Anshika stepped into her flat, shutting the door behind her with a quiet click. The silence of the apartment felt deafening after the liveliness of the Diwali celebration. The soft glow of the fairy lights she had put up flickered against the walls, casting warm hues across the room. Yet, despite the festive ambiance, an unsettling restlessness churned inside her. She kicked off her sandals and walked to the middle of the living room before sinking onto the floor, hugging her knees to her chest.

Her mind replayed the evening in a loop, each moment flashing before her like an unedited film reel. The celebration had been beautiful, filled with laughter, lights, and the scent of fireworks lingering in the air.

Her heart was still racing, from everything that had happened tonight. Kartikey. His words. His actions. His family. His brother calling her 'Bhabhi' so casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Her breath hitched at the memory, heat creeping up her neck. Did he really talk about her with his family? Did Kartikey really see her that way? As someone who could be a part of his life beyond college?

The thought unsettled her. She had never allowed herself to think too much about Kartikey's intentions. It was easier to dismiss his words, to assume he was just being friendly or teasing her like he did with everyone else. But the way he had looked at her tonight, the way he had spoken about her father with so much understanding—it didn't feel like a joke.

She ran a hand through her hair, staring at the floor as her thoughts spiraled. It had started subtly, hadn't it? The way he had started paying attention to her, always finding a reason to talk to her, to tease her. The way he had insisted she join the dance community, as if he had been waiting for her to step into his world. She had resisted, of course. She had tried to keep her distance, to remind herself that someone like him—confident, charming, the football team captain—couldn't possibly be serious about her.

But then there were the moments she couldn't ignore. The way he had stood up for her, the way he had looked at her when she danced, as if she was the only person in the room. The way he had always been there, his presence understanding and comforting.

She bit her lip. Maybe... just maybe... he really did like her.

Her pulse quickened at the thought, and she hugged her knees tighter. And what about her? What did she feel for him? Her mind immediately conjured the memory of him standing close, the way his presence made her feel safe, the way he challenged her fears but never forced her beyond her comfort zone. The way his eyes softened when he looked at her, as if he saw something in her that even she couldn't see.

She swallowed hard. This wasn't just admiration. It wasn't just gratitude for his kindness. It was something deeper, something unfamiliar, something she had been too afraid to name.

She closed her eyes, tilting her head back against the couch. Maybe he really did like her. Maybe it wasn't just harmless flirting, or the thrill of chasing someone who wasn't eager to reciprocate. Maybe, all those times he had looked at her with that unreadable expression, all those moments when he had chosen to stand beside her, when he had paid attention to things about her that no one else did—maybe they weren't coincidences after all.

And maybe... just maybe... she felt something for him too.

Her chest tightened at the thought. She had been so determined to ignore it, to push aside the possibility that her heart might be slipping, but tonight had made it impossible to deny. The way her pulse had quickened when he had stood close, the way her stomach had fluttered at his words, the way her eyes had instinctively sought him out.

But feelings weren't enough, were they? Liking someone didn't mean things would work out. There was still the reality of her life, of her family's expectations, of the unspoken rules she had always followed. Could she really let herself hope for something beyond what she had always believed was possible?

A soft breeze rustled the curtains, and she closed her eyes, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. She had spent so long believing that feelings like these were out of reach for her. That love—romantic love—was something she could never afford to want. Her family had always been strict, her grandfather especially. He had always expected her to be disciplined, obedient, focused on the future he had envisioned for her. And she had never dared to question it.

Her fingers tightened around the fabric of her kurta. Could she really allow herself to believe in something more? In the possibility that someone like Kartikey could truly care for her, not just as a friend, not just as a junior, but as something more?

Her heart clenched painfully. She had spent so long believing that love—real, honest love—was a burden. A set of expectations she could never meet. But Kartikey made it seem different. He made it feel... safe.

And that scared her more than anything.

Because if she let herself believe in that safety, if she let herself fall—what if it all came crashing down?

Anshika shut her eyes tightly, trying to block out the whirlwind of emotions crashing inside her. Maybe she was overthinking. Maybe she was reading too much into things. Maybe this was just another fleeting infatuation on his part. Maybe he would get bored and move on.

But a small, insistent voice whispered in the back of her mind.

What if he doesn't?

Her breath hitched.

What if he really meant it?

What if, despite everything, she wanted to believe it too?

She exhaled, pressing her forehead against her knees. She needed time. Time to understand what this meant, what she truly wanted. But deep down, she knew the truth was already there, waiting to be acknowledged.

Maybe—just maybe—she felt something for Kartikey too.

As Kartikey watched Anshika disappear into her building, he exhaled slowly, leaning back against the headrest, his fingers still resting on the steering wheel. The streetlights cast a golden glow on the dashboard, mirroring the lingering warmth in his chest. He hadn't expected tonight to unfold the way it did. Sure, he had looked forward to spending time with her, he always did—but something about tonight felt different. Deeper.

The way her eyes had widened in uncertainty when he had handed her the sparkler, the slight tremor in her fingers as she had touched it to his—hesitant yet willing. The way the golden light had reflected in her dark eyes, making them shine just a little more than usual. And then, the moment she had pressed back against him when the anaar had sparked to life. He could still feel the warmth of her against his chest, the way she had instinctively sought assurance in his presence. It had been just a few seconds, barely anything—but to him, it had felt like something more.

And then there was that moment, when she had turned her head ever so slightly, looking up at him. Even with the fireworks illuminating the night sky, he had only been able to focus on her. Her wide eyes, reflecting the golden sparks, the slight tremble of her lips, the unspoken emotions in her gaze. He had wanted to say something, to reassure her, to tell her how effortlessly she captivated him—but then, he had been at a loss for words.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair.

This girl.

She did something to him, something he couldn't quite put into words. It wasn't just attraction—though there was no denying that he found her beautiful. No, it was something deeper. Something about her made him want to pull her closer, to reassure her when she hesitated, to protect her from anything that might bring her pain.

And tonight, she had let him. Just a little.

He ran a hand through his hair again, his jaw tightening slightly as he replayed their conversation about her father. He hadn't expected the tightness in his chest when she had said those words—'Woh nahi hain.'

She had been seven.

Seven.

A child who should have been carefree, who should have had her father's hand guiding her through life. And yet, she had lost him before she could even truly understand what that loss meant. He had seen it in the way she looked down when she spoke, the way she hesitated before answering, as if trying to measure how much of herself she was willing to share.

It was the kind of grief that didn't just fade with time. The kind that settled in your bones, making a home there. The kind that people learned to live with but never truly let go of.

And yet, she had smiled—just a little—when she recalled the few memories she had of him. That smile had been fragile, like something precious she was afraid would shatter if she held onto it too tightly. It had made something twist inside him, something unfamiliar yet fiercely protective. He wanted to know more, not out of curiosity but because he could tell how much those memories meant to her. And he wanted to be the kind of person she could share them with, without hesitation.

And then, that small, longing smile.

'Woh bohot pyaar karte the mujhse.'

That had nearly undone him.

Because, of course, he had loved her. How could he not? And yet, she had spoken of it like something fragile, like a memory she had carefully preserved, afraid it might slip away if she wasn't careful. Kartikey had wanted to reach over, to hold her hand, to hold her, tell her that some things never fade. That a father's love doesn't just disappear with time.

But he hadn't.

Instead, he had said the only thing that had come naturally to him. 'Of course karte the.'

Because there had never been a doubt in his mind. He didn't know her father, but he knew Anshika. And he knew that any man who had been lucky enough to call her his daughter must have loved her with everything he had. How could he not?

A muscle ticked in his jaw as he thought about it again, about how alone she must have felt growing up without him. How she had learned to bury that part of herself, so much so that even talking about it now made her voice falter.

He wanted to know more because he wanted to understand. To know what had shaped her into the person she was. To know what made her hesitate, what made her pull away, and what if anything—would make her stay.

'Mujhe bataana kabhi, Uncle ke baare mein.'

It had been a simple request, but the way she had looked at him then...

