🌸🥀ख़ैरियत पूछो, कभी तो कैफ़ियत पूछो,

तुम्हारे बिन दीवाने का क्या हाल है...

कभी तो नज़र मिलाओ, पूछो तो सही...🥀🌸

Happy reading ❤️‍🔥

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Aria stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the sleeves of her simple full-sleeved top. The soft fabric hugged her arms, and the familiar weight of her jeans grounded her a little-but her fingers still fidgeted with the hem of her shirt.

Her hair fell loosely around her shoulders, slightly curled at the ends from her hurried attempt at styling it. She considered tying it up, but then sighed and left it open.

She wasn't trying to look special tonight.

She just didn't want to look... out of place.

Her reflection stared back-calm on the outside, but her heart was doing its usual restless dance inside her chest.

Saavi's birthday.

The thought made her chest tighten.

She had grown comfortable around Saavi and Avni over the past few weeks. Their laughter had slowly chipped away at her walls. Even with the boys-Shivansh, Akshat, Rohan-she had started to feel... tolerated, if not entirely accepted.

But tonight wasn't just about friends.

Tonight, she'd be stepping into Saavi's home. Meeting her family.

That was a different kind of fear altogether.

Families noticed things.

They asked questions.

They watched closely-sometimes kindly, sometimes not.

Aria wasn't sure which was worse.

Her hands paused midway through fixing her bracelet. Her eyes met her reflection again, this time a little softer but with an edge of vulnerability.

It's just a birthday party, she reminded herself. But even as she tried to believe it, her heart whispered back-

It's never just anything for you, is it?

With a quiet breath, she grabbed her phone .

Be normal. Smile. Speak only when spoken to. Don't overthink.

It was the same mental checklist she carried everywhere.

But tonight, something inside her hoped-just a little-that maybe she wouldn't need it.

Maybe tonight would be... different.

______

Saavi led Aria toward the spacious living room, the others-Akshat, Avni, and Rohan-trailing behind, still chatting softly.

The room was warm and lively, filled with soft lights and laughter. Saavi's parents sat on the large sofa-her mother, Sonali, in an elegant saree, and her father, casually dressed but holding an air of quiet authority. Alongside them were other family members-her chachu, chachi, and dadu-each engaged in conversation, but their attention shifted as Saavi pulled Aria in.

"Mummy, Papa, Chachu, Chachi, Dadu-sa... meet my friend, Aria!" Saavi announced proudly, her grin wide.

Aria's heart thudded, but she quickly offered a polite smile, her fingers subtly counting numbers on her fingertips-her little trick to stay calm.

"Namaste, aunty, uncle," she greeted softly, including the others with a slight nod.

Sonali's face lit up with warmth. "Namaste, beta. Kaise ho tum?" she asked gently, her tone welcoming.

(Hello dear, how are you?)

"I'm good, aunty," Aria replied, her voice soft but steady, a small smile curving her lips.

Saavi, impatient as ever, clapped her hands dramatically. "Mummy! Ab toh cake cut kar lein. Mujhe gifts bhi kholne hain!" she said, bouncing on her feet like an excited child.

The room filled with light laughter at her excitement, and the mood instantly turned even more cheerful.

_____

Saavi's excitement was contagious. Her parents exchanged amused glances, clearly used to her impatience.

"Arey haan, chalo chalo," her father chuckled, waving toward the dining area where the cake sat, surrounded by plates and decorations.

(Ohh yes. Let's go.)

"Sab log wahan chalo!" Saavi called, grabbing Aria's wrist again and tugging her along.

(Everyone let's go.)

Aria followed quietly, her grip still tight around the gift bag as she moved with the group. The air around them was filled with soft chatter and laughter-Akshat teasing Avni about her choice of gift, Rohan walking silently at the back, and Saavi bouncing ahead like she owned the world. Shivansh eyes flickering towards Aria...the reason was unknown for him.

The cake was beautiful-white frosting with pink accents written cutely CHOTI candles already placed neatly on top.

"Aria, tum bhi mere paas raho. Right side me Avni aur left mei tum." Saavi said, pulling her closer to stand right beside her and Avni on her other side.

(Aria, sit with bhi. Right side you. And left side Avni.)

Aria blinked, slightly surprised but touched by the gesture. she nodded softly, standing near Saavi while others gathered around.

