Saaniya opened the box, and immediately Aditya, Aniket, and Ruhi’s eyes darted toward it to see what was inside. But when they looked in, their expressions filled with confusion.

  Making a face, Aniket said, “Is this your great gift?! What am I supposed to do with it? Eat ice cream in it?!”

  Aniket was grumbling like a child, and even Aditya couldn’t stop himself from smiling — the gift was quite unexpected.

  Inside the box was a beautiful round glass bowl, a sweet little diary, and a stunning glass pen.

  Anamika stepped in and said, “Oh no, this isn’t your actual gift… but with these things, you will get your gift!”

  Aniket squinted suspiciously. “What do you mean? Is this some kind of magical pen? Or maybe that diary is enchanted — you write something, and it comes true?!”

  He was clearly mocking the idea, but to his surprise, Anamika’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “Something like that,” she replied with a knowing smile.

  Aditya, ever the calm observer, spoke up with quiet intrigue. “Anamika… what does it actually mean?”

  Anamika turned to explain to Aniket, “There are five people here, which means aniket get five wishes! You have to write down your five wishes, fold them up, and put them in this bowl. Then, one by one, we’ll each pick a chit, and whatever’s written on it — the person who picks it has to try and fulfill it!”

  Aniket asked, in the innocence of a child, “So whatever I write… I’ll get it?! Really, Anamika?!”

  Before Anamika could respond, Saaniya cut in dryly, arms crossed and one eyebrow raised. “Just make sure it’s actually possible. Otherwise you’ll write, ‘Bring me the moon and stars,’ and leave us crying.”

  Anamika shook her head, a playful yet firm tone in her voice. “No. That’s not how it works. Even if the wish is difficult — even if it seems impossible — everyone has to at least try to fulfill it. Effort is the only rule.”

  Aniket, now grinning wide, grabbed Anamika’s hand in excitement. “Promise, Anamika? You really mean it?”

  She looked into his eyes, smiled gently, and said, “I promise. Even if you ask for the stars, we’ll try to bring them to you. And if we can’t… we’ll bring you the most beautiful fake ones we can find. But your wish will be honored.”

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  From across the room, Aditya and Ruhi stood still — both struck by that promise in different ways.

  If only… If only I could get that chance too, they thought at the same time.

  Maybe… just maybe… I could finally be with the one I love.

  Aditya’s gaze remained fixed on Anamika — full of hope, of longing.

  And Ruhi… her eyes were fixed on Aditya, quietly watching him watch Anamika.

  Both their eyes were full of love — but while Aditya’s eyes still carried the innocent hope of gaining her someday, Ruhi’s held the quiet ache of already having lost him.

  From nearby, Rudra broke the mood with a playful chuckle. “So, Aniket… do you still think this gift is lame?”

  Aniket, now holding the diary and the glass pen like treasures, declared proudly, “No way! This is basically Aladdin’s lamp! Except I don’t just get three wishes — I get five!”

  Saying that, he turned on his heel and began walking toward the door.

  Aditya raised an eyebrow. “Where are you going now?”

  Without looking back, Aniket said with mock seriousness, “No cheating allowed in this game! So I’m going outside to write my wishes — far away from your peeking eyes. I’ll drop them in when I come back!”

  With that, Aniket left the room. Watching him go, Aditya laughed. “Sometimes I really feel like he never grew up! Anyway… Anamika, thank you for this gift.”

  Anamika looked surprised. “But why are you thanking me?”

  Aditya smiled softly. “Because I know this idea must’ve been yours… wasn’t it?”

  Anamika looked away, slightly embarrassed. He had guessed correctly.

  Lowering her eyes, she said, “Yes… it was mine.”

  A faint smile appeared on Aditya’s face — a smile Ruhi saw from afar, and her eyes widened.

  She smiled gently to herself and whispered, “Anamika is perfect for Aditya sir… maybe I don’t need to worry anymore.”

  Just then, Rudra came closer and whispered in her ear, “You're thinking what I’m thinking, right? They totally look like a romcom hero and heroine!”

  Ruhi shot him a grumpy look and said with a tired smile, “Go share your commentary with your own friend, please!”

  With that, she walked away. Rudra made a childish pout and looked toward Saaniya, who was sitting to the side, fixing her hair.

  He sighed deeply and muttered to himself, “My friend never listens to me anyway… in her eyes, I’m not even a friend! I’m just a hospital director… just a useless one in a crumbling hospital. Will I ever mean something more to her?”

  Ruhi was watching him quietly from a distance. In her mind, she wondered, “Why is he looking at Saaniya like that? Could it be that…!! No… Not everyone is as unlucky in love as you, Ruhi…”

  She then turned to look at Saaniya. At that moment, Saaniya sat quietly with her eyes closed.

  Ruhi thought to herself, “I’ve never seen this girl close to anyone except Anamika. Is she the only one who matters in her life? God knows… But the way she behaves… I doubt anyone would even like her.”

  While Ruhi watched Saaniya with judgment, Rudra watched her with hope — Hope that maybe someday, Saaniya would feel the same for him as he felt for her.

  Meanwhile, Aditya was helping Anamika gather the scattered items.

  As time passed, Saaniya fell asleep on the sofa, and Ruhi — while staring at her from a chair — also dozed off.

  Rudra, on the other hand, took this chance to explore the entire house.

  He had spent all morning bringing things over and hadn’t gotten a chance to properly look around.

  He was the kind of man who paid attention to details — every painting, every decoration, every corner of the home. And now, finally free, he examined every inch.

  But something felt off.

  There were no photographs.

  Not of Anamika. Not of Saaniya. No pictures of childhood, no family portraits — nothing. The walls were blank where memories should have hung.

  Except… for one locked door.

  Rudra stood in front of it for a long while, his eyes thoughtful. Then, quietly, he turned back and returned to the living room.

  Aditya and Anamika were now seated by the door, waiting silently.

  Half an hour had passed.

  But Aniket still hadn’t come back.

  And so the questions began to grow louder…

  What’s taking him so long?

  What exactly did he write in those five secret wishes?

  And what lies behind that locked door?