Something had shifted in her gaze, like she hadn't expected him to say that. Like she wasn't used to people asking. And the fact that she had nodded, even if it had been hesitant meant more than he could put into words.

He wanted to tell her that she didn't have to do that, not with him. That she could talk about her father, about anything, and he would listen. No pity. No awkward silences. Just him, being there, the way he always wanted to be.

And then... there was that final moment before she left.

His lips quirked up at the memory. The way her eyes had widened at his compliment, the way she had looked utterly speechless, her face heating up under the dim car light. He had meant every word. She really had looked breathtaking tonight. More than the fireworks, more than the Diwali lights. And the fact that she hadn't pulled away from him.

It was enough.

But he wanted more.

More of the way she looked at him when she thought no one was watching. More of the way she got flustered when he teased her. More of the way she smiled—genuine, unguarded, like she had when she had finally lit that sparkler.

He hadn't even realized he was smiling until he caught his reflection in the rearview mirror.

Damn.

He was in deep.

He sighed again, shaking his head smiling like a fool, before finally turning the key in the ignition. The car purred to life, but he didn't drive off immediately. Instead, he allowed himself a moment longer to sit there, processing everything.

🌻

Anshika sat cross-legged on the bed, hugging a cushion to her chest as she stared at her cousin, Ananya, who was busy applying moisturizer in front of the mirror. The room smelled of lavender, the soft hum of a late-night playlist playing in the background.

She should sleep. She knew that. But her mind wouldn't stop running in circles.

Ananya caught her staring through the mirror and smirked. "Baat karni hai na mujhse?"

"You want to talk to me na?"

Anshika blinked. "Huh?"

"I can see the wheels turning in your head," Ananya said, turning around to face her. "Bata, kya chal raha hai tere dimaag mein?"

"Tell me, what's going on in your mind?"

Anshika hesitated, fingers tightening around the cushion. "Main..." She sighed, shaking her head. "Mujhe samajh nahi aa raha main kya kar rahi hoon."

"I... I can't understand what I'm doing."

Ananya raised an eyebrow. "Matlab?"

"What do you mean?"

Anshika looked down, hesitating for a moment before muttering, "Kartikey."

Ananya stilled for a second, then grinned. "Oho. Yeh baat hai?" She walked over, sitting beside Anshika and nudging her with her elbow. "Tu bata, kya chal raha hai?"

"Oh. that? You tell me, what's going on?"

Anshika groaned, burying her face in the cushion. "Mujhe samajh nahi aata, Annu... Main usse door rehne ki koshish karti hoon, par phir bhi har baar..." She exhaled, frustrated. "Woh mujhe samajhta hai. Woh bina kuch bole bhi sab dekh leta hai. Aur mujhe... mujhe acha lagta hai jab woh mere saath hota hai."

"I don't understand annu, I try to stay away from him, but still every time... He understands me, he sees everything without saying anything. And I... I like it when he's with me."

Ananya's expression softened. "Aur isme problem kya hai?"

"And what's the problem?"

Anshika looked up at her, eyes conflicted. "Problem yeh hai ki mujhe usse door rehna chahiye. P-par... Annu mere exams chal rahe hai phir bhi main padhai ke beech mein u-uske baare mein sochne lagti hoon."

"The problem is that I should stay away from him. B-but... Annu, my exams are going on, yet I keep thinking about him in the middle of studying."

Ananya studied her for a moment before asking gently, "Aur tu dur rehna chahti hai?"

"And you want to stay away?"

Anshika fell silent.

She should say yes. That was the right answer, wasn't it? But the truth sat heavy in her chest, refusing to be ignored.

"Main nahi jaanti," she whispered finally. "Par shayad... shayad main dur nahi rehna chahti."

"I don't know, but maybe... maybe I don't want to stay away."

Ananya smiled knowingly. "Toh mat reh."

"Then don't."

Anshika's head snapped up. "Annu!"

"Kya?!" Ananya rolled her eyes. "Anshu, tu hamesha cheezon ko zyada complicate karti hai. Agar tujhe uske saath acha lagta hai, toh usse dur jaane ki zaroorat hi kya hai?"

"What?! Anshu, you always complicate things. If you feel good with him, then what's the need to stay away from him?"

Anshika bit her lip, her fingers playing with the thread of the cushion. "Mummy aur Daadaji kabhi nahi maanenge," she said quietly. "Aur mujhe nahi pata mein bina kisi baat ke yeh sab kyu soch rahi hoon par me soch rahi hoon."

"Mummy and Daadaji will never agree, and I don't know why I'm thinking about all this without any reason, but I am thinking about it."

Ananya's expression turned serious. "Aur tu unki wajah se apni feelings ignore karegi? Kab tak nahi maanegi behen, you like him."

"And you'll ignore your feelings because of them? How long will you not accept it, sister? You like him."

"Main unko disappoint nahi kar sakti, Annu," Anshika admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Unhone mere liye itna kuch kiya hai, Annu woh bharosa karte hai mujhpe. Main unki ankhon mein disappointment nahi dekh paungi." 

"I can't disappoint them, Annu, they've done so much for me, Annu, they trust me. I can't see disappointment in their eyes."

Ananya's gaze softened. She placed a hand over Anshika's. "Anshika, perfect hone ka pressure sabse zyada toxic hota hai. Tu insaan hai, koi robot nahi. Aur pyaar koi galti nahi hoti."

"Anshika, the pressure to be perfect is the most toxic thing. You're human, not a robot. And love is not a mistake."

Ananya squeezed Anshika's hand gently. "Anshu, mujhe pata hai tu apni family ko bohot pyaar karti hai aur unki expectations tere liye bohot important hai. Par ek baat soch—kya woh tujhe khush nahi dekhna chahenge?"

"Anshu, I know you love your family a lot and their expectations are really important to you. But think about one thing—don't you think they'd want to see you happy?"

Anshika frowned. "Woh bas chaahte hai ki main apni life mein kuch karun. Par yeh sab unke liye theek nahi  hai."

"They just want me to do something in my life. But this all isn't right for them."

Ananya shook her head. "Aisa tujhe lagta hai, but trust me, jab unko lagega ki tu sach mein khush hai, woh maan jayenge yaar." She nudged her playfully. "Aur waise bhi, abhi kya tension le rahi hai? Tu kal shaadi karne ja rahi hai kya?"

"That's what you think, but trust me, when they see you're truly happy, they'll accept it, yaar. And anyway, why are you stressing now? Are you getting married tomorrow?"

Anshika inhaled a deep breath. "Annu!"

"Sach keh rahi hoon! Abhi toh sirf feelings ki baat ho rahi hai na? Bas flow ke saath jaa, zyada mat soch. Dekh, tujhe khud bhi nahi samajh aa raha ki kya ho raha hai, toh pehle apne emotions ko properly samajh. Uske baad jo hoga, dekha jaayega."

"I'm telling the truth! Right now, we're only talking about feelings, right? Just go with the flow, don't overthink it. Look, you yourself don't understand what's happening, so first understand your emotions properly. After that, whatever happens, we'll deal with it."

Anshika let out a sigh, her fingers tightening around the cushion again. "Par main kaise maan loon ki... ki woh bhi mujhe pasand karta hai?"

"But how can I believe that... that he likes me too?"

Ananya blinked, then let out an exaggerated gasp. "Oh God, Anshu! Tu andhi hai kya?!"

Oh God, Anshu! Are you blind or what?!"

Anshika's cheeks flushed. "Annu!"

"Kya 'Annu'?" Ananya rolled her eyes. "Woh tujhe sirf ek junior ki tarah treat nahi karta, and you know it. Tune mujhe jo bhi bataya aur specially jo diwali pe hua uske baad— tu pagal hai, hattt"

"What 'Annu'? He doesn't treat you just like a junior, and you know it. From everything you told me, especially what happened on Diwali—you're crazy, hatt!"

Anshika bit her lip, her thoughts flashing back to that night. She had felt something—an unspoken tension between them, a silent understanding in his gaze. The way he had stood just a little too close, his voice softer than usual, his fingers lingering around hers for longer than necessary.

Her heart thumped loudly in her chest.

