9:00 PM – Aditya’s Office
Aditya walked toward Anamika’s cabin.
Inside, Ira was sitting beside Anamika.
Anamika was sketching panels for her manga, while Ira, holding a blank sheet, was trying to copy her drawings. She wasn’t doing it nearly as well, but Anamika still praised her efforts gently — guiding her on what to fix and how to do it better.
Aditya stood by the open door, quietly watching the scene with a soft smile.
Then he took a deep breath and knocked lightly on the door.
Both Ira and Anamika looked toward him.
Ira’s gaze met his — but then she quickly turned her eyes away, which hurt Aditya a little.
Anamika smiled and gestured for him to come in. He smiled back and stepped inside.
He reached out to pat Ira’s head affectionately, but she pushed his hand away mid-air and pouted, looking at Anamika as she said, “Delicate flower… I don’t like anyone touching my forehead!”
Anamika looked at Aditya, who stayed silent — just watching Ira quietly.
Then Anamika said softly, “He made time to come here, you know…”
Ira muttered, “Yeah right… he has to make time for me now! He never has time specially for me anymore…”
Anamika was about to say something, but Aditya stopped her with a slight gesture.
Understanding that, Anamika stood up from her chair, and Aditya sat down in her place.
Seeing that, Ira tried to stand up, but Aditya caught her hand and said firmly, “Ira… sit down.”
Ira sat but turned her face away and folded her arms, clearly sulking.
Aditya turned her rolling chair toward him.
The moment Ira’s eyes met his, she quickly looked away again. Her face changed — she looked like she was just one breath away from crying.
Aditya gently pulled her chair closer and, stroking her forehead, said in a soft voice, “My wild kitten is this angry? Come on, look at me. Why so mad…?”
Ira whispered, “Forget it… you don’t even remember your own mistakes…”
Anamika watched from a distance.
She thought to herself, “He’ll handle it… He always has.”
Meanwhile, Aditya held Ira’s hand and asked, “What do you want, Ira? For me to stop meeting you altogether?”
She said nothing.
So he spoke again — this time, calmly but firmly, “You have to learn this, Ira. You’re important to me — you’re my sister. But that doesn’t mean I’ll only care about you. I’m allowed to care for others too… and Rivan is included in that.”
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Ira snapped her head toward him, her tone trembling, “What do you mean by that?! You can’t just care for others’! You’re my brother — mine! Why do you care so much about him? Just because he’s an orphan? Then what about us? We’re orphans too! You’re all I have, right…?”
Her eyes spoke what her heart couldn’t — that she believed she had exclusive right over him.
Aditya stood up and said quietly, “This time, I don’t even know what my mistake is — because I’ve made none. Ira, you’re not a child anymore. You need to start thinking beyond yourself.”
As he left the cabin, he added in a low, tired voice, “Grow up, Ira… and learn to see — and understand — the world around you.”
He turned and walked out. Anamika followed him, worried.
Inside, tears welled up in Ira’s eyes.
She whispered to herself, “Why, brother… why didn’t you come back to console me like you always do…?”
Outside the Cabin
Anamika stopped Aditya in the hallway.
“Why did you do that?” she asked.
Aditya took a deep breath and replied, “Because my sister is turning selfish, and I can’t let that happen. She knows Rivan is hurt — and still, she expects me not to visit him? Is she really that self-centered, that she can’t bear me caring for someone else?
If she loves me so much… if she truly cares about me… then why doesn’t she stay with me? Do I not get lonely too? Don’t I feel hurt? I live in that dark house alone… the only ‘family’ I have left are the memories trapped within those walls. What am I supposed to do with them, Anamika… what am I supposed to do with them?!”
He spoke all in one breath — and only then realized his emotions were spilling out. He didn’t want that.
He looked away and said softly, “Sorry… I’m just saying random things.”
But before he could walk away, Anamika gently caught his hand.
He looked at her.
Anamika gestured for him to bend a little, and when he did, she softly stroked his forehead and said, “You’re very kind… and that’s exactly why she needs you. You’re her only family, and she’s yours.
Being mature is hard, Aditya… because it often means standing alone. You have to understand everything, handle everything — on your own.
I used to be na?ve too, just like Ira… and because of that, Saaniya suffered a lot. But believe me — I went through pain too.
You’re doing well, Aditya. I know you think Ira’s becoming selfish… but she’s just lonely.
Talk to her once more. Don’t try to teach her what’s right or wrong — just tell her what hurts you.”
Aditya finally broke down.
For the first time ever, he allowed himself to cry — and that too, in front of Anamika, the love of his life.
He hugged her tightly and said, “I don’t even know if she’ll ever understand me. I’m always there for her — then why can’t I make her feel that?”
Anamika gently rubbed his shoulder and whispered, “You will, Aditya. You’ll make her understand… and I believe in you.”
For a moment, Aditya felt peace — a fragile, fleeting peace.
But somewhere else, Aniket’s troubles were only beginning.Later that Night – The Mall
Aniket was at a mall, picking up some groceries.
He stood at the billing counter, ready to pay — but suddenly realized he couldn’t find his wallet.
The cashier looked at him suspiciously, as if he were a thief.
Aniket quickly said, “Looks like I dropped my wallet somewhere! Can I pay online?”
The cashier handed him a QR scanner.
Just as he was about to make the payment, an announcement echoed through the speakers:
The mic cut off — then came on again, this time with a different, nervous voice:
Aniket’s jaw dropped.
Someone had just called him an idiot over the mall speakers — and everyone heard it. Some even laughed!
He muttered, “Is this girl insane?!”
And he sprinted straight toward the security cabin.
At the Security Cabin
A lady’s voice was scolding someone inside.
“Ma’am, how could you say something like that about a respected man over the mic?!”
Aniket walked in and said, “I’m Aniket Rajput.”
Silence.
Everyone turned to look at him — the girls in the room looked shy, except one.
That one… was Saaniya.
Yes — it was Saaniya who had found Aniket’s wallet!
She hadn’t opened it — she simply handed it in to security. But when they opened it to check the ID, she saw the name and got furious.
In that moment, she lost control and… well, the mic happened.
The senior lady scolding her said, “Miss, you should apologize to this man! You insulted him publicly!”
Saaniya looked at Aniket once, and before she could speak, Aniket said, “No, no, it’s fine. I’m used to public humiliation from her. Please, just give me my wallet.”
Everyone looked at Saaniya, puzzled.
She herself didn’t understand why it bothered her that he said that — that he knew her in public after that humiliation.
Aniket took his wallet, then grabbed her hand, smiled politely at the staff and said, “Please forgive her on my behalf.”
Then he walked out, still holding her hand.
Saaniya tried to pull away, “Hey! Let me go! I still have shopping left — let me go!”
Aniket looked at her and, without another word, suddenly lifted her in his arms.
“You called me an idiot publicly!?”
“Yeah, so what?! Put me down you idiot!”
Aniket smirked, “This idiot doesn’t even understand your language!”
And with that sarcastic smile, he carried her outside — everyone staring, which only made Saaniya more furious.
Once they reached the parking area, Aniket set her down, leaned close and asked, “So, Miss Trouble… care to explain this public humiliation?”
He was close — too close.
And for the first time, Saaniya actually seemed affected by his closeness.
She looked away and muttered, “It’s my wish…”
Aniket stared at her in disbelief.
