When I Met Him Again

Aanya looked at Aryan, her heart still fluttering from the moment he had protected her during the speed breaker. She was still lost in the thought when Aryan asked gently, "Are you okay?"

She blinked, startled. "Ha... What? Yes. I'm fine," she replied, turning away quickly, blushing deeply.

That night, Aanya lay in bed, the scene playing over and over in her mind. The way his hand stretched out to protect her… his eyes meeting hers… her heart raced at just the memory.

Prerna knocked and peeked in. "Aanya, what happened?"

Aanya sat up quickly. "What happened? Nothing happened!"

Prerna gave her a suspicious look. "You look way too happy for someone with nothing going on."

"I'm just normal," Aanya said with a grin she couldn't suppress.

"Hmm… okay then. Sleep well. Good night."

"Good night," Aanya said, but she didn't sleep. She lay awake thinking of Aryan, smiling to herself like a fool.

---

The next morning, she woke up early, got ready with extra excitement, and came out for breakfast. As soon as she saw Aryan at the table, her heart skipped again.

After breakfast, Aryan's mother handed them both their lunchboxes. They left together. In the car, Aanya looked at her phone, then at Aryan. What should I talk about? she thought nervously.

Before she could say anything, Aryan's phone rang. It was his secretary.

"Sir, Mr. Raichand has arrived. He wants to discuss a few things urgently. He also has another meeting lined up, so he's asking you to come quickly."

"Okay, I'll try to come soon," Aryan said.

Aanya overheard the call but didn't say anything. Soon, her college came. She said, "Bye," as usual, and he nodded.

She got out… only to realize after some time—her phone was missing.

---

Aryan parked outside his office. He heard a notification sound, but it wasn't from his phone. He looked around and saw Aanya's phone lying on the seat.

He picked it up and sighed. She must be worried.

After thinking for a moment, he made a decision. He called his secretary.

"Tell Mr. Raichand I won't make it today. Ask if we can reschedule."

His secretary paused. "Sir, he'll be disappointed."

"I know. Just let him know I'll definitely meet him tomorrow."

"Okay, sir."

---

At college, the receptionist got a call.

"There's someone here to meet Aanya Verma."

In class, a staff member stepped in. "Aanya Verma, someone's here to see you at the reception."

Aanya frowned. Who could it be? She walked out and got the shock of her day—Aryan was waiting there.

"Mr. Aryan?! What are you doing here?"

He handed her the phone. "You left this in the car. I thought it was important."

"You didn't need to come all this way… I heard you had work."

"It's okay. I thought you'd panic if you couldn't find it."

She stared at him in awe.

"Okay then, I'll go," he said and turned.

"Mr. Aryan!" she called.

He looked back.

"Thank you," she said softly with a smile.

He smiled too.

---

All day, Aanya couldn't stop smiling. Her friends noticed.

"You're glowing! What happened?" Meera asked.

"Nothing!" Aanya said.

"After Aryan returned your phone, you've been acting so weird," Nisha teased.

"Hmm… something is fishy," Tara added.

"You guys stop teasing!" Aanya scolded with a grin.

In a corner, Rhea noticed all this. "Look at Aanya, acting all happy… we'll see how long that lasts," she muttered.

---

That evening, Aanya stepped into Aryan's car with a wide smile. He started driving.

She turned towards him and said, "Mr. Aryan… thank you once again for returning my phone. What you said was right. If I hadn't found it, I'd have gone crazy."

Aryan replied calmly, "Be careful from next time. Don't leave your things behind."

Her smile faded slightly. Why can't he ever say something sweet?

Aryan glanced, did you say something?

Aanya quickly, No, Nothing...

---

During dinner, Aryan's mother said, "Aanya, eat slowly."

"Actually, aunty, I have an assignment due tomorrow. I haven't finished it yet. I need to work quickly."

Aryan looked at her briefly and then turned away. Aanya noticed it.

That night, she worked late on her assignment and finally fell asleep.

---

The next morning, she got ready, had breakfast, and left with Aryan again. On the way, she turned toward him.

"Mr. Aryan, how old is Max?"

"Four years."

"Ohh, that's what I was wondering… I didn't see Max when I first visited your home."

Aryan looked puzzled. "When did you visit my house before?"

She fumbled. "No, not here! I mean, I came with my dad came when you guys lived at "Hoshangabad".Max wasn't there then."

He just nodded silently.

Thank God I covered that up… If I talk more, I'll end up confessing in a flow, Aanya thought to herself.

"Bye, Mr. Aryan! And don't worry, I didn't leave my phone today!" she said playfully.

He gave her a rare side glance as she stepped out.

---

Aryan arrived at his office. His secretary said, "Sir, Mr. Raichand will arrive at 10 AM."

"Okay," Aryan said.

---

Back at college, everyone was getting ready to submit their assignments.

Aanya reached into her bag… and froze.

"My assignment! I… I think I left it!"

"What?!" Meera gasped.

"What will you do now?" Nisha asked.

Aanya's face paled. How could I forget?

End of Chapter 6.