Later that night, Aanya was in her room when she heard a knock on the door.
She opened it and saw her father.
"Dad?"
Naveen gave a small, gentle smile. "Can I talk to you?"
Aanya looked a little surprised. "Yes, Dad… come in."
They both sat down.
Naveen looked at her carefully. "Are you okay?"
Aanya was taken aback by the question.
She turned her face slightly. Why are you asking like that?
Naveen sighed softly. "I know, Aanya… you're upset with me."
Aanya stayed silent.
"But can I know the reason?" he continued. "Is it because we fixed your marriage without asking you? Or…" he paused, "…is it
because we thought you were responsible
for Prerna's wedding being called off?"
Aanya slowly looked at him.
If it's the second reason," Naveen said sincerely, "then your mom and I are really sorry for misunderstanding you."
Aanya listened quietly.
"Aryan told us the truth," he added. "He said it wasn't your fault at all."
Aanya's eyes widened in shock.
"We should have asked you what really happened," Naveen said regretfully.
Aanya turned her face away again.
"What if I say… it's something else?" she asked softly.
Naveen paused for a moment. "Aanya, as your father, I always want you to be happy. I try to make the right decisions for you."
"I don't think you did this time, Dad," Aanya cut in.
Naveen fell silent.
Aanya stood up, her emotions rising. "Dad, I don't want to get married so early. I want to complete my studies first."
She took a deep breath, trying to stay calm.
"And honestly… isn't it unfair? Kunal's mother wants this marriage to happen this month because of some belief. But what about me?" her voice trembled slightly. "I don't even know him properly. We've only known each other for three or four days."
She looked straight at him.
"How can you expect me to marry him?"
Naveen listened quietly, then spoke gently, "I understand what you're saying. But Aanya… Kunal is a good guy. He works in the US. He has a stable job."
Aanya rolled her eyes in frustration.
"He will take good care of you," Naveen added.
"Dad, I can take care of myself," Aanya replied firmly.
There was a brief silence.
"Then tell me," Naveen said, "why don't you want to marry him?"
Aanya looked at him… but didn't answer.
"It's not like your studies will stop," he continued. "In fact, you can do your MBA in the US."
Aanya stayed silent.
Naveen hesitated, then asked carefully, "Do you… like someone?"
For a moment, Aryan's face flashed in Aanya's mind.
His WORDS.
His REJECTION.
Her heart tightened.
"No," she said quickly.
"Then what's the problem?" Naveen asked.
"Dad, I…" she started, but couldn't finish.
Naveen suddenly stood up and held her shoulders.
"Aanya, please trust your parents," he said softly. "Your mom believes Kunal is perfect for you. Don't go against her."
Aanya stayed silent, holding back her tears.
"Sleep early," Naveen said gently. "You have to go shopping tomorrow, right?"
He patted her shoulder and walked out of the room.
The door closed.
Aanya stood there, frozen.
Her chest felt heavy.
She wasn't just hurt…
She felt unheard.
The Next Day – At College
Tara, Meera, and Nisha walked into the HOD's cabin.
"Good morning, sir," they greeted.
The HOD looked up. "Good morning. What brings the three of you here?
The girls exchanged glances.
"Oh, I get it," he said casually. "You've come to apply for leave, right?"
The three of them frowned in confusion.
"Leave?" Tara repeated.
The HOD sighed. "Look, I won't approve too many leaves, okay?"
For a moment—
Everything went silent.
Their minds went blank.
Meera spoke slowly, disbelief in her voice. "Aanya… is getting married?"
Tara frowned. "Sir, who told you that?"
The HOD looked at them, confused. "Of course her parents informed us. Her wedding is on the 21st. Who else would tell me?"
The three girls looked at each other, stunned.
Nisha spoke quickly, "We'll come later, sir."
Without waiting for a reply, they walked out.
They stopped in the corridor.
"What was that?" Meera said, still processing. "Is sir half-asleep or something?"
Nisha shook her head. "I mean… our Aanya is getting married? Since when?"
"I don't understand anything," Tara said, frustrated. "How could Aanya not tell us?"
"And that too… on the 21st?" Meera added. "That's so soon!"
"But whom is she marrying?" Nisha asked. "Is it Aryan?"
Tara shook her head immediately. "If it was Aryan, she would have told us. No way she'd hide that."
"Then who?" Meera said. "Doesn't she love Aryan?"
Nisha's expression turned worried. "We should call her right now."
"Do you really think she'll pick up?" Tara replied.
"Then call Radha aunty," Nisha suggested.
Tara shook her head again. "Come on, Nisha. Do you think aunty will tell us everything? And Aanya… she's definitely avoiding us."
Nisha went silent, thinking.
Tara took a deep breath. "This isn't a small matter, okay? She's our best friend. Something is definitely wrong."
"I'm worried too," Meera said softly.
"Then what do we do?" Nisha asked.
Tara looked at both of them, determined.
"We go to her."
Meera blinked. "You mean… Pune?"
Tara nodded. "Yes. That's the only way."
Nisha exchanged a glance with Meera. "Okay… then let's go tomorrow?"
Meera nodded. "Yes."
"Done," Tara said firmly. "Tomorrow, we go. And we find out what's really going on."
---
Aanya went wedding shopping with both families.
The store was filled with bright colors, heavy lehengas, and endless options. Everyone was busy choosing outfits.
Aanya was also looking at dresses, but her mind kept going back to the time she had gone shopping with Aryan.
Meanwhile, Kunal came and stood beside her and said, "You know, Aanya, I really don't like shopping. I mean, everything looks the same to me. I really can't choose anything. That's why I never go shopping alone." He smiled.
Aanya looked at him and gave a small, fake smile.
Suddenly, Radha called her. "Aanya!"