As the lights dimmed slightly and everyone began singing the birthday song, Aria's gaze drifted around the room-taking in the warm smiles, the flickering candles, the easy comfort everyone shared.

And for the first time that evening, she felt her shoulders relax-just a little.

Saavi blew out the candles in one breath, laughing loudly as everyone clapped.

"Yesss! Now, gifts!" she grinned, already eyeing the pile on the side.

"Pehle cake toh khilao birthday girl," Akshat teased, grabbing a fork.

(Feed the cake first birthday girl.)

Aria let out a soft, almost hidden laugh at their playful bickering.

Saavi picked up a piece of cake and turned to Aria first, holding it out with a playful smirk. "Tum sabse pehle. Tumhari wajah se toh meri party complete hai."

(First of all. YOU. You are the reason my party is completed.)

Aria's eyes widened slightly. "Mujhe?"

(Me?)

"Obviously!" Saavi grinned.

Aria hesitated for a second, but Saavi's expectant gaze left her no choice. Leaning forward slightly, she took a small bite, her cheeks flushing at all the attention.

The room erupted into cheers and playful teasing.

And somewhere, amidst all the noise, Aria smiled-for real.

_____

Saavi's excitement was at its peak as she dragged the pile of gifts closer, sitting right in the center of the living room like it was her personal stage.

"Okay, sab ready? Main shuru kar rahi hoon!" she announced dramatically, making everyone chuckle.

(Okay. Everyone ready? I am starting now.)

She grabbed the first gift-neatly wrapped with a minimal black ribbon.

"Shivansh bhaiya ka hoga, itna simple packaging," she grinned knowingly.

(Its Shivansh brother's for sure. Simply packaging)

Shivansh raised an eyebrow but smirked. "Shuru se guess mat karo, khol ke dekh."

(Don't guess. Open it.)

Saavi tore off the wrapping and gasped.

Inside was a sleek, elegant silver bracelet-simple, yet classy, with tiny charms shaped like stars.

"Bhaiya! This is so pretty!" she beamed, slipping it on immediately.

"Liked it?" Shivansh asked, his tone casual but a small smile tugging at his lips.

"Loved it!" she grinned, showing it off to everyone proudly.

Next, she grabbed a brightly wrapped box-definitely Avni's style.

"Avni ki packaging toh door se pehchani ja sakti hai," Akshat teased.

(Avni packaging can be identified from far away.)

Saavi opened it, and her eyes went wide. A bold, slightly revealing dress-sleek black with thin straps.

"Avni!" she squeaked.

Avni just smirked, leaning back coolly. "You've been saying you wanted to try bold outfits. Toh lo-now you have one. No backing out."

The room erupted into laughter-but right then, Rajveer, Saavi's father, cleared his throat, clearly struggling to hide his discomfort.

"Uh... yeh... Saavi beta... thoda zyada open nahi hai?" he muttered awkwardly, eyeing the dress like it was dangerous.

(Uh...this..saavi dear..isnt a little revealing?)

Chachu nodded, half-laughing, half-worried. "Haan... thoda zyada modern lag raha hai."

(Yeah...its looking too modern)

Even Dadu tried to hide a small cough. "Aaj kal ke fashion ka toh samajh hi nahi aata."

(Today's fashion cant be understood.)

Before Saavi could react, Sonali raised her eyebrow sharply, her calm but pointed gaze silencing the men instantly.

"Bas bas... itna bhi panic mat karo," Sonali said smoothly, her voice amused but firm. "Woh dress pehene ya nahi, yeh Saavi decide karegi. Aap log toh bas chai pi jiye."

(OK OK...dont panic. If she will wear this dress or not, she can decide herself. You drink tea)

Her words made Chachi burst out laughing. "Sahi bola, bhabhi! Inka toh kaam hi hai tension lena."

(Right sister in law. Their work is to take unnecessary tension)

The men exchanged sheepish glances, wisely staying quiet after that.

Shivansh Akshat and Rohan burst out laughing.

Next came Rohan's gift-a neatly wrapped box.

Saavi opened it to find a cute pastel-colored coffee cup with the words "Drama Queen" printed on it.

"Wah, kya creativity hai," Akshat teased, grinning.

Rohan shrugged. "It suited her."

Saavi rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine, I'll take it. I am a drama queen, after all."

She then picked up a delicate-looking box from Aria.

Aria's heart thudded softly, but she kept her face calm as Saavi opened it.