Ananya smirked at her reaction. "Dekha? Tu yaad bhi karne lagi usko."

"See? You're even starting to think about him.

Anshika groaned, covering her face with the cushion. "Bas! Tu overthink mat kar!"

"Stop! Don't overthink it!"

"Main?" Ananya scoffed. "Overthink? Please, madam, yeh kaam sirf tera hai!"

"Me? Overthink? Please, madam, that's your job only!"

Anshika chewed on her lower lip. "Par agar maine kuch expect kar liya aur—"

"But what if I expect something and—"

Ananya dramatically fell back on the bed. "Meri maa! Kitna dimaag chalta hai tera!" She sat up and faced Anshika, her expression softer now.

"Oh my God! How much does your brain work!"

"Expectations rakhna galat nahi hai, Anshu," Ananya squeezed her hand. "Agar woh tujhe pasand karta hai, toh woh kabhi tujhe unsure ya insecure feel nahi hone dega, Anshu. Aur mujhe yakeen hai ki Kartikey aisa insaan nahi hai jo kisi ladki ke emotions ke saath khelta ho."

"Having expectations isn't wrong, Anshu, if he likes you, he'll never make you feel unsure or insecure. And I'm sure Kartikey is not the kind of guy who would play with someone's emotions."

Anshika swallowed, Ananya's words settling in her heart like a gentle reassurance. Yes, Kartikey definitely wasn't like that. She knew him.

"Bas ab zyada soch mat," Ananya nudged her playfully. "Jo bhi hoga, dekha jaayega. Abhi ke liye bas apni feelings ko accept kar, aur dekh kaise cheezein apni jagah aati hai."

"Now stop overthinking. Whatever happens, will happen. For now, just accept your feelings, and see how things fall into place."

Anshika took a deep breath, nodding slowly. Maybe, just maybe, Ananya was right. Maybe she didn't have to figure everything out at once. Maybe she could just let things happen.

Anshika adjusted her glasses, blinking at the screen as the words blurred together. Her desk lamp cast a soft glow over the pages of her notebook, and the only sound in her room was the rhythmic ticking of the clock. 1:17 AM. She sighed, rolling her shoulders. Just a little more...

Her phone vibrated beside her, the screen lighting up with a message.

Kartikey: Abhi bhi padh rahi ho?

Are you still studying?

She stared at the text for a moment before sighing and typing back.

Anshika: Haan.

Yes.

A moment later, another message popped up. She opened it, and her lips twitched despite herself. It was a meme—a sleepy-looking panda slumped over a book, captioned:

Sojao, warna exam me aisi haalat ho jayegi.

"Sleep now, or this will be your condition during the exam."

Anshika shook her head, biting back a smile.

Anshika: Aisa nahi hai.

It's not like that.

Kartikey: Sach bol raha hoon. Kya zaroorat hai raat bhar jaagne ki? Kal exam hai, rest bhi toh zaroori hai.

I'm telling the truth. What's the need to stay up all night? The exam is tomorrow, rest is important too.

She exhaled, rubbing her temple.

Anshika: Bas thodi der aur.

Just a little longer.

Kartikey: Thodi der ka matlab 3 baje tak?

A little longer means until 3 AM?

She hesitated before sending a 🙃 emoji.

A few seconds passed before his next message came.

Kartikey: Anshika, aise jaagogi toh exam ke time mind fresh kaise rahega?

Anshika, if you stay awake like this, how will your mind stay fresh during the exam?

She didn't reply, just stared at the message, conflicted.

A call came through.

She blinked at his name flashing on her screen. At this hour?

Hesitantly, she picked up. "Hello?"

His voice was softer than usual, a mix of concern and authority. "Ab padhai band karo. Tumhe kal exam likhna hai, all-nighter maarne ka koi fayda nahi hai."

Stop studying now. You have an exam tomorrow, there's no use in pulling an all-nighter."

"Kartikey—"

"Nahi, Anshika. Tumhe khud samajhna chahiye ki body ko rest dena kitna important hai," he interrupted, his voice firm but gentle. "Padhaai se zyada zaroori yeh hai ki tum kal concentrate kar pao. You've studied enough."

"No, Anshika. You need to understand how important it is to give your body rest. What's more important than studying is being able to concentrate tomorrow. You've studied enough."

Anshika pursed her lips, feeling strangely guilty. "Par agar kuch reh gaya toh—"

"But what if I missed something—"

"Nothing will be left. Tumhari preparation solid hai, I know it." His voice softened. "Bas ab jao, so jao."

"Nothing will be missed. Your preparation is solid, I know it. Now go, sleep."

She sighed. "Tum itne bossy kyun ho?"

"Why are you so bossy?"

He chuckled. "Aur tum itni ziddi kyun ho?"

"And why are you so stubborn?"

A smile tugged at her lips.

"Accha theek hai, so rahi hoon," she mumbled, pushing her books away.

"Okay fine, I'm going to sleep,"

"Good," he said, satisfied. Then, after a pause, "Sweet dreams, Anshika."

Her heart did a strange little flip.

"Good night, Kartikey," she murmured before cutting the call.

As she curled up under her blanket, phone still in her hand, she realized something.

These little conversations... these texts, these calls... they had become a habit.

And she wasn't sure when she'd started looking forward to them.

🌻

The crisp winter air wrapped around Anshika as she stepped out of the exam hall, the cold breeze making her shiver slightly. Her mind was still replaying the questions she had just answered, but a sense of relief settled in her chest—she had done well.

The entire campus seemed to be reveling in the cool weather, students huddled together, some laughing, others stretching after the long exam. Anshika tugged at the sleeves of her sweater, trying to keep herself warm as she hurried toward the cafeteria where she was supposed to meet her friends. And Kartikey.

Her steps slowed for a second at that thought. She could already feel a small smile forming at the idea of seeing him again—before she quickly schooled her expression, shaking her head at herself.

Stop it, Anshika.

She had barely walked a few more steps when a familiar voice reached her ears.

"Thand lag rahi hai?"

"Are you cold?"

She turned to find Kartikey walking beside her, his pace effortlessly matching hers, hands tucked casually into the pockets of his jacket. The chilly breeze tousled his already slightly messy hair, but as always, he looked effortlessly composed.

"Thodi si," she admitted, rubbing her palms together, trying to create some warmth.

"A little,"

Without a word, Kartikey reached for her hand.

Anshika's breath hitched as his larger, warmer hand enclosed hers, his thumb rubbing gentle circles over her ice-cold fingers. His touch was firm yet careful, the warmth of his skin slowly seeping into hers.

"K-Kartikey—" she started, but he simply shushed her with a small shake of his head, still focused on warming her fingers.

The sounds of students chattering around them faded into the background. All she could feel was his warmth, the way his touch sent a strange flutter through her chest.

After a few seconds, he smiled at her. "Better?"

She nodded quickly, looking anywhere but at him. "H-hmm."

His smile was slow and warm, dimples appearing like secret invitations meant just for her. "Bohot jaldi maan gayi. 'Main theek hoon, mujhe kuch nahi chahiye' nahi?"

"You gave in really quickly. 'I'm fine, I don't need anything,' no?"

Anshika didn't argue this time. She didn't roll her eyes or pull her hand away in a rush like she usually would. Instead, she simply looked down, a small, almost shy smile tugging at her lips.

Kartikey blinked.

For a moment, he didn't know what to do with that reaction.

She wasn't flustered in her usual way, nor was she scowling at him for teasing her. No mumbled retort, no hurried escape—just a quiet, genuine smile as she stared down at their hands.

Something warm curled in his chest.

It was such a simple thing, yet it made his breath hitch. 

He had seen her pout in irritation, had watched her get lost in her thoughts, had witnessed her frown at him countless times—but this? This soft, unguarded side of her? It was rare. And it was doing things to him he couldn't quite explain.

Clearing his throat, Kartikey loosened his grip, though he didn't let go completely. Instead, he let his fingers brush against hers lightly before finally asking, "Toh? Exam kaisa gaya?"

"So? How did the exam go?"

