🎵 Song: Pehla Pyaar – Kabir Singh (Instrumental)

"Sometimes, the hardest thing isn't meeting someone...

It's pretending you don't notice them."

The warm lights of the Malhotra Mansion gave the entire house a welcoming glow.

The elegant interiors, decorated with modern artwork and fresh flowers, reflected both luxury and warmth.

As the Sharma family stepped inside, Meera welcomed them with a bright smile.

"Welcome! Please come in."

Nandini smiled warmly.

"Thank you, Meera."

Vikram walked over to Rajeev and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

"It's been too many years."

Rajeev laughed.

"I was thinking the same."

Within moments, the living room was filled with laughter as the two old friends resumed talking as though the years between them had never existed.

Kabir happily pulled Anaya towards the sofa.

"Come! I'll show you the new football Papa bought me."

"Really?"

"Yes!"

The two children immediately started chatting excitedly.

Standing quietly near her parents...

Aarohi looked around the magnificent house.

Everything was so beautifully designed.

The crystal chandelier hanging above the living room sparkled softly.

The wooden staircase curved elegantly towards the first floor.

Large paintings decorated the walls.

It looked more like a luxury hotel than someone's home.

She was so busy admiring the interiors...

that she completely forgot one important thing.

Reyansh.

"You've become even quieter."

The familiar teasing voice reached her ears.

Aarohi's heartbeat skipped.

Without lifting her head...

She already knew who it was.

Reyansh Malhotra.

Standing only a few steps away.

She quietly looked in every direction...

except his.

"Good evening," she greeted politely.

Still avoiding eye contact.

Reyansh noticed immediately.

A slow smile appeared on his face.

"Interesting..."

"She's avoiding looking at me."

Most girls looked at him first.

Some smiled.

Some tried to start conversations.

Some openly admired him.

But this girl...

She looked everywhere except at him.

He folded his arms casually.

"Senior..."

"Why are you acting so nervous?"

For some reason...

He found it amusing.

Very amusing.

Aarohi, on the other hand, was silently praying.

"Please don't say anything."

"Please don't tease me."

She wasn't afraid of him.

Not exactly.

She was simply...

embarrassed.

After all...

She had spent the previous night thinking about the mysterious balcony boy.

And now...

That same boy was standing right in front of her.

Looking at her.

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear without raising her eyes.

"Why does he have to keep looking this way?"

Reyansh observed her quietly.

This was the first time he had seen her outside school.

Without the school uniform.

Without the neatly tied ponytail.

Tonight...

She looked different.

Her sky-blue kurti suited her perfectly.

Her open hair moved gently whenever the cool breeze entered through the open doors.

And then...

There were her eyes.

Those unusual blue eyes.

Even though she refused to look at him directly...

He had noticed them the moment she entered.

"Blue..."

"They're actually blue."

A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"No wonder I noticed them that day."

Just then...

Meera walked towards the two youngsters.

"Aarohi."

Aarohi immediately looked at her.

"Yes, Aunty?"

Meera smiled warmly.

"I hope you're comfortable."

"Yes."

"Very."

Meera looked around before saying,

"You haven't seen the house yet, have you?"

Aarohi politely shook her head.

"No."

Meera turned towards Reyansh.

"Reyansh."

"Hmm?"

"Why don't you show Aarohi the house?"

Silence.

Aarohi froze.

"What?"

Her eyes widened ever so slightly.

She instinctively looked towards her parents.

They simply smiled.

Rajeev nodded.

"Go, beta."

"You'll like the house."

Nandini added,

"And you'll get to know each other better."

"Know each other better?"

Aarohi's heart began beating faster.

She had expected to sit quietly with everyone downstairs.

Not...

wander around a huge mansion...

alone...

with Reyansh.

She slowly turned towards him.

For the first time that evening...

Their eyes finally met.

Just for a second.

Aarohi immediately looked away again.

Reyansh noticed every bit of it.

And internally...

He couldn't stop himself from smirking.

"So..."

"My stubborn senior is actually nervous."

He found that discovery far more entertaining than he should have.

Without saying anything aloud, he casually slipped one hand into his pocket and looked at Aarohi.

"Shall we?"

Aarohi swallowed nervously.

"...Okay."

Neither of them knew...

That a simple house tour...

was about to become the beginning of countless unforgettable memories.

End of Chapter 8 💙🏡