Aanya and Meera were walking together, chatting lightly as they headed toward the pani puri stall. Just then, Meera's phone buzzed.
She glanced at the screen and quickly answered, "Hello… oh no, I totally forgot! Yeah, I'll come right now."
Aanya looked at her curiously. Meera ended the call and gave a weird, apologetic smile.
Aanya crossed her arms. "Don't tell me…"
Meera sighed and held Aanya's hand. "I know, I know—but I'm so sorry, Aanya. I completely forgot that my nephew is coming home today. My mom just called me, and I really need to go."
Aanya frowned slightly. "But we're already near. You can at least eat and then go."
Meera shook her head quickly. "No, Aanya, I'll get late. But I promise—we'll plan again, okay?"
Aanya tried to smile but couldn't hide her disappointment. "But…"
Before she could finish, Meera had already rushed off. Aanya stood there for a moment, watching her leave—her expression a mix of angry and quiet sadness.
After dropping Prerna off at the café, Aryan got back into his car and started driving again, his mind wandering aimlessly.
Meanwhile, Aanya walked down the street, kicking a small pebble with her shoe, looking gloomy.
"I'm all alone again…" she thought sadly. "What should I do now? Should I eat alone? No, no… eating pani puri alone feels so boring. You need company for that."
She sighed deeply. "Maybe it's better if I just go home."
After a pause, she muttered to herself, "I'll call Mr. Aryan—wait… I told him not to come! He must've already reached home by now. If I call him again, he'll definitely be angry…"
Just then, by pure coincidence, Aryan's car passed through the same road. He noticed her walking all alone, her head down, her expression lost.
Frowning slightly, he slowed the car, then pulled over to the side. Without thinking, he stepped out and began following her quietly.
Aanya, still talking to herself, said, "But… what if he comes? I mean… he would come only if he likes me, right?"
Aryan's steps were slow but deliberate as he trailed behind her.
Suddenly, Aanya stopped in her tracks. "That's it," she mumbled, taking out her phone. "I'll just call him—"
She turned around abruptly… and froze.
"Mr. Ary—" she gasped, her eyes widening in shock. "Aaaah!" she screamed, startled by how close he was.
Aryan blinked, equally surprised by her sudden shout.
Meanwhile, at the Café...
Prerna and Dev sat across from each other, warm cups of coffee in their hands. The café buzzed softly around them with light chatter and clinking cups.
Dev took a sip, then smiled teasingly.
"So… by the way, how did you come here?"
Prerna looked up from her cup. "Aryan bhai dropped me," she said casually.
Dev's smile faltered for a second. "Aryan?" he repeated, blinking in surprise. "Oh… I mean—why trouble him? I could've come to pick you up! I even asked you, remember?"
Prerna paused, not sure what to say for a moment. She stirred her coffee absentmindedly, then replied, "Well… Aryan bhai had some work nearby, and this road was on his way, so…"
Dev leaned back, nodding slowly. "Ohh, okay… okay."
On the Street
Aanya froze in place the moment she saw Aryan standing in front of her. He looked at her with one raised eyebrow, clearly amused.
"Mr. Aryan… you? Here?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
Aryan didn't reply, still staring at her strangely.
Aanya blinked, unsure what to say next, until Aryan snapped his fingers right in front of her face.
She startled. "Huh? Oh! Mr. Aryan… is that really you?" she asked nervously.
He sighed, folding his arms. "No, I'm his soul," he replied dryly.
Aanya nodded with a small smile, then froze again. "Wait—what?"
Aryan shook his head and muttered, "What kind of stupid questions are these?"
Aanya gave an awkward laugh. "Yeah… maybe I was just… surprised."
He tilted his head. "Are you okay, Aanya?"
"I'm fine, Mr. Aryan," she said quickly, brushing her hair aside.
"Then whom were you talking to just now?" he asked, narrowing his eyes.
Aanya hesitated, caught off guard. "I was… um… just talking to myself."
Aryan went silent, staring at her. "Yourself?"
"Yes, Mr. Aryan. Myself," she replied defensively. "What's wrong with that? Don't you ever talk to yourself?"
He arched a brow. "No. Never. And especially not while walking alone on a road."
"Oh," Aanya murmured, looking down. "That's… fair."
Aryan sighed. "By the way, what are you doing here alone? You told me you'd be with your friends."