Inside was a subtle, elegant pendant-a small, silver heart with a tiny sapphire stone at the center.

Saavi's expression softened. "Aria... yeh toh bohot cute hai," she said, touched.

Aria smiled lightly.

Saavi nodded, visibly moved. "I love it."

And finally, her eyes landed on Akshat's gift.

"Akash," she grinned, giving him a teasing look.

Akshat smirked, looking relaxed-but his gaze lingered on her for a second longer than usual.

Saavi unwrapped the tiny box-and gasped softly.

Inside lay a pair of delicate silver earrings, shaped like little wings-dainty, yet striking.

She blinked, surprised by how beautiful they were.

"Aksh... yeh toh bohot sundar hai," she said, her voice a bit softer than before.

(Aksh...this are beautiful)

Akshat shrugged casually but there was something in his eyes-almost like he was waiting for her reaction.

Their eyes met-just for a fleeting second-but the air between them shifted slightly. Neither of them spoke, but their expressions said enough.

The others, still caught up in laughter and chatter, didn't notice-but Aria, ever observant, caught the subtle moment.

Saavi quickly looked away, slipping the earrings back into the box, her cheeks slightly warm.

"Thank you, sabko! These gifts are amazing!" she said quickly, trying to bring back the light mood.

Everyone cheered and teased her again, but that one quiet glance between her and Akshat lingered-unspoken, but very much present.

________

As the laughter slowly faded and everyone got busy-some chatting with relatives, others taking pictures-Saavi placed her gifts aside carefully.

"Main zara kitchen tak jaa rahi hoon," Saavi announced casually, standing up and glancing at Avni.

(I'm just going to the kitchen.)

"Main bhi chalti hoon," Avni said, picking up her plate, her tone casual but knowing.

(I'll come too.)

Rohan, still lounging nearby, stood up too, grabbing the leftover cake plate. "Cake bach gaya hai. Koi nahi kha raha toh main hi kha leta hu," he muttered.

(There's some cake left. If no one's eating it, I'll have it.)

Avni rolled her eyes. "Bhookh toh teri kabhi khatam nahi hoti."

(Your hunger never ends.)

Together, the three of them quietly slipped out of the living room-leaving behind the cheerful noise-and walked toward the kitchen, their footsteps light on the marble floor.

Inside the kitchen, the atmosphere was quieter, the warm scent of food lingering faintly in the air.

Rohan leaned casually against the counter, picking at the remaining cake, while Saavi and Avni filled water glasses.

But the conversation shifted almost instantly, once the kitchen door swung shut behind them.

Rohan's voice dropped, casual but sharp beneath the surface. "Tum dono ko lagta hai Aria normal hai?"

(Do you both think Aria is normal?)

Saavi paused mid-pour, frowning. "Kya matlab?"

(What do you mean?)

Rohan took another bite, then glanced at both of them. "She's strange. Bilkul ajeeb. Tum dono usse itni jaldi kaise close ho gayi?"

(She's strange. Completely weird. How did you both get so close to her so quickly?)

Avni narrowed her eyes slightly. "Rohan-"

"Nahi, seriously," he cut in, his tone firmer. "Tum logon ko uske baare mein kuch nahi pata. Na uska past, na uske parents, na koi family. Sab kuch chup-chup."

(No, seriously. You guys don't know anything about her. Neither her past, nor her parents, nor any family. Everything is secret.)

Saavi's expression turned defensive. "Sabko time lagta hai open up karne mein. Uska bhi toh kuch reason hoga."

(It takes time for everyone to open up. She must have some reason too.)

Rohan scoffed lightly, shaking his head. "Ya, ya reason... ya fir manipulation. Tum dono toh itni easily use apna samajhne lagi ho. Kya pata uska asli face kuch aur ho?"

(Yeah, yeah, reason... or maybe manipulation. You both have started trusting her so easily. Who knows, her real face might be something else?)

Avni crossed her arms, her tone sharp. "Rohan, you're crossing a line."

But Rohan wasn't done. He leaned in slightly, his voice lowering. "Main sirf itna keh raha hoon-beware. Tum log itni easily trust mat karo kisi ko jo apne baare mein kuch nahi batata. She could be lying. Pretending. Aur jab sach samne aayega, tum dono hurt hoge."

(I'm just saying-beware. Don't trust someone so easily who doesn't tell anything about themselves. She could be lying. Pretending. And when the truth comes out, you both will get hurt.)

