Fated Affection

Chapter 21

It was afternoon when Meera arrived at Aisha's house to study. She stood at the gate and called Aisha.

"Hey, I'm here," Meera said cheerfully.

"Okay, I'll come to pick you up now," Aisha replied.

Aisha headed towards the gate, and just as she reached it, Aarav, who was lounging in the garden, noticed her and Meera.

"Hey, Aisha! Who's your friend?" Aarav called out with a grin, making his way over to them.

Aisha smiled. "Aarav, this is Meera, my friend from college. Meera, this is Aarav, Rohan's younger brother."

Meera extended her hand, smiling brightly. "Nice to meet you, Aarav."

Aarav shook her hand, his eyes twinkling with interest. "Nice to meet you too, Meera. So, you're the famous Meera I've heard so much about."

Meera didn't know what to say, so she just replied, "Hmm."

Aarav, squinting his eyes playfully, said, "Just hmm?"

Meera giggled nervously. "Well, I wasn't expecting to be famous."

Aarav smirked. "You must be special if Aisha talks about you so much. What do you think, Aisha?"

Aisha rolled her eyes, amused. "Alright, Aarav, enough with the interrogation. We have studying to do."

Aarav shrugged, still grinning. "Okay, okay. But if you need a break or someone to carry your books, you know where to find me."

Meera nodded, smiling. As they started to walk inside, Aarav called out, "Hey, Meera, if you get tired of studying, I have a collection of the best movies ever. Just saying."

As Aarav said this, Aisha looked at him with wide eyes and said, "Aarav, stop!"

Aisha nudged Meera. "Come on, let's get to work before Aarav tries to distract us even more."

Meera once glanced back at Aarav before leaving.

After their work was completed in the evening, Meera left. After seeing off Meera, Aisha went back into the study and continued working on her leftover assignments. While working, she fell asleep at the table.

Rohan came back from the office. Not seeing Aisha in the hall or kitchen, he asked the maid, "Where is Aisha?"

The maid replied, "Sir, Aisha ma'am is in the study."

Rohan squinted his eyes, thinking, *Study? What is she doing there?*

He went straight to the study and saw Aisha already asleep. Her hair was slightly tousled, her face peaceful, with her head resting on her arms. Her soft breathing and the gentle rise and fall of her shoulders made her look serene and vulnerable. Rohan came closer and started staring at her. Gently, he touched her face, tracing the contours of her cheek.

As he touched her face, Aisha woke up and, rubbing her eyes, said, "Oh, Rohan, you're home. What time is it now?"

Rohan, with a smile, replied, "It's 9 pm. But why are you sleeping in the study?"

Aisha said, "I was working on the college assignment with Meera. After she left, I was finishing the leftover work."

Rohan asked, "But why are you working alone on the leftover part?"

Aisha sighed, "Don't ask. That stupid Aarav wasted a lot of our time. He kept coming to disturb us. I regret helping him pursue Meera." Realizing what she had just revealed, Aisha quickly put her hand over her mouth.

Rohan, shocked, exclaimed, "What?!"

Aisha stammered, "Wh... what? Nothing. I said nothing."

Rohan persisted, "No, no. You said something about Aarav and Meera."

Aisha grabbed his hand and pleaded, "Please, please don't tell Aarav anything about this. He already told me not to mention it to anyone. That day in the garden after dinner, he confessed to me about Meera and strictly told me not to say anything."

Hearing this, Rohan realized how clueless he had been that day. He sighed and said, "Alright. But our Aarav wants to pursue a nerd girl?"

Aisha playfully defended, "Hey! She is my friend. And what do you mean by that?"

Rohan quickly clarified, "I didn't mean it that way. I just think this stupid boy won't be able to handle such an intelligent girl."

Aisha replied, "That's their lookout. But promise you will act like you don't know anything."

Rohan, with a smile, said, "Only on one condition: you keep me updated about this."

Aisha shook his hand and said, "Deal."

Rohan said, "Okay, now go and freshen up. Then we have to go for dinner too."