16. Battle of Hearts Begins

~Saanvi's Pov~

5 AM.

The universe decided to wake me up today, probably to make my life more entertaining-or miserable.

Rubbing my eyes, I dragged myself out of my room, only to freeze in my tracks.

There she was. Miss Perfect Singhania.

Dressed in yoga gear, walking to somewhere.

Curious, I followed her, half-asleep but fully suspicious.

And then I saw it.

Aaditya, Sitting on a yoga mat in the garden, stretching like a Greek god.

And Varsha? She skipped over to him like a lovestruck deer.

I stood there, hidden behind the door, watching her flip her hair dramatically.

Like haan, ye kar lo pehle

Yaha toh shampoo ka ad chal raha hai.

"Aaditya, remember our childhood yoga sessions? We were inseparable!" she giggled and said to her childhood bestfriend

Inseparable?

Fevicol se chipke the kya?

And Aaditya?

Oh, My Mr. NRI smiled back, oblivious. "Yeah, those were fun times."

Fun time?

Abhi depression chal raha hai kya?

Huh!

Shyad Wi-Fi ka signal cut gaya.

They were having their fun time.

And without a word, I turned around and stormed back to my room.

My pyaar ki Titanic collided with the iceberg, and these two (Aarna and Ruhi) are sleeping like nothing's wrong!

Absolutely nothing.

Titanic sank?

No worries, We will buy new one.

I shook Aarna awake. "Uth, mujhe depression ho raha hai!"

(Wake up, I'm getting depressed!)

Aarna blinked at me, half-asleep. "What happens now."

Ruhi groaned from under the blanket. "Aarna, let her be. She's probably just hangry. Give her a paratha and she'll shut up."

"Paratha? Kutta samjha hai kya?"

"Kya baat karti hai, tu kutta todhi hai" Aarna said

Aw, finally they said something good

"Tu toh kutti hai" she continued

What?

Literally?

I collapsed onto the bed, face buried in the pillow.

"Okay-okay, no fun. Say what happen" Ruhi asked

"Tum dono ne kabhi yoga dekha hai?" I asked

"Varsha was in chakrasana and Aaditya was all smiley like some ad for Fit India Movement! Maine bas dekha aur wahan se bhaag gayi." I explain everything.

"So" They asked

I said "I want to impress him."

Ruhi nodded, eyes glinting. "Aaditya ko impress karna hai? Toh pehle uske favorite things rat le! Phir tu uske dream girl ban jaayegi!"

"Really?" I asked

Yeah, ofcouse" Ruhi added

"But how I will know about his favorite things, we need someone who is very close to him"

Aarna said and we all started to look at eachother

And only by eyes we understood the plan, and straightly start to execute it.

___________________________

There we were-Aarna, Ruhi, and me-standing like we were about to launch a secret mission outside Ishaan's room.

It was awkward, silent, and, to be honest, a bit criminal.

But the question is who will ask Ishaan all this.

Aarna and I exchanged a glance. Then, without missing a beat, we both stared at her-Ishaan's darling, the ever-glowing Ruhi madam.

She shook her head like she had seen it all, but we didn't listen.

We nodded at her in unison, as if we were in on a top-secret plan.

Ruhi's eyes narrowed. "Tum dono pagal ho, mai nahi jayungi?" she hissed. But we weren't giving up.

Without another word, we walked up to the door, knocked on the handle (not even the door itself, we were that stealthy), handed Ruhi a notebook and pen, and then bolted in the opposite direction faster than a cricket ball in a stadium.

Ruhi stood there, frozen.

She looked down at the notebook and pen in her hands like they were alien technology. Her mouth opened and closed, and she looked at the door, then back at us who were running like mad.

She was dumbfounded-a perfect victim of our mischievous little plan.

~Ruhi's Pov~

I was dumbfounded.

What just happened?

Before I could even react, before my brain could catch up with Aarna and Saanvi's betrayal, the door in front of me swung open.

And there he was.

Ishaan Shed.

His messy hair looked like he had just woken up-or done something equally distracting. His shirt, unbuttoned at the top, lazily revealed a glimpse of his bare chest.

