan opened his mouth.
"Because—"
"Aryan!" Nandini interrupted sharply.
Everyone turned toward her.
She stepped forward.
"Aryan, what are you doing? I know you care about everyone who lives in this house… but this is not Aanya's house."
Aryan frowned slightly.
"Aunt—"
"You know that Naveen uncle is your father's close friend," Nandini cut in again.
"You should speak to him politely. And… didn't you forget what i said?"
Aryan's expression changed.
Suddenly, flashes of that night crossed his mind —
Their age gap.
Society's judgment.
Family reputation.
"You haven't forgotten, right?" Nandini pressed.
Aryan went silent.
Nandini continued smoothly,
"Aanya is still young, Aryan. Her parents have the right to make decisions for her. It's better if we don't interfere."
Aanya looked at Aryan.
He was lost in thought.
Lost between emotions and reality.
Nandini folded her hands slightly.
"On behalf of Aryan, I apologize to both of you."
Aryan looked at her sharply, anger flashing in his eyes.
Naveen shook his head.
"No need to say sorry.
We are grateful that you all have taken care of Aanya until now."
Nandini gave a fake smile.
"We will leave now," Naveen said.
Radha held Aanya's hand again.
They walked out.
Aryan stood there.
Helpless.
He didn't stop her.
After a moment, he turned and walked outside.
Devika noticed something different in him — something broken.
After Nandini turned around, Devika looked at her seriously, disappointment clear in her eyes, and walked away.
Prerna glared at Nandini.
"You shouldn't have done that, Aunt."
Nandini raised her eyebrows.
"What did I do?"
Prerna shook her head and left.
Once she was alone, Nandini's lips slowly curved into a cold smile.
"So finally… the day has come. Aanya has left this house. And she will never, ever return again."
In the car, Aanya sat silently.
Her heart felt shattered.
She tried to control her tears.
But the more she tried… the more they fell.
Meanwhile…
Aryan was driving aimlessly.
His hands were on the steering wheel… but his mind was somewhere else.
Why?
Why am I reacting like this because of Aanya?
He exhaled deeply.
Aunt was right… she is not part of our family. We don't have any relationship.
He tightened his grip.
Then why didn't I want her to leave?
The question kept echoing inside him.
Does that mean… do I love her?
He immediately shook his head.
"No. No. It's not that. It can't happen."
His eyes hardened.
"I can't love anyone in my life. There is no space for love."
A painful smile appeared on his lips.
"I don't deserve it."
Next Morning – Mehra House
Nandini walked into the kitchen casually.
"Good morning, Devika."
Devika didn't respond.
Nandini sighed dramatically.
"Okay… I understand why you're not talking to me. And I'm sorry for that."
Devika finally turned toward her.
"How can you just say sorry after doing all this?"
Nandini frowned.
"What did I do? I just told her parents what had happened. Don't tell me Aanya has no fault. She knew everything but kept quiet."
Devika spoke calmly but firmly.
"Yes, sister-in-law. But there was no need to make it such a big issue. Everything already happened. We can't change it. And we all know whose fault it actually was."
Nandini opened her mouth to speak—
But Devika cut her off.
"And don't take Aanya's name again."
Nandini rolled her eyes.
"Fine. As you said, everything is over. Let's not talk about it."
There was a small silence.
Then Devika said softly,
"Aanya really brought positive vibes into this house."
Nandini sighed irritably.
"There you go again."
Devika looked at her seriously.
"Tell me one thing, sister-in-law. Why do you hate her? She never did anything wrong to you. Then why do you dislike her so much?"
Nandini crossed her arms.
"I just don't like her. Whenever I see her, I feel negative vibes. And even though Aravindh treats her father like a friend… he used to be just an employee in our company, right? We should maintain some distance."
Devika frowned deeply.
"What are you saying? They are like family to us."
Nandini waved her hand dismissively.
"Okay, okay. Leave it. Is breakfast ready?"
"Yes, almost."
After a pause, Devika said,
"I'll call Aryan."
"You stay here. I'll call him," Nandini replied quickly.
She walked toward Aryan's room.
She knocked.
No response.
She opened the door—
And was surprised.
The room was empty.
She immediately went back to the kitchen.
"Aryan isn't in his room. Looks like he already left."
Devika looked surprised.
"So early? What could be the reason…"
At the Office
Aryan was already in his cabin.
He sat silently, staring at some files — but clearly not reading them.
Simar walked in and was surprised.
"Sir? You came so early today."
Aryan didn't respond.
She hesitated, then asked softly,
"Won't you drop Aanya to college today?"
The moment she said Aanya's name, Aryan's mind flashed back to the previous night.
His expression turned cold.
"It's better if we talk about office work rather than personal matters," he said firmly.
Simar immediately lowered her head.
"Sorry, sir."
At Aanya's House
Radha knocked on Aanya's door.
"Aanya, open the door. Breakfast is ready."
From inside, Aanya replied weakly,
"I'm not hungry."
Radha frowned.
