Where Are You bhaiya???

Chapter 20

Arav walked into the kitchen, looking for a snack. Instead, he found Sanjana struggling to reach the cereal box on the top shelf.

Aryan, already in the kitchen, swiftly grabbed the box and handed it to Sanjana.

"Thanks, bhaiya," Sanjana said with a smile.

Aryan's expression softened. "Don't call me bhaiya, Sanjana. Call me Aryan."

Sanjana's eyes sparkled. "But you're older than me."

Aryan chuckled. "Only by two years. It doesn't matter."

Sanjana's face lit up. "Really? I can call you Aryan?"

Aryan nodded, his voice gentle. "Of course."

As they talked, Arav noticed the ease between them. Aryan's usual reserve melted away, replaced by warmth and kindness.

Sanjana chattered casually, sharing stories about her day. Aryan listened attentively, his eyes crinkling at the corners.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, like old friends reconnecting.

Arav and Niranjan were about to leave. "Aryan, we need to go," Arav said.

Niranjan stood beside Arav, nodding in agreement. "We're meeting Dr. Akhil."

Aryan hesitated. "I'll stay here with Sanjana, so she won't feel left out here."

Niranjan raised an eyebrow. "Neha and Nandini are here to keep her company."

Aryan's expression turned sheepish. "oh! Umm.. I have a headache. Can't join."

Arav and Niranjan exchanged confused glances but nodded. "Okay, take care."

As they left, Sanjana turned to Aryan. "Do you have a headache?"

Aryan nodded, wincing slightly.

Sanjana's concern was palpable. "Let me get you water or something."

Aryan smiled weakly. "I'll just rest. Thanks."

He retreated to his room, leaving Sanjana worried.

She knocked softly on his door. "Aryan?"

"Come in," he said, his voice low.

Sanjana entered, finding Aryan lying on his bed, eyes closed.

"Are you okay?" she asked, sitting beside him.

Aryan's eyes flickered open, a hint of a smile. "Yeah."

Sanjana's hand brushed against his forehead. "You don't have a fever."

Aryan's gaze locked onto hers, his expression tender.

As the silence between them grew, Sanjana realized she felt comfortable around Aryan, like she could be herself.

And Aryan, despite his supposed headache, couldn't help but feel drawn to Sanjana's kindness and concern.

Their moments together became a gentle, soothing balm, calming the chaos outside.

Sanjana's hand lingered on Aryan's forehead, her touch warm and gentle.

Aryan's eyes closed, his face relaxing.

"You should rest," Sanjana said softly.

Aryan nodded, his voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah."

Sanjana stood up, her movements quiet. "I'll get you water."

She returned with a glass, helping Aryan sit up to drink.

As he sipped, Sanjana sat beside him, her eyes watching him with concern.

Aryan handed her the glass, their fingers touching.

"Thanks, Sanjana," he said, his voice low.

Sanjana smiled. "Anytime, Aryan."

Their gazes met, and the air between them charged with an unspoken connection.

Neha and Nandini chatted in the living room, unaware of the quiet intimacy developing between Aryan and Sanjana.

Aryan leaned back against the pillows, his eyes never leaving Sanjana's face.

"You don't have to stay," he said, his voice gentle.

Sanjana shook her head. "I want to."

Aryan's expression softened. "Thanks."

The silence between them grew, filled with an unspoken understanding.

Sanjana broke the silence. "Aryan?"

"Yeah?"

"Why didn't you want to go with Arav and Niranjan?"

Aryan's gaze drifted away, his voice low. "Just didn't feel like it."

Sanjana's eyes narrowed slightly. "You're not a very good liar."

Aryan's lips curled into a faint smile. "Maybe not."

Sanjana's eyes sparkled with amusement. "You're not fooling me, Aryan."

Aryan's smile widened, his eyes crinkling. "Maybe I'm not trying to."

Sanjana's cheeks flushed, her voice barely above a whisper. "What do you mean?"

Aryan's gaze intensified, his voice low. "I mean, maybe I wanted to stay here...with you."

The air between them thickened, charged with tension.

Sanjana's heart skipped a beat, her pulse racing.

Neha and Nandini's laughter drifted from the living room, a stark contrast to the quiet intimacy in Aryan's room.

Sanjana's eyes locked onto Aryan's, searching for answers.

Aryan's expression softened, his voice gentle. "Sanjana, can I ask you something?"

Sanjana nodded, her voice barely audible. "Yeah."

Aryan's eyes searched hers. "Do you...feel comfortable around me?"

Sanjana's face flushed deeper, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah...I do."

Aryan's smile spread, his eyes shining with warmth.

He reached out, his fingers brushing against Sanjana's. His touch sent shivers down Sanjana's spine.

Just as Aryan's fingers intertwined with Sanjana's, the door creaked open.

Neha and Nandini walked in, their chatter filling the room.

"Hey, Aryan, how's your headache?" Neha asked.

Aryan's hand swiftly withdrew from Sanjana's, his expression neutral.

"Better," he said, his voice even.

Nandini's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "Sanjana, you're taking good care of him?"

Sanjana's cheeks flushed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yeah."

Neha's gaze flicked between Aryan and Sanjana, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.

"Good, good," Neha said, her tone light. "We'll join you guys. Arav and Niranjan will be back soon."

Aryan's expression turned polite, masking his disappointment.

Sanjana's eyes met Aryan's, a fleeting moment of understanding passing between them.

The intimacy was lost, replaced by the comfortable camaraderie of friends.

As Neha and Nandini settled in, Sanjana's thoughts lingered on Aryan's words: "Maybe I wanted to stay here...with you."

What did he mean? Was it more than friendship? Or, he was casual?