Episode 2: Lines Drawn,Aaina Unshaken

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The morning air at the neighboring house was tense. Simba and Shiv stood in the kitchen, their voices raised, clashing with Arita and Shirya over breakfast.

“This is my father’s house,” Simba declared firmly, “so I’ll eat whatever I see.”

Shiv backed him up. “And you, Shirya, better stay out of this.”

Arita’s face twisted in disbelief. “How dare you eat my husband’s breakfast?”

Simba stepped closer, eyes burning. “I’m not your mate. Just because you’re married to my dad doesn’t mean you can talk to me anyhow.”

At that moment, Rakesh entered the house. Arita quickly changed her tone, putting on an act and pretending to cry softly.

“My love, what’s going on?” Rakesh asked, turning to her.

“They insulted me,” Arita said, dramatically wiping fake tears. “Your useless sons ate your breakfast and disrespected me when I spoke to them.”

Rakesh's face turned red with anger. Simba and Shiv stood stunned, while Shirya watched with a smug grin.

***

*Bajwa Mansion*

Meanwhile, Kaya paced around the room, her phone pressed to her ear as she updated Rhea about Anushka.

“She’s trying to skip the washing prayer again,” Kaya whispered sharply. “All because of you and mother!”

Rhea’s voice crackled with irritation from the other end. “I knew that girl would try to separate us from my brother. But this time… this time it must happen.”She hung up and smirk.

***

Back at the Deol House, Rakesh’s temper exploded. Without warning, he slapped both Shiv and Simba.

Simba, burning with rage, stepped forward to retaliate—but Shiv held him back.

“If you touch her,” Rakesh warned, “you’ll pay dearly. Now get out!”

Simba spat back, “Yes, we’ll go. But you… and your precious girl—” he pointed at Arita.

Rakesh cut him off, his voice cold. “If any of you want to live peacefully in this house, then Arita is your mother.”

Fuming, Simba and Shiv stormed out, the air around them thick with fury.

***

In the calm of a university lecture room, Lecturer Manish addressed his students.

“What is an antique?” he asked, scanning the room.

Ashok raised his hand and confidently explained. The class watched in surprise, impressed by his intelligence.

But Aaina wasn’t paying attention. She sat at the back, her eyes fixed on her phone, typing away.

Anaya, seated beside her, snatched the phone in frustration.

“Ag, come on! Please focus,” she said gently. “This is our first week.”

Aaina shook her head in frustration and snatched her phone back before sinking into her seat, clearly done with the conversation.

---

Back at Deol House, tension filled the air. After Rakesh stormed out, Arita and Sherya continued their heated argument.

"Most of them are useless," Sherya snapped. "And Bharat is the worst of them all. If we want our plan to succeed, we need to get those brothers out of here."

Arita narrowed her eyes. "No. It’s too early for that. I want your father to trust me completely before we make any move."

Meanwhile, Simbba and Shiv were at a bar, venting their frustration.

“That old man dared to slap me!” Simbba growled, slamming his glass down.

RK chuckled bitterly. “All because of that useless small girl, right?” He dragged a chair and sat beside them.

Shiv clenched his fists. “He threw our mothers out just to bring her in.”

“That old man must pay this time,” Simbba muttered, eyes dark with fury.

---

*Noida University – Outside*

Class had just ended, and Aaina stepped out with her usual group of girls. Laughter echoed around them as they joined her. She pulled out her earpods and glared at Anaya.

“I told you to stop collecting my phone,” Aaina said sharply.

“Sorry about that,” Anaya replied sheepishly. “But AG, please, let’s focus.”

Aaina sighed and squeezed her water bottle. “Yawn… Who’s hungry?”

“Me!” Vamika and Advika chimed in together, and the group burst into laughter as they walked off. Anaya stayed behind, watching them leave.

---

In another corner of the city, Anushka was deep into a business conference call when Kaya barged into her room. Anushka yanked out her earpods in irritation.

“What did I just tell you?” she snapped. Kaya stood quietly, avoiding her gaze.

Suddenly, Rhea walked in. “I told her to come and get you.”

Anushka was stunned. She hadn’t expected that.

---

Lunchtime buzzed with chatter at the campus café. Deepak and Shankar were in their usual squabble.

“I saw the girl first,” Deepak insisted. “Flat rule: I get first chance.”

“Come on!” Shankar argued. “That’s not true. Bharat, back me up. I saw her first, right?”

Bharat and Ashok just sat back, amused, watching the two bicker as Aaina and her friends walked in.

Deepak’s eyes lit up. “There she is!” He quickly left the table and approached Aaina with confidence.

“Hello, beautiful. I’m Deepak.”

The girls turned around, surprised—except Aaina, who didn’t even blink.

“I’m talking to her,” Deepak added, grinning with excitement.