The aroma of freshly prepared breakfast filled the luxurious mansion as Sravani Thakur stepped into the kitchen. Her saree pleats perfectly aligned, her expression calm yet commanding.
"Is the food ready?" she asked, glancing at the cooks and staff buzzing around.
"Yes, ma'am. Everything is ready," one of the servants replied with a respectful nod.
Sravani looked around and asked, "Where's Adhya?"
Just then, a cheerful voice echoed, "I'm here, Aunty! Good morning!"
Sravani turned to see Adhya walking in, her face glowing with innocence and warmth. Her hair was still slightly wet from her shower, and she wore a simple blue kurta that made her eyes shine brighter.
"Good morning, beta. Did you sleep well?" Sravani asked affectionately.
"Yes, Aunty. I slept really well," Adhya replied, her tone light.
"The food is ready. Will you eat now?"
Adhya shook her head politely. "I'll wait for everyone to come. It feels nicer that way."
Sravani smiled at her, a mixture of affection and admiration in her eyes. Though Adhya wasn't her biological daughter, she had become family ever since the tragic loss of her parents. They raised her like their own.
"By the way, where are Arnav and Shiva?" Sravani asked, raising an eyebrow.
Adhya thought for a moment. "Hmm… I think Arnav is getting ready. But I'm not sure about Shiva, Aunty."
Sravani clicked her tongue in annoyance. "That boy will never change. He still acts like a child. It's already 8:30 and he's not even up yet. At this rate, he'll miss college."
Adhya giggled softly. "Wait, Aunty. I'll go check."
She climbed the stairs quickly, heading to Shiva's room. The door was slightly open, and she peeked in. Shiva lay sprawled across the bed, snoring peacefully, a blanket clutched in one hand.
Adhya rolled her eyes with a smile. She tiptoed inside, yanked the blanket away, and sat beside him on the bed.
"Shiva! Wake up! It's already late, and we have to go to college. Seriously, you're still sleeping?" she said, nudging him.
"Mmm… Adhya, why are you disturbing me? Let me sleep a little more," Shiva grumbled, pulling a pillow over his face.
Adhya crossed her arms. "I even kept your clothes ready. Just get up and come down for breakfast."
Shiva didn't move.
"Okay, no problem," she said mischievously. "When your Rajesh uncle comes and asks why you're not ready, I'll just tell him that you were out partying last night."
Shiva's eyes flew open. He sat up instantly and looked at her seriously. "You wouldn't dare."
Adhya smirked. "Try me."
He sighed in defeat, dragging himself out of bed.
Downstairs, Rajesh and Sravani were already seated at the dining table.
"Good morning, Uncle," Adhya greeted warmly as she took her seat.
"Good morning, beta. Come, eat," Rajesh replied with a kind smile.
A moment later, Arnav entered, neatly dressed in a sky-blue shirt, his hair perfectly styled. "Good morning, Dad," he said.
"Good morning," Rajesh replied.
Arnav took a seat beside Adhya. Their eyes met for a fleeting second, and both smiled gently. There was an easy comfort between them, one built over years of shared memories, silent understanding, and unspoken words.
Just then, Shiva rushed in, his shirt half-tucked and hair slightly messy. He mumbled, "Good morning, Dad."
Rajesh gave him a side glance. "Morning," he said curtly.
Shiva took a seat opposite Adhya, who couldn't suppress her laugh.
After breakfast, Rajesh stood. "I'll be leaving now. Have a good day, everyone."
"Bye, Uncle," Adhya said.
Sravani turned to Shiva and lightly tapped the back of his head.
"Mom! What are you doing?" he exclaimed.
"Can't you be more like your elder brother? Look at Arnav—responsible, punctual, focused. Why can't you learn something from him?" she said, clearly frustrated.
"Mom, you know Arnav bhai is the perfectionist of the house. If I turn out like him too, the vibe will be gone. Life would be too boring," Shiva replied with a grin.
Adhya burst out laughing. "Aunty, he'll never change. Not in this life."
Shiva gave her a dramatic fake smile. "First finish your breakfast, Miss Commentator."
After breakfast, the three youngsters left for college in Arnav's car. As they arrived, Adhya waved goodbye "See you both later!".
"Bye," Arnav said softly walking ahead.
Shiva barely responded. He just walked ahead.
Inside campus, she found her best friend Nidhi waiting near the canteen.
"Adhya!" Nidhi waved her over. "Have you heard? Complaints are piling up against Shiva!"
"What? Who complained?"
"Not just one or two. A lot. From professors, students, to the principal. They say he's not taking anything seriously. One day, Principal Sir will definitely take action."
Adhya frowned. "I don't understand why everyone sees the bad in him. He's actually a good person."
"Maybe for you. Not for the rest of us," Nidhi muttered.
"That's not true. Stop it," Adhya said firmly.
"Of course you'll defend him. You like him," Nidhi teased.
Adhya's cheeks turned pink. "Stop it, okay?"
"Come on, Adhya. Everyone knows you like Shiva. You're always giving him special attention. Only him—not Arnav."
"Arnav is just a friend," she replied softly.
"Exactly my point! How can you like Shiva when Arnav exists? He's sweet, polite, handsome…"
"I've liked Shiva since childhood, okay?" Adhya said firmly.
Nidhi smirked. "Then set me up with Arnav! We'll be sisters-in-law!"
"Stop it! I won't because...."
Before the conversation could continue, a loud commotion drew everyone's attention. A group of boys were gathered near the auditorium, and girls were whispering excitedly.
"What's going on?" Nidhi asked, dragging Adhya with her.
At the center of the crowd stood Tia—the most popular, rich, and glamorous girl on campus. With her signature designer bag and high ponytail, she oozed confidence.
"Hello, everyone!" Tia waved. "My birthday is coming up, and I've decided to throw a grand party at Club Neptune. You're all invited!"
A chorus of cheers erupted.
"But wait," she added with a smirk. "One more thing. I'm also planning to finally get a boyfriend. From today until graduation, I'll be observing. Whoever impresses me the most… I'll accept him on graduation day!"
Boys shouted, "Pick me, Tia!" "I'll impress you, Tia!"
Nidhi rolled her eyes. "Does she think she's Miss Universe or something?"
Adhya turned sharply. "Come on, Nidhi… don't say that."
Nidhi raised an eyebrow. "Why are you defending her?
She didn't answer.
Suddenly, a familiar voice shouted, "Tia, give me a chance!"
Everyone turned. Standing confidently was none other than Shiva.
Adhya froze. "What the hell is he doing?"
Tia raised an eyebrow. "Hmm... interesting."
Shiva walked forward. "Why wait till graduation? You won't find anyone better than me anyway. Say yes now."
Tia blinked, stunned. "Shiva… what's going on?"
Shiva took a step closer and offered the rose. "Tia," he said, his voice bold and unshaken, "will you go out with me?"
Gasps. Murmurs. A few girls giggled, others clutched their friends' arms in disbelief.
Tia looked completely shaken. "What… what are you saying?" she said, trying to process the moment. "You're kidding, right? Are you seriously proposing—like this?"
Her voice was barely above a whisper, but her cheeks were red. She looked down at the rose, unsure whether to reach for it or run away.
Without thinking, Adhya rushed forward.
Shiva! What are you doing?" Her voice shook. "Everyone's watching! If your dad finds out—"
Shiva chuckled coolly, brushing his fingers through his hair like he didn't have a care in the world. "Relax, Adhya. No one's going to say anything."
A voice rang out. Loud. Commanding.
"Not so fast."
Gasps echoed again.
Every head turned.
It was Arnav.
He stepped through the crowd with his usual calm air—but his eyes… they burned with something else.
Adhya's breath caught.
"Arnav?" she whispered, stunned.
Even Shiva's smile faltered.
Tia blinked. "You too?"
Arnav came to stand beside his brother, but didn't look at him. His gaze stayed fixed on Tia.
"Tia," he said, voice steady, "will you accept me as your boyfriend?"
The silence was deafening.
The crowd exploded in gasps and whispers. Both brothers? Proposing to the same girl? In front of the whole college?
Tia stared at both of them—her lips parted, frozen between surprise and confusion.
And Adhya… she just stood there, unable to move.
To be Continued...