"Aanya, why did you lock the door? Open it."
Aanya closed her eyes in irritation.
"Aanya, open the door," Radha insisted.
Finally, Aanya opened it — clearly upset.
"What's wrong with you, Mom?" she asked angrily.
Radha was taken aback.
"What are you doing inside with the door locked?"
"Nothing."
"Come and eat breakfast."
"I said I'm not hungry."
"Aanya, don't be stubborn."
Aanya's frustration exploded.
"Am I being stubborn? You never understand me, Mom!"
Naveen came there hearing the raised voices.
Aanya continued, tears forming again.
"Did you even ask me why I did that at Prerna's wedding? No! You didn't. You just believed what others said. Didn't you think of asking me once?"
Radha and Naveen stood silent.
"You never care about my feelings," Aanya said painfully. "You both just do what you think is right — but you never ask how I feel."
Radha's face hardened.
"Aanya! How dare you talk to your parents like that? Is this how we raised you?"
Aanya went silent.
Radha continued sternly,
"You have become stubborn and irresponsible. But don't worry. Once you get married, you'll change."
Aanya frowned.
"What marriage?"
Radha looked directly at her.
"Your marriage."
Aanya slowly turned toward her father in shock.
Radha continued,
"I already told you, didn't I? His name is Kunal. He works in the US. He is a very good boy."
Aanya felt the ground slipping beneath her.
"Tomorrow his family is coming to see you."
"What?" Aanya said in disbelief. "Wait… what the hell is going on?"
She turned to her father desperately.
"Dad?"
Naveen spoke calmly.
"He's a good boy, Aanya. After your graduation, you can even do your MBA there."
Aanya stared at both of them.
"What is wrong with you, Mom and Dad? I'm just 20! And you want me to get married so early?"
Radha replied immediately,
"What's wrong with that? I got married at 19. Do you know that?"
"Mom, please… no. I will not marry. It's a no from me."
Radha's tone became final.
"You can't say no, Aanya. It's almost fixed. And your wedding will happen this month."
Aanya stared at her mother in disbelief.
"This month?"
"Yes," Radha replied firmly. "Because his leave will be over soon, and he has to go back to the US."
Aanya felt suffocated.
"Then what about me? I still have to complete my studies. How can I just leave?"
Naveen tried to calm her.
"There's no need to worry about that now. You both will just get married. After your graduation, you can go to the US. There, you can even prepare for your MBA."
Aanya felt completely helpless.
It was as if her future was being decided without her consent.
Radha sighed.
"Stop thinking too much. First, come and eat your breakfast."
"No need," Aanya replied coldly.
She turned and walked back to her room.
The door shut loudly.
Radha frowned. "What is she doing now?"
Naveen gently said, "Give her some time. She will say yes."
Inside the Room
The moment she closed the door, her strength broke.
She leaned against it and slowly slid down to the floor.
Tears streamed down her face.
"Why is this happening?" she whispered to herself.
"Am I really getting married?"
She shook her head desperately.
"I can't… I can't marry someone else."
Her heart screamed the truth she had been hiding.
"I love Mr. Aryan… and I can't marry anyone else. I only love him."
She covered her mouth to stop herself from sobbing loudly.
"What should I do?" she cried helplessly.
Aahil had just been discharged from the hospital and returned home.
He entered his room and sat down on his bed.
He noticed his phone was switched off, so he immediately put it on charge.
After a few minutes, the phone turned on.
He frowned when he saw several missed calls from his friend.
He quickly called him back.
His friend picked up instantly.
"Aahil! Why was your phone switched off?"
Aahil sighed. "Well, I was—"
Before he could finish, his friend spoke excitedly,
"Aahil! Prerna's wedding got called off!"
Aahil froze.
"What? Really?"
"Yes, it's true! Even I found out this morning. That's why I was trying to call you."
Aahil's heart started racing.
"I knew it… I knew Prerna would never leave me," he said emotionally, cutting him off.
Just then, Ahad and Asma, who were nearby, heard his raised voice and entered the room.
"What happened?" Ahad asked.
Aahil stood up immediately.
"Bhai jaan… Prerna didn't get married!"
Ahad and Asma looked at each other in shock.
"What are you saying, Aahil?" Ahad asked seriously.
"It's true, bhai jaan," Aahil replied excitedly.
Asma frowned slightly.
"How do you know?"
"My friend told me. He just found out today."
Without wasting another second, Aahil grabbed his jacket.
"I need to go to Prerna's house."
Ahad quickly stopped him.
"Wait! What are you doing? You just came back from the hospital. You're still weak."
Aahil smiled confidently.
"No, I'm not weak anymore. I used to be… but the moment I found out Prerna didn't get married and she still loves me — all my weakness disappeared."
Asma smiled softly at his determination.
"Bhai jaan, please… I need to go. I have to talk with her family. I will definitely convince everyone."
He looked at his brother with hope in his eyes.
"Khuda Hafiz."
And without waiting for a reply, he hurried out of the house.
---
End Of Chapter 62.