His words hung heavy in the air, sharper than the silence that followed.

Saavi's face hardened slightly, her jaw tight.

"Tumhare jitna judge karna sab nahi seekhte, bhaiya," she muttered, clearly hurt but unwilling to argue further.

(Not everyone knows how to judge like you, brother.)

Avni stayed quiet too, her eyes flashing with quiet anger-but neither of them replied immediately.

Meanwhile, just outside the kitchen, Aria's steps came to an abrupt halt.

She hadn't meant to overhear.

She was simply passing by, heading toward the hallway when she caught her name-soft but clear-floating out from the slightly ajar kitchen door.

Her body stilled, breath caught in her throat.

At first, it was just Rohan's familiar voice-calm but sharp.

But as his words sank in, something inside her twisted.

"She's strange."

"How can you trust her so easily?"

"Tum logon ko uske baare mein kuch nahi pata."

(You guys don't know anything about her.)

Every word hit like a quiet blow.

Her fingers curled tightly around the small pendant she wore around her neck-a habit she'd unknowingly picked up when anxious.

She heard Saavi defending her softly. Avni too, though their voices weren't enough to drown out the weight of what Rohan said next.

"Maybe she's lying. Pretending. We don't even know about her parents or family."

"Aur jab sach samne aayega, tum dono hurt hoge."

(And when the truth will come in front..you both will be hurt.)

The words stayed there-echoing.

Aria didn't wait to hear more.

She took a silent step back, her heart pounding hard-not from guilt, but from something colder. Familiar.

The weight of being doubted.

The sting of being exactly what she always feared-the outsider.

Without a sound, she turned, walking away from the door-her expression blank, carefully masking the hurt simmering underneath.

Inside the kitchen, the voices continued, but Aria was already gone-fading into the quiet corners of the house, where no one noticed her slipping away.

---

She needed air-space to breathe, space to hide the sharp sting swelling behind her eyes. Her feet moved on their own, carrying her toward the only quiet place left-the balcony.

Aria quietly stepped onto the balcony of Saavi's house, where the soft evening breeze carried the scent of jasmine and distant laughter from inside. The sky burned with orange and violet, the sun dipping low.

Rohan stood near the railing, arms crossed, his face tense and shadowed by the fading light. His silence seemed louder than anything else.

She'd seen it from the start-he didn't like her. He didn't need to say it. The way his gaze avoided hers, the cold edge in his silences... it was all enough.

Still, tonight... she couldn't walk away.

She stepped forward, her sandals softly creaking against the wooden floor.

"Can we talk?" Her voice was barely above a whisper, almost swallowed by the wind.

Rohan didn't look at her, but his body stiffened. A second later, he gave a reluctant nod.

Aria took a breath, steadying the storm inside her chest.

"Mujhe sirf yeh jaana hai," she began, her words slow, steady-each one cutting through the air,

(I just want to know this,)

"...aap mujhe pasand kyun nahi karte? I mean... you don't like me around-not with you, not with Saavi or Avni."

(...why don't you like me? I mean... you don't like me around-not with you, not with Saavi or Avni.)

Rohan's jaw tightened. "Aisa kuch nahi hai," he muttered, shifting as if to escape the conversation.

(It's not like that.)

But Aria didn't stop.

"I heard everything," she said softly, but her words landed heavy.

Rohan froze.

She continued, her voice calm-but behind it was something breaking.

"All of it. What you said to Saavi and Avni. About me."

Rohan's chest tightened. He couldn't even turn to face her. The guilt rushed up too fast.

Aria stood still, her fingers curling slightly into fists at her sides-but her face stayed composed.

"I'm a liar, right?" Her voice was quiet, but every word struck sharp.

"Manipulative. Pretending. Dangerous-just because I don't share my past? About my parents?"

Rohan finally turned toward her. His eyes were filled with regret, but Aria's next words stopped him cold.

"I never asked them to call me family," she said, her gaze distant now, fixed somewhere beyond the horizon. "They chose to. I was starting to believe... maybe I finally belonged."

A pause. Her voice dropped further.

"But even here... I have to prove I'm worth knowing? Why? Who gave you the right to question me? I also know nothing about you but am I questioning your intentions? NO RIGHT."

Her lips trembled faintly-not enough for anyone else to notice, but enough for her to feel.