Anshika glanced up at him, her smile lingering. "Accha gaya."

"It went well."

He shoved his hands back into his pockets. But she didn't miss the way his fingers flexed, as if resisting the urge to reach for her again.

"Hmm." He nodded. "Mujhe pata tha."

"I knew it."

Kartikey grinned at her silence, clearly pleased. "Chale?"

"Shall we go?"

She exhaled, composing herself before muttering, "Haan," and walking ahead.

"Yes,"

But even as she did, her hands still felt warm.

Her fingers curled slightly, as if holding onto the feeling.

The cafeteria was buzzing with post-exam energy—students sprawled across chairs, some celebrating, others lamenting their answers. The air smelled of freshly brewed coffee, chai and warm food, a comforting contrast to the chilly weather outside.

Anshika and Kartikey stepped inside, the warmth of the space wrapping around them as they spotted their friends at a corner table.

"Finally!" Rahul groaned, slouching in his chair. "I thought we'd have to start eating without you two."

"Please, jaise tu abhi ruka hai," Arjun scoffed, stealing a fry from Rahul's tray.

"Please, like you're not right now."

Meera rolled her eyes. "Tum dono bas ek dusre se ladte raho."

"You two just keep fighting with each other."

Priya laughed, scooting over to make space for Anshika. "Chalo, tum dono bhi order karke, jaldi aao."

"Come on, you both go order and come quickly too."

Kartikey glanced at Anshika. "Chale?"

"Shall we?"

She nodded, following him to the counter.

The queue moved quickly, and soon it was their turn. Kartikey ordered first, casually rattling off his usual—chai and a grilled sandwich—before turning to her.

Anshika opened her mouth to place her order, but before she could say anything, Kartikey spoke smoothly, "Ek iced coffee, no sugar, no milk and the same sandwich."

"One iced coffee, no sugar, no milk and the same sandwich."

Anshika blinked, taken aback for a moment. She looked up at him, her lips parting slightly, but she didn't say anything.

Because he was right. That was exactly how she liked her coffee.

And that was her exact order.

The realization settled in her chest like a quiet weight.

Kartikey, meanwhile, didn't even seem to realize what he had done. He was already pulling out his wallet, completely at ease, as if ordering for her was second nature.

And maybe... it was.

That's when it hit him.

He remembered things about her.

The way she always tied her hair into a messy bun when she was frustrated. The little crease that formed between her brows when she was deep in thought. The way she tapped her pen against her notebook when she was nervous.

And her coffee order. He hadn't even thought about it—he just knew.

Realization dawned in his own eyes just as he glanced at her.

Anshika was still looking at him, something unreadable flickering in her gaze. She wasn't shocked. Not really. But she was flustered, her fingers brushing against her sweater, as if grounding herself.

"You good?" his voice interrupted her thoughts.

She quickly looked away, her fingers curling around the hem of her sweater. "H-hmm."

Kartikey just grinned, handing her the coffee as they walked back to the table.

And as she took her first sip, she couldn't help but wonder—how many other things did he remember about her?

And why did it make her feel like this?

As they reached their table Priya grinned. "Exam kaisa gaya?"

"How did the exam go?"

Anshika slipped beside her, and Kartikey placed her plate in front of her. "Accha tha," she answered simply.

"It was good,"

"Finally!" Priya grinned. "Exam khatam, stress khatam!"

"Finally! Exams are over, stress is over!"

"Bas kuch din ka relief hai," Rahul teased, leaning back in his chair. "Phir se naya semester shuru ho jayega."

"Just a few days of relief. Then a new semester will begin."

Arjun chuckled. "Bhai, thoda toh relax karne de unhe."

"Bro, let them relax a little."

Anshika shook her head fondly, while Kartikey took the seat beside her.

As the group dug into their food, the conversation naturally drifted from post-exam relief to what lay ahead.

"Now that exams are finally over, we should do something fun," Meera said, stirring her lemonade. "Like a small trip."

"Good idea," Priya agreed enthusiastically. "Ek do din ke liye kahin chalte hain."

"Good idea. Let's go somewhere for a day or two."

Anshika sipped her coffee, listening quietly as a familiar hesitation settled in her chest. A trip? Her family would never allow it.

Arjun suddenly hit the table. "Bro, Skandagiri!"

Meera asked, confused. "Skandagiri?"

Arjun turned to her, excitement buzzing in his voice. "Haan! Skandagiri is a hill near Nandi Hills, just a few hours from here. It's famous for its sunrise trek—we can camp overnight, start the trek before dawn, and reach the peak in time to see the sunrise."

"Yes! Skandagiri is a hill near Nandi Hills, just a few hours from here. It's famous for its sunrise trek—we can camp overnight, start the trek before dawn, and reach the peak in time to see the sunrise."

Priya gasped. "That sounds amazing! Just imagine—bonfire, music, and then trekking in the early morning!"

Rahul nodded eagerly. "And it's not that far. Hum ek-do din mein wapas bhi aa sakte hain."

"And it's not that far. We can come back in a day or two."

Meera grinned. "I'm in. Maza aayega. Kab chalein?"

"I'm in. It'll be so much fun. When shall we go?"

Rahul checked his phone. "Agar jaana hai toh kal ya parso nikalna padega. Phir Anshika bhi ghar chali jayegi na?"

"If we're going, we'll have to leave tomorrow or the day after. Then Anshika will go home, right?"

Anshika, who had been quiet until now, stiffened slightly.

Right. She was leaving for home in three days.

For a second, she hesitated, uncertainty creeping in.

Would her family allow this? Would they even consider it?

She could already imagine their reactions.

"Akele itni dur? Bilkul nahi. Camping? Aur ladke bhi honge?"

"Going so far alone? Absolutely not. Camping? And there will be boys too?"

A part of her already knew the answer.

But she didn't say anything.

Not yet.

"Anshika, tu chalegi na?" Priya nudged her.

"Anshika, you're coming na?"

Anshika blinked, her grip tightening slightly around her coffee cup.

She wanted to say yes. It sounded incredible—exactly the kind of break she wanted. The idea of escaping into the hills, the fresh air, the quiet, the laughter with her friends. A chance to be with her friends, away from the weight of responsibilities. A part of her craved that kind of freedom. But as much as the idea thrilled her, there was a familiar worry lurking in the back of her mind.

Her family.

Going out with friends, that too for an overnight trip? The very thought of asking for permission made her stomach twist.

Kartikey, who had been watching her carefully, didn't miss the slight hesitation in her. His eyes lingered on her for a moment, but he didn't say anything.

Instead, he just leaned slightly closer, voice casual but knowing.

"Tension mat lo," he murmured. "We'll figure it out."

"Don't stress, we'll figure it out."

Anshika looked at him, startled for a second.

He knew?

Even without her saying a word, he understood.

And somehow, that made her heart race just a little.

🌻

The sky had turned a soft shade of orange as Anshika stepped out of the college gate. The winter air felt crisper now, a light breeze sweeping past her. She adjusted the strap of her bag, ready to walk home when she noticed a familiar figure standing near the entrance.

Kartikey.

He was leaning against a bike, arms crossed, a slight frown on his face. His usually relaxed expression was replaced with something that looked suspiciously like impatience. His eyes flickered to the road every few seconds as if waiting for someone.

Anshika walked towards him.

"Kartikey?" she called out.

His head turned immediately, his frown softening slightly at the sight of her.

"Tum yahan?" she asked, stopping in front of him. "Ghar nahi gaye ab tak?"

"You here? Haven't you gone home yet?"

Kartikey arched an eyebrow at her. "Yahi sawaal main tumse puch raha tha."

"That's the question I was asking you."

She blinked. "Kya?"

"What?"

He pushed off the bike, standing tall in front of her. "Tumhari ab koi classes nahi hai. Phir ab tak yahan kya kar rahi ho? Ghar nahi gayi?"

"You don't have any classes now. So, what are you still doing here? Haven't you gone home?"

Anshika blinked at him, momentarily caught off guard by how quickly he had turned the question on her. "Bas... thoda time spend kar rahi thi Priya aur Meera ke saath  aur next semester ka registration bhi aaj hi karwa liya."

