When I Met Him Again

Aanya's face paled.

"How could I forget?" she whispered, frantically searching her bag again.

Tara leaned in. "What happened?"

"I left my assignment at home," Aanya said, almost in panic.

Nisha gasped. "You what? Are you serious? You know what the professor will do if anyone fails to submit today!"

Tara quickly suggested, "Call Mr. Aryan. Ask him to bring it."

"What? No!" Aanya protested. "Yesterday only, he came all the way to return my phone. And he even said, 'be conscious, don't leave your things behind.' Now you want me to call again and say I forgot my assignment?"

Tara crossed her arms. "Do you have a better idea?"

"I'll just say I didn't do it," Aanya mumbled.

Meera's eyes widened. "You know how he is. He'll humiliate you in front of everyone!"

Aanya bit her lip, then said, "Wait, I'll call Prerna first."

She dialed Prerna's number—no answer. She tried again—still nothing.

"Ugh! She's not picking up! Should I call Aryan's mom?"

Tara nudged her. "Just call Aryan, Aanya!"

No one else can bring it on time."

Reluctantly, Aanya called.

---

At Aryan's office, his secretary was preparing the boardroom for an important meeting.

"Sir, everything is ready for the meeting," she said.

Aryan nodded, just as his phone rang. He glanced at the screen and was surprised to see Aanya calling.

He answered, "Yes, Aanya?"

"Mr. Aryan, thank God you picked up! I—I need your help."

"What happened?"

"Remember yesterday at dinner I mentioned I had an important assignment?"

He nodded silently.

"I... I left it at home. Could you please bring it? Please, it's urgent. I thought I packed it but I didn't. I tried calling Prerna but she didn't pick up. If I don't submit it today, my professor won't spare me. Please, Mr. Aryan…"

Before Aryan could respond, she added, "Wait—I'll also call Aunty and ask her to give it to you. Thank you so much!" She cut the call.

Aryan blinked at the phone. "But I have a—" The line had already gone dead.

The secretary returned. "Sir, we're getting late. Mr. Raichand will arrive any moment."

Aryan sighed. "I'll be back soon."

"But sir—your meeting?"

"Reschedule it if needed," he said, already walking out.

---

Aanya quickly called Aryan's mother.

"Hello, Aanya?" she answered warmly.

"Aunty, is Prerna there? She's not picking up."

"She went out for some work, beta. What happened?"

"I left my assignment in my room. Can you please give it to Mr. Aryan when he gets home?"

"But he's already left for the office right?"

"Yes, but... he's coming back to pick it up," she admitted shyly.

"Don't worry, I'll give it to him right away."

---

Back at Aryan's office, Mr. Raichand arrived, looking at his watch.

"Where is Mr. Mehra?" he asked.

The secretary tried to calm him. "Sir, he stepped out for an urgent—"

Sir do you need coffee?, I will tell the worker to bring it.

"I don't want coffee, I want him. This is the second time he's made me wait. I have no time for people who don't value mine," Mr. Raichand snapped, and left.

The secretary immediately called Aryan.

"Sir, Mr. Raichand is leaving. I couldn't stop him!"

Aryan groaned in frustration. "I'll handle it."

Just then, Aanya called. "Mr. Aryan, are you bringing it?"

"Yes, I'm on my way," he said, forcing calm into his voice.

"Thank you so much! I'll wait at the gate," she said and hung up, hugging Tara in relief.

Then after, he immediately called Mr. Raichand.

"Sir, I deeply apologize. It was an emergency. Please wait, have some coffee. I'm reaching."

"Mr. Mehra, I don't need coffee. I need professionalism. This is the second time you've kept me waiting. I'm a businessman too—I know emergencies happen.

But if this is how it starts, I doubt how the rest will go."I have other work. Let's talk tomorrow.

Click.

Aryan gripped the steering wheel, frustration evident on his face.

Aryan arrived later and handed her the assignment. Aanya smiled.

"Thank you so much! I was so scared. You really saved me."

Aryan didn't smile. His face was serious.

"Mr. Aryan… is everything okay?" she asked.

He didn't answer at first, then said, "This is what you needed, right?"

Yes... is everything okay?"

"Nothing."

"Okay then. I'll leave now."

"Wait—what happened? You look upset."

She hesitated. Wait, "I know I made a mistake again. I'm really sorry. I didn't do it on purpose. I know you had to come again all way long."

With sudden frustration in his voice:

"Can you stop talking, Aanya? Just for one second?"

She blinked, shocked.

Aryan continued, voice rising, "Can't you manage your things properly? First your phone, now your assignment. Every day I'm late. Today, I missed an important meeting, and the client walked out calling me unprofessional. All because of you."

Aanya's face fell. "But I didn't leave it on purpose…"

Tomorrow what else will you forget?"

She swallowed back tears. "I never asked you to come yesterday. You brought my phone on your own. And you said you had no problem dropping me.

I didn't beg you, Mr. Aryan. If it's such a burden, then don't drop me or pick me anymore. From now on, I'll go by myself. And don't worry—I won't call you again.

Aryan looked at her, stunned.

She walked away, her heart aching. He watched her go, a strange pang twisting in his chest.

---

Back in the classroom, Aanya submitted her assignment. Her eyes were watery.

Tara noticed. "Hey... what happened?"

"Please, just leave me alone," Aanya said quietly.

Then Meera but, what happened?

"Aanya said again, please leave me alone.

Back in the office, Aryan entered without saying a word. Rithika(Secretary) tried to speak, but he ignored her, locking himself in his cabin. He couldn't shake off the guilt.

Meanwhile, at evening, after everyone left the college, Aanya stayed behind. As she sat alone, wiping her eyes, a group entered the classroom.

It was Rhea and her friends.

Rhea smirked. "Well well, look who's all alone today..."

"Looks like this is the perfect time."

She walked toward her, her gang trailing behind.

End of Chapter 7.