🌸🥀"ख़ुद से भी ज़्यादा तुझे प्यार किया,

तेरे इंकार में भी इंतज़ार किया।

तू ना मिले तो लगे, कोई बात नहीं,

तेरी ख़ुशी के लिए सब स्वीकार किया।"🥀🌸

Happy reading ❤️

__________♡♡♡♡____________

After dinner, everyone sat back in the living room.

The room buzzed with soft chatter and the clinking of tea cups.

Suddenly, a small cry echoed from one of the rooms.

Saavi's chachi, Anjali, paused and said with a soft smile,

"Lagta hai Rivaan uth gaya."

(Looks like Rivaan is awake.)

Saavi turned to Aria, her voice warm.

"Rivaan is Anjali chachi and Raghav chachu's son. He's three."

Aria smiled and nodded politely, but her heart wasn't fully in it.

The ache from earlier still clung to her chest like a shadow. She hadn't even glanced at Rohan-not once after dinner. It wasn't anger. It was hurt. Deep, quiet, and heavy.

Moments later, Anjali chachi returned, carrying a small child in her arms.

His face was nestled against her shoulder, eyes half-open, and his tiny hands rubbed sleepily at them.

His hair was messy, his cheeks flushed pink from sleep. He blinked slowly, taking in the room full of people.

Aria's eyes softened. Something about the way he clutched Anjali's kurti stirred a strange warmth in her chest-something gentle, almost forgotten.

Rivaan looked around curiously, then rested his sleepy gaze on Aria. For a second, they just stared at each other-one with wonder, the other with guarded tenderness.

And for the first time that evening, the corner of Aria's lips lifted-not for anyone, but for this little boy.

He blinked again, then mumbled,

"Mumma..." pointing at Aria.

Anjali chuckled softly, brushing his hair back.

"Woh Aria hai beta. Didi jaisi hai. Nai dost bani hai sabki."

(She's Aria, love. Like an elder sister. A new friend for all of us.)

Rivaan's eyes sparkled. He suddenly reached out one tiny hand toward Aria, the other still gripping Anjali's kurti.

"Go?" he asked sleepily.

Everyone smiled at his sudden interest. Anjali looked at Aria. "Would you mind holding him for a bit? He usually doesn't go to anyone this easily..."

Aria hesitated, surprised. She looked at Rivaan, who was now wriggling slightly in Anjali's arms, his hand still stretched toward her.

She nodded slowly. "I... sure."

Anjali gently passed him to Aria. As the little boy settled into her arms, his head resting against her shoulder, a silence fell over the room-a different kind. Soft. Surprised.

Aria stiffened for a moment, unsure, but then... something inside her melted. His tiny warmth, his trust-without a single question or judgment-wrapped around her like a blanket she didn't know she needed.

Rivaan sighed contentedly and closed his eyes again.

Across the room, Shivansh watched quietly. He wasn't smiling-but there was something in his gaze. Something unreadable, deep.

She hadn't spoken to him all evening either. But right now, seeing her like that-calm, still, eyes lowered with a child sleeping against her shoulder-did something to him.

She kept her arms around Rivaan, one hand gently stroking his back in slow circles. Her eyes stared at a point in the distance.

She didn't know what this feeling was.

Peace? Safety? Or just... being needed?

Whatever it was, she didn't want to let it go.

"Mumma, pretty didi..." Rivaan mumbled, half-asleep, before placing a sloppy kiss on Aria's cheek.

A surprised breath escaped her lips, and before she could react, the room burst into soft chuckles.

Aria blinked, stunned. Her hand paused mid-circle on his back.

Saavi grinned wide. "He made it official-Aria is now his favorite."

Anjali laughed, "I told you! He never goes to anyone so easily."

But Shivansh...

He didn't laugh.

He just looked.

Really looked.

For the last 2-3 days, he'd found himself watching her more than he cared to admit.

The way her eyes carried entire oceans-soft, silent, and deep.

The way her small smiles held both strength and fragility.

And right now, with a sleepy child tucked into her arms and a kiss blooming red on her cheek...

She looked like a memory he didn't even know he'd been missing.

Aria didn't meet his gaze. But a part of her felt it-heavy and warm, lingering longer than it should have.

____________

Soon, it was time to leave.

Aria carefully handed Rivaan back to Anjali chachi. He whined softly in protest, still half-asleep, his tiny arms reaching out again before snuggling into his mother's shoulder.

