She moved slowly towards him—one step at a time—her eyes locked with his.
Aryan didn't move. He just stared at her, the kitchen suddenly far too silent, far too small.
She stopped barely a breath away from him.
Aryan and Aanya stood so close now, just a few inches between them. The air tensed.
Aryan blinked, momentarily thrown off by her sudden boldness.
Then, realization hit Aanya. She stepped back quickly. "I–I'm sorry," she mumbled.
Aryan tilted his head slightly, watching her. "You still haven't answered. What are you doing out here at this time?"
Aanya raised her bottle like a trophy. "I came to fill my water bottle. Look! It's empty. I didn't sneak out to eat pizza or anything," she said in a rush, rolling her eyes.
Aryan raised an eyebrow. "Did I say you came for pizza?"
Aanya paused. "No, I mean… I thought you'd think that. Because… you know… last time I came out at night, it was because I was hungry. But now I'm not!"
A small, rare smile tugged at Aryan's lips.
Aanya noticed. "By the way, Mr. Aryan... what were you doing here at this hour?"
"Came here to drink water like me!"?
He hesitated. "I—"
She quickly cut in, waving her hand. "Oh wait, never mind. It's your house. You can do whatever you want. Who am I to question?"
Aryan looked at her seriously. "Actually—"
"No need, Mr. Aryan," she said firmly. "I'll just do what I came here to do." She marched to the sink, filled her bottle, and walked away.
As she passed him, Aryan glanced sideways at her.
Aanya noticed—and threw a quick glance back.
—
The Next Morning
Aryan walked into the kitchen, taking his usual seat. Aanya entered a moment later, humming as she opened the fridge.
"Huh?" She blinked. "Aunty! Where's my pizza slice?"
Devika came out from the hall, drying her hands. "What happened?"
"Aunty, I can't find the slice I saved last night!" Aanya exclaimed, showing her the empty plate. "It's gone!"
Devika checked the fridge herself. "That's odd. I kept it here."
Aryan glanced toward Aanya, then quickly turned away.
Aanya's eyes widened. Wait a minute… last night… he was there… he…
A mischievous smile spread on her lips.
Devika raised an eyebrow. "Why are you smiling like that?"
Aanya quickly composed herself. "Aunty, how many slices were there?"
"Just one," Devika replied.
"Oh, then… I have eaten it last night," Aanya said with innocent eyes. "I was hungry. I thought there were two, so I had one… didn't realize it was the last one. Sorry, Aunty!"
Aryan looked stunned and turned abruptly.
Devika blinked. "Oh! I thought I misplaced it!"
Aanya sat opposite to Aryan, hiding a tiny smirk.
Prerna joined in, raising her brow. "Why is everyone hungry at midnight lately?"
Aryan and Aanya looked at each other again, then looked away instantly.
Devika raised an eyebrow. "Prerna..."
Prerna smirked. "Just saying mom. First Bhai, now Aanya. Maybe next it'll be me!"
Devika gave her a look. "If you don't want to sneak into the kitchen at midnight, then eat properly now without making a fuss!"
Prerna pouted but grabbed her plate obediently, while Aanya tried to hide her smile.
Then Devika"By the way, Aryan… your aunt said she'll call you in the evening. Go and pick her up wherever she says, alright?"
Aryan nodded, chewing slowly.
"Okay, Mom. I will."
Prerna gave them a brief glance and then lowered her eyes to the plate. She quietly resumed eating, her mind clearly elsewhere, lost in worry.
---
Inside the car, a quiet tension settled in the air.
Aanya, sitting beside Aryan, stole a side glance at him and quickly turned her face away, pretending to look out the window
Aryan caught it.
He narrowed his eyes slightly and asked, "What?"
Aanya turned to Aryan and muttered, "Someone once told me they don't eat pizza. Said it's junk food and unhealthy."
Aryan gave her a side eye. "Well, the pizza was good."
Aanya narrowed her eyes, proudly. "Of course it was! I made it. I know how to make the best pizza. No need to praise it—I already know it's nice."
Aryan smirked. "I didn't say you made it nice. I said the ingredients seemed fresh. That's why it turned out well."
Aanya's jaw dropped. "What?!"
—
At College, Later
Aanya walked with Nisha, Meera and Tara, still sulking. "He said the pizza was nice because of the ingredients! Can you believe that?"
Nisha chuckled. "So, not because you made it, huh?"
Aanya groaned. "Can you stop repeating that? I know what he said."
Nisha raised a brow. "Excuse me, I said it only once. You're the one who's been saying it since morning."
Tara laughed. "Alright, alright. Enough about the tragic pizza appreciation. Now tell me—what happened that night when you left the house? How did he rescue you from the goons?"
Nisha added "Is it like a drama scene"—the heroine is in trouble, the hero appears out of nowhere!"
Meera giggled. "It's literally like those K-dramas we binge!"
Aanya waved them off. "It wasn't like that! I saved myself. He didn't do anything heroic!"
All three exchanged knowing glances.
Aanya hesitated. "I used to think I liked Mr. Aryan. Love at first sight and all that… I wanted to pursue him. But now, he's so different. He's moody, arrogant… not what I expected."
She paused. "But even after everything, I still... want him. I don't know why."
Her friends burst into laughter.
"What now?!" Aanya huffed.
Tara grinned. "That's love, silly!"
Nisha added, "By the way… is Prerna's marriage confirmed with Ankitha's brother?"
Aanya smiled. "Almost. Just waiting for Prerna's aunt to finalize things. I'm excited! So many functions, so much shopping—dresses, jewelry, heels!"
She sparkled with energy. "I'll drag you all along. Even if Mr. Aryan glares, Aunty will say yes!"
Nisha grinned. "Then this is the perfect time."
Aanya blinked. "For what?"
Tara and Meera exchanged a look.
Tara said, "To get closer to Mr. Aryan, of course!"
Aanya gasped. "What? How?"
Tara rolled her eyes. "His sister's wedding, duh! You'll dress up beautifully, help out in every ritual… and Mr. Aryan will finally realize your worth."
Aanya's cheeks flushed. "You think so?"
They all nodded.
Aanya smiled shyly. "Yeah… but…"
---
End of Chapter 27