🎵 Song: Nazar Laaye – Raanjhanaa (Instrumental)

"The world knew him through rumors.

She wanted to know him through the truth."

The golden rays of the morning sun peeked through the curtains of Aarohi's room.

For the first time since shifting to the new city, she woke up feeling... peaceful.

Stretching lazily, she walked towards the balcony with her toothbrush still in her hand.

The cool morning breeze welcomed her once again.

Almost instinctively...

Her eyes drifted towards the balcony opposite hers.

It was empty.

No music.

No black hoodie.

No messy-haired boy leaning against the railing.

She didn't know why...

But a tiny part of her had expected him to be there.

Realizing what she had just thought, she immediately looked away.

"Why would he be standing there this early?"

She shook her head.

"What is wrong with me?"

Just then—

"Didi! Breakfast!"

Anaya's loud voice echoed from downstairs.

"I'm coming!"

A few minutes later...

The Sharma family sat around the dining table enjoying hot aloo parathas prepared by Nandini.

Anaya was happily talking about how she wanted to explore the neighbourhood after breakfast.

Rajeev smiled.

"Of course. But don't go anywhere without informing us."

"Promise!"

Aarohi quietly ate her breakfast, but her thoughts wandered elsewhere.

She hesitated for a few seconds.

Then finally spoke.

"Papa..."

Rajeev looked up.

"Hmm?"

She tried to sound casual.

"The house opposite ours..."

"The really big one..."

Rajeev smiled knowingly.

"The Malhotra Mansion?"

She nodded.

"Who... all live there?"

Before Rajeev could answer...

Anaya excitedly jumped in.

"Our new best friends!"

Nandini chuckled.

"They really are a lovely family."

Rajeev placed his cup down.

"Vikram, Meera, their two sons..."

He paused.

"And Kabir, whom you met yesterday."

Aarohi nodded slowly.

"And..."

She looked at her father.

"The elder son?"

Rajeev smiled.

"Reyansh."

The name sounded strangely familiar now.

Last night...

She had repeated it in her mind more than once without even realizing it.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"I'll open it!" Anaya shouted before running toward the entrance.

The moment she opened the door—

"Kabir!"

"Anaya!"

Both children grinned widely.

"You came!"

"I told you we'd play today!"

Without wasting another second, Kabir walked inside as if he had been visiting this house for years.

"Namaste, Uncle!"

"Namaste, Aunty!"

Rajeev laughed.

"Good morning, Kabir."

Nandini affectionately ruffled his hair.

"Come inside, beta."

Kabir happily sat beside Anaya at the dining table.

"I already had breakfast."

Anaya whispered dramatically,

"Good, because Didi eats slowly."

"I heard that," Aarohi replied, making everyone laugh.

As everyone talked...

Aarohi couldn't stop herself from asking.

"Kabir..."

He looked at her immediately.

"Yes, Didi?"

She smiled politely.

"Your elder brother..."

Kabir's face lit up instantly.

"Bhai?"

"Hmm."

"What about him?"

Aarohi tried to sound as normal as possible.

"What's he like?"

The question had barely left her lips when Kabir's eyes sparkled with excitement.

"My Bhai is the best!"

Anaya giggled.

"I knew you'd say that."

"No, seriously!"

Kabir proudly sat up straighter.

"My Bhai can do everything."

"He plays football."

"He rides bikes."

"He plays guitar."

"He cooks amazing Maggi."

"He helps me with homework."

"And nobody can beat him in basketball."

He spoke so proudly that it almost sounded as if he were introducing a superhero.

Aarohi couldn't help smiling.

"You really admire him."

Kabir nodded enthusiastically.

"Because he's my hero."

"He always protects me."

"If anyone troubles me..."

He dramatically punched the air.

"Bhai handles them."

Rajeev and Vikram had mentioned that the brothers shared a close bond.

Now Aarohi could see it herself.

Every sentence Kabir spoke carried admiration.

Love.

Pride.

At that moment...

Meera walked into the house carrying a box of homemade sweets.

"I hope I'm not disturbing anyone."

"Nonsense," Nandini said warmly.

"You never have to ask."

Meera smiled before noticing Kabir excitedly talking.

"What are you telling everyone?"

Kabir grinned.

"I'm telling them how amazing Bhai is."

Meera laughed softly.

"You've been his personal fan club since the day you learned to speak."

Kabir folded his arms proudly.

"I'll always be."

Everyone laughed.

Meera's eyes then shifted towards Aarohi.

She noticed the quiet curiosity in the girl's expression.

A gentle smile appeared on her lips.

She didn't say anything.

But somehow...

A mother's instincts rarely failed.

"Someone seems interested in knowing about my son..."

The thought amused her.

She simply smiled to herself and continued serving sweets.

While everyone chatted...

Rajeev suddenly remembered something.

"Oh yes."

He looked at Aarohi.

"I forgot to tell you."

"Hmm?"

"The Malhotras' children study in your school."

Aarohi looked up.

"Really?"

Vikram nodded.

"Both boys have been studying there since primary classes."

Kabir smiled proudly.

"It's the best school!"

Aarohi smiled politely.

"I'll at least know one familiar family there."

Nandini nodded.

"That'll make things easier."

Aarohi agreed.

Starting at a new school didn't seem as frightening anymore.

Knowing that the family next door was connected to the same school somehow made her feel... comfortable.

She didn't know anything else.

Not which class Reyansh studied in.

Not what his reputation at school was.

Only one simple fact—

He studied in the same school as her.

And for some reason...

That tiny piece of information made her look forward to her first day just a little more.

Later that afternoon...

Aarohi stood once again near her bedroom window.

Almost absentmindedly...

Her gaze wandered toward the Malhotra mansion.

The curtains of the opposite balcony fluttered gently in the wind.

No sign of Reyansh.

She smiled faintly before returning to unpacking her books.

Completely unaware...

That very soon...

The mysterious balcony boy would no longer remain just a face she had seen from afar.

He was about to walk into her everyday life.

And nothing would ever be the same again.

End of Chapter 4 💙