Just then, Parth and Parthavi began walking toward them from the other side. They too looked surprised, as if trying to figure out what this group was doing here.
Vedanshi and her friends passed by them without a word. Parth glanced at Vedanshi, but she didn't even acknowledge him and kept walking. As Parth and Parthavi moved forward, they reached the doorway, where Sanjana was waiting.
Vedanshi and her friends turned back for a moment, just as Sanjana embraced Parthavi warmly. Then she reached out to Parth, running her fingers through his hair, tousling it playfully until he looked even more handsome.
"What are those two doing here?" Nikhil wondered aloud.
"I think they already know each other. That's why they're hugging," Vedanshi said.
Akshay nodded. "Yeah, I was thinking the same."
Vedanshi! What did Sanjana whisper in your ear?" Akshay asked. At once, Vedanshi remembered the way Sanjana had threatened her. A shiver ran down her spine as she thought, It must have been Parth or Parthavi who told her everything. How else would she know so much about us?
"You keep drifting away into your thoughts, girl," Sagar nudged her, snapping her out of her daze.
"Of course! Vedanshi has finally found her prince charming. Obviously, she'll be lost in dreams all the time. Who wouldn't, after all? Anyone would drown in daydreams after meeting such a handsome man," Nikhil teased, barely managing to hide his laughter.
As soon as he said that, both Sagar and Akshay burst into laughter too. The three of them exchanged mischievous glances, communicating silently with their eyes.
Vedanshi's temper flared. She planted her hands on her waist and glared at them.
"What's going on here? What's with all these secret glances? And who is this so-called prince charming you're talking about?"
But before she could push further, Sanjana's words came rushing back to her mind. Her smile faded, and she shared with her friends everything Sanjana had told her.
The moment she finished, Sagar's face turned serious. Worry clouded his expression.
"What's wrong with you now? You think I'm afraid of her? She probably assumes we're just students, so she can scare and threaten us. But she doesn't know me. I don't back down so easily." Vedanshi tossed her head defiantly.
Sagar shook his head. His voice carried a weight of concern. "No, Vedanshi. You don't understand. She really is a psycho. I don't like her intentions at all. You should stay away from her."
His tone grew even graver. "She can do anything, Vedanshi. And if this has to do with Nayan sir… then she will definitely act. I know her better than anyone. She is a psycho woman."
Vedanshi waved her hand dismissively. "Whatever. Come on, let's just go to the restaurant. Maria must be waiting alone, and I still have work to finish. If I delay, she'll deduct money from my salary." She spoke lightly, but Sagar could see through her act. He knew she was deliberately pretending to be careless.
Meanwhile, Parth, Parthavi, and Sanjana were seated on the sofa, chatting and laughing together.
"It's been so many days, and you two are only coming to see me now? Honestly! Some siblings you are," Sanjana scolded, though her tone carried amusement.
"Di, ever since the admission work began and you already know how many field projects there are in archaeology, we've been swamped. We were already a month and a half behind schedule. Finally, we got two days off, so of course we had to come," Parth explained quickly, almost pleading his case.
Parthavi rolled her eyes, her tone laced with sarcasm. "And what about you, di? How's your work going these days? You didn't even invite us to your wedding. At least you could've introduced us to our brother-in-law. But then again, he spends all his time hovering around that Vedanshi girl in college. Typical middle class, can't ever change. Bloody middle class."
Parth's eyes flared with anger. He shot Parthavi a sharp look. "She's not a bad person, di. I don't understand why you two are always against her."
Sanjana's expression cooled into something sharper, her voice low and calm. "Parthvi is right, Parth. She couldn't marry you, so now she's clinging to Nayan. That's all she is."
Parth clenched his fists, but instead of arguing, he abruptly stood. "Where's Mausaji? I'll go meet him."
"He's in the garden, with his plants," Sanjana replied.
Without another word, Parth left the room. The truth was, he didn't want to sit with them any longer. He always felt more comfortable with his uncle. Mausaji was a good man, kind and wise. He had always done what was best for the city. But his health had declined badly over the years, and now it was Sanjana who handled most of the responsibilities.
Back in the living room, Sanjana leaned closer to Parthavi and muttered, "So Parth is still obsessed with her, isn't he? I thought he would've come to his senses by now."
"That girl's ghost just doesn't leave his head, di. No matter what I say, he threatens to die. I didn't even tell Papa about it, because I fear Parth might hurt himself. He's my brother. I'm worried about him. I want to protect him. After all, he is my brother." Parthavi's voice trembled slightly as she confessed.
Sanjana's eyes narrowed, but her voice was calm and calculated. "If that's the case, then use your brains, Parthavi. Anger won't get us anywhere. Do you think I got Nayan so easily? No. I had to weave countless conspiracies to have him. People like these middle-class nobodies don't take us seriously until we show them our power, our fear."
Parthavi's lips curled with irritation. "Then what should I do, di? I didn't even know why Parth came here. It was only when I saw that girl with him that I realized the truth. I thought he had forgotten her, but no, he returned here just for her." Her words came out bitter and sharp.
Sanjana shook her head slowly. "I told you, anger won't solve anything. Do exactly as I say. We will separate her from Parth as well as from Nayan. And if that doesn't work…" Sanjana's lips twisted into a sly, dangerous smile, "…then I still have darker ways to deal with her."
Parthavi shivered but tried to hide it. Sanjana leaned closer, her voice lower, yet laced with authority. "Just keep your eyes on that girl. Leave the rest to me. Besides, I already have an ace up my sleeve, one hidden right in your department."
Parthavi's eyes widened. "What do you mean, an ace? Someone from the department is with you?" she asked, curiosity dripping from her tone.
Sanjana smirked. "That's not your concern. Now come, your dinner is here. Until then, let's play a little game." She pulled a deck of cards from the drawer and placed it on the table. Parthavi's eyes lit up immediately.
Meanwhile, out in the garden, Parth sat quietly with Mayor Sahab, talking amidst the greenery.
On the other side of town, Vedanshi was busy scribbling down a strict timetable. She wanted to manage everything, her college, her job at the restaurant, and even the waste management project.
In just two days, she and her friends had roamed through half the city, colonies, offices, schools, hotels, cafés, even shops. Yet, they had found no solid solution for the garbage problem.
So that evening, they gathered at Maria's restaurant, sitting around a round table, their faces serious. It almost looked like four agents of some secret organization plotting their next move.
But one thing hadn't changed. In front of Sagar and Nikhil lay ten plates, some empty, some still full. They were eating nonstop as usual, though this time their expressions were unusually grave. They listened intently to the discussion. After all, they knew if they fooled around, Vedanshi would throw them out without hesitation. That fear alone kept them serious.