The Next Morning...8:00 AM — At Anamika’s House
For the first time in days, the house was unusually quiet. Rahul had taken Ruhi to his home, leaving only Anamika and Saaniya behind.
Saaniya set the breakfast table and went to Anamika’s room to wake her up. Just as she reached for the doorknob, the door opened from the other side.
There stood Anamika, already dressed, a small bag on her back!
Seeing her so early and ready, Saaniya frowned, “You’re up so early today? Are you feeling okay?!”
Anamika stepped out and replied, “Yeah… I’m fine! Actually, I have to leave early today.”
Hearing that, Saaniya followed her and said, “Oh… alright! Then have your breakfast. I’ll pack your lunchbox. I’ll drop you off afterward.”
Anamika hesitated, turned around, and said softly, “Uh… Saaniya! Actually… Aditya is coming to pick me up. In fact, he’s downstairs right now. I’m about to leave.”
Saaniya narrowed her eyes, “What? Why so early? At least have breakfast… I’ll call him up!”
But before she could move, Anamika caught her hand, “Wait! We’re not going to the office. We’re—”
“—Going on a date?!” Saaniya interrupted, half confused, half serious.
Anamika froze, stepping back, her voice stuttering, “No! I-I… how can I go on a date with Aditya?!”
Her eyes were downcast, and her fingers nervously intertwined. Her cheeks flushed a faint pink.
Saaniya sighed and crossed her arms, “Then tell me clearly — where exactly are you going with him so early if not to the office?”
“I… well… Aditya is taking me—”
Just then, the doorbell rang. Saaniya took a deep breath and went to open it.
Aditya was standing at the door.
Saaniya asked coldly, “Where are you two going?”
Aditya glanced at Anamika standing behind her, then looked back at Saaniya with a polite smile.
“Didn’t Anamika tell you? You know Rivan, right? And you also know I’m his business partner.”
“So what?” Saaniya snapped. “What does that have to do with Anamika?”
Anamika didn’t like Saaniya’s harsh tone, but Aditya just smiled calmly.
“My kid partner is hosting a small event where several artists are invited. Anamika’s one of them — after all, she was the winner of the art competition our company organized! So Rivan personally requested me to bring her.”
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Saaniya looked at Anamika, “Then why didn’t she tell me this earlier?”
Aditya quickly added, “That’s my fault. I informed her late last night. I’m sorry about that.”
Saaniya didn’t reply. After a brief silence, she returned from the kitchen carrying a lunchbox and handed it to Anamika.
“Take care of yourself. And make sure you eat properly! If you skip lunch just like breakfast, I’m not packing it next time!”
Anamika smiled sweetly, “Don’t worry, I won’t skip it . I promise! Now, I’ll get going.”
Saying that, Anamika left with Aditya.
Saaniya stood on the balcony, watching their car drive away, a strange expression clouding her eyes…
Meanwhile, in the car
He asked quietly, “Why do you look so sad? Because you couldn’t lie to her… or because you can’t tell her the truth?”
Anamika turned toward the window and replied softly, “I’m sad because I can’t make her understand me. She worries about me so much… and I can’t make her worry any less.”
Aditya’s grip on the steering wheel tightened. He wanted to say something—something comforting—but stopped himself.
He didn’t want to interfere between two friends. That wasn’t right, not in his eyes.
The car drove on in silence.
An hour later,
Saaniya opened it — and there stood Aniket.
With a dry tone, she said, “What do you want?”
Peeking inside like a curious child, Aniket asked, “Where’s Anamika?”
“What do you need her for?” she replied sharply, irritation in her voice.
Aniket lifted the bag in his hand, “Yesterday, Ira took Dad out shopping. The two of them bought a gift for Anamika!”
Saaniya stretched out her hand, “Oh… so that's the reason? Okay then.. give it here … I’ll make sure she gets it.”
Aniket handed her the bag, and just as he was about to say something, the door shut in his face.
His jaw dropped. “Did she just shut the door on me?!”
He pressed the bell again.
Saaniya opened it with an annoyed look, “Now what? Another delivery?”
Aniket smirked and stepped forward, “Yeah — a personal one. Got a problem with that?”
Saaniya took a step closer, smirking sarcastically, “I don’t accept trash deliveries. So leave before I throw you out myself.”
Aniket leaned closer, expecting her to back away — but her eyes were cold and unwavering. Her calm defiance made him hesitate instead.
Just then, a voice came from behind, “Whoa, what’s happening here? Is there going to be a kiss or something?”
Startled, Aniket turned to see Rudra, his lips curled into their usual mischievous grin.
Saaniya shot him a blank look. “You’re a disgrace to the title of ‘director.’”
Rudra chuckled, “Oh, I know. I was never the serious type — that’s why I never wanted to be a doctor or a director. But the world had other plans! I guess I make a better hero than I thought — that’s why I ended up being both!”
Rolling her eyes, Saaniya muttered while walking inside, “You and your imaginary nonsense… never-ending, huh?”
Rudra pulled Aniket inside and said playfully, “Hey, our thoughts keep us alive, Lady Chambal Queen! But tell me — why were you being so cruel to my friend here early in the morning?”
Saaniya glared at Aniket like she could burn him alive. “It’s his fault, not mine!”
Aniket stepped forward, waving his arms. “Oh, really!? I did nothing! And you slammed the door right in my charming face — is that fair?”
Saaniya narrowed her eyes. “No matter how good-looking garbage might be, it still belongs outside my house.”
And just like that, the argument began.
Rudra settled comfortably on the couch, watching the show unfold, a grin on his face.
He murmured to himself, “Did she just call him good-looking? That’s a first! She’s never said that to me…”
He sighed dramatically, “That’s the difference between friendship… and love!”
The two kept bickering for half an hour, and Rudra happily turned on the TV, enjoying their “live show.”
By the end, Saaniya’s irritation had eased — venting it all out on Aniket.
Aniket, on the other hand, had started enjoying their fights. It has become a game for him now.
Finally, Saaniya tossed her jacket aside and said flatly, “I’m done wasting my time arguing with an idle idiot like you.”
Rudra turned to her, thinking, She says she won’t waste time… after wasting thirty minutes straight? Nice logic.
Saaniya grabbed her bag and shouted, “Are you two planning to leave, or should I lock the door? Honestly, the world won’t suffer much loss if I just lock you two useless people in!”
“Hey! You witch’s grandmother—” Before Aniket could finish, Saaniya grabbed his arm and dragged him out.
“Didn’t you say we’re all responsible for our own trash? So I’m taking responsibility and throwing you out myself!”
Aniket’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Rudra followed them outside, muttering like a narrator, “Was that… a secret confession? Nah. If it was, I’m not accepting it. Way too lame!”
Saaniya locked the house and drove away, while Aniket stood silently, watching her car disappear.
Rudra came up beside him and said, “Bro, if you think too much, your precious brain cells might lose value. She said that in the heat of the moment. She doesn’t even know what she meant.”
Aniket sighed, “Yeah, exactly. She’s such a weird girl — says anything just to win an argument. I shouldn’t take her words seriously.”
With that, he too walked away.
Watching him go, Rudra scratched his head. “Wait… why did I even come here? I had some reason… What was it again?”
Still lost in thought, Rudra got into his car and drove off.
