~ 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 ~

Chapter 10. Little angel

The next day began quietly. Advik had already left for London early that morning. By evening, Riya returned home, quickly freshened up, and began getting ready to visit Pratha's house. Across the house, Tiksha was lost in her own thoughts. Wow, last night... finally, Sachin and I are together, she thought with a faint smile. But now what excuse will I use to go out again? Ugh, maybe I should just stay in and help bua with housework. At least that'll keep me busy.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a small voice.
"Where are you going, Masi?" Aarush asked curiously.

"To Pratha's house," Riya replied while fixing her earrings.

"Oh, that means Avni's house! I want to come too, please!" Aarush said, giving her his best puppy eyes.

Riya laughed. "Alright, alright, put on your shoes."

Just then, Garv walked in. "Where are you two going?" he asked.

Before Riya could answer, Aarush replied cheekily, "I'm going to meet Avni!"

Garv raised an eyebrow. "But why?"

"Mamu, if you don't have a girlfriend yet, at least let me have one," Aarush said with a laugh, running off before Garv could respond. Garv shook his head with a small smile, while Riya tried to hold back her laughter.

At the Mathur house, Avni tugged at Pratha's dupatta.
"Masi, you said you'd teach me how to dance today!"

Pratha smiled. "Yes, yes, I remember. Tell me which song?"

"O Re Piya," Avni replied eagerly.

"Good choice," Pratha said. "Let's go to the terrace, it'll be better there."

"Okay, but you have to dance first! I'll just watch."

"No way," Pratha said with a grin. "You'll dance with me, so you can learn properly."

Avni giggled. "Alright then, let's go, Masi!"

Both of them ran upstairs, their laughter echoing through the hallways. Back at the Chauhan house, Riya was convincing Garv to come along.

"Garv bhai, please come too. Anyway, what will you do alone here?" she asked.

Laxmi overheard them and added, "Yes, Garv beta, since you're in Delhi, explore a bit. Advik has gone to London, you'll be bored staying alone. Riya, come back soon, okay?"

"Okay, Mom," Riya replied.

Garv nodded politely. "Sure, bua." Soon, Riya, Aarush, and Garv arrived at Pratha's house.

"Good evening, Aunty. Where's Pratha?" Riya asked politely.

"Good evening, beta. She and Avni are on the roof," Anika replied.

"Oh, okay, thank you, Aunty," Riya said. "Bhai, Aarush, go ahead upstairs. I'll just grab a drink first—I'm really thirsty."

"Okay, Masi," Aarush said, running upstairs with excitement. On the terrace, Pratha and Avni had already started playing music. The soft tune of "O Re Piya" filled the air. Avni watched intently as Pratha's movements flowed gracefully with the rhythm.

Her feet moved lightly, hands stretching and twirling with effortless poise. Avni suddenly froze when she noticed someone coming up the stairs. It was Garv. Oh no, Aarush's Mamu is here... Aarush must be right behind him! she panicked. I don't want him to see me dancing! Before anyone could notice, she ran off, hiding behind the water tank. Garv reached the terrace and stood there silently, watching Pratha dance. His arms were folded, but his eyes didn't leave her for even a second. The way she moved—graceful, confident, lost in the music—left him momentarily spellbound. He walked forward and, almost without thinking, reached for her phone and stopped the music.