🎵 Song: Heeriye – Instrumental Version

"Some coincidences are so small...

that people ignore them.

But sometimes...

those tiny coincidences become the beginning of destiny."

It had been two days since Aarohi had joined St. Xavier's Senior Secondary School.

The playful argument in the corridor with Reyansh still crossed her mind every now and then.

She didn't know why.

Maybe because he wasn't anything like the frightening image everyone had painted.

Yes, he argued.

Yes, he teased.

But...

He wasn't rude.

At least not to her.

Saturday Evening

The Sharma House

Aarohi was sitting at her study table, solving a Physics assignment, while soft instrumental music played in the background.

Just then—

"Girls!"

Rajeev's voice echoed from downstairs.

"Come here for a minute."

Anaya immediately jumped off the bed.

"Coming!"

She dragged Aarohi along.

"Didi! Hurry!"

The sisters walked into the living room where Rajeev and Nandini were already seated.

Rajeev smiled.

"So..."

"We've been invited for dinner tonight."

Anaya's eyes sparkled.

"At the Malhotra house?"

"Yes."

She literally clapped.

"Yay!"

"I'll meet Kabir again!"

"I wonder if he got the new football I told him about!"

She kept speaking excitedly while everyone laughed.

Nandini looked at Aarohi.

"What happened?"

"You don't seem excited."

Aarohi smiled awkwardly.

"I don't know..."

"It's our first proper visit."

"What if I accidentally do something embarrassing?"

Anaya dramatically placed a hand on her forehead.

"Maa!"

"Look at Didi."

"She's already overthinking."

Nandini walked over and gently held Aarohi's shoulders.

"They're family, beta."

"Not strangers."

"Just be yourself."

Rajeev nodded.

"And Vikram has been waiting to meet you girls properly."

Aarohi smiled softly.

"I'll try."

Meanwhile...

Across the street...

The Malhotra Mansion

Vikram entered the living room while looking at his watch.

"Where's Reyansh?"

Kabir immediately pointed upstairs.

"In his room."

"Probably sleeping."

"I'm not sleeping."

A lazy voice came from the staircase.

Everyone looked up.

Reyansh slowly walked downstairs, lazily running a towel through his damp hair.

He had clearly just taken a shower.

"What happened?"

Vikram folded his arms.

"Tonight, Rajeev and his family are coming for dinner."

Reyansh nodded absentmindedly.

"Oh."

"Oh?"

Vikram raised an eyebrow.

"They're my best friend's family."

"I know."

"They shifted recently."

"I know."

"You haven't met them properly."

"I know."

Kabir burst into laughter.

"Bhai only knows how to say 'I know.'"

Reyansh lightly flicked Kabir's forehead.

"Ouch!"

"Get ready," Vikram continued.

"I want everyone downstairs before they arrive."

Reyansh sighed dramatically.

"Fine."

As he turned towards the stairs...

Meera called out.

"And wear something decent."

Without looking back, he replied,

"I always do."

Kabir muttered under his breath,

"Biggest lie of the century."

Around an hour later...

The Sharma house buzzed with preparations.

Nandini adjusted the dining gifts they had bought.

Rajeev checked the time.

Anaya had already changed and was impatiently waiting near the door.

"Didi!"

"Hurry!"

"You've been inside forever."

"I'm coming."

Aarohi's voice came from upstairs.

A few seconds later...

She walked downstairs.

The entire family looked at her.

She wore a simple sky-blue cotton kurti with white embroidery, paired with white palazzo pants and small silver jhumkas.

Her hair was left open with only the front sections pinned back neatly.

Simple.

Elegant.

Beautiful.

Nandini smiled proudly.

"My daughter looks lovely."

Rajeev nodded.

"Very beautiful."

Anaya hugged her.

"My Didi is the prettiest."

Aarohi smiled shyly.

"You both are exaggerating."

At the same time...

Inside the Malhotra mansion...

Reyansh finally came downstairs.

Kabir looked up.

"...Wow."

Reyansh had changed into a sky-blue linen shirt with neatly rolled sleeves and white trousers.

His messy hair had been combed... at least slightly.

Meera smiled in satisfaction.

"Much better."

Reyansh shrugged.

"You said wear something decent."

Kabir grinned.

"You actually listened."

"Don't get used to it."

The Sharma family reached the Malhotra mansion a few minutes later.

The grand entrance looked even more beautiful at night.

Warm fairy lights decorated the garden.

The fountains glowed softly.

Fresh flowers lined the pathway.

Rajeev rang the bell.

Within seconds...

The door opened.

Meera welcomed them warmly.

"Please come in!"

Nandini smiled.

"Thank you."

As everyone stepped inside...

Reyansh happened to walk out of the staircase into the living room.

His eyes casually scanned the guests.

Then...

They stopped.

On Aarohi.

For a brief second...

Neither of them moved.

Aarohi looked up.

Only to find Reyansh already looking at her.

She quickly lowered her eyes.

"Why is he staring?"

A tiny smile appeared on Reyansh's lips.

Then...

A slow...

knowing...

smirk.

"Senior..."

"Looking different outside school."

Before either of them could say anything—

Kabir's eyes widened.

He looked at Reyansh.

Then at Aarohi.

Then back again.

"...Wait."

Anaya followed his gaze.

"Huh?"

Both children blinked together.

Sky blue.

White.

They were wearing almost matching outfits.

Kabir quietly nudged Anaya.

"Look."

Anaya looked carefully.

Her eyes became round.

"They're matching."

Kabir nodded seriously.

"They didn't even plan it."

Anaya nodded just as seriously.

"I know."

The two children silently exchanged a look.

Neither of them said a word.

Neither of them teased anyone.

They simply noticed the coincidence...

and quietly stored it away.

Reyansh, meanwhile, couldn't help the amused smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he looked once more at Aarohi's sky-blue kurti before glancing at his own shirt.

"Interesting coincidence..."

Aarohi, completely unaware of what Kabir and Anaya had noticed, adjusted a loose strand of hair behind her ear, trying to ignore the fact that Reyansh had just smiled at her.

The evening...

had only just begun.

End of Chapter 7 💙✨