"Just... spending some time with Priya and Meera, and I finished the registration for next semester today only."

He studied her for a second longer before exhaling, shaking his head. "Hmm."

Anshika narrowed her eyes. "Tum itne impatient kyun lag rahe ho?"

"Why do you look so impatient?"

Kartikey's lips pressed into a thin line as he glanced at his watch, clearly frustrated. "Rahul, yaar, usko meri car chahiye thi, bola ki bas thodi der ka kaam hai, wapas aa jayega. Ab tak nahi aaya."

"Rahul, yaar, he needed my car, said it's just a small task and he'll be back in a bit. He still hasn't returned."

Anshika bit back a smile at his irritation. "Oh, guys and their possessiveness for their cars."

Kartikey shot her a look. "Baat car ki nahi hai, baat uss idiot ki hai jo bina bataye gayab ho gaya hai." Wait, did she just tease me? What's gotten into her??

"It's not about the car, it's about that idiot who disappeared without telling me."

Anshika hummed in amusement, shaking her head. "Toh ab?"

"So now?"

His eyes swept over the road and back to her. "You are walking home?"

Anshika nodded, shifting on her feet. "Haan."

"Yes."

Kartikey frowned. "Itni dur?"

"So far?"

She rolled her eyes. "Bas dus minute ka raasta hai, Kartikey."

"It's just a ten-minute walk, Kartikey."

He didn't look convinced. "Alone?"

She let out a small sigh. "Hamesha jaati hoon."

"I always go alone."

Kartikey exhaled, looking away for a second before turning back to her. "Chalo, main bhi chalta hoon."

"Come on, I'll walk you home."

Anshika blinked. "Kya?"

"What?"

He stepped forward, already adjusting his jacket. "I will walk you home."

She frowned slightly, waiting for the usual back-and-forth that always happened between them whenever he tried to be overprotective. Normally, she would argue, tell him she didn't need an escort, and he would smile, tease her, and insist anyway.

But this time, something was different.

Because she didn't argue.

Not really.

"Par... Rahul?" she said instead, the words sounding weak even to her own ears.

"But... Rahul?"

Kartikey gave a casual shrug. "Rahul jab aayega tab call kar lega. Tum chalo."

"When Rahul comes, he'll call me. You come."

For the first time, she didn't feel like arguing.

She didn't quite understand why, but she didn't push him away.

"Theek hai," she murmured.

"Okay,"

Kartikey's gaze flickered slightly at her easy acceptance, as if he, too, was a little surprised by it. But he didn't comment on it. Instead, he just fell into step beside her as they started walking.

The evening air was crisp, carrying the scent of freshly watered plants and a hint of the city's lingering chaos. Anshika's hands rested together as she walked, her steps unhurried, as if she had all the time in the world, her bag slung over her shoulder. Beside her, Kartikey walked with his hands in his pockets, his strides relaxed yet purposeful.

For the first few minutes, they walked in silence.

It wasn't awkward. But it wasn't entirely comfortable either.

Anshika stole a glance at him from the corner of her eye. He seemed... lost in thought. His brows weren't furrowed like before, but there was something else in his expression—something unreadable.

It made her curious.

Anshika tilted her head slightly, studying him. His sharp features were relaxed, but there was something in his gaze that seemed distant. Like he was thinking too much.

Her curiosity got the better of her.

"Kartikey," she spoke, her voice soft yet enough to break through whatever thoughts had consumed him.

His gaze flickered towards her, his expression shifting slightly. "Hmm?"

She hesitated for a moment before tilting her head slightly, studying him. "Tum pareshaan lag rahe ho. Sab theek hai?"

"You seem worried. Is everything okay?"

Kartikey was silent for a second longer, as if debating whether to answer. Then, with a slow exhale, he looked at her properly, his dark eyes steady. "Ek sawaal puchun?"

"Can I ask you a question?"

Anshika blinked at the sudden shift, his tone holding a certain weight that made her pause. "Kaisa sawaal?"

"What kind of question?"

He let out a small sigh, his expression dead serious. "I want an honest answer. Sach mein."

"I want an honest answer. Really."

She frowned slightly at his seriousness. "Okay..." she trailed off before nodding hesitantly. "Puchho."

"Ask."

Something flickered in his gaze at her easy agreement, as if he had expected more resistance. She, too, felt an odd moment of surprise. Normally, she wouldn't be this open to whatever strange conversation Kartikey wanted to drag her into. But there was something different about this moment—about them, about her, even if just a little.

Kartikey didn't question her hesitation. Instead, he looked ahead, walking a few more steps before finally asking, "You are always so careful, why? Is it your family?"

Anshika's steps faltered slightly, her breath catching at his words.

She hadn't expected that.

Not at all.

Her fingers instinctively tightened around her hand as she processed his question. He hadn't asked it teasingly, nor had he said it in a way that made her feel judged. It was a simple question. Straightforward. Honest. But it made something uncomfortable stir inside her.

She opened her mouth, then closed it. What was she supposed to say?

Seeing her hesitation, Kartikey slowed his pace slightly, his tone softening. "It's not a trick question, Anshika. Main bas... I just want to understand."

Her heart did an odd little flip at the sincerity in his voice.

She swallowed, staring at the pavement ahead. "Mujhe..." she started, her voice quieter now. "Mujhe nahi pata. Bas... main aesi hi hoon."

"I don't know... I just... I am like this."

Kartikey hummed slightly, as if considering her words. "So, you never make your decisions for yourself?"

She bit her lip. "My decisions... I do, but I need to consider my family," she admitted after a pause. "H-how can I make decisions just like that? I need to be careful."

Kartikey remained silent for a moment, before sighing. "Mujhe lagta hai tum kabhi khud ke liye sochti hi nahi ho."

"I think you never really think for yourself."

Anshika frowned, finally turning to face him properly. "Aisa nahi hai—"

"That's not true—"

"Really?" He arched an eyebrow. "Kabhi kuch sirf apne liye kiya hai, kyunki tum karna chahti thi? Bina kuch soche?"

"Have you ever done something just for yourself, because you wanted to? Without thinking about anything else?"

Anshika opened her mouth to respond, but... she had nothing.

Because the truth was, he was right.

She had never done anything entirely for herself. Every decision, every action—no matter how small—was always tied to what her family would think, how they would react, or what was expected of her.

The realization left an uneasy feeling settling in her chest.

Kartikey must have noticed the shift in her expression because his voice softened again. "Main bas itna keh raha hoon ki... kabhi kabhi, sirf apne liye sochna bhi zaroori hota hai."

"I'm just saying that... sometimes, it's important to think for yourself too."

Anshika let out a small breath, her gaze flickering to him. There was no mockery in his words, no teasing. Just a quiet understanding. And for some reason, that made it harder to brush off.

He looked at her, his gaze unreadable once again. "Dance, you chose dance for yourself. Don't tell me you don't feel good after making that decision?"

Something about the way he said it made her stomach flutter.

Before she could overthink it, Kartikey suddenly stopped walking. She halted as well, looking at him in confusion. "Kya hua?"

"What happened?"

He tilted his head towards a chai stall at the corner of the street. "Chai peete hai."

"Let's have some tea."

Anshika blinked at the sudden shift. "Kya?"

"What?"

Kartikey shrugged, already walking towards it.

For some reason, she found herself smiling as she followed him.

The small tapri was quiet at this hour, the aroma of fresh chai filling the air. Kartikey ordered two cups, handing one to Anshika as they leaned against the side of the stall. The warmth of the chai seeped through the cup, contrasting with the cool evening air. Anshika blew lightly on her tea before taking a sip, her gaze absently drifting to the bustling street ahead.

Kartikey, however, was looking at her.

She could feel his gaze, but she didn't meet it. Not yet. There was still a lingering weight in her chest from their earlier conversation.

After a few moments of silence, Kartikey finally spoke, his voice calm yet firm. "Maybe if you tried, your family would understand."

Anshika's fingers tightened slightly around her cup. She looked at him now, her brows furrowing slightly. "Itna asaan nahi hai."

