The morning light filtered through the curtains as Aanya slowly opened her eyes. It took her a second to remember she wasn't in her hostel room anymore.
She was in his house.
She sat up, adjusted her dupatta, and stepped out of the guest room. The hallway was quiet, except for the faint sound of someone typing.
As she moved toward the kitchen, she paused.
Aryan was sitting at the dining table with his laptop open, sleeves rolled up again, hair slightly messy. He looked… exactly the same and completely different.
"Good morning," she said, trying to sound calm.
He glanced up. "Morning."
That was it. Two words. No smile.
---
In the kitchen, Prerna handed her a glass of juice. "Sleep well?" she asked.
Aanya nodded. "Yes, Didi."
Prerna leaned closer and whispered, "Ignore him. He talks more to his construction workers than to us. You'll get used to it."
Aanya chuckled softly, her eyes flickering back to Aryan as she took a sip.
She eats her breakfast.
Prerna says i packed lunch for you.
Aanya says thank you,
Aryan gives a look at her.
Aanya leaves...
---
Later that evening, the entire family sat together for dinner. The news played softly in the background, but no one paid much attention.
Aryan's mother was the one who brought it up. "Aanya's father spoke to me today," she said.
Aanya looked up, her heart suddenly tight.
"He's not doing too well," she continued gently. "Your parents are worried about your future, beta."
Aanya lowered her eyes. Her mother hadn't told her anything about this.
"We'll take care of everything," Aryan's mother added, almost firmly.
Across the table, Aryan sees Aanya but says nothing.
---
That night, Aanya stood on the balcony outside her room. The air was cool, and the city lights shimmered in the distance. Her thoughts were loud, her chest heavy.
She heard footsteps.
She turned to find Aryan standing a few steps away, holding a cup of coffee.
They stood in silence. The kind that said everything and nothing at once.
"You're adjusting well," he finally said.
Aanya forced a smile. "I'm trying."
He didn't reply. Just nodded.
---
She stood there a while longer, arms folded. Then, almost on impulse, she turned around and called out,
> "Aryan?"
He paused at the end of the hallway and turned slightly. "Did you… call me?"
> "Yes. Mr. Aryan," she said with a small smile, testing his reaction.
He raised an eyebrow. "Mister?"
> "Yes, haan… Actually… I wanted to ask something. My college is pretty far from here," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear nervously.
"If it's okay with you… can you drop me and pick me up? I mean, only if it's not a problem. If not, I'll manage. It's fine."
Aryan didn't reply immediately. He just stared at her for a second, unreadable.
Then, without a word, he turned and walked into his room.
She exhaled slowly, unsure what the silence meant.
---
End of Chapter 3.