Aadhya's POV
Thank God Nikansh came to return my phone… warna aaj toh pakka bhaiyya se full-on pitai milti.
I was still standing outside with him when—
"Aadi, who's outside?" Nani's voice came from inside as she walked out.
Oh no.
No no no no… she can't see him.
Too late.
She saw him.
And now she was already walking toward us.
Great. Just great.
"Nani… this is—this is Nikansh… my classmate," I introduced quickly, slightly stumbling over my words.
Nikansh looked at me… then at Nani… and then, to my absolute shock—
"Jai Shree Krishna," he said politely, folding his hands.
I blinked.
Once.
Twice.
Who is this man and what has he done to Nikansh Mittal?
I smiled instantly, trying not to laugh.
Nani's face softened immediately. Of course it did.
"Jai Shree Krishna beta… come inside," she said warmly. Then she turned to me and—boom—her expression changed. "What the hell, Adi? Were you going to let your friend go without inviting him inside?"
Huh??
I looked at Nikansh.
Nikansh looked at me.
Both of us equally confused.
"No no aunty, it's fine. I just came to remind her about the project we are assigned," he said smoothly, glancing at me for support.
Oh thank God.
"Yeah yeah… Nani…" I added quickly, nodding like an obedient child.
But Nani wasn't convinced.
"Nothing doing. Come inside. Have dinner with us and then go," she insisted.
And before I could escape—
THAP!
She pulled my ear.
"YOU come here! How dare you send him away like that?" she scolded.
"Aahhh—Nani it hurts!" I whined, trying to free myself.
Nikansh… that idiot… was standing there laughing.
LAUGHING.
Wow. Such a supportive friend.
Finally, she let me go and dragged both of us inside.
—
The moment we entered…
Silence.
Everyone looked up.
And then froze.
Amar bhaiyya's eyes went straight to Nikansh.
Nikansh's gaze shifted to Reyansh.
Reyansh looked back at him.
Oh ho.
Electric connection.
Spark.
Fire.
Drama loading.
Wow… this is going to be fun.
We all moved toward the dining table. Chairs pulled, plates set. And of course—of course—since he was my guest, Nani made him sit right beside me.
Why always me?
I sat down, slightly awkward, while Nikansh looked completely normal like he attends strangers' family dinners every day.
"So beta, how is your family?" Nani asked warmly, serving him food before he could even react.
"They're good, aunty," he replied calmly. No attitude. No arrogance. Just… normal.
I glanced at him from the corner of my eye.
This is not the Nikansh I know
"So how's Mr. Devraj Mittal doing?" Amar bhaiyya asked casually, but his tone wasn't casual at all. It had that sharp edge—the one he uses when he's measuring someone.
Wait… he knows Nikansh's family?
I turned my head slowly and looked at Nikansh.
"He is good now," Nikansh replied politely, his posture straight, voice calm like he belonged here.
And just like that… they started talking. Proper talking. Business, family, status—whatever rich people talk about. Words going over my head like airplanes.
Meanwhile—
Reyansh.
That idiot.
He was staring at me like I committed a crime and then mouthed slowly, clearly—
"Ask him to leave soon."
Excuse me???
I narrowed my eyes and mouthed back—
"Do it yourself. Don't order me around."
He glared.
I glared harder.
And just like that—
He shut up.
Good.
"Enough, enough of business talks. Let him eat," Nani interrupted, slightly scolding bhaiyya.
I couldn't stop the small giggle that escaped me.
Finally.
Someone who can shut him up.
Bhaiyya looked at me.
Oh.
That look.
Sharp. Warning.
I instantly made a face at him—full teasing mode.
And yeah… that made him even angrier.
Okay okay… message received sir.
I looked down and quietly started eating.
Peace.
Temporary.
"Then Nikansh, do you have a girlfriend?" Nani asked suddenly.
I—
Choked.
"Ah—ahh—cough cough—" my throat literally gave up on me.
Great timing, Nani.
Nikansh instantly handed me a glass of water. I grabbed it and drank like my life depended on it.
"No, aunty," he replied calmly.
Oh no.
I know where this is going.
I KNOW.
"Then what do you think about our Adi—"
"HE IS GETTING LATE," I cut her off loudly.
Too loudly.
Everyone looked at me.
I smiled awkwardly.
No.
No matchmaking.
Not with him.
Not like this.
I looked at Nikansh, practically begging him with my eyes.
Please understand. Please leave. Please save me.
He looked at me for a second.
And then—
"Yeah… actually I need to leave. My grandpa must be waiting. Thank you, aunty, for the dinner," he said, standing up politely.
God bless this man.
He folded his hands again, did a proper namaste, and I immediately stood up too.
"I'll drop him," I said quickly and walked him out before anyone could stop me.
—
Outside.
Finally.
Air.
Freedom.
"Thank you, Nikansh… for today. And… sorry about earlier," I said, looking at him.
"No. You have nothing to apologise for," he replied simply. "The food was good. Thank you."
I smiled.
He smiled back.
Simple.
Easy.
And then he left.
I stood there for a second before turning back inside.
—
I walked into my room—
And froze.
What the hell.
The twins.
Golu and Molu.
Sitting on my bed like they owned the place.
"You know, Adi," one of them started, grinning in that irritating way, "Mom said you're getting married."
I frowned.
What the hell?
"Because she said you're bringing shame to them. They're feeding you and you're already going around with boys…" he continued, enjoying every word.
My chest tightened.
"And she said soon you'll be pregnant."
Something inside me snapped.
That was it.
Enough.
"Get. Out. Of. My. Room. Now," I said, my voice shaking but loud.
They didn't move.
"OUT. NOW!" I shouted this time.
They glared at me… but stood up.
And just when I thought they were done—
"He has woken up," one of them said casually.
My body froze.
"Your ex. He's looking for you."
The door closed.
And I…
I couldn't move.
My hands started trembling.
My breathing turned uneven.
No.
No no no.
Not again.
I'm not alone now.
I have bhaiyya.
Nothing will happen.
Nothing.
"Calm down, Adi… calm down…" I whispered to myself, but my own voice didn't feel like mine.
I stumbled back and fell on the bed.
Staring at the ceiling.
Heart racing.
Mind screaming.
And somewhere between fear and exhaustion…
I fell asleep.