"It's not that easy."

Kartikey tilted his head slightly, considering his words before speaking. "Nahi. Aasaan nahi hai. Par yeh batao ki kya tumne kabhi sach mein koshish ki?"

"No. It's not easy. But tell me, have you ever truly tried?"

Anshika opened her mouth to protest, but Kartikey continued before she could. "You assume they won't allow it, so you don't even try. Tumne kabhi unse baat ki? Kabhi unhe samjhane ki koshish ki? Maybe they don't understand your world because no one has tried to explain it to them."

"Have you ever talked to them? Have you ever tried to make them understand?"

Anshika fell silent, her thoughts tangling in her head. She had always told herself that her family wouldn't understand, that their expectations would never change. But Kartikey's words hit a nerve—because deep down, she knew he was right.

She had never really tried.

She had spent years following the unspoken rules of her family, believing that this was how things had to be. But had she ever actually sat down with them and told them what she wanted? Had she ever tried to make them see her world the way she saw it?

Kartikey took a sip of his chai before speaking again, his voice softer now. "Kabhi kabhi, jab hamari family time ke saath nahin badal paati hai, toh humein unhe samjhana padta hai. Humein unhe dikhana padta hai ki duniya badal chuki hai, aur unhe bhi badalna padega."

"Sometimes, when our family fails to change with time, we have to make them understand. We have to show them that the world has changed, and they need to change too."

Anshika swallowed, her heart feeling heavier with every word he spoke. He made it sound so simple, yet it wasn't. It was terrifying to think about confronting those expectations, about breaking the unspoken rules she had lived by for so long.

But... was she really scared that they wouldn't understand? Or was she just scared to try?

The realization sent a shiver down her spine. Kartikey was right. She had assumed things would never change, so she never gave them a chance to.

Kartikey, watching her expression shift, let out a small sigh. "Dekho, main yeh nahi keh raha ki yeh ek din mein ho jayega. Par agar tum kabhi try hi nahi karogi, sirf isliye ki tumhe lagta hai ki woh tumhari baat nahi samjhenge, then it's unfair to both you and them."

"Look, I'm not saying this will happen in a day. But if you never even try, just because you think they won't understand, then it's unfair to both you and them."

Anshika looked down at her chai, staring at the ripples forming from the gentle sway of her hands. It felt like he had just unraveled something she had spent years ignoring, something she had buried deep within herself to avoid facing the possibility of disappointment.

"I don't know how to do that," she admitted, her voice quieter now.

Kartikey gave her a small, lopsided smile. "There is only one way to find out."

She exhaled slowly, it was a lot to take in, a lot to process. But for the first time, she didn't feel entirely alone in it.

They stood there in silence for a few more minutes, their chai cooling between their hands. Anshika found herself wondering—maybe Kartikey was right. Maybe, she had been holding herself back more than anyone else ever had.

She took a small sip, letting the warmth seep in as she stole another glance at Kartikey. He was looking at her again, but this time, it was different.

"Tum aise kya dekh rahe ho?" she asked, frowning.

"What are you looking at like that?"

He smiled. Cute. "Bas soch raha tha... aaj bina kisi ladayi ke tumne meri baat maan li."

"Just thinking... today, for the first time, you agreed with me without a fight."

Anshika rolled her eyes but felt her cheeks warm.

Kartikey chuckled, but he didn't push further. Instead, he just watched her as she took another sip, the comfortable silence returning between them.

As they resumed walking. The streets had quieted down a little, the evening rush settling into a slow hum. The golden glow of streetlights flickered above them, casting soft shadows on the pavement.

Neither of them spoke for a while. The air between them was different now—quieter, more thoughtful. Kartikey walked beside her with his hands in his pockets, his stride casual yet alert. Every now and then, Anshika could feel his gaze flicker towards her, as if making sure she was still there, still listening to his words from earlier.

When they reached her building, she stopped near the entrance and turned to him. "Thanks," she said softly. 

Kartikey gave her a half-smile, tilting his head slightly. "For walking you home?"

Anshika shook her head, but a small smile lingered on her lips. "Nahi," she said after a pause, looking down for a moment before meeting his gaze again. "For everything."

"No,"

His smile faltered slightly, his eyes softening at her words. He didn't say anything immediately, just watched her for a moment longer, as if committing this rare moment of openness to memory. Then, with a small nod, he said, "Main kal subah call karunga. Trip ke baare mein poochne ke liye."

"I'll call you tomorrow morning. To ask about the trip."

She nodded, a tiny, almost imperceptible smile tugging at her lips. "Theek hai."

"Okay."

Kartikey stepped back slightly, shoving his hands deeper into his pockets. "Jao, andar jao. Aur jaldi so jaana."

"Go, go inside. And sleep early."

She smiled softly at that, shaking her head before finally stepping towards the building entrance. But just before she reached the entrance, she paused and turned back.

Kartikey was still there, watching her.

She hesitated for a second before giving him a small, genuine smile.

His expression shifted—for just a fraction of a moment, something unguarded flickered in his eyes. Then, as quickly as it came, it was gone, replaced with a smile. He gave her a slight nod in return, as if acknowledging the silent moment between them.

Without another word, Anshika turned and stepped inside.

Kartikey waited a few seconds, watching her go inside before he exhaled deeply. Running a hand through his hair, he shook his head slightly, a quiet smile playing on his lips as he turned to walk away.

🌻

As Anshika stepped inside her apartment, she leaned against the closed door for a moment, inhaling deeply. The faint scent of old wood and the familiar quiet of her house wrapped around her, but her mind was far from still.

Kartikey's words echoed in her head.

"Maybe if you tried, your family would understand."

"You assume they won't allow it, so you don't even try."

She closed her eyes, exhaling slowly. Was he right? Had she really never tried?

A small part of her argued back—of course, she had. She had always tested the waters, tried to gauge their reactions before even bringing up something she wanted. But had she truly, honestly, asked? Had she ever spoken to them openly, rather than assuming rejection before even trying?

The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

She turned on her heels and slowly moved to her room. The familiar coziness of her space greeted her—the neatly arranged books on her desk, the small fairy lights adorning her window, the faint scent of lavender from the diffuser on her nightstand.

She set her bag down, her fingers lingering over the strap before pulling out her phone.

Her thumb hovered over her mother's contact.

Her heart thudded.

For a split second, she considered postponing it. Maybe she should wait until tomorrow—maybe she should think it through more. But then Kartikey's voice replayed in her mind.

"There is only one way to find out."

Anshika exhaled sharply, bracing herself. Then, before she could second-guess herself, she tapped the call button.

The phone rang.

Her stomach twisted.

It rang again.

What if they said no? What if they dismissed her without even listening?

A third ring.

Anshika clenched her free hand into a fist, willing herself to stay calm.

Finally, the call connected.

"Anshu?" Her mother's warm voice filled the line, laced with the usual affection and concern. "Beta, ghar aa gayi? Exam kaisa tha?"

"Beta, have you reached home? How was your exam?"

Anshika swallowed, pushing down her nerves. "Haan Mummy, exam bhi accha tha."

"Yes, Mummy, the exam went well too."

There was a brief pause before her mother continued, "Khaana khaya? Aaj exams khatam ab bas ghar aajao."

"Did you eat? Your exams are over now, just come home."

"Haan," Anshika replied, shifting slightly on her bed. "Haan mummy bas kuch din aur, phir me aa jaugi."

"Yes, Mummy, just some days, then I'll come home."

Her mother hummed in acknowledgment. "Haan jaldi aajao."

"Yes, come home soon."

Anshika nodded before realizing her mother couldn't see her. She took a breath, her fingers tightening around her phone. "Mummy... ek baat poochni thi."

"Mummy... I wanted to ask you something."

Her mother's voice instantly became more attentive. "Haan, batao."

"Yes, tell me."

Anshika hesitated for half a second before finally speaking, "Mummy... main... main ek trip pe jaana chahti hoon apne friends ke saath."

"Mummy... I... I want to go on a trip with my friends."

Silence.

Anshika's heart pounded.