Anjali smiled, "He'll miss you."

Aria tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "He's sweet."

Saavi and Avni came forward and hugged her.

She stiffened slightly-caught off guard.

Nobody seemed to notice. Or at least, she thought so.

Maybe... someone did.

From behind, Saavi's dadu, Raja ji, spoke warmly, patting Aria's head.

"Aria beta, Shivansh tumhaare ghar chhod dega."

(Aria dear, Shivansh will drop you home.)

Aria looked up quickly, offering a polite smile.

"No, thank you, uncle. I'll go."

"Arey, aise kaise?" Sonali, Saavi's mother, stepped in firmly.

"Ansh, tum chhod do Aria ko uske ghar."

(Ansh, you drop Aria home.)

Shivansh was already looking at her-waiting.

Somewhere inside, he hoped she would say yes.

Akshat, catching his friend's gaze, smirked knowingly.

Aria hesitated. "Aunty, I don't want to bother you. I can manage... or I'll call Dadi."

Rajveer, Saavi's father, stepped forward with a gentle but decisive voice.

"Nahi, tum humaari beti jaisi ho ab. Aur time dekha hai? 12:30 ho raha hai. Ansh chhod dega."

(No. You're like a daughter to us now. And have you seen the time? It's 12:30. Ansh will drop you.)

And there it was-that word again.

Beti.

A daughter.

A lump rose in her throat before she quickly pushed it back down.

She finally gave a small nod. "Okay."

Shivansh moved toward the door silently, picking up his keys. He didn't say anything-but he didn't need to.

And as Aria followed him out, the door closing behind them, it felt like the night wasn't just ending.

____

The air outside was cool, brushing against her skin like a soft whisper. The streetlights cast long shadows on the quiet road as Shivansh walked toward his bike, Aria following silently behind.

He paused beside the bike, then turned slightly to her.

"Baitho," he said simply.

(Sit.)

Aria looked at the bike for a moment, hesitant, but nodded. He handed her the spare helmet.

"Helmet," he added, his voice calm-neutral, yet something about it made her chest tighten.

She took it quietly, her fingers grazing his. Just a second. A fleeting touch. But it made him go still-just for a moment.

He looked away before she could notice.

Aria climbed onto the bike slowly, careful not to brush too close. Her hands stayed by her sides.

Then came his voice again, low but firm.

"Pakad lo. Gir jaogi."

(Hold on. You'll fall.)

Her breath hitched almost imperceptibly. She hesitated. Then, gently-cautiously-she placed her hands on either side of his jacket.

Barely there.

But he felt it.

The warmth of her fingers through the layers. Soft, unsure, but present. And it stirred something inside him-quiet, unfamiliar, and strangely grounding.

He didn't move. Didn't turn.

But his grip on the handle tightened just a little.

And his heart?

It slowed... then picked up again.

She was behind him. And yet, for the first time, he felt... seen.

The engine rumbled to life, and the bike rolled forward.

No words.

No glances.

Just the hum of the road beneath them, and a silence that was no longer empty.

By the time they turned into her lane, the night had changed.

So had something else.

___________

Back at home Saavi was busy in keeping her gifts in her room. Avni was helping Sonali in removing her hair pins. Rohan was sitting on couch talking to elders. But his mind was on Aria and his conversation. And Akshat was looking at Saavi like a puppy in love but secretly.

A few seconds passed. Then Akshat quietly put his phone down and started walking toward her room.

She didn't need help. Not really.

But he wanted to be near her.

Just as he reached the doorway, he saw her tip forward-trying to place a gift box on the top shelf. Her foot slipped slightly from the stool she was balancing on.

"Saavi!" he said instinctively.

In two quick steps, he was by her side. His hands gripped her arms gently, steadying her before she could fall.

Startled, she gasped, her hands clutching the edge of the shelf. For a moment, she didn't move.

Neither did he.

Her back was against his chest now, his hands still holding her arms. Not tightly, just... securely.

The air shifted.

"I'm okay," she whispered after a second, her voice barely above a breath.

"I know," he said just as softly. But he didn't move back immediately.

When she finally stepped down from the stool, turning to face him, their eyes met.

He looked away first this time.

"I just..." he mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck, "...didn't want you to fall."

A smile touched her lips. "You always show up at the right time."

He gave a small shrug. "Maybe I'm always nearby."

And with that, he turned and walked away-leaving Saavi standing there, heart fluttering and cheeks warming, a small smile following him as he disappeared down the hallway.