The sharp lines, the slight tan, the way the light hit his collarbone-why did it suddenly feel like a scene straight out of a movie?

Heat rushed up my face.

I swore the temperature of the hallway spiked by ten degrees.

I blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Nope, he was still there, looking at me with that signature smirk, the kind that spelled trouble.

His eyes flickered down to the notebook and pen in my hands.

Then, just to make things worse, he leaned against the doorframe, stretching his arms above his head, making his shirt shift-exposing just a little more.

My brain short-circuited.

"Darling?" His voice was husky, still laced with sleep. "Are we starting a tuition class this early in the morning?"

I wanted to disappear into the floor.

No, Ruhi. You have to do this.

For love.

For my Saanu-no, no, for Aaditya's Saanu.

For their doomed love story, I must take this bold step.

I took a deep breath, gripping the notebook like it was a weapon of courage.

Then, with all the confidence I didn't have, I looked straight into Ishaan's eyes and said-

"Won't you invite me in?"

Silence.

Ishaan blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Then, his smirk widened. "Damn, Darling. If you wanted alone time, you could've just said so."

My soul left my body for a second, but no, Ruhi, focus!

I stepped inside. Smooth, calm, like I belonged there.

Meanwhile, Ishaan, the certified ladkibaaz, who flirted like breathing, suddenly looked-awkward?

Yes. The man who could charm an entire room was... shifting on his feet?

His confident smirk twitched, his posture stiffened, and he actually gulped when I walked past him.

Oh, this was good.

I casually tossed the notebook onto his table, making a show of looking around his room like I was inspecting a five-star hotel. "Hmm," I muttered. "I expected something... messier. More ladkibaaz-like."

Ishaan scratched the back of his head, trying way too hard to look unaffected. "Well, I clean... sometimes."

I turned to him slowly, stepping closer, He stepped back.

Oh?

I stepped forward again.

He stepped back.

Forward.

Back.

I had him cornered against his own desk.

"R-Ruhi..." he started, but I cut him off by flicking a random book off his table. It landed on the floor with a thud.

He jumped.

I smiled sweetly. "Nervous?"

Ishaan Shed, the same man who once winked at a bride at her own wedding, the same man who could flirt with his reflection-was nervous.

"I-uh-what do you want?" he stammered.

I turned away from Ishaan's panicked face and made my way to his bed, plopping down with a satisfied sigh.

Ishaan, still trapped against his desk, let out a breath of relief-like I had just spared his life.

Coward.

As I adjusted myself, something near the pillow caught my eye. A tiny glint of light.

I frowned. What was that?

Leaning closer, I gently picked up the object-and froze.

It was my hairclip.

The exact same one I had lost months ago. I had searched everywhere for it, even accused every other person I see of stealing it, but it had just... vanished

And here it was. In Ishaan's room. Near his pillow.

My brain short-circuited for a second.

How?

Why?

When?

I glanced at Ishaan. He was too busy looking at me like I was a horror movie villain to notice what I had found.

I had a million questions. But instead of asking them, I took a deep breath and ignored the hairclip. I had a mission, after all.

Focusing back, I picked up my notebook and pen, flipping to a fresh page.

"So, Ishaan," I said casually, tapping my pen against my lips. "Let's start with something simple. Tell me-what does Aaditya like the most?"

Ishaan blinked. "What?"

I sighed dramatically. "It's a question, Ishaan. You know, words go in my ears, I write them down?"

"Why are you even asking?" he grumbled.

I leaned forward, lowering my voice like I was revealing a national secret. "Because your bhabhi wants to know."

Ishaan choked. "M-MY BHABHI?"

I nodded solemnly. "Yes. Your bhabhi. Now, answer."

He stared at me like I had gone insane but, seeing no escape, mumbled, "He likes black coffee, hates sweets, and always eats the same breakfast-omelet and toast, even salad."

I scribbled it down like I was taking notes for a government exam. "Hmm. And what kind of movies does he like?"

"Action. He says rom-coms rot your brain."

"Interesting," I hummed, writing that down too. "Next question. Does he believe in love at first sight?"

Ishaan scoffed. "Hell no."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh? But aren't you the one who-"

"Darling." His face turned red. "DON'T BRING ME INTO THIS."