Her mother didn't say anything immediately, which was somehow worse than an outright refusal.

After what felt like an eternity, her mother finally spoke, her voice slow and cautious. "Trip?"

Anshika nodded quickly. "Haan, Skandagiri. Zyada dur nahi hai, sirf ek-dedh ghante ki drive hai. Hum ek raat camping karenge aur subah trek karenge. Fir wapas aa jayenge."

"Yes, Skandagiri. It's not too far, just an hour-and-a-half drive. We'll camp for a night and trek in the morning, then return."

Another pause. Then—

"Kaun kaun jaa raha hai?"

"Who all are going?"

Anshika had expected this question. She answered carefully, "Priya, Meera, Rahul, Arjun... aur Kartikey."

"Priya, Meera, Rahul, Arjun... and Kartikey."

She could almost hear her mother frown. "Ladke bhi hain?"

"There are boys too?"

Anshika bit her lip. "Mummy, sab college ke friends hain. Hum saath hi padte hain, humare seniors hain, trustworthy log hain."

"Mummy, they're all college friends. We study together, they're our seniors, and they're trustworthy people."

Her mother sighed, her voice hesitant. "Beta, yeh achanak se plan—aur raat bhar bahar rehna?"

"Beta, this is such a sudden plan—and staying out all night?"

Anshika swallowed, her nerves making her palms sweat. She forced herself to stay firm. "Mummy, maine kabhi aise kisi trip ke liye nahi poocha. Par mujhe sach mein jaana hai. Sirf ek din ka plan hai. Safety ka bhi pura dhyan rakhenge."

"Mummy, I've never asked for any trip like this before. But I really want to go. It's just for one day. We'll also take full care of our safety."

Her mother was quiet for a few moments, clearly torn. Then, softly—

"Beta, tum toh jaanti ho Dadaji yeh sab pasand nahi karte..."

"Beta, you know your grandfather doesn't like all this..."

Anshika closed her eyes, expecting this.

Her grandfather.

The pillar of their family. The one whose word was practically law in their household.

If she wanted a chance at going, she would have to convince him.

Her grip tightened on her phone.

"Main unse baat karungi," she said before she could lose her nerve.

"I'll talk to him,"

Her mother sounded surprised. "Anshu—"

"Mummy, main bas ek baar unse baat karna chahti hoon," she said, her voice steadier than she felt. "Agar woh mana kar denge, toh main nahi jaungi. But mujhe kam se kam unse ek baar directly baat karne ka chance toh milna chahiye, na?"

"Mummy, I just want to talk to him once. If he says no, then I won't go. But at least I should get a chance to ask him directly, right?"

Silence again.

Then, her mother sighed. "Theek hai. Main unhe bulati hoon."

"Okay. I'll call him."

Anshika's heart started pounding even harder.

A few seconds passed before she heard the faint sound of her mother calling out—

"Papa, Anshu ka phone hai."

"Papa, Anshu is on the phone."

A few rustling sounds, the familiar deep tone of her grandfather's voice responding. Then—

"Anshu?"

Anshika took a deep breath. "Ji, Dadaji."

"Yes, Dadaji."

His voice was calm, firm as always. "Sab theek hai na?"

"Is everything alright?"

"Haan, Dadaji. Sab theek hai."

"Yes, Dadaji. Everything is fine."

He waited. She knew he was expecting her to say why she had called.

This was it.

She exhaled slowly, then finally spoke.

"Dadaji... mujhe ek trip pe jaana hai apne doston ke saath."

"Dadaji... I want to go on a trip with my friends."

Silence.

Her heartbeat was so loud she could hear it in her ears.

"Trip? Kon dost?" he asked after a moment, his tone unreadable.

"A trip? Which friends?"

"Priya, Meera, Rahul, Arjun... aur Kartikey." she answered carefully.

She swallowed hard, bracing herself for immediate rejection.

But to her surprise, he didn't refuse outright.

Instead, he asked, "Kahan jaana hai?"

"Where do you want to go?"

Anshika felt a flicker of hope.

"Skandagiri, Dadaji. Bas ek din ke liye—raat ko camping aur subah trek, fir wapas."

"Skandagiri, Dadaji. Just for one day—camping at night and trekking in the morning, then coming back."

There was another pause.

Then, his voice, slightly firmer. "Raat bhar bahar rehna zaroori hai?"

"Is it necessary to stay overnight?"

Anshika hesitated. "Subah trek karne ka sabse acha time hai, Dadaji. Isiliye log raat ko rukte hain, taki subah sunrise dekh sakein."

"The best time for the trek is early morning, Dadaji. That's why people stay overnight, so they can watch the sunrise."

Her grandfather was silent again, and she could feel the weight of his disapproval pressing through the phone.

Then, after what felt like forever, he finally spoke.

"Main soch kar bataunga."

"I will think about it and let you know."

Anshika let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

That wasn't a 'yes.'

But it wasn't a 'no' either.

And for the first time, she felt like she had at least taken the first step.

Maybe Kartikey had been right after all.

🌻

Anshika sat on her bed, her phone still in her hand, the conversation with her grandfather replaying in her mind. The weight on her chest felt lighter somehow. She had expected an outright refusal, but he had said he would think about it. That was more than she had hoped for. More than she had ever gotten before.

She exhaled slowly, leaning back against the headboard. The realization settled in—she had actually asked. For the first time, she had voiced what she wanted instead of assuming the answer.

And it was because of Kartikey.

The door swung open, and Ananya stepped inside, tossing her bag onto the nearby chair.

"Anshu!" Her cousin's voice was full of energy, as always, despite her long day at college. "Mujhe coffee pila de na, yaar. Kitni thand hai aaj."

"Make me some coffee, yaar. It's so cold today."

Anshika blinked at her, still half-lost in her thoughts, before shaking her head and gesturing toward the bottle of water on the desk. Ananya made a face but grabbed it anyway, drinking straight from it before flopping down on the bed beside Anshika.

As she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, she glanced at Anshika properly, frowning. "Tu theek lag nahi rahi. Kya hua?"

"You don't look okay. What happened?"

Anshika blinked, she had done something big. For once, she hadn't just sat back and let things be.

She straightened slightly, turning to Ananya. "Maine mummy aur Dadaji se trip ke liye permission maangi."

"I asked Mummy and Dadaji for permission for the trip."

Ananya, who had been stretching her arms, froze mid-motion. For a second, she just stared. Then, her hands slowly lowered, her eyes narrowing. "Kya?! Konsi trip?"

"What?! Which trip?"

Anshika pressed her lips together and nodded. "Friends, Skandagiri jaa rahe hai ek choti si trip pe."

"Friends, they're going on a short trip to Skandagiri."

Ananya sat up straighter, disbelief flashing across her face. "Tu... tu keh rahi hai ki tu, Anshika Sharma, jisne aaj tak ek bhi baar aisi kisi cheez ke liye puchne ki koshish bhi nahi ki, usne directly apni Mummy aur Dadaji se baat ki?"

"You... you're telling me that you, Anshika Sharma, who has never even tried asking for something like this before, directly talked to your Mummy and Dadaji?"

Anshika nodded again. "Haan."

"Yes."

Ananya blinked. "Haan?"

"Yes?"

"Haan."

"Yes."

A beat of silence. Then, suddenly—

"AAAAAHH!" Ananya shrieked, making Anshika wince as she clutched her ears.

"Arre!" Anshika yelped. "Kya kar rahi hai?"

"What are you doing?"

Ananya grabbed her shoulders and shook her slightly. "Anshu, tu samajh rahi hai tune kya kiya hai?!"

"Anshu, do you realize what you've done?!"

Anshika sighed, trying to pry her cousin's hands off her. "Haan, maine permission maangi. Itna overreact kyun kar rahi hai?"

"Yes, I asked for permission. Why are you overreacting so much?"

"Overreact?" Ananya repeated, looking at her like she had lost her mind. "Main shocked hoon, mujhe lag raha hai main kisi aur duniya mein aa gayi hoon! Tu toh aise topics ko aise avoid karti thi jaise kisi ne shaadi ki baat chhed di ho!"

