Abhimanyu's P.O.V....

I finished the call, my voice low and clipped as I wrapped up the last-minute discussion with Rhea. Some urgent business matters, nothing unusual, but my mind was elsewhere. Always elsewhere these days.

As I tucked the phone into my pocket, my eyes instinctively searched for her...and there she was standing a few feet away in the cozy corner of the library, surrounded by tall shelves and endless pages, running her fingers softly over the spines of books like they were treasures she had been longing to find. Her eyes..God, her eyes were sparkling. Like little stars had found a home there.

Every time she flipped open a new book, she'd light up, her smile growing wider, brighter, filling the quiet space with a kind of silent, magical music only I could hear.

I forgot to breathe for a second. I forgot the world even existed beyond this moment...

What's happening to me? Every time I see her, it's like something inside me pulls -no, drags me towards her.

She doesn't even know what she's doing to me...how she's quietly unknowingly taking over every corner of my thoughts. From the first damn day I met her, I haven't been able to stop. Not even for a moment.

My heart...it does this stupid thing whenever she's near. It races, like it's trying to keep up with something my mind hasn't even understood yet. And my eyes -God, my eyes refuse to leave her. As if they've finally found the only sight they were meant to behold.

Why does it feel like she's the sanctuary I didn't even know I was yearning for? She looks like a goddess... Not the kind you worship from a distance. The kind who makes you fall to your knees without even realizing you're surrendering.

Every little thing about her -the way she tilts her head,the way she bites her lip when she's thinking -its carved itself into me.

She doesn't even know how much she's changing me, breaking me, making me wish for things I Stopped believing in years ago. She's becoming the melody I didn't know I was desperate to hear. The peace I didn't know I needed. The chaos I'm beginning to crave.

She tiptoed, trying to reach a book on the higher shelf, stretching her arms adorably, her fingers just barely brushing the edges -but failing.... I moved before I even realized it. Drawn to her like a moth to a flame.

Stepping close, so close I could feel that delicate, flowery sweetness that always lingers around her....I reached up from behind her, my hand brushing lightly past hers, my fingers wrapping around the book she had been trying to catch.

I heard her sharp, tiny intake of breath. And then -she turned our eyes met. God, In that instant, it felt like the entire universe pressed pause like it was just her and me in this whole damn world.

When our eyes meet...it feels like I could get lost for lifetimes and still beg for more time.

Like nothing before this moment, nothing after it, would ever matter as much as right now.

Her hazel eyes so deep, so heartbreakingly beautiful they weren't just looking at me. They were pulling me in. Their warmth, their softness, it was enough to make a man fall apart and willingly drown.

And those lashes.. long delicate, framing her eyes so perfectly. My gaze fell lower, betraying me, and landed on her lips -soft, pink, so inviting they could shame the prettiest rose patels.

FUCK..My neck is heated, my pulse is thundering in my ears. I had never been this close to her before. Never close enough to see the faint freckles dusting her nose, the way her breath caught slightly when I moved.

I noticed everything. Every little thing.. The way her cheeks flushed a shy crimson under my stare. The way her delicate ears turned red, as if giving away every hidden feeling she was too shy to speak.. and in that moment, as I stood there fighting every damn instinct to touch her, to tuck that loose strand of hair behind her ear, to do something reckless -I couldn't help but wonder..

Is she feeling it too? Does her heart stumble the way mine does when our eyes find each other? Does she feel the electricity in the inches of air between us like I do?

Because God, I swear, every time I get close to her, it feels like breathing becomes harder.... And she's so much more beautiful up close. More breathtaking than my mind had ever dared to imagine.

" Thank you," she said, her voice soft, pulling me back into the moment.

I smiled a little, lowering my hand " You're welcome," I murmured, my voice lower, rougher than I intended. Too close. Too close to her warmth, her light. I cleared my throat, taking a half step back, needing the space I suddenly didn't want.

" So..you like the collection here?" I asked, nodding towards the endless rows of books around us.

Her face lit up, a sparkle in her eyes that made something tighten painfully in my chest. " Bahut," she said, almost breathlessly. " It's beautiful. Like every shelf hides a new world."

God. How could someone sound so pure even while talking about dusty old books?.

We wandered a little, falling into an easy rhythm, standing near a couch tucked in a cozy corner of the library...I sat down first, leaning back casually, and she joined, her presence bright and soft beside me.

" So, what kind of books do you usually like? Any favorite genres?" I asked, genuinely curious.

" Mystery, hume mystery books bahut pasand hai.. stories that make you think, wonder, question everything like The Silent Patient... that's one of my all time favorites." She smiled.

I chuckled softly, nodding in appreciation. " Good choice." Her eyes lit up even more.

" And there are some books too I've been dying to read...like The seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle...or First edition of Agatha Christie's novels. But they're hard to find." She sighed dramatically, making me smile without even meaning to.

" And you?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, genuinely curious. " Which kind of books do you like?"

I ran a hand through my hair thoughtfully." Philosophy, history... old-world classic. I like books that stay with you long after you close them."

Her lips parted slightly, as if absorbing every word. " And your favorite?"

Before I could answer, my eyes caught a book she had casually picked earlier  -now resting on the low table between us, half-hidden among others.

I leaned forward, brushing my fingers against the worn spine.

" This one," I said softly, picking it up - The Little Parties BookShop " by Nina George.

Ananya leaned closer, peeking at it. " This?" she asked, curious, her hand almost brushing mine again... I looked at her for a long second before shaking my head slowly.

" No...not mine " I said, my voice dropping a little. " It was... Natik's favorite."

Her smile faltered just slightly, confusion flickering in her beautiful eyes. " Natik?" she repeated gently.