"Maybe I'm not as good as all of you," she admitted quietly. "I don't get close to people easily. I don't tell my stories. That's just... how I survive."

She took a deep breath-her eyes now locked on his.

"But I'm not bad either," she added. "I won't hurt Saavi or Avni. I won't destroy your friendships."

Her voice grew softer, but it only made it harder to bear.

"I listen more than I speak. I don't talk about my family or my life before here-not because I'm hiding something terrible... but because some things aren't ready to be spoken. And you-"

her gaze hardened just slightly-"you don't get to decide my worth because of that."

Rohan's throat tightened.

Aria's voice grew even quieter, but the hurt beneath it was clear.

"I didn't ask to be in your group. Saavi and Avni pulled me in. I thought... maybe it was okay to let myself feel safe for once."

She wasn't crying-but there was something deeply hollow about her words. A quiet ache that lingered long after they were said.

Rohan looked down, shame burning in his chest.

"I... I was just scared," he admitted, his voice almost breaking. "You felt distant. I didn't want them to get hurt."

Aria let out a bitter smile-small, but it didn't reach her eyes.

"Funny," she whispered. "You judged me for being closed off... but maybe I was right to be. Some stories... you survive by burying them deep. Not everything can be shared over tea and friendship bracelets."

The wind picked up, blowing a loose strand of her hair across her face. She didn't move it away.

She looked at him then-her gaze unreadable.

"I don't want to stay where I'm not wanted," she said softly. "It's not anger. It's not ego. It's just... self-respect."

Her words hung there, heavy as stone.

"I'll stay away," she added, her voice barely a breath now. "From Saavi, from Avni... from all of you. You don't need to worry."

And then-without waiting for a reply-she turned around.

But just before stepping inside, her fingers brushed against the pendant at her neck-a gift from someone long gone.

For a moment, she paused... her thumb softly tracing its edges.

Then she slipped it back inside her shirt, squared her shoulders-and walked away.

Leaving Rohan standing there-alone, drowning in the weight of his mistake.

Aria was sure to stay away from them but she also can't ruin Saavi birthday so she let the things as it as for tonight.

---

Rohan entered Shivansh's room, shoulders slightly slumped. Akshat was already sprawled on the floor, munching on snacks. He looked up as the door opened.

"Aagya tu... aa ja thuss le, suar," Akshat teased, grinning as always. Their usual way of insulting each other had become tradition-but this time, Rohan didn't react.

(You're here... come eat, you pig.)

He simply sat on the edge of the bed, looking lost.

"Ansh kahaan hai?" he asked, referring to Shivansh by his nickname.

(Where's Ansh?)

"Neeche gaya hai, kuch kaam tha. Aata hi hoga," Akshat replied, still chewing.

(He went downstairs, had some work. He'll be back soon.)

But he paused. Something was off. Rohan wasn't himself.

"Kya hua?" Akshat asked, sitting up slightly straighter.

(What happened?)

"Kuch nahi," Rohan muttered, eyes avoiding his friend.

(Nothing.)

Just then, Shivansh walked in, tossing chilled cans of Coke to both of them.

"Kya chal raha hai?" he asked casually

(What's going on?)

"Pata nahi, dekh toh iski shakal... aisa lag raha hai jaise kisi ne baja diya ho," Akshat joked again.

(I don't know, look at his face... looks like someone just slapped him.)

But Shivansh caught on. One look at Rohan's face and he knew. This wasn't just a mood. It was something real.

"Rohan, kya hua?" he asked, dropping the casual tone and slipping into best friend mode.

(Rohan, what happened?)

Rohan glanced up, saw the concern, and sighed. No point hiding it now.

"Aria se baat hui," he admitted. "Matlab... vo baat karne aayi mujhse."

(I talked to Aria. I mean... she came to talk to me.)

"Samne se aayi? Bhai, vo toh kabhi baat start nahi karti. Phir kaise?" Akshat asked, surprised.

(She came directly? Bro, she never starts conversations. Then how?)

Rohan looked down, ashamed. "Main... main Saavi aur Avni se uske baare mein baat kar raha tha. Kuch harsh bol diya. Judgy bhi. Mujhe nahi pata tha... usne sun liya."

(I... I was talking to Saavi and Avni about her. Said some harsh things. Was judgmental too. I didn't know she overheard.)

Before he could even process the silence, a pillow smacked him square on the head.