____________

Next day in school

Aria stepped into the classroom, her bag slipping slightly off her shoulder as she scanned the room. It was buzzing with morning energy-friends chatting, bags dropping, chairs screeching.

Her eyes instantly landed on Saavi and Avni, already seated at their usual spot.

Her heart tugged.

She had promised herself she'd create space.

But she couldn't do it all at once. Not with them. Not yet.

Step by step, she reminded herself.

She took a deep breath and made her way to their bench.

"Ariaaaa! Helloo!" Saavi grinned wide, throwing her arms up dramatically as if they'd been separated for weeks.

Aria's lips curled into a small smile.

"Hey," she said with a polite nod, voice soft but steady.

"Hi, Aria," Avni added with her usual calm warmth, scooting slightly to make space.

Aria slid into the bench beside them, her movements quiet, careful. She placed her bag down gently and started pulling out her notebook.

"So?" Saavi leaned closer. "Did you reach home fine last night?"

Aria paused for a second.

She nodded. "Yeah. Thanks."

There was an awkward pause-just a second long-but Saavi and Avni caught it.

They glanced at each other briefly, reading the subtle shift in Aria's tone.

But they didn't push.

"You know," Saavi said, her voice lighter now, "Rivaan woke up today looking for 'pretty didi.' Anjali chachi told him she's in school now and he was so upset."

Avni laughed. "He's obsessed with you already."

Aria finally looked up, her eyes softening for a moment.

"That's sweet," she said quietly, then looked back down at her open book.

Saavi stared at her for a second-long enough to see it.

Something's changed.

Not in a dramatic way.

Just... quieter. Slower. More careful.

But it was there.

Aria was here. But not all the way.

Avni felt a quiet anger begin to rise in her chest.

Something was off-and now she was sure of it.

She'd heard whispers last night from Shivansh's room. Voices low. Tense.

She hadn't understood the words, but the tone had stayed with her.

So when they reached home, she went straight to Akshat.

No sugarcoating. No pretending. Just the sharp edge of worry disguised as anger.

She created a scene, of course-because that's what Avni did when people she loved were hurting.

And finally, after enough back-and-forth, Akshat told her everything.

Every word. Every moment.

What happened between Aria and Rohan.

_______

After Rohan had confessed everything, Shivansh couldn't stop thinking about Aria-about how she must've felt hearing those words, how alone she must've felt walking away like that.

He wasn't angry at Rohan.

He knew him-had known him forever.

Childhood friends. Rohan was always guarded, always cautious, the one who took time to let anyone in. But people change. And life... sometimes breaks you in ways you never talk about.

Shivansh understood his fear. He just wished it hadn't cost someone else their peace.

Still, disappointment lingered. He didn't expected this from Rohan.

---

Lunch

They all sat on their usual spot on the school ground-Shivansh, Akshat, Rohan, Saavi, and Avni.

But the space beside Saavi felt too quiet. Too empty.

Aria's absence wasn't loud.

It was heavy.

Shivansh turned slightly, his voice calm but probing.

"Choti... Aria kahan hai?"

(Choti...where is Aria?)

Akshat smirked under his breath. Shivansh noticed-but didn't call it out. Not yet.

"Bhaiya... usne kaha usko achha feel nahi ho raha. Toh vo class mein hi lunch kar rahi hai," Saavi replied softly, not looking up.

(Bhaiya... she said she wasn't feeling well. So she's having lunch in class.)

"Tum nahi ruki uske saath?" Shivansh asked.

(You didn't stay with her?)

Saavi hesitated.

"Humne bola tha ruk jaate hain... par usne kaha 'aap log wait kar rahe hoge.' Toh hum aa gaye," Avni added, her voice dull.

(We told her we could stay... but she said, 'your friends must be waiting.' So we left.)

A brief pause stretched between them.

"Usse kuch hua kya? Kisine kuch bola?" Saavi asked suddenly, glancing at Avni.

(Did something happen? Did someone say anything to her?)

"Kal birthday ke baad se hi aisi hai... aur kal raat bhi kaam ka bahaana bana ke chali gayi thi. Subah se kaafi distant lag rahi hai," Avni murmured.

(She's been like this since the birthday... even last night she left early saying she had work. She's seemed really distant today.)

Rohan stayed quiet. Didn't touch his food.

Because they all knew except Saavi.

She was keeping her word.

And it hit differently now.

