Chapter 4
Aanya Joshi
(Yawning)Ugh, Gia’s not here. Must’ve gone to class already.
Aanya Joshi
(Sighs) I’ll catch up with her later.
Gets ready and leaves for university.
Aanya sits by the window, doodling absentmindedly in her notebook.
Aanya Joshi
(Thinking)Hmm, maybe I should try shading this part a little darker…
Suddenly, a loud commotion draws her attention. She looks out the window and sees two guys fighting. Her eyes widen as she recognizes one of them.
Aanya Joshi
(Muttering) Oh no, not him again.
Outside, Vihaan is mercilessly beating a guy. The crowd surrounding them is in shock. A girl rushes in, grabbing Vihaan’s arm.
Aarya Singh
Vihaan, stop it! He’ll die if you keep going!
Vihaan Malhotra
(Glaring at her) Let him! I don’t care. How dare he try to hurt you?
Aarya Singh
(Angrily) I can protect myself, okay?! I’m not some weakling!
Vihaan pauses, breathing heavily, and finally backs off. His eyes flick to the crowd and lock with Aanya’s. Aanya quickly looks away, not wanting to get involved.
Aanya Joshi
(Thinking) Why am I always seeing this guy? He is trouble. I need to stay far away from him.
Aarya kneels beside the injured guy, her voice dripping with cold fury.
Aarya Singh
Did you enjoy that? Next time before touching me make sure to remember this. (smile)
She grabs Vihaan’s arm and drags him away. The crowd starts to disperse.
Niya Jain
(Waving a hand in front of Aanya’s face) Hello? Come back to Earth Aanya!
Aanya Joshi
(Snapping back)Huh? Oh, sorry. What?
Niya Jain
Did you hear? The university is planning a picnic on the 15th!
Aanya Joshi
Oh. That’s… nice. Have fun.
Niya Jain
(Frowning) Fun? Girl, you’re coming too.
Aanya Joshi
(Panicking) What? No, I can’t—
Niya Jain
(Cutting her off) Rishi, tell her she has to come.
Rishi Sharma
(Shrugging) Yeah, Aanya, you should come.
Aanya Joshi
(Sighs) Fine, I’ll think about it. Now, what’s wrong with you? You’ve been off all morning.
Rishi Sharma
(Looking away) It’s nothing.
Niya Jain
(Smirking) Oh, come on. Spill it.
Aanya Joshi
(Gently) Rishi, what’s bothering you?
Rishi Sharma
(Grumbling) My brother. He has been transferred here to continue his studies.
Niya Jain
(Surprised) Wait, you have a brother?!
Aanya Joshi
(Curious) Where was he before?
Rishi Sharma
(Sighing) Abroad. He came back two days ago. I can’t stand him. I really don’t want to see his face.
Rishi Sharma
(Groaning) I hope so.
Niya Jain
(Grinning) Well, this picnic will be a great distraction. No excuses, okay?
Aanya Joshi
(Sighing) Yeah, yeah. We’ll see.
It was late afternoon, and Aanya had just finished her classes for the day. She decided to head to the library, her usual heaven where she could immerse herself in her favorite novels.
Aanya Joshi
Guys, I’m going to the library. Are you interested in coming?
Niya Jain
Sorry, Aanya, I have dance practice. I have to go.
Rishi Sharma
I’ve got football practice. Catch you later.
Aanya Joshi
It’s fine. I’ll be in the library. Call me when you’re done, and we can leave together.
Both nodded, and they all went their separate ways.
At the library, Aanya picked her favorite novel from the shelf and found a quiet, secluded spot to sit. She sighed contentedly as she opened the book, losing herself in its world. But her peace didn’t last long.
Laughter and loud voices disrupted the serene atmosphere. Annoyed, Aanya glanced up and immediately regretted it. There they were again—Vihaan and his group.
Aanya Joshi
(thought to herself) Why does this guy keep popping up everywhere?
Irritated, she raised her book to cover her face.
Vihaan had already spotted her. A smirk danced on his lips as he leaned toward his friends and muttered something. Then, without hesitation, he strode over and casually pulled out the chair across from her.