"Kya-" he turned to Shivansh, shocked at the sudden attack. What scared him more was the fury in Shivansh's eyes... and the disbelief in Akshat's.

(What---)

He knew then-he'd messed up big time.

"Phir Aria ne kya bola?" Akshat asked quietly, almost hesitant.

(Then what did Aria say?)

Rohan repeated the conversation with her-every word, every emotion she'd shown. How she told him she wasn't trying to replace anyone, that she respected their bond, that she wouldn't force herself in... and that she wouldn't talk to any of them anymore.

Akshat's mouth fell open. "Itni bolti bhi hai vo?" he asked, stunned.

(She talks that much too?)

Shivansh rolled his eyes. "Of course she does. Jab zarurat ho toh sabse zyada."

(Of course she does. When needed, she talks the most.)

"She said she won't talk to Saavi, Avni... kisi se bhi," Rohan added, voice low with guilt.

(She said she won't talk to Saavi, Avni... or anyone.)

"Bhai, tu kam dimaag hai kya?" Akshat snapped.

(Bro, are you dumb?)

"Rohan, ab kya? Jab Saavi ko pata chalega... ro ro ke ghar bhar degi. Teri wajah se uski dosti toot gayi Aria se," Shivansh said, imagining his emotional sister.

(Rohan, now what? When Saavi finds out... she'll cry her heart out. Because of you, her friendship with Aria is broken.)

"Haan, aur Avni toh tera murder karegi, bhai," Akshat added, already feeling bad for his own ears.

(Yeah, and Avni will murder you, bro.)

Rohan could only nod, regret sinking in.

"I didn't know she heard..."

"But you still said it," Shivansh snapped. "You judged her. Without even knowing her. Saavi will be crushed if Aria stops talking to her."

Rohan sat there silently, guilt settling deep in his gut.

"Tu kya soch raha tha? Ki Aria fake hai? Ki vo humse alag hai toh bura hi hoga?" Shivansh asked, voice lower now but sharper.

(What were you thinking? That Aria is fake? That she's different from us so she must be bad?)

Rohan shook his head slowly. "Mujhe laga she was hiding something... kuch off tha... and I just didn't want Saavi and Avni to get hurt. Par maine... galat tareeke se handle kiya."

(I thought she was hiding something... something was off... and I just didn't want Saavi and Avni to get hurt. But I handled it wrong.)

Akshat let out a long sigh. "You didn't just misjudge her, bhai... you made her feel like she didn't belong."

(You didn't just misjudge her, brother... you made her feel like she didn't belong.)

Shivansh finally sat beside Rohan. "Aise log-jo zyada nahi bolte-they're the ones carrying the most. And vo agar kuch keh gayi... toh samajh le kitna bhar gaya hoga uska andar se."

(Such people-who don't talk much-they're the ones carrying the most. And if she said something... understand how much she must be carrying inside.)

Rohan nodded, ashamed.

"Ab kya karega?" Shivansh asked.

(Now what will you do?)

"Kya karun?" Rohan asked back, genuinely lost.

(What can I do?)

"Apologize to her, dumb man," Akshat said, as if it was the most obvious thing. "Sincerely. Aur sirf bol mat... effort dikhana. Prove you didn't mean it."

(Apologize to her, dumb man. Sincerely. And don't just say it... show effort. Prove you didn't mean it.)

For the first time, Rohan wondered... maybe he wasn't protecting anyone. Maybe he was just scared of what he couldn't control.

---

The dining table was lively-filled with the soft clinking of plates, warm laughter, and the mingling scents of home-cooked food.

The adults chatted easily, while the kids sat nearby, sharing glances and quietly munching.

Aria sat beside Saavi and Avni, silent but at ease, her fingers absentmindedly tracing the rim of her glass.

Then, amid the laughter, Sonali looked toward her with a kind smile.

"So, Aria beta," she asked, voice warm and friendly, "tumhare mummy-papa kya karte hain?"

(So, Aria dear, what do your parents do?)

The question was harmless-ordinary, really. But the effect it had was anything but. It was like every sound in the room dimmed in an instant.

Saavi stopped mid-bite, her smile fading. Avni's hand froze halfway to her glass. Akshat sat up straighter, his teasing expression dropping away. Rohan's stomach tightened suddenly.

And Shivansh...

He didn't move-but his gaze immediately shifted to Aria, sharp and quietly alert.