"Yes, Mr. Aryan," she began quickly, her words tumbling out in one breath. "I planned to eat pani puri with them, but then Tara and Nisha cancelled. Meera came along, but she got a call and had to leave suddenly. So I thought of eating alone… but then I realized eating pani puri alone doesn't feel nice. I needed company. And then I thought of you— and suddenly, you appeared here! So obviously, I got shocked when I saw you!"
Aryan looked at her quietly, his expression unreadable.
Aanya slowly realized what she'd just said. Her eyes widened, and she turned her face away, biting her lip nervously.
Aanya, trying to change the subject, cleared her throat. "By the way, Mr. Aryan, I've answered every question you asked… but you still didn't tell me why you're here."
Aryan glanced at her. "I came to drop Prerna at the café."
"Prerna? At a café? But why?"
"Dev wanted to meet her," he said simply.
Aanya's eyes widened a little. "Ohh… so tomorrow is the haldi, and since they can't meet then, they planned it today!" She laughed lightly. "Smart couple."
Aryan shot her a serious look.
Aanya immediately stopped laughing, pressing her lips together. "Okay… not funny. Got it."
He sighed, stepping toward the car. "Will you stand here all day, or will you come?"
Aanya quickly followed. "Let's go, Mr. Aryan."
But just as they were about to get in, Aanya suddenly stopped. "Mr. Aryan!" she called out, excitement lighting her eyes.
He turned, a little suspicious. "What now?"
"Why don't we… eat pani puri together?" she asked, her face glowing with mischief.
Aryan blinked, staring at her. "No."
Aanya pouted dramatically. "Mr. Aryan, come on! It's not poison—it's just pani puri! Why are you saying no?"
He gave her a long, patient look, clearly trying not to lose his calm.
"Because I don't eat food from roadside stalls," he said flatly.
Aanya gasped dramatically. "Oh, come on, Mr. Aryan! You've already eaten ice cream with me — and that too from a roadside."
Aryan turned to look at her, one eyebrow raised.
Aanya smirked. "Now I get it."
He folded his arms. "Get what?"
"You're scared of spiciness," she declared proudly.
Aryan blinked, caught off guard. "Ha? What?"
"Yes!" she continued, teasing. "You can't handle spicy food, that's why you're pretending to avoid it by saying you don't eat street food!"
Aryan's eyes widened slightly, disbelief flashing in them. "I'm not afraid of spicy food."
"Then prove it," Aanya challenged, her voice playful but confident.
He sighed, realizing she wouldn't stop until he agreed. "Fine. What do you want me to prove?"
"Let's have a pani puri competition," she said excitedly. "Let's see who can eat more!"
Aryan smirked. "Fine. But if I win, you'll stop eating street food altogether."
Aanya froze for a second, eyes wide. "What?! That's not fair!"
"Afraid you'll lose?" he asked, a teasing glint in his eyes.
Aanya straightened up, determination replacing her hesitation. "Fine! And if I win, you'll stop your ridiculous restrictions
Aryan took a step closer, locking eyes with her. "Deal."
"Deal," she echoed, her lips curling into a confident smile.
At the café, Dev smiled softly, trying to break the silence between them.
"Prerna, in just two days, we're getting married," he began gently. "And I want you to know everything about me."
He took a small pause before continuing, his tone honest. "To be truthful, I never had much interest in marriage. But when my parents brought up this proposal, I couldn't say no. Still…" — he leaned forward slightly — "I promise I'll make sure you're always happy."
As he spoke, Dev reached out and held her hand across the table.
Prerna froze for a second. Something inside her twisted — the memories, the hesitation, the quiet ache she'd been hiding. Slowly, she slipped her hand away, forcing a faint smile.
Dev noticed but didn't react immediately. After a brief silence, he asked softly, "By the way, Prerna… what about you? I mean—do you even want this marriage? Or is someone forcing you?"
Prerna looked up at him, startled. Her throat tightened, but she managed to say, "No one's forcing me."
Dev smiled, relieved. "Well, that's good. I just wanted to be sure—"
Before he could finish, Prerna abruptly stood up.
Dev blinked in confusion. "Prerna?"
She avoided his gaze. "I… I just need to use the restroom," she said quickly, walking away before he could say another word.
As she turned toward the hallway, her steps slowed. For a second, she thought her eyes were deceiving her.
Standing near the entrance — calm, composed, and very real — was Ahad bhai.
Her breath hitched.
"Ahad… bhai?" she whispered, her voice trembling in disbelief.
---
End Of Chapter 44.