"I am shocked, I feel like I've landed in another world! You used to avoid such topics as if someone had brought up the subject of marriage!"

Anshika groaned. "Aisi koi baat nahi hai, okay?"

"It's nothing like that, okay?"

Ananya folded her arms. "Toh bata, yeh sudden change kaise aaya? Itni himmat ka source kya hai?"

"Then tell me, what brought this sudden change? What's the source of this newfound courage?"

Anshika hesitated for only a second before sighing. "Kartikey."

The moment she said his name, Ananya's eyes practically gleamed with interest. "Ohooo," she drawled, leaning in with a smirk. "Kartikey, Anshu?"

Anshika rolled her eyes. "He was just—" She paused, searching for the right words. "Woh bas mujhe samjha raha tha. Ki kabhi kabhi family se baat karni chahiye, try karna chahiye."

"He was just making me understand. That sometimes, you should talk to your family, you should try."

Ananya hummed, tapping her chin. "Aur tu—jo kabhi kisi ki baat nahi samajhti, meri...MERI baat nahi maanti—uski baat maan gayi?"

"And you—the one who never listens to anyone, not even me...ME—listened to him?"

Anshika glanced down, playing with the threads on her cushion. "Mujhe samajh aaya jo usne kaha. Aur... shayad woh sahi keh raha tha."

"I understood what he said. And... maybe he was right."

Ananya gaped at her. "WOW. Mujhe honestly yeh sapna lag raha hai. Yeh Kartikey jo bhi hai, mujhe abhi milna hai! Though I'm offended."

"WOW. Honestly, this feels like a dream. Whoever this Kartikey is, I need to meet him right now! Though, I'm offended."

Anshika's eyes widened. "Kya?"

"What?"

Ananya smirked, crossing her legs on the bed. "Haan! Ab dekh, no one has ever impacted you this much. Main toh seriously impressed hoon. Matlab, tujhe samjhana kisi bhi normal insaan ke bas ki baat nahi hai."

"Yeah! Look, no one has ever impacted you this much. I am seriously impressed. I mean, making you understand something is not something any normal person can do."

Anshika groaned. "Bas please, abhi Dadaji ne haan nahi bola hai."

"Please, Dadaji hasn't said yes yet."

But Ananya wasn't done. She suddenly lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Anshika tightly.

Anshika let out a surprised sound. "Annu—"

"I'm proud of you, Anshu," Ananya murmured, hugging her tighter. "Bohot zyada."

"So much."

Anshika's eyes widened slightly. But she had expected this.

Slowly, she relaxed, hugging Ananya back. A small smile crept onto her lips. "Thank you, I guess."

Ananya pulled back, her hands resting on Anshika's shoulders as she grinned. "Par sach mein, mujhe Kartikey se milna padega. Agar yeh banda tujhe badal sakta hai, toh mujhe dekhna hai ki aakhir yeh hai kaun."

"But seriously, I have to meet Kartikey now. If this guy can change you, I need to see who he is."

Anshika groaned, shoving her lightly. "Koi nahi badal raha mujhe!"

"No one is changing me!"

Ananya just laughed, flopping back onto the bed. "Haan haan, waise bhi abhi toh Nanaji ka decision baaki hai. Par, tujhe lagta hai woh haan bolenge?"

"Yeah, yeah, anyway, Nanaji's decision is still pending. But do you think he'll say yes?"

Anshika's smile faltered slightly as uncertainty crept in again. She let out a small breath, lying down beside Ananya. "Pata nahi. Par... shayad."

"I don't know. But... maybe."

Ananya nudged her shoulder. "At least tu try toh kar rahi hai. That's huge, Anshu. Chahe permission mile ya nahi, tune pehla step le liya. And that matters."

"At least you're trying. That's huge, Anshu. Whether you get permission or not, you've taken the first step. And that matters."

Anshika turned her head to look at her cousin. "Tu bhi meri tareef kar rahi hai? Yeh bhi naya hai."

"Even you are praising me? Now this is new."

Ananya smirked. "Kabhi kabhi tu deserve karti hai."

"Sometimes, you deserve it."

Anshika rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small warmth spreading in her chest, as she hugged Ananya tightly.

🌻

"Tum sach mein jaana chahti ho?"

"Do you really want to go?"

Anshika swallowed. "H-haan, Dadaji."

"Y-yes, Dadaji."

She didn't know why her voice sounded so vulnerable, but it did. Maybe because, for the first time, she wasn't just blindly accepting a 'no'—she was asking for a chance.

The silence stretched.

Then, to her utter shock, her grandfather exhaled a long breath. "Theek hai."

"Okay."

Anshika froze. "Ji?"

"What?"

"Theek hai," he repeated, his tone softer this time. "Ja sakti ho. Par aapna dhyaan rakhna aur ghar pe phone karti rehna ya hum karein toh utha lena."

"Okay, you can go. But take care of yourself and keep calling home, or if we call, make sure to pick up."

Anshika blinked. Did she hear that right?

She could go?

Her heart stumbled over itself before taking off in a sprint. "Sach mein, Dadaji?"

"Really, Dadaji?"

Her grandfather gave a slow nod, amusement flickering in his wise eyes. "Haan, beta. Par apna dhyaan rakhna."

"Yes, beta. But take care of yourself."

Her grip on the phone tightened, and for a moment, she was too stunned to react. Then, as if a dam had broken, words tumbled out of her mouth in a rush—

"Thank you, Dadaji! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She practically chirped, her voice bubbling with excitement. "Main promise karti hoon, main dhyaan rakhungi! Phone bhi karungi, aap bilkul chinta mat karo!" she nodded so fast she almost got dizzy.

"I promise, I'll take care of myself! I'll call too, you don't have to worry at all!"

Her grandfather chuckled softly, the rare warmth in his voice making her chest feel even lighter. "Acha beta, bas bas. Bas dhyaan rakhna, aur aaram se jaana."

"Ok, beta, enough. Just take care, and travel safely."

She grinned. "Haan. Phir se thank you, Dadaji!"

"Yes. Thank you again, Dadaji!"

"Bas bas, ab jaane ki taiyari karo," he said, though she could hear the smile in his voice before he disconnected the call.

"Enough now, go prepare for the trip,"

As soon as the call ended, Anshika let out a squeal and launched herself onto her bed, kicking her legs in excitement. He said yes! He actually said yes!

She grabbed her pillow and hugged it tightly, rolling on the bed from side to side as an exaggeratedly dramatic "Oh my God!" escaped her lips. Then, unable to hold in the energy, she jumped to her feet and did a little victory dance in the middle of her room, twirling and shaking her shoulders like she had just won the biggest prize in the world.

"YESSSS!" She jumped, twirled. "I'm going! I'm actually going!"

She flopped onto her bed again, giggling, kicking her feet, her hands pressed to her face in disbelief. Then, as if struck by lightning, she shot up.

Kartikey!

She scrambled for her phone, her fingers fumbling in excitement as she tapped his number. It barely rang twice before he picked up.

"Hello?" His voice was deep, steady—completely unaware of the storm that was about to hit him.

"Kartikey!!" she nearly screeched. "Dadaji ne haan keh diya!"

"Dadaji said yes!"

There was a beat of silence. Then—

"Wait. Kya?" His voice lost its usual calm. "You mean... you can actually go?"

"Wait. What? You mean... you can actually go?"

"YES!" She practically bounced in place.

Kartikey let out a low chuckle, but she could hear the relief and happiness in it. "I can't believe it. Anshika, that's—" He paused, and she could almost picture his slow, pleased smile. "That's amazing."

"I know!" She flopped onto her pillow, grinning up at the ceiling. "Mujhe khud yakin nahi ho raha!"

"I can't believe it myself!"

There was a warmth in his tone when he spoke next. "Mujhe tha."

"I could."

Anshika stilled, her heart doing a little somersault.

"Kartikey..."

"Hmm?"

"...Thank you."

It felt right. 

Because she knew—if it weren't for him, she wouldn't have even asked.

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Thank you so much for reading and lots of love for y'all❤️