This question is something all of them wanted to know.

Aria's hand stilled, her fingers curling slightly.

For a brief moment, she looked down at her plate, her lashes lowering to hide her eyes.

When she finally spoke, her voice was soft-too soft-but steady.

"Mere mummy-papa..."

(My parents...)

She paused, her throat working around the words.

"...nahi hain."

(...are not alive.)

Silence.

The words seemed to echo in the air, sharp and quiet all at once.

"They're not alive anymore, passed away few years ago." she added gently, almost like an afterthought-but her voice had a faint tremble, no matter how much she tried to hide it. And today after hearing Rohan thoughts about her..she needed to tell them about her. Maybe a small part.

Sonali's face instantly crumbled, guilt washing over her features. "Oh... beta, I am sorry..." she whispered, her voice breaking.

(Oh... dear, I am sorry...)

Aria simply offered a small, practiced smile-polite, controlled.

"I live with my Dadi now," she said softly, her tone calm-but there was something fragile in her words. A tiny crack that only the observant could catch.

Saavi's eyes welled up, her heart twisting. She reached out, squeezing Aria's hand tightly under the table.

Avni bit her lip, her face etched with worry.

Akshat looked down at his plate, clearly uncomfortable, his usual swagger nowhere to be seen.

And Rohan...

His heart plummeted.

Every accusation, every doubt he'd voiced earlier came crashing down.

This was what she had been hiding.

Not secrets. Not lies.

Just... grief.

Loss.

The kind of pain that left no words.

Shivansh's gaze never wavered-not even once.

He watched her closely, his chest tightening as he noticed the way she softly fiddled with the pendant at her neck-her silent comfort.

He didn't say a word.

But in his heart, something shifted.

He saw the quiet strength in her eyes-the way she still sat tall, despite everything.

And he knew...

Some wounds didn't need fixing.

They just needed to be understood.

Aria smiled faintly, her voice gentle but distant now.

"It's alright, aunty. You didn't know."

But everyone at that table knew-

It wasn't alright.

Not really.

The table was still weighed down by the lingering heaviness of Aria's words.

Sonali gently placed a hand over Aria's, squeezing softly in silent apology.

Everyone else remained unusually quiet-shaken, unsure how to bridge the sudden gap.

But then Rajveer, Saavi's father, cleared his throat softly-his tone careful, but curious.

"Beta... main samajh sakta hoon yeh sawaal mushkil hoga," he began slowly, his voice thoughtful,

(My child... I understand this question must be difficult,)

"par main bas yeh poochna chahta tha... tum kaha se ho? I mean... are you from here, Bangalore?"

(but I just wanted to ask... where are you from? I mean... are you from here, Bangalore?)

The room tensed again.

Because this question wasn't just innocent curiosity.

It was the same thought that had been lingering in everyone's mind-including Rohan's.

Aria's fingers tightened slightly on her glass.

She could feel their eyes on her now.

Waiting. Wanting answers.

Rohan, too, found himself leaning forward-guilt weighing heavier on his chest with every passing second.

Aria's voice, when it finally came, was soft-barely above a breath-but laced with something deeper this time.

"No," she said quietly, her gaze fixed on the tablecloth.

(I'm not from here.)

A pause.

Her next words felt heavier-like stones dropped in water.

"I was born and grew up somewhere else... in UttarPradesh."

There was something in the way she said it-Uttar Pradesh-as if every syllable carried a ghost from her past.

"After my parents..." she paused, swallowing the lump in her throat,

"...I came here with my Dadi."

Her voice remained calm-but her eyes shone faintly under the soft dining lights, her lashes fluttering like she was trying to blink something away.

Silence lingered.

Rajveer simply nodded, clearly unsure how to respond without adding to the weight.

But Aria lifted her gaze, offering a small, polite smile again.

"Bas... ab yahin hoon."

(That's it... now I'm here.)

Her words sounded like a quiet surrender-as if she was telling herself that too.

Saavi's fingers gripped hers tighter under the table, a silent anchor.

Shivansh, seated across from her, couldn't take his eyes off her face.

He saw it-the way her voice stayed steady, but her eyes gave her away.

That hint of sadness.

That flicker of fear.

That fierce, quiet pride of someone who carried too much, too young.

Rohan's guilt now sat like a stone in his throat.

All this time...

She wasn't hiding her past to deceive anyone.

She was just protecting what little was left of herself.