Episode 3: Rebellion

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Aaina walked out of the café, trying to focus on the conversations of her friends. But as usual, her presence didn’t go unnoticed.

Vamika and Advika intercepted Deepak with sharp glares and mocking smirks.

“You must be lost,” Vamika scoffed. “AG is not on your level.”

Deepak looked confused, unable to process the insult fully before Advika added coldly, “Don’t be sad. Just go and get your type—not AG.”

The girls burst into laughter and strutted away, leaving Deepak standing alone in the middle of the café. Embarrassed and hurt, he slowly backed away, ashamed, as the weight of their words sank in.

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*At Bajwa Mansion*

Anushka greeted her unexpected guests with a sugar-coated smile. “Hey, sister-in-law! I didn’t know you were coming so early. I thought the prayer was tonight,” she said sweetly, her expression betraying a hint of tension.

Rhea raised an eyebrow, her voice equally composed. “That’s right, sister-in-law. That’s what I told myself too. But since I was close by, I thought I’d drop in.”

“Oh, okay... It’s so good to see you,” Anushka replied, her voice stiff. “It feels like you're not even giving this house a chance to miss you.”

Rhea didn’t flinch. “It’s sisterly love. And you know—it’s my brother’s house too.”

Anushka forced another smile. “Of course. Let’s just wait for Mum.”

As they walked into the main lounge together, Kaya trailed behind. She didn’t bother to hide her disgust and left abruptly, her footsteps echoing through the corridor.

Once alone, Anushka’s polite mask dropped. Her face darkened. “That insolent girl. I hate her,” she hissed, slamming herself onto the sofa in anger.

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*Outside the School Grounds*

Ashok, Deepak, Shankar, and Bharat had gathered outside the school gate. The mood was oddly casual, despite the morning’s drama.

“Dude, what happened?” Bharat asked Deepak. “Did she accept you?”

Deepak sighed. “No. It’s like I failed.”

“Don’t worry,” Ashok said, patting him on the back. “You’ll find a better girl.”

“It’s not just that,” Deepak muttered. “She’s everywhere. I can’t even escape her face.”

Shankar, clearly amused, smirked. “Sorry bro, but since you failed, I’ll try next.”

With a half-hearted laugh, Deepak got on Shankar’s bike and they rode off. Bharat and Ashok mounted Ashok’s pizza delivery scooter and headed in the opposite direction.

“I forgot to ask—how’s the new job going?” Bharat asked.

Ashok smiled. “Just started, but I think this is where I belong.”

“Good, good. And how’s Mira? Everyone doing okay?”

Ashok shot him a knowing look. “Really, bro? You only care about Mira, not Mum?”

They both laughed, the tension easing for the first time all day.

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*G-Mansion*

Aaina entered the main parlour with her earbuds in and her expression blank. She paused as she saw her mum, Amrita, sitting with her close friend Rashi. Next to Rashi was her son, Ayush, waiting with a hopeful smile.

As Aaina waved at them and turned to leave, Amrita called her back gently.

“It’s that how you greet your elders,” Amrita said with a warm smile directed at Aaina.

Rashi quickly reassured, “Please don’t worry. She just came back from school and might be a little tired.”

Ayush was watching Aaina closely, smiling softly, but Aaina frowned in response.

“Thank you for understanding, Mrs. Khanna,” Aaina said quietly before slipping away, leaving Amrita looking upset and Rashi forcing a polite smile.

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Back at the Deol House, Bharat returned to find Arita quietly reading in the sitting room. As he tried to slip away, she called out to him.

“Bharat, won’t you even talk to me?”

He sighed, avoiding her gaze. “Please, Arita, I don’t want any trouble.” He tried to walk away, but she grabbed his arm, turning him back with frustration.

“I’ll bring your food to you,” she said softly, releasing him.

Bharat’s voice grew cold. “Do you really think I don’t know what you did to Simba and Shiv earlier? Stay out of my business.”

He left angrily, while Arita, feeling hurt, called after him, “Yes, go! I’m still your father’s wife!”

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At Pizza Palace, Ashok hurried to sign in but froze when he saw Mr. Varun standing nearby.

“You’re late on your second day,” Varun said sternly, making Ashok’s heart race.

“No, sir, I was on time. The traffic held me up,” Ashok explained nervously.

Varun leaned in, lowering his voice. “People here have told me you always mess up. If you want to keep this job, don’t let it happen again.”

Just then, his daughter Anamika approached.

“Don’t worry about what he said,” she told Ashok with a reassuring smile.

Ashok nodded, surprised. “Thank you.”

“Just don’t make a habit of being late,” Anamika warned gently, handing him a slip with her phone number.

“I won’t, ma’am,” Ashok promised, feeling a newfound hope as he left, while Anamika watched him with a quiet smile.

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That evening at Bajwa Mansion, Dilshad arrived for the washing prayer. Sunil was still not back, but Anushka greeted her warmly. Rhea and Kaya were also there, quietly waiting.

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