When I Met Him Again

"Aryan…" Aanya whispered, Her voice barely more than breath, yet it echoed through the corridor like a lifeline.

Aryan froze for a heartbeat. The weight in his chest lifted as he saw her standing there, eyes wide, drenched in fear and relief. Without a second thought, he walked toward her.

Aanya's legs moved before her mind could catch up. She ran and crashed into him, wrapping her arms around him tightly. Her sobs came out in shaky gasps.

"I'm here... I'm here now," Aryan whispered, holding her close. His hands moved to the back of her head, gently stroking her hair as if trying to erase every minute of pain she had endured.

For a moment, the world stood still.

She pulled back slowly, eyes red and glistening, looking up at him as if to confirm he was truly there.

Then Aryan turned to the watchman, his expression shifting from soft to stormy in an instant.

"You said you checked every room," he said coldly.

"S-Sir, I… I really didn't know—" the watchman stammered.

Aryan grabbed his collar. "You didn't know? You said you checked every single room. Then how was this door locked from the outside? How did you miss that someone was trapped inside?"

The watchman shook, terrified. "Sir, I had my headphones on… I swear I didn't hear anything… please let me go."

"Mr. Aryan… please," Aanya interrupted, gently placing her hand on his arm. "Let him go."

Aryan slowly released his grip, still breathing heavily.

"It wasn't his fault," Aanya said quietly. "Rhea and her friends locked me in. He didn't know anything."

Aryan turned to her again. Her eyes met his, and something passed between them—an unspoken trust, a flicker of something deeper.

Without saying a word, Aryan picked up her bag and gently took her hand.

Aanya blinked in surprise as he held it firmly.

She stared at their hands, then at him, and followed.

As they neared the car, Aryan suddenly stopped. Aanya paused too, glancing at him.

He turned to her sharply, his eyes stormy. "Where's your phone?" he asked, his voice low but firm.

She blinked, confused. "In the bag…"

"Then why is it switched off?" His tone rose slightly, laced with frustration—but it wasn't cold, just… tight.

Aanya lowered her gaze. "The battery died…"

He scoffed, running a hand through his hair. "Seriously, Aanya? Do you even know what a phone is used for? You should've kept it charged. Do you realize what could've happened to you?"

Her lips parted, caught off guard by the sudden scolding. "I—I did charge it but—"

"But what?" Aryan's voice cracked louder now, his concern boiling over. "You're always like this. Forgetful. Careless. You don't even realize what kind of people you're dealing with. Rhea and her gang? You talked to them? Why? So they can lock you up in a room?!"

"I waited outside like a fool thinking you'd come out smiling like you always do. But you never did.

And I didn't know—I had no idea—you were alone and scared.

Tears spilled from Aanya's eyes before she could stop them. She looked up at him, her voice trembling. "Then Why did you come Aryan? Why did you search the college when you had no idea where I was?"

Aryan's jaw clenched. He looked away, chest heaving.

"It all happened… because of you," she whispered, a sob breaking through. "You shouted at me like I meant to mess things up. Like I planned to make you angry. I didn't. I didn't want any of this…"

She tried to wipe her cheeks, but more tears followed.

Aryan took a slow step forward. He didn't speak.

He raised his hand slowly and placed it gently on her head, brushing her hair back from her face.

"I'm sorry," he murmured, voice barely above a whisper. "I didn't mean to yell. I just—when I saw you weren't there—when I realized what could've happened—I lost it."

Aanya let out a small, broken sob and suddenly collapsed against him, burying her face in his chest.

Aryan stood still for a second, stunned—but then slowly wrapped his arms around her. His grip tightened like he'd been holding back this fear all along.

Under the quiet stars, near the car that had brought them together so many times before, they stood—wrapped in a silence that was louder than any apology. A silence that said everything.

Back Home

Prerna paced near the sofa, phone in hand. "Why isn't Aryan picking up? Aanya still hasn't come."

Aryan's mother stared at the door.

"Where could he have gone? And Aanya still hasn't come home…"

Just then, Aryan's phone rang inside the car. He answered.

"Hello?" Prerna's voice came through, panicked. "Where were you? Why weren't you picking up? Aanya didn't come home!"

Aryan exhaled. "Relax. Aanya is with me."

"Really?"

"Yes. We're coming home now. I'll explain everything."

His mother overheard and sank into the chair, relief washing over her like a monsoon rain after a parched summer.

---

Later That Night

Aanya recounted everything to Aryan's mother and Prerna. Their faces changed with every word—from shock to anger.

"They locked you in a room?!" Prerna exclaimed.

Aryan's mother stood. "Aryan, tomorrow, go straight to the principal. They need to be punished."

Aryan nodded firmly. "I will."

"Come, Aanya, eat something," his mother offered warmly.

"I'm not hungry, aunty. Please, you all eat." Aanya replied softly.

Aryan looked at her, worry softening his features.

"But Aanya—" Prerna began.

"Really, I'm fine. I'll freshen up."

Aanya smiled faintly and walked toward her room.

Aryan kept watching her until she disappeared down the hallway.

---

Late Night – Around 10:00 PM

Aanya lay on her bed, her stomach growling in rebellion.

I should've eaten when aunty asked… but no, I said I wasn't hungry. And now look at me—starving, she thought, sighing.

Everyone must be asleep by now.

Let's see if anything left.

She got up, tiptoeing silently into the kitchen. The house was hushed, dimly lit by the warm glow of a lamp.

She checked the dinner table. Nothing.

She walked over quietly, opened the fridge door, and bent down to look inside.

She sees nothing

"Guess I'll just stay hungry all night…"

Disheartened, she stood up,

But just as she turned around…

She froze.

End of Chapter 9.