Aanya lowered her book just enough to glare at him.
Vihaan Malhotra
Trying to hide? Cute, but pointless.
Rolling her eyes, Aanya ignored him and focused back on her book, determined to act like he wasn’t even there.
Unbothered, Vihaan leaned back in his chair, watching her with amusement. He waved to his friends, Ahaan and Aarya, who soon joined them, dragging chairs noisily as they sat down.
Ahaan Avasthi
Well, well, what do we have here?
Aarya Singh
She’s reading. Don’t disturb her.
Aanya muttered under her breath
Aanya Joshi
(said slowly) Finally, someone with sense in the group.
Vihaan chuckled, clearly enjoying himself.
Vihaan Malhotra
Relax, baby doll. We’re just here to talk. No need to get all worked up.
Aanya shot him a look but stayed quiet, hoping they’d lose interest and leave.
But Vihaan leaned in closer, his smirk turning into a playful grin.
Vihaan Malhotra
You’ve got quite the temper, don’t you? Makes this all the more fun.
Aanya snapped her book shut, stood up, and gave him a sharp look.
Aanya Joshi
Find another hobby, Vihaan. Preferably one that doesn’t involve annoying me.
With that, she grabbed her bag and walked away, leaving Vihaan and his friends watching her retreat with varying expressions of surprise and amusement.
Aarya Singh
She’s got guts. I like her.
Ahaan Avasthi
(laugh) Seems like things are gonna be more fun.
Vihaan Malhotra
(grinning) Oh, this is just the beginning.
Vihaan leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips.
Ahaan Avasthi
You’re really interested in her, huh?
Vihaan Malhotra
Not really. Just curiosity.
Aarya Singh
(raising an eyebrow) Curiosity? She’s the first person who doesn’t care about your so-called charm. That’s why you’re intrigued.
Vihaan Malhotra
Maybe. But she’s also hiding something. And you know me—I love a good mystery.
Meanwhile, Aanya grabbed another novel, trying to distract herself. Her phone buzzed, breaking her thoughts.
Niya Jain
(text) Practice’s done. Meet us at the gate.
Aanya sighed in relief and quickly replied.
Aanya Joshi
(text) On my way.
She made her way out of the library and noticed Vihaan’s group leaving too. Their eyes met briefly. He didn’t say anything this time, but his gaze lingered. Was that a challenge? Curiosity? She shook her head, muttering to herself.
Aanya Joshi
Stay out of trouble, Aanya.
As Aanya walked towards the campus gate, she heard familiar voices calling out.
Niya Jain
Aanya! Over here!
Aanya turned to see Niya and Rishi waving at her.
Niya Jain
Let’s go to the club tonight! I got four passes for 'Skyline'.
Rishi Sharma
Yeah, let’s go! I need to clear my head.
Aanya Joshi
You guys go. I’ll pass.
Niya Jain
Oh, come on, don’t be boring! It’ll be fun. Call Gia too!
Niya Jain
(making a puppy face) Please! Pretty please!!!
Aanya Joshi
(sighing) Fine. Let me call Gia.
She dialed Gia’s number, and the call was picked up after a couple of rings.
Gia Verma
(in call)Hey girl, what’s up?
Aanya Joshi
(in call) Niya got passes for 'Skyline'. You want to join us?
Gia Verma
(in call) Oh, that one? I was just there yesterday... but hey, I won’t say no to clubbing! Wait for me at the club. I’ll meet you there.
Gia hung up before Aanya could respond. Aanya frowned slightly.
Aanya Joshi
(thinking) Yesterday? Hmm... Maybe this is my chance to find him.
Niya Jain
(snapping her fingers in front of Aanya) What did she say?
Rishi Sharma
Alright, then let’s go and wait for her there.
Aanya Joshi
Wait, but what about clothes?
Niya Jain
(grinning) Obviously, first stop—mall!
Rishi Sharma
Yeah, we’re upgrading tonight.
With that, the three of them headed to the mall, laughter and chatter filling the air as Aanya silently resolved to stay alert for anything—or anyone—that might help her in her search.
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