Aadhya's POV
He had changed too—out of that rain-soaked uniform into something normal, like all of this was routine for him. Like coming home to a palace was as casual as coming back from school. He walked toward the huge glass wall and pulled the curtains aside, probably checking if the rain had stopped.
I followed without thinking.
And then—
Oh.
My.
God.
The view.
The entire city stretched beneath us, lights flickering through the rain like tiny stars trapped on earth. The clouds were low, brushing against the buildings, and the rain traced soft lines across the glass. It felt… calm. Peaceful. Like the world had slowed down just for a moment.
I stepped closer without realizing, my breath almost catching.
"Nice view, right?" he asked.
I nodded instantly, my eyes still stuck outside. "It's… beautiful."
And for a second, I forgot everything. The fights, the chaos, the stupid school, the idiots—
Everything.
I smiled.
Then reality slapped me harder than Riya ever could.
Wait—I'm not at home.
I quickly stepped back, straightening myself, acting like I hadn't just turned into some emotional tourist admiring a skyline.
Just then—
"Young master, your grandfather is calling you for dinner… with your friend," the old lady said, glancing at me.
Friend?!
Me and Nikansh looked at each other at the same time.
Oh no.
He nodded casually, like this was all perfectly normal. I, on the other hand, mentally prepared for my funeral.
I quickly adjusted my hair, fixing whatever I could. Why do I suddenly feel like I'm going to a royal interview?
He walked ahead. Of course. King behavior.
And I followed. Of course. Stray cat behavior.
We entered the dining area.
And there he was.
His grandfather.
Sitting like he owns not just the table—but probably the entire city outside that window.
The aura?
Terrifying.
Like if I blink wrong, I might get disowned from life.
I stood straight. Spine = soldier mode.
"You came home and didn't even greet me once," he said, voice heavy, directed at Nikansh.
Okay wow. This is already intense.
"Why did you come here? You should have gone back to Mumbai," Nikansh replied casually, already pulling a chair and sitting down like he wasn't just being judged by a human lie detector.
I stood there like a decorative plant.
His grandfather's gaze shifted to me.
Oh no.
"You brought a girl home? For the first time?" he asked.
WAIT WHAT.
Nikansh glanced at me… then—
"Yeah, we are going to sleep together."
…EXCUSE ME?!
My soul left my body.
His grandfather literally threw a spoon at him.
"WHAT THE—" I almost screamed internally.
"Even if I tell you otherwise, you'll believe what you want to," Nikansh said, completely unbothered.
SOMEONE EXPLAIN WHY HE'S LIKE THIS.
His grandfather turned to me again.
I immediately folded my hands.
"Jai Shri Krishna," I greeted, bowing slightly.
He paused… then nodded.
"Jai Shri Krishna."
Okay.
Okay.
I'm alive.
"Come, sit," he said.
I walked like I was walking on glass and sat carefully, trying not to breathe too loudly.
"So, what's your name?" he asked.
I glanced at Nikansh for help.
That idiot was busy eating like this was a food competition.
TRAITOR.
"Umm… I'm Aadhya Mahajan Verma," I said.
"Verma…" he repeated. "I'm not familiar. What is your father's name?"
And just like that—
System error.
Brain not found.
I froze.
Because… I didn't know.
And saying I don't know my father's name at a dining table like this? Yeah no. I'd rather disappear into the floor.
"She's staying with the Mahajans now," Nikansh said casually. How did he know. Oh shit. I forgot ofc they I'm living Reyansh home.
I looked at him.
Okay… thanks. I guess.
"Mahajans?" his grandfather leaned slightly forward. "Do you know Amar Mahajan? CEO of Mahajans Enterprises?"
I nodded quickly. "Yes… he's my cousin."
"Hmm," he observed me for a moment.
Then suddenly—
"Eat. Don't be shy."
I nodded and served myself.
And wow.
The food.
It looked like something straight out of a five-star hotel… wait… this is probably better than that.
He continued asking questions—simple ones.
Where I study.
What I like.
Where I live.
And I answered… carefully. Politely.
Surprisingly…
He wasn't that bad.
Strict, yes.
Scary, definitely.
But not cruel.
Meanwhile, Nikansh?
Still eating like he hasn't seen food in years.
I glanced at him.
He didn't even look at me.
