Anamika was startled the moment she heard her name from Aditya’s lips.

  She immediately asked, “How did you know it was me talking?!”

  Aditya smiled, a little teasing in his eyes, and replied, “Because Saaniya doesn’t have the patience to stay quiet on a call that long! She’d be bouncing off the walls!”

  Anamika hesitated a little before speaking again, and Aditya instantly sensed her shyness.

  Trying to soothe her nerves, he said softly, “You… you can say whatever you want. Actually… I’m more used to listening than talking—so go ahead!”

  That small, sweet fib from Aditya made Anamika relax just a bit. It felt good knowing she wasn’t the only one who found talking tough sometimes.

  After a quiet moment, Anamika whispered, “Actually… your friend is at my house.”

  Aditya’s curiosity shot up, “My friend…? Wait, what?! Aniket’s there?! But why?!”

  That question brought all the chaos rushing back, and Anamika chuckled softly before answering,“A lot happened, honestly… but if I had to sum it up—your friend came over drunk and turned into a total kid. Saaniya and I couldn’t just let him wander home like that, so… we called you!”

  Aditya: “You did the right thing! Though… Aniket doesn’t drink. He’s really not into that stuff. I bet his so-called friends tricked him at that party. Sorry about that… on his behalf. But is he okay?”

  Touched by Aditya’s genuine concern, Anamika smiled, “You really care about him, huh?”

  Aditya: “He’s my only friend… of course I care.”

  Just then, Saaniya swooped in, snatching the phone from Anamika’s hand, and said,“Alright, enough chit-chat! Come pick up your one and only troublemaker! Live location’s on its way! And I have a hospital shift to start, so be here in 15 minutes!”

  And with that, she hung up without waiting for a reply.

  Aditya made a face and muttered, “Ugh… kabab mein haddi (third wheel)! Seriously… did Aniket actually drink? Can’t believe it! Who dared to drag him into this?! I need to see it with my own eyes!”

  Without wasting a second, he grabbed his car keys and zoomed toward his Gulabo’s—his Anamika’s—house.

  —

  Meanwhile, Aniket was sleeping like a log, as if all his worries had vanished into thin air.

  Right across from him, Saaniya sat glaring daggers, clutching her bag like it was her only defense weapon. She was furious—after all, he’d wrecked her precious nap!

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  Anamika, meanwhile, was chilling on the couch, watching TV like a boss.

  It looked like all the tension had transferred from her forehead to Saaniya’s. While Saaniya looked ready to explode, Anamika was the picture of calm.

  A few minutes later, the doorbell rang again.

  Saaniya opened the door, and the moment Aditya saw her, his face fell. He had hoped to see Anamika at the door.

  Without missing a beat, Saaniya barked, “Go grab your friend—NOW!”

  As Aditya stepped in, he teased, “Yeah, yeah… but what happened to your face? Did my friend really trouble you that much?!”

  But then he spotted Anamika calmly watching TV, and his teasing stopped. A soft smile spread across his face.

  Saaniya caught his gaze and rolled her eyes. Leaning close, she whispered,“You can plan to stand here all night staring, but I’m not letting you! Pick up your friend and GO!”

  Aditya, making his best puppy eyes, replied,“Why so grumpy? Did he really give you that much trouble?”

  Saaniya shot back instantly,

  “Absolutely! I’m done! God, I hope I never see his face again!”

  Her loud protest caught Anamika’s attention. She looked up and spotted Aditya, then sat up straight, cheeks flushed. She’d been so absorbed in the TV she hadn’t even noticed him arrive.

  Seeing her like that made Aditya chuckle softly.

  Saaniya poked Aditya’s shoulder and said sharply, “Go rescue your annoying friend!”

  That was the third time she’d said that since he’d arrived.

  Aditya turned to Aniket and said, “Look at him—sleeping all innocent while you call him annoying! Okay, sure, he talks a lot… but he’s not that bad! Why are you so mad at him?”

  Anamika remembered how Aniket had made her force Saaniya to say sorry, and burst out laughing.

  Seeing her laugh, Saaniya groaned,“Of course… now you’re laughing too! And—”

  (she walked over to Aniket)“Don’t even flash me that innocent face! He made me apologize!”

  Aditya looked at her, wide-eyed in disbelief, then back at Anamika.

  Anamika, still giggling, nodded slowly.

  That broke Aditya too—he couldn’t stop laughing.

  Saaniya glared at him, but Anamika quickly shushed him. Aditya bit his lip to hold back his grin.

  Saaniya shot a fierce look at Aniket, thinking, All of this is because of you! I’m definitely getting even!

  She turned to leave and said loudly,“The night shift doctor had to leave suddenly, so I have to take over. Now that Aditya’s here, I’m off.”

  At the door, she paused, looked back and added,“And you—pick up your friend and get out within five minutes! If I catch you still here after that, you’re so dead!”

  Aditya just nodded quietly as she left.

  After she was gone, Anamika laughed, “Looks like she’s extra annoyed today!”

  She turned to Aditya, who was already gazing at her, his eyes full of love.

  Their eyes met.

  In that moment, the whole world froze for Aditya.

  After six long years, he was finally looking at the love of his life… smiling.

  Anamika, realizing his gaze, quickly looked down. Aditya looked away too.

  That brief silence felt like a dream come true to him.

  A few moments later, Aditya started lifting Aniket to leave.

  As he walked toward the door, he glanced back and softly said,“You should… keep smiling. It suits you best.”

  And with that, he left.

  Anamika stood there, watching him go. Seconds later, she understood what he meant—and her cheeks flushed pink.

  It felt nice.

  It felt nice to know Aditya cared.

  —

  In the car, Aditya’s face was glowing red. He couldn’t stop smiling.

  From the backseat, a sleepy Aniket mumbled,“Bro… now that you’re done blushing, can you at least say thanks? Because of you, I had to put on this whole drama!”

  Aditya replied, “And who asked you to do this drama?! Weren’t you heading to that party? How did you end up at her place?!”

  Aniket, pouting, said,“Wow! I help without being asked and this is the thanks?! Next time, even if you beg, I’m not helping!”

  Aditya laughed, “Come on… don’t be mad! Fine, fine—sorry and thanks, okay? (serious tone) Honestly, if it weren’t for you, I’d still be sitting and praying… and like always, God would’ve broken my heart again.”

  Aniket glanced at him and said, “Okay, enough buttering me up!”

  Aditya grinned and focused on driving.

  Aniket looked out the window, but his mind was somewhere else entirely.

  He thought, " Sorry, bro. I lied for the first time, but I had to. I can’t let your heart break again. I’ll handle this. I will find out why Saaniya is back… and why she brought Anamika with her."

  A picture flashed in his mind—a family photo he’d seen earlier at Anamika’s house when he stormed into a room angrily.

  It looked like a family photo of Anamika.

  But something was off.

  10-year-old Anamika stood with her parents, and a little girl stood apart.

  Aniket knew one thing for sure—Anamika was an only child.

  So who was that girl?

  And another thing bothered him—Why was Saaniya staying at Anamika’s place so late at night?

  Why were they living together?

  Detective Aniket was officially on the case.

  What will he find out?

  And what if… he uncovers something meant to stay buried?