--

After Lunch - Library

Shivansh walked into the library, holding a book he didn't plan to read.

He just... needed space.

And maybe... to check if she was okay.

He saw her instantly-Aria, seated near the window, a paperback resting in her hands, her gaze lost somewhere far beyond the pages.

He hesitated. Then slowly walked over and sat beside her-leaving respectful distance.

She didn't look up.

"Hey..." he said, voice low.

She flinched slightly and looked up in surprise.

"You scared me," she whispered, a hand over her chest.

He gave a faint smile.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to."

She nodded but didn't say anything more.

They sat in silence for a moment. Not awkward-just filled with things that hadn't been said yet.

"Tum lunch pe kyun nahi aayi?" he asked gently.

(Why didn't you come for lunch?)

"Wasn't feeling well... I took permission to stay in class." she said, her voice quiet but measured.

"Ab thoda better?"

(Feeling any better now?)

"Haan, theek hoon."

(Yeah, I'm okay.)

He studied her face. There was a calmness to her-but also something tired underneath.

"You know... Rohan told me what happened yesterday," he said, watching her expression shift. Her fingers froze over the book pages.

"I'm glad you said what you did," he added. "He needed to hear it. You didn't owe him any softness."

She looked up, surprised. But said nothing.

"He's not a bad guy," Shivansh said slowly. "Just... scared. Like a lot of us are. But that doesn't excuse what he said."

Another pause.

"I just wanted to say... main notice kar raha hoon. Tumhare jaane se fark padta hai. Sabko."

(I'm noticing it. Your absence... it makes a difference. To everyone.)

She held his gaze for a second longer this time. No reply.

But her silence wasn't a wall.

It was a bridge-unfinished, but standing.

---

Outside water point - Rohan & Avni

Rohan stepped out for air, hands shoved deep in his pockets. His mind was loud, swirling with every word Aria had said. The guilt wasn't fading.

It was settling.

"Wow. Look who's suddenly thoughtful," came a voice like a slap wrapped in sarcasm.

Rohan turned.

Avni stood there, arms crossed, chin raised, one brow lifted.

"Ab kya kiya maine?" he muttered, already bracing.

"You made her cry." Her voice was a bullet.

Rohan blinked. "She didn't cry."

"Of courseyou'd say that," she shot back. "She didn't cry in front of you. She don't even smile fully Rohan. But you wouldn't know that. Too busy judging."

Rohan tensed. "I didn't mean-"

"She heard you, Rohan," Avni interrupted sharply. "Every. Word."

"I didn't know her..." he mumbled, but the excuse fell flat even in his own ears.

"Exactly! You didn't. But that didn't stop you, did it?" She stepped closer, her voice now quieter-but sharper. "You always speak before thinking. I ignored it before. But not this time."

Rohan flinched.

"You didn't just hurt her, Rohan. You hurt us. Saavi and I trusted you to at least try to see her the way we did."

He swallowed hard.

"I was trying to protect you guys..." he whispered.

"No, you weren't," Avni snapped. "You were trying to stay in control. That's not protection. That's fear dressed as arrogance."

He went silent.

"Why are you so affected?" he asked finally, voice a little rough. "You don't even like me. Remember?"

Avni gave a bitter smile.

"I don't like a lot of people," she said, "but I didn't think you would be the reason a girl like Aria feels like she doesn't belong here."

The words sank deeper than he expected.

And for the first time, Rohan didn't have a comeback.

"Fix it, Rohan," she said. "Not because you owe me. Or even her. Fix it... because I know you're not this small."

And with that, she turned and walked away.

Rohan watched her go.

For once... the silence that followed didn't sting.

It burned.

________________________________________________♡♡♡♡♡♡________________________________________________________

Hey pyraa loogzz ❤️

This chapter is where the softness begins to ache.

Where friendships are tested, silences start to speak, and healing begins-not with grand gestures, but with small choices.

Aria is keeping her promise. And everyone's starting to feel it.

Some of you might relate to her distance... the kind that isn't angry, just necessary. Some of you might be a Shivansh-watching from afar, trying to understand. Or maybe you're an Avni-calling things out when no one else will.

Whoever you are, thank you for staying with these characters as they stumble, speak, fall, and rise.

This chapter was hard to write. Quiet pain is the hardest to capture.

But maybe that's what makes it real.

If this chapter touched you, I'd love to hear in the comments what part hit you the most. You're not reading alone.

With ❤️