But for some reason…
I didn't feel as out of place as I thought I would.
Still confused.
Still overwhelmed.
Still wondering what kind of world I just walked into.
But for now…
I just quietly ate my food…
And tried not to accidentally offend a billionaire family.
Nikansh's POV
I had already changed by the time I stepped out again. Dry clothes. Calm face. Like nothing unusual had happened.
Like I hadn't just brought a girl home.
Not just any girl.
Aadhya.
I walked straight to the glass wall and pulled the curtains aside, checking the rain. It was still pouring, the city blurred under sheets of water.
I didn't need to look back to know she had followed me.
Of course she did.
Curious creature.
There was a pause behind me… longer than usual.
I glanced sideways.
She was staring out.
Completely lost.
For once—silent.
Her eyes were fixed on the view, like she had never seen something like this before. And that expression… it wasn't her usual sarcastic, dramatic face. It was… softer.
Unfiltered.
Real.
"Nice view, right?" I asked.
She nodded immediately, like a kid seeing fireworks for the first time.
"It's… beautiful."
Yeah.
I know.
I see it every day.
But for some reason, seeing it through her reaction… it felt different.
She smiled.
And then suddenly—like someone pressed a reset button—she stepped back, straightening herself.
Back to normal.
Back to Aadhya mode.
"Young master, your grandfather is calling you for dinner… with your friend," head maid said, glancing at her.
Friend.
I looked at her.
She looked at me.
Same thought.
This is going to be fun.
I nodded. "Hmm."
She started fixing her hair like she was about to attend some royal meeting.
Technically… she was.
I walked ahead. She followed.
Of course.
We entered the dining area.
And there he was.
My grandfather.
Sitting like he owns everything.
Which… he does.
"You came home and didn't even greet me once," he said.
Same tone.
Same authority.
Same unnecessary drama.
"Why did you come here? You should have gone back to Mumbai," I replied, taking my seat without caring.
I wasn't in the mood.
His eyes shifted to her.
Ah.
Here we go.
"You brought a girl home? For the first time?"
I looked at Aadhya.
She looked like she might faint any second.
Interesting.
"Yeah," I said casually. "We are going to sleep together."
Silence.
Then—
CLANG.
The spoon hit me.
Expected.
"What the hell—" she almost said it out loud. I could see it on her face.
"Even if I tell you otherwise, you'll only believe what you want," I muttered.
I didn't bother explaining.
Never do.
Grandfather looked at her again.
She immediately folded her hands.
"Jai Shri Krishna." She greeted immediately.
He paused… then responded.
"Jai Shri Krishna."
At least someone in this house had manners.
"Come, sit," he told her.
She walked like she was stepping into a battlefield and sat carefully.
"So, what's your name?" he asked.
She looked at me.
I ignored her.
Not my problem.
"Aadhya Mahajan Verma," she answered.
"Verma… I'm not familiar. Your father's name?"
And there it was.
The silence.
I looked up.
Her expression changed—just slightly.
But enough.
She didn't know what to say.
"She's staying with the Mahajans now," I said, cutting in.
She looked at me again.
I looked away.
"Mahajans… do you know Amar Mahajan?" he asked.
"Yes, he's my cousin," she replied.
"Hmm."
He studied her for a second. I know what he is thinking.
Then nodded.
"Eat. Don't be shy."
She served herself carefully, like she was afraid the spoon might cost more than her existence.
I almost smirked.
Grandfather kept asking questions.
Simple ones.
She answered all of them politely.
No attitude.
No sarcasm.
No drama.
Completely different from the girl who smacks people, argues, fights, and creates chaos in class.
Interesting.
I continued eating.
But I kept noticing things.
The way she hesitated before speaking.
The way she carefully chose her words.
The way she kept glancing at me—probably expecting me to save her again.
Not happening.
Still…
She handled herself well.
Better than I expected.
Most people either try too hard to impress… or freeze.
She did neither.
And for some reason—
She didn't look like she belonged here.
But she didn't look out of place either.
That contradiction…
It stayed in my head.
I leaned back slightly, watching her for a second.
Then looked away.
Whatever.
This doesn't matter.
It's just dinner.
Just a girl I picked up from the rain.
Just another unnecessary complication.
Still…
For the first time—
Dinner wasn't boring.