Rehnuma ❤️

Chapter - 16

🌙 Flashback Continued – First Day Evening
The house felt unusually alive that evening.
As soon as Taani stepped in, voices overlapped—
“Tanu aa gayi!”
“First day kaisa tha?”
“Kisi ne tang toh nahi kiya?”
She barely got time to keep her bag down before she was pulled into the living room, surrounded by her entire family.
Arjun stood slightly behind, arms crossed, eyes scanning her face carefully.
“Sab theek tha na?” he asked, his tone calm—but his gaze sharp.
Taani instantly understood.
She smiled brightly.
“Bilkul theek tha bhaiya… seniors ne bas introduction liya. Sab ache the.”
Rishu, who knew the actual version, glanced at her but stayed quiet.
Arjun narrowed his eyes slightly.
“Sure?”
Taani nodded quickly, walking up to him and hugging his arm.
“Promise… kuch bhi hota na toh main aapko sabse pehle batati.”
His expression softened instantly. He kissed her head.
“Good.”
From behind, Ishani smirked, whispering to Rishu—
“Kisko tumhare bhaiya se bachane ke liye jhoot bol rahi hai pakka.”
Rishu chuckled under his breath.

Dinner ended with laughter and light teasing.
Later that night—
Taani sat on her balcony, curled comfortably on her swing, her guitar resting on her lap.
The night was calm.
A soft breeze brushed past her face.
The moon hung quietly above.
She absentmindedly started strumming the guitar…
Soft notes filled the silence.
Across the lane—
Aditya sat in his balcony, laptop open, files scattered, completely focused.
Or at least… he was trying to be.
The AC repair noise from inside forced him out here.
He sighed, rubbing his temple—
“Yeh bhi aaj hi kharab hona tha…”
Just then—
A soft melody reached him.
He paused.
Looked up.
His gaze followed the sound—
And stopped.
Taani.
For a second, he thought he was imagining things.
He leaned slightly forward.
Arjun bhai ki… choti behen? Yahan?
Then realization hit—
Her balcony… right opposite mine?
A slow, unexpected smile appeared.
His laptop was forgotten.
Completely.
Taani, unaware of his presence, hummed softly along with the tune.
Her voice blended with the night—
Calm… effortless… pure.
As she finished, a small smile curved on her lips.
She looked up at the moon.
Then casually glanced around—
And froze.
He was already looking at her.
Her breath hitched.
For a moment—
She couldn’t move.
Yeh… sach mein hai?
Aditya raised his hand slightly.
A silent wave.
Her eyes widened a little.
He pointed at himself, then at her—as if asking, “me… you… wave?”
She let out a tiny, nervous breath.
Then slowly… lifted her hand.
And waved back.
A soft smile formed on his lips.
She mirrored it.
“Tanu.”
Arjun’s voice broke the moment.
She turned instantly.
“Ji bhaiya…”
He stood there holding a glass of milk.
She scrunched her nose immediately.
“Bhaiya… nahi…”
“Drama band karo,” he said, walking towards her, placing the glass in her hand.
“Finish it.”
She made a face.
“Roz roz kyun… main bachi nahi hoon…”
Arjun raised an eyebrow.
“Tanu.”
She sighed dramatically.
“Fine…”
She drank it in small sips, making expressions after every gulp.
Arjun watched her with an amused smile.
Across the balcony—
Aditya leaned back slightly, arms folded, watching the scene unfold.
A soft chuckle escaped him.
Bachi nahi hoon… huh.
Taani finished it and handed the glass back with a pout.
“Ho gaya.”
“Good girl,” Arjun said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
“Chalo, late ho raha hai.”
He turned—
And noticed Aditya.
A brief pause.
Then a familiar smile.
He lifted his hand.
“Hi.”
Aditya smiled back, nodding respectfully.
“Good evening, bhai.”
Taani followed his gaze—
And quickly looked away, suddenly aware.
Arjun gently nudged her.
“Chalo.”
They went inside.
Aditya stayed there for a few seconds more.
Looking at the now empty balcony.
A faint smile lingered.
Interesting…

🌅 Present – Training Days Begin
“...and that’s how we met,” Taani finished, her voice soft, eyes glowing with the memory.
Diya clutched her pillow dramatically.
“YAAR THIS IS SO CUTE!”
Sana grinned.
“Balcony love story… uff Tanu!”
Taani blushed.
“Shut up guys… so jao ab.”
Lights went off.
But smiles stayed.