𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬

• 3 •

ARYA's POV :

I got ready for college, wearing a white strappy top paired with a long skirt and a touch of gloss. As I looked in the mirror, I couldn't help but sigh. "Here we go, off to another day of torture. Why does this college have to start so early?" I muttered to myself.

Regardless of my grumbling, I knew I had to get going. Shivi must be waiting for me.

"Hey, Shivi," I greeted her as I rushed into the living room.

"Yaar, tu na mujhe sona bhi nahi diya kar," I teased her.

Shivi looked up from her book and grinned mischievously. "Yes, ma'am, I am the reason for your misery."

Shivi patted the seat next to her. "Now, please take a seat on my Dhano. We're getting late."

I was feeling lazy until now, but then, my mind instantly felt a surge of energy at her words. Shivi is always like that, a ray of sunshine on gloomy mornings.

I enjoyed the scooty ride to college. I preferred this type of transportation over a car, although I couldn't even afford one, being broke AF.

"By the way, Arya, our senior might have a crush on you," Shivi suddenly piped up.

I was taken aback. "What?" I exclaimed.

"Yeah, I think he likes you. He was asking about you, wondering if you're single or not," Shivi explained, her words holding my full attention. But the idea of being in a relationship didn't interest me in the slightest.

"Shivi, you know I don't want to be in a relationship," I told her honestly.

"Yeah, I know your answer is always going to be that. That's why I said she's not single," Shivi responded with a grin.

"Thank you, yaar," I said, relieved. There was nothing more stressful to me than the thought of being in a relationship.

Shivi spoke up again, "You know, I get your reason. I love reading books too, but in real life, you won't find your fictional men."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. Tu age dekh kar chala (you drive while looking forward)," I replied, pondering her words. Well, she was right, to be honest. I won't find men like in books. Ugh, will I die single? No, no.

***

[After college, all the classes were finally over.]

"Ugh, finally, all classes are over. Why do they take so many classes?" I complained to Shivi.

Shivi agreed, saying, "Yeah, yaar, we are finally free."

I replied with a thoughtful "Hmm."

Shivi then asked, "So, what's your plan for today?"

I shrugged. "Nothing, yaar, just heading home."

Then, I decided to ask her a favor. "Shivi, I need a favor from you."

"Yeah, ask," Shivi replied.

I continued, "Yaar, I'm done reading Fate's book. Can you please ask your aunty when she's releasing part 2? Will it take more time?"

Shivi responded, "No, yaar, she doesn't tell me or anyone. But this time, I think she's decided to kill Aryan Roy."

I was excited and concerned. "What? How can she kill him? It wouldn't be fair. He needs to find his love!, fans will go crazy "

Shivi replied, "Maybe she's had a change of mind. She'll be uploading part 2 on an online platform, so maybe we'll see some new chapters really soon."

I replied with a simple "Oh."

"Well, I'm going back home," I told Shivi.

She suggested, "I'm going to meet my aunty."

" So, why don't you join me? Also, I think We need to save Aryan. She always listens to you, Arya. Why don't you try to convince her."

"Uh,.. I'm not sure if she will listen to me or not. But we can try maybe she agrees" I said.

"So, Are you coming with me?" Shivi asked.

I agreed, "Hmm, yeah,,, I mean let's go."

***

At Shivi's aunt's two-story house, a place where a single woman lived, we rang the doorbell, but there was no answer. Concern crept in, and Shivi retrieved a spare key from a hidden spot and unlocked the gate.

We entered the house, calling out for Shivi's aunt, but no one replied. As we ventured further, we noticed that papers were scattered all around, creating a disarray that was unusual for Shivi's meticulous aunt.

Shivi felt a growing tension in the air. She turned to me, her voice trembling. "Arya, I'll check outside in the backyard. You search her office or the rest of the house."

I nodded, equally worried. 

As I entered Shivi's aunt's office, I was met with an unexpected sight. The room was in complete disarray, with books scattered everywhere. "Aunty, are you here?" I called out, but there was no response.

I carefully made my way towards her cluttered desk, where I noticed numerous pages strewn about. They appeared to be drafts of the "Fates" series /or her upcoming project, something she had been working on diligently. I thought to myself that I might not find any clues here, and I should explore the rest of the house.

[her aunty desk looks something like this.] 

As I turned to leave, something caught my eye. Her computer was open, and the screen displayed a shocking message on her book's page: "Aryan being murdered, He needs your help." My heart raced, but I had to focus on finding Shivi's aunt.

I whispered to myself, 'Let's go, Arya.' And as I took a step forward, I felt a sudden, inexplicable pull, as if something were drawing me in."Shiviiii......................."