The Boy on the Balcony!
There was something about the summer sky in Sheherpur.. something so blue, it almost looked like Anaya Sharma’s heart every time she peeked at the boy on the balcony.
It had started two weeks ago.
Vihaan Arora had shifted to the house opposite hers with his younger brother Aarav and their mother, Naina Aunty. Their arrival wasn’t quiet. Sunita Sharma had already whispered about it to the neighborhood ladies before the men even lifted the second suitcase.
Sunita Sharma (Anaya’s mother)
Arora log wapas aaye hain! Bade sanskaari hain. Or unka beta, Vihaan, toh bada shareef dikhta hai.
(Arora's family came back! They are very cultural and their son, Vihaan, looks so noble.)
And Anaya… she had simply nodded. Until she saw him.
It was a Wednesday afternoon. Anaya was upstairs, pretending to fold clothes, but mostly staring outside the window, eyes resting on the balcony opposite. Vihaan stood there, a glass of chai in hand, white kurta loose over his frame, hair still wet from a shower.
Anaya Sharma (FL)
Bas ek nazar…
(Just one Glance…)
Their eyes met for a fraction.
That was it. One glance. The kind where time stops, stomachs flutter, and words lose meaning.
He didn’t smile. Just blinked and looked away.
She lost her balance and nearly dropped her mother’s favourite bedsheet.
Sunita Sharma (Anaya’s mother)
Yeh ladki ab din bhar chhat pe kya karti rehti hai? (Sunita muttered as she walked past)
Sunita Sharma (Anaya’s mother)
Pata nahi kya sochti rehti hai.
Anaya quickly folded the sheet, her cheeks crimson. Riddhi, her younger sister, caught the moment and smirked.
Riddhi Sharma (Anaya’s little sister)
Ohooo… balcony ke Romeo ko dekh rahi thi kya?
Anaya Sharma (FL)
Shut up, Riddhi! (Anaya threw a cushion, missing her by inches)
Riddhi danced away, singing.
Riddhi Sharma (Anaya’s little sister)
🎶 Anaya ka pehla pyaar, ek dum balcony ke paar… 🎶
In the evening, the Aroras were invited over for chai. Sunita Aunty had made it look accidental.
Sunita Sharma (Anaya’s mother)
Naina ji, waise bhi hum padosi hain, ek cup chai toh banti hai!
Naina Arora (Vihaan’s mother)
Aree ji jarur.. (she smiles softly)
Anaya wore her yellow suit. Not because of Vihaan. Not at all. Okay… maybe just a little.
She entered the living room carrying the tray of samosas when she heard his voice for the first time.
Vihaan Arora (ML)
Thank you, Aunty! (Soft. Deep. Polite)
Anaya’s hands trembled slightly, the tray tilting dangerously. Ramesh Sharma took it from her with a smile.
Ramesh Sharma (Anaya’s father)
Beta, sambhal ke.
Vihaan looked up at her, directly this time. And this time, he smiled.
Across the room, Aarav whispered something to Vihaan. Both brothers chuckled.
Mishti, Anaya’s best friend, arrived right on cue and pulled her aside.
Mishti (Anaya’s best friend)
Yeh Vihaan toh bilkul film hero lagta hai, no?
Anaya Sharma (FL)
I don’t know… (Anaya said, even though she definitely did)
Later that night, while helping her mother with the dishes, Anaya caught herself smiling for no reason.
Sunita Sharma (Anaya’s mother)
Kya hua, choti? Sapno mein ghoom rahi hai kya? (she noticed)
Anaya Sharma (FL)
Nahi toh! (she blinked)
But Riddhi, from the other room, yelled.
Riddhi Sharma (Anaya’s little sister)
Anaya balcony waale ke liye love letter likhne waali hai!
Anaya Sharma (FL)
RIDHHIIIII! 😳 (her eyes widen)
In the Arora household, Aarav nudged his elder brother.
Aarav Arora (Vihaan’s younger brother)
She’s cute. You noticed, right?
Vihaan Arora (ML)
Who? (Vihaan gave him a side glance)
Aarav Arora (Vihaan’s younger brother)
Oh please. Don’t pretend you didn’t look at her like she was the full moon.
Vihaan rolled his eyes but… he didn’t deny it.
That night, under the fairy lights on her bedroom wall, Anaya opened her diary.
Anaya Sharma (FL)
Dear Vihaan,
You don’t know me. But today, when our eyes met… something moved in me. I don’t know what it means yet, but I hope I find out. Slowly. Sweetly. Without scaring it away.
Your secret admirer,
– A
She tore the page out and slipped it under her pillow.
Just in case love needed a little encouragement.
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