Aanya went to her.
Radha said, "Look, this one will look good on you."
Kavya added, "Yes, Aanya, try this one. It will look good for the sangeet."
Aanya smiled and went for a trial.
Kavya then said to Kunal, "You also try this," and handed him an outfit.
After some time, Aanya came out. Everyone really liked the dress. Kunal also came out.
Shreya said, "Look, Radha ji, how cute they both look."
Kunal smiled, but Aanya didn't react.
Shreya then said, "Okay, now try this one," and showed them more dresses.
Kunal sighed, "Mom, how many do I have to try?"
Shreya replied, "What about haldi? What will you wear for the other events?" and handed them more outfits.
Like this, time passed.
Suddenly, Radha got a call from Devika. She answered it.
"Namaste, Radha ji. I hope I didn't disturb you," Devika said.
"Not at all, Devika ji. We came for shopping. You know, it's really hard," Radha replied.
"Oh, then I'll call later," Devika said.
"No, no, Devika ji. Actually, I wanted to talk. I think Aryan babu would have already told you that we are doing Aanya's wedding at a Mumbai resort."
Devika was surprised. "What?"
Radha asked, "Didn't Aryan babu tell you?"
Devika controlled herself and said, "Yes, he told me. Now it will be easier for us to attend all the events."
Radha said, "Yes." After a pause, she added, "By the way, I thought Aryan babu would stay until yesterday evening, but suddenly he said he had a lot of work and left without even having lunch."
Devika was shocked but didn't say anything.
"Hello?" Radha said.
"Yes, Radha ji… you continue shopping. And tell Aanya I asked about her," Devika said.
"Sure," Radha replied.
"Okay, bye."
The call ended.
Devika thought to herself, Why didn't Aryan tell me about this?
Meanwhile, Aanya came out of the trial room and noticed that Radha was not there.
She asked, "Shreya aunty, where is Mom?"
Shreya looked around. "I don't know, Aanya. She was just here."
Just then, Radha came back.
"Aanya, actually Devika ji called," she said.
Aanya looked surprised. "Why? What happened?"
"Nothing," Radha replied. "She just asked
since your wedding is happening in Mumbai… and she also asked about you."
Aanya fell into deep thought.
Meanwhile, Kunal came out of the trial room and said, "Mom, I can't try anymore. I'm done."
Shreya smiled. "Alright, we have already finalized everything, so no worries."
With that, their shopping was done.
Meanwhile, at Mehra's house…
Prerna looked shocked. "What? What are you saying, Mom? Aanya and Bhai? Really?"
Devika nodded. "Yes… something feels fishy between them. Whenever I bring up Aanya, Aryan starts acting strange. And she even came to our house alone the day we were at the hospital."
Prerna widened her eyes. "Really?"
Devika continued, "Aanya spoke to him about something, but Aryan didn't even tell me that she came… nor did he tell me what exactly happened between them."
After a pause, Devika added, "And one more thing… I think Nandini sister-in-law knows something about them. When she heard that Aanya is getting married, she seemed really happy. I mean… she doesn't like Aanya, right?"
Prerna frowned. "But what does she know?"
Just then, Nandini entered the room. "What are you both talking about?"
Devika and Prerna looked at her.
"Nothing, sister-in-law," Devika said casually. "We were just sitting and talking."
Nandini sat down beside them.
Devika looked at her carefully. "Sister-in-law, what happened? You've been looking very happy ever since you heard that Aanya is getting married."
Nandini was startled for a moment. "What? No, Devika… I'm just normal. But yes, I'm happy for her."
Devika and Prerna exchanged doubtful glances.
Nandini continued, "After all, she's getting married."
Devika hesitated for a second, then asked directly, "Sister-in-law… do you think there is something between Aryan and Aanya?"
Nandini froze in shock after hearing the question.
Devika continued, "I think Aryan likes her."
Nandini was stunned, searching for words. "I… I don't… how…?"
Devika looked at her. "What do you think?"
Nandini quickly composed herself and said, "I don't think Aryan likes her. I mean, Devika… look, Aanya is getting married, right? So… Aryan doesn't like her."
Devika and Prerna exchanged a glance after noticing her reaction.
Devika was about to ask something more, but suddenly Nandini stood up.
"Devika, I'll go make some coffee. I didn't sleep well yesterday," she said and quickly walked away.
Prerna frowned. "Mom, aunt is definitely hiding something. Did you see how she reacted? She was trying to avoid the question."
Devika fell into deep thought.
Later that evening, at Aanya's house, Kunal brought the wedding cards.
Radha and Naveen were amazed.
Naveen said, "Kunal beta, I didn't think the printing would be done this quickly."
Kunal smiled. "Uncle, my friend and the staff worked almost the whole night to complete it as soon as possible."
Radha felt happy hearing that.
Kunal looked around and asked, "Aunty, where is Aanya?"
Radha replied, "She's upstairs, beta. Go and see her."
"Oh, okay," Kunal said and went upstairs.
Without knocking, he entered the room.
Aanya, who was lying on the bed, suddenly sat up and adjusted her dress.
"Kunal… you?" she said, surprised.
"Hi," Kunal replied casually.
Aanya frowned slightly. "You didn't knock."
"Oh… I forgot," he said casually.Aanya didn't like his response.
Kunal stepped closer.
Aanya felt uncomfortable.
Trying to change the situation, she asked, "Do you want something to eat?"
"No need," Kunal said, moving even closer.
Just then, his phone rang—it was a WhatsApp call.
He got slightly flustered and stepped out of the room to attend it.
Aanya let out a quiet breath, feeling relieved.
"What's wrong with this guy?" she whispered to herself. "If he tries this again, I won't hesitate to slap him."
---
End Of Chapter 73.