I nodded swallowing the sudden lump in my throat. " My elder brother," I said, keeping my voice steady. " He...he loved this book, but he is not here anymore." A faint smile touched my lips before fading into something hollow.

The silence between us grew heavier, I stared at the books, tracing its familiar title, the weight of memory pressing against my chest. And then -she reached out. Her fingers brushed against mine, firm yet soft, as she slowly, almost reverently took the book from my hand.

Holding it carefully, she whispered " Then it's not just a book anymore.... It's Natik bhaiya's memory still breathing here... it's him living between these pages, around these shelves. A part of him is still here, because of what he loved." Her eyes lifted to meet mine.

I just looked at her. No words. Just something heavy and warm filling the cracks inside me that I didn't even realize had grown colder over the years.

I wonder. How does she do this? How does she make everything...less heavy? How does she see straight into places even I forgot to existed?

I swallowed hard, my voice rough when I finally spoke. " Yeah, maybe he is." I said quietly. And in that moment -sitting beside her, her presence wrapped around me like the softest light. I realized maybe some wounds aren't meant to be healed. Maybe they're meant to be touched by someone who understands without asking.

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Author's P.O.V..

The soft night wrapped around the Raheja house like a cozy blanket.. Ananya sat cross-legged on her bed, her phone propped against a small pillow, video -calling Prisha.

Aashi was sitting nearby too, half-listening to Prisha's endless chatter. But neither of them missed how distracted Ananya had become. Her eyes weren't even properly focused on the screen... Instead, she was staring somewhere..lost somewhere very far from the conversation.

" Ana?" Aashi called out, amused waving a hand in front of her face. No response. " Ana!" she said again, louder this time still nothing... Finally, Aashi leaned forward and gave a light but sharp smack on Ananya's shoulder.

" Ow-Bhabhi!" Ananya jerked back to reality wide -eyed.

" Where were you lost, madam?" Aashi asked.

On the video call, Prisha leaned closer to the screen, her grin mischievous. " Arey bhabhi, lagta hai kisi Mr.CEO sahab ke khayalon mein kho gayi hai!"

Ananya's cheeks flamed instantly bright crimson, she stumbled over her words, " Chup kar!"

But it was too late. Aashi's eyes had already lit up, joining Prisha's teasing with full force. " Ohoo! Kahaan khoyi thi humari Ana? Lagta hai dil chura ke le gaya koi," Aashi teased, winking.

Ananya covers her face with her hands, mortified, mumbling. " Nahi...main..main bus..unki family ke baare mein soch rahi thi. Kitne ache log hain na." she stammered, trying miserably to dodge.

Prisha let out a loud laugh. " Ye jo tera stupid innocent act hai na, band kar. Tere chehre pe likha hai kis ke baare mein soch rahi thi!" Then dramatically placing a hand on her chest. " Sach sach bol! Pyar ho gaya hai na tujhe Abhimanyu se?"

Ananya's mouth fell open, Stunned. " P-pyaar? Nahi....nahi toh, bas..bas ache lagte hain voh." she tried, the voice growing smaller and smaller.

Prisha narrowed her eyes like a detective on a case. " Ache lagte hain ya bahut ache lagte hain? Sach sach bta jab samne aate hain voh dhadkane tez ho jaati hai na teri? Aankhon se nazar nahi hat-ti na? Jab pass hote hai sab kuch acha lgta h na ? Aur jab nahi thote toh sab Khali Khali?

Aashi joined in." Haan haan bta, aur kuch sujhta nhi h na unke samane tujhe... Baar baar Milne ka man karta h na?" Both of them now stared at her with the most serious expressions, as if conducting an FBI-level interrogation.

Ananya pressed her lips together tightly, her heart racing. Everything they said.. every word was true. Exactly what she had been feeling. Exactly what she had been running from.

She looked at both of them, feeling her face burn. They weren't going to let her go without an answer. Finally, with a little huff of breath, she shut her eyes tightly, and blurted out in one breath -

" Haan! Haan! Bahut ache lagte hain voh hume! Bahut pasand karte hain unhe? I can't stop my heart from beating fast whenever he looks at me. I can't stop thinking about him.... I love him."  Her voice cracked slightly with the overwhelming rush of emotions she had been bottling up for days.

There was a beat of stunned silence. Then a loud squeal from Prisha. " I KNEW IT!" she screamed over the call.

Aashi laughed happily and immediately pulled Ananya into a tight, warm hug. " Finally, tune accept kar hi liya!" she said, ruffling her hair affectionately.

Prisha was practically bouncing on the screen, clapping her hands. " Dekha! Maine kaha tha naa? Maan gayi humari Ana!'

Ananya finally pulled back, cheeks still burning. But for the first time, there was no fear or denial in her heart. Just a soft, happiness. She smiled shyly, her heart still racing, but now for a reason she was no longer afraid to admit- she loved him. Really, truly deeply loved him..

Just then, the door to her room creaked open. " Kya ho raha hai yahan?" Rachit stepped in, frowning slightly.

Aashi turned eagerly, too excited to hide it." Rachit Guess what? Humari Ana ko pyar ho gaya hai..voh bhi Mr.Kalra se"

Rachit's eyes immediately fixed on his sister. His expression turned serious. " Ana idhar aa." he said in a firm voice.

Ananya gulped and stood up slowly, she walked towards him nervously. " Is it true?" he asked quietly , almost too calmly.

Ananya gave a tiny nod, her fingers twisting together. Rachit's face grew stern. " Mujhe tujhse yeh umeed nahi thi Ana." he said, shaking his head.

Ananya's heart dropped.Confused and hurt