When I Met Him Again

Everyone turned to Aanya.

Mr. Raichand smiled and asked, "So Aryan, is this your sister?"

Aryan was just about to speak when Aanya suddenly blurted out, "No!"

A hush fell over the room.

Aryan looked at her with wide eyes, "Did she just say that aloud?"

Aanya chuckled awkwardly, then quickly added, "I-I'm not his sister… just a relative. I'm staying here for my studies."

Devika aunty laughed to ease the tension. "Yes, yes. She's our relative's daughter. Her name is Aanya."

Mr. Raichand's family relaxed. "Oh, I see."

Ankitha smiled warmly. "Hi Aanya."

Aanya returned the smile. "Hi."

Then Mr. Raichand asked, "By the way, where is your daughter, Devika ji?"

"Oh, she must be in her room. Aanya, can you please call Prerna?"

"Yes, aunty."

---

Inside Prerna's Room:

Aanya opened the door. "Prerna, aunty is calling you. Mr. Raichand and his family are here."

Prerna jumped in surprise, quickly lowering her phone. "Aanya you..., What are you doing here?"

Aanya blinked. "Aunty asked me to call you."

"Oh, okay…" Prerna fumbled, still clutching her phone tightly.

"Were you talking to someone?" Aanya asked, a little curious.

"Just a friend! I'm coming," Prerna said nervously.

As Aanya walked back, she thought, Why did she seem so tense? Who was she talking to?

---

Back in the Hall:

Devika introduced, "This is my daughter, Prerna."

"Namaste," Prerna greeted politely.

Ankitha smiled. "Hi Prerna, I'm Ankitha."

Dev smiled too.

"Nice to meet you."

"Let's eat," Devika suggested, and everyone moved to the dining table.

Aanya helped serve food.

Mr. Raichand smiled. "Devika ji, you've troubled yourself so much. So many dishes!"

Ankitha said excitedly, "Aunty, this carrot halwa is delicious!"

Devika laughed, "Actually, Aanya made it."

Aanya gave a shy smile. Aryan glanced at her quietly.

"And this butter paneer was made by her too," Devika added.

Mr. Raichand nodded in approval. "Very good, beta."

Ankitha added, "Yes, Aanya! You're a great cook."

"Thank you," Aanya said, her eyes drifting toward Aryan—he was looking at her again.

"Come on, beta, you also eat," Devika encouraged.

Aanya sat and joined them at the table.

Ankitha turned to Aryan. "Do you love reading books?"

"Yes," Aryan replied with a polite nod.

"My favorite genre is science fiction!" Ankitha beamed.

Prerna smiled. "Oh! Even my brother loves sci-fi."

Aanya blinked, stealing a glance at both of them.

Ankitha giggled. "Really? That's so cool!"

She turned to Aanya. "What about you? What's your favorite genre?"

Aryan also looked at her.

Aanya cleared her throat. "Umm… I barely read my subject books. Forget about reading anything else!"

Ankitha laughed out loud. Aanya just smiled with a blank expression.

Ankitha continued, "Do you listen to music or podcasts, Aryan?"

"I usually listen to podcasts," he replied.

Mr. Raichand said, "Even Ankitha listens to podcasts, right?"

"Yes, Papa. Looks like Aryan and I have the same taste!"

They both laughed.

Aanya felt the sting of jealousy again. Her smile faded.

Ankitha leaned forward. "Do you love traveling, Aryan?"

Before Aryan could reply, Aanya quickly jumped in, "Yes! I love traveling."

Both Aryan and Ankitha turned to look at her.

Ankitha asked, "Oh really? Which countries have you visited?"

Aanya froze. "Umm… I haven't been abroad. But I've traveled within India!"

"Oh," Ankitha replied with a polite smile.

Then she turned back to Aryan. "Which country do you like the most?"

"France," Aryan said softly.

Ankitha clapped her hands. "Me too!"

Actually "I always wanted to visit France".

It's on my bucket list.

Aanya's jaw clenched. Okay. Great. Now they both love France.

Aryan smiled faintly. Aanya looked away, hurt but trying to stay composed.

---

Later That Night:

Mr. Raichand said, "Aryan, tonight was really wonderful. It was lovely meeting your family."

Aryan nodded with a small smile.

Ankitha touched Devika's feet for blessings. Devika stopped her and hugged her instead. Aanya saw it and her heart sank.

Aryan and Dev shook hands.

"Bye, Aanya, Ankitha said sweetly.

"Bye," Aanya replied with a soft smile.

---

That Night – Balcony Scene:

Aanya stood on the balcony, staring at the moon.

She whispered, "Aanya, stop overthinking. They were just talking. Ankitha is a sweet girl…"

But deep inside, she knew she felt jealous.

Suddenly, she heard a voice behind her.

"Don't want to sleep?"

Aanya turned quickly. "Mr. Aryan?! You scared me!"

Aryan,"You didn't answer the question."

She looked away. "I'm not sleepy."

They both stood silently under the moonlight.

Aryan looked at her and said gently, "Thank you… for helping Mom today."

Aanya turned to him and smiled. "No need to thank me, Mr. Aryan. I just did what I could."

Their eyes met again, longer this time… until they both looked away.

Aanya bit her lip. "Mr. Aryan… about yesterday… I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry."

Aryan shook his head. "You don't need to say sorry. Actually, I should be the one apologizing. I was… rude."

Aanya's heart skipped a beat. Did he just apologize?

She smiled and extended her hand. "Friends?"

Aryan looked at her hand… then her face… then back at her hand again.

She raised her eyebrows, teasing. "Come on, it's just a handshake!"

He took her hand.

"Friends?" He said.

"Aanya nodding her head with a smile".

---

End Of Chapter 15