Time for the next question.

I tapped my pen on the notebook. "Okay, what's Aaditya's favorite color?"

Ishaan blinked. "His... what?"

"Favorite color," I repeated slowly, as if talking to a five-year-old.

Ishaan frowned, thinking. Then he shrugged. "Uh... black or white?"

I stared at him. "You guess?"

Ishaan crossed his arms. "Ruhi, do you really think Aaditya Malhotra-the same guy who calls romance movies brain damage-sits around discussing his favorite color?"

I considered this. "Fair point."

"But if I had to guess," Ishaan continued, "it's probably black or white. He wears those the most."

I scribbled it down. "Aaditya Malhotra-color preference: sad monochrome."

Ishaan sighed. "Are you seriously writing it like that?"

I nodded. "For accuracy."

I stretched my legs comfortably on Ishaan's bed, enjoying the way he kept shifting awkwardly. He still wouldn't come near me, and honestly, it was hilarious.

"Okay, next question," I said, tapping my pen on the notebook again. "What's Aaditya's favorite food?"

Ishaan groaned. "Darling, I don't run a Wiki Aaditya Malhotra page!"

I shot him a look. "Answer the question."

He sighed dramatically. "Fine. Uh... he likes spicy food. Probably biryani or paneer tikka."

I scribbled it down. "Aaditya Malhotra-loves food that burns his soul."

Ishaan threw his hands in the air. "Why are you writing it like that?!"

"Just shut up!" I said

"Ji Darling"

I smirked. "Next question-has Aaditya ever had a crush?"

Ishaan leaned back confidently. "Nope. Never."

I blinked. "Not even once?"

"Only on science," he said dryly. "If physics had a face, he'd have framed it."

I clutched my chest dramatically. "Science se Saanvi tak! What a love story!"

Ishaan groaned. "Ruhi, stop."

"Next question-what's the most embarrassing thing he's ever done?"

Ishaan facepalmed. "I regret everything."

I leaned in, grinning. "Come on, Ishaan. Spill it. What's the most embarrassing thing Aaditya has ever done?"

Ishaan sighed deeply, like he was about to expose a government secret. "Okay, fine. Once, in school, he was solving a physics problem on the board and got so lost in calculations that he didn't notice the teacher calling his name five times."

I raised an eyebrow. "That's it? That's not embarrassing, that's just... peak nerd behavior."

Ishaan smirked. "I wasn't finished. After the sixth time, the teacher threw a chalk at him. Aaditya-still lost in his physics world-caught it mid-air like some Bollywood hero and said, 'Projectile motion.'"

I stared. Then I lost it.

"PROJECTILE MOTION?!" I wheezed, clutching my stomach.

Ishaan groaned. "Can we end this interview now?"

I flipped the page. "Nope. Next question-"

I was ready to fire my next question, but then I paused.

Poor Ishaan looked like he had just survived an interrogation at a police station. His hair was messier than before, his shoulders were slumped, and his soul looked halfway out of his body.

I sighed dramatically. "Alright, That's enough for today. You're dismissed."

I closed my notebook and got up from his bed. As I walked toward the door, I heard a whisper behind me.

"Mujhe bas istemaal karke chhod diya gaya..."

(I've just been used and abandoned...)

I turned around slowly and took a single step toward him.

Ishaan froze.

His eyes widened, his back hit the wall, and he looked genuinely terrified-like I was about to deliver some mafia-style punishment.

Ehem! It gets dark

I stared at him for a moment, then... I simply smiled and turned back toward the door.

Before leaving, I called out sweetly, "Bye, Ishaan. Sweet dreams!"

As I reached the door, I heard Ishaan mutter under his breath, "Aaditya ko pata chala na, toh mera antim sanskar bhi mujhe khud hi plan karna padega..."

(If Aaditya finds out, I'll have to plan my own funeral...)

I smirked and called back, "Phool kaunsa pasand karoge, Ishaan Beta?"

(Which flowers do you prefer, Raja Beta?)

Ishaan groaned. "Darling!!"

Laughing, I walked out, leaving him in his misery.

-----------------

I walked back to our room, feeling like I had just cracked the code on how to win Aaditya's heart. Saanvi and Aarna were waiting for me, both excited to hear what happened.

"Toh kya bola Ishaan?" Saanvi asked, barely able to contain her curiosity.

"Yeah, I got the whole history of Aaditya."

She raised an eyebrow. "What did you do?"

I plopped down on the bed and pulled out the notebook. "We now have all the secrets about Aaditya, and now we're gonna make you look like the girl he should've been with all along."

Saanvi's eyes lit up. "Tell me what I need to do!"

We decided to prepare a perfect meal first-black coffee and salad. Weird, I know, but we needed to impress our NRI man.

Then, we turned to the main task-Saanvi's makeover.

She reached for her usual kurti and signature braids. I immediately stopped her. "Nope, not today. We're making you look like someone who could take on Varsha."

Aarna nodded. "Varsha's been in Aaditya's life for way too long, but she's out now. It's time for you to shine."

Saanvi hesitated but then grinned. "Okay, let's do this."

We picked a white frock for her and left her hair loose. She spun around in front of the mirror, looking ethereal-like a goddess who just walked down from heaven.

We match her outfit in white heels

She looked at us, unsure. "How do I look?"

In unison, we replied, "Kutti jaise."

Saanvi gasped, throwing a pillow at us, but we all knew-she was ready.

~Author's Pov~

Saanvi stood in front of the mirror, a picture of elegance. The white frock flowed beautifully around her, and her hair, left open, framed her face like soft waves.

Her white heels added just the right touch of grace, making her look both ethereal and confident.

She didn't just look beautiful-she looked ready to conquer everything in her path.

Saanvi, now fully transformed, walked with purpose toward the kitchen.

The quiet confidence in her step was undeniable as she set to work, preparing Aaditya's breakfast.

She moved swiftly, almost effortlessly, chopping vegetables for an omelette, stirring the coffee, and arranging everything meticulously on a tray.

She was just about to call Aaditya when she heard a familiar voice echo through the hall-Mrs. Malhotra.

"beta kahan hai?" she called out, scanning the area like a queen searching for her heir.

Before anyone else could respond, Rishabh stepped forward, puffing out his chest. "Haan maa, say-"

Mrs. Malhotra barely glanced at him and cut him off with a deadpan expression. "Tu nahi. Mera beta kahan hai?"

Rishabh froze mid-stride. "Maa... main aapka he beta hoon!" he protested, looking deeply wounded.

Mrs. Malhotra sighed dramatically. "Yes-yes, but Aaditya beta kaha hai, bichare mera beta hamesha padh rehta hai"

"Yeah-yeah your poor son" he reply

Meanwhile, Saanvi watched the scene unfold, holding in her laughter. Poor Rishabh-forever the side character in his own mother's life.

Just as Rishabh was recovering from his emotional damage, Saanvi entered the scene in full sanskari bahu mode.

She joined her hands in a perfect Namaste and smiled sweetly. "Namaste, Aunty."

Mrs. Malhotra, who had been rolling her eyes at Rishabh, immediately softened. "Arre Saanvi, beta-"

Before she could say anything else, Saanvi added, "I will bring tea for you." Her voice was so polite, so graceful, that it almost seemed rehearsed.

Mrs. Malhotra's eyes widened in alarm. "Nahi, nahi beta, zaroorat nahi-"

But before she could finish, Saanvi was already gone, disappearing into the kitchen like a disciplined daughter-in-law on a mission.

"Such a sanskari ladki," she gushed, looking at Rishabh, who was still sulking. "Nahi!, Koi kitna he pyara ho sakta hai" she added "dil jeet leti hai wo toh."

Before Rishabh could throw another sarcastic remark, Mrs. Shergill entered the scene.

"Aap log kya baatein kar rahe ho?" she asked with a warm smile.

Mrs. Malhotra turned to her, still beaming. "Bas aapki beti ki tareef kar rahe the! Saanvi toh ekdum sanskaari hai, sabke dil jeet leti hai."

(We were just praising your daughter! Saanvi is so cultured, she wins everyone’s hearts.)

Mrs. Shergill smiled proudly. "Haan, woh toh hai. Bachpan se hi usko yeh sanskar diye hai."

(Yes, she is. We have raised her like this since childhood.)

Mrs. Malhotra nodded. "Sach kahu toh mujhe Saanvi aur Aaditya ek saath bohot acche lagte hai."

(To be honest, I really like Saanvi and Aaditya together.)

Mrs. Shergill's eyes sparkled. "Sach? Mujhe bhi aisa hi lagta hai! Dono bilkul ek jese hai—elegant, disciplined, aur mature."

(Really? I feel the same! Both are alike—elegant, disciplined, and mature.)

Mrs. Malhotra sighed. "Haan, ekdum perfect match lagte hai. Aaditya ko bhi ek aisi ladki chahiye jo use samjhe, uski care kare."

(Yes, they look like a perfect match. Aaditya needs someone who understands him and takes care of him.)

"Wahi na, Saanvi ko bhi ek perfect ladka chahiye jo uski pagalpanti ko sambha le" Mrs Shergill added

(Same thing, Saanvi also wants a perfect boy who can handle her madness)

Just then, before the conversation could continue, the door opened, and Aaditya and Varsha walked in—both fresh from their morning yoga.

"Oh ladies kya charcha ho rahi hai?" Aaditya asked, raising an eyebrow.

(What’s the discussion this early in the morning?)

Mrs. Malhotra quickly straightened up. "Kuch nahi, bas ghar ke kaam ki baat ho rahi thi."

(Nothing, just household matters.)

She turned to the two. "Tum dono ek kaam karo—Saanvi kitchen mein hai, jao uski madad kar do."

(You both go to the kitchen and help Saanvi.)

Varsha and Aaditya exchanged a glance, a little confused, but nodded.

Saanvi’s Pov

A

s soon as the tea was ready, I poured it into the cup, my hands moving quickly. I was in a hurry—too much of a hurry.

The cup was full, steam rising from the surface, when suddenly—

"Ahh!"

I hissed as hot tea spilled onto my hand, burning my skin. But I ignored it. No time to stop. Mrs. Malhotra was waiting, and I had to serve the tea properly.

Balancing the cup carefully, I rushed toward the hall, not noticing someone coming from the opposite direction.

And then—BAM!

I crashed into someone, and before I could react, the hot tea spilled all over my white dress.

"Shit—Saanvi!"

I looked up. It was Varsha.

Her eyes widened in shock as she realized what had happened. "I—I’m so sorry, I didn’t see—"

I took a deep breath, controlling myself. "It’s okay," I said, forcing a small smile.

But before I could even think of what to do next, a sharp voice cut through the air—

"Are you a child?"

It was Aaditya.

His tone was sharp, irritated, filled with disappointment.

Varsha looked stunned, her face turning pale.

"I mean seriously, Varsha?" Aaditya continued. "You don’t watch where you’re going? What if she got badly hurt?"

Varsha swallowed hard, her lips pressing into a thin line. Her eyes filled up, and for the first time, I saw her looking truly upset.

She didn’t say anything. She just turned around and left.

I wanted to stop her, but I couldn’t.

Because at that moment, Aaditya gently took my hand.

His brows furrowed as he noticed the red burn on my skin.

"Saanvi, why didn’t you say anything?" he scolded, his voice softer now, but still firm.

Before I could reply, he pulled out a small first-aid kit—the classic medical student move.

He make me sit on the nearby dinning chair and carefully applied an ointment, his fingers light against my skin.

"You should be more careful," he muttered, wrapping a bandage around my hand.

I just stared at him, my heart doing weird things in my chest.

I should be thinking about Varsha. I should be worried about her leaving like that.

But all I could focus on was the way Aaditya was treating me like I was something fragile.

~To Be Continued

-------------------------

~Chapter Aesthetic~

Ishaan

Saanvi's Outfit

Breakfast

---------------------------------

~Spoiler Alert~

~Aarna’s Pov~

Twelve years…

For twelve long years, I have kept my promise.

Every 30th of November, without fail, I come here.

But he?

He couldn't even keep his promise for one year.

Still… I come.

Still… I wait.

Because somewhere, deep inside, despite everything—I still have hope.