When I Met Him Again

Aryan turned sharply, surprised, his eyes narrowing as he looked at Aanya. She stood still, unsure, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her top.

"Mr. Mehra, are you sure? You really don't want me to suspend them?" the principal asked again.

Aanya nodded slowly. "Yes, sir. Please give them just one chance."

Aryan stared at her in disbelief. "Aanya... are you sure?" he asked, his voice low but intense.

She looked at him gently. "Let's give them a chance, Mr. Aryan."

He looked away, lips pressed into a line. The principal smiled. "Mr. Mehra, I think we've resolved this."

Aryan stood abruptly. "Yeah."

The principal reached out to shake hands. Aryan gave a forced smile and left the room quickly without looking back at Aanya.

"Mr. Aryan, wait!" she called, hurrying after him.

He didn't stop.

"Please, let me explain!" she cried out.

He turned around so fast that Aanya nearly bumped into him.

"What do you want to say?" he asked, staring into her eyes.

She hesitated. "I know what you're thinking."

"Oh really? You know what I'm thinking?"

"Mr. Aryan, they looked truly sorry. I felt like... maybe they deserved a second chance."

"So what? You forgive them just like that?"

"I didn't say I forgave them. I just didn't want to ruin their future over this."

He scoffed. "Wow, you want to be the humble heroine now?"

"No! I just did what felt right."

"Then do whatever you want," he snapped. "Talk to them. Forgive them. It's your matter. Nothing to do with me."

He turned and walked away.

"Mr. Aryan, it's not like that!" she called, but he didn't stop.

Aanya stood there, confused and hurt.

Moments later, her friends found her.

"What have you done, Aanya?" Tara asked.

"What did I do?"

"Come on! You didn't even tell us what they did to you. And now you forgave them?" Nisha added.

"It's not like that," Aanya said softly.

Meera stepped in. "Then what is it?"

"Look, everything happened just yesterday. I didn't get the chance to tell you."

"We understand that. But why help them?" Tara asked.

"Guys, please! Don't start now. Mr. Aryan is already upset, and now you too?"

"What are we supposed to understand?" Nisha said, crossing her arms.

Aanya sighed. "I'm not trying to be a good person. I don't like Rhea, nor do I hate her.

I felt she had guilt... and I didn't want them to be suspended. That's it. It doesn't mean I've forgiven them."

"You're different, Aanya. Hard to understand," Meera muttered.

"Exactly," Nisha agreed.

"But why are you upset?" Tara asked. "You did what you thought was right. Why worry now?"

Aanya lowered her voice. "Because... Mr. Aryan isn't happy about it."

"Why?" Nisha asked.

"He feels I should've let them be suspended."

"He's right!" Tara exclaimed. "We agree with him."

Aanya nodded. "Maybe…"

Suddenly, Meera said, "By the way, Aryan is soooo handsome."

Aanya frowned.

"Right?!" Nisha added. "Even I like him."

"What?! Are you out of your mind?" Aanya said, eyes wide.

"Why not? He's only nine years older. It's not like he's 30 years older," Tara giggled. "We're adults, and love doesn't see age."

Tara leaned in. "Aanya, please help me talk to Aryan just once."

"What? No!"

"Why not? He's your cousin, right?"

"Uh... yes," Aanya stammered, trying to cover.

Meera squinted. "Are you hiding something?"

"Me? Hiding? What would I hide?"

"Why are you acting weird then?" Nisha asked.

Tara narrowed her eyes. "Tell us the truth."

Aanya stepped back nervously. "What truth? I don't get what you're saying."

All three girls stepped closer. "Tell us the truth, Aanya."

Aanya looked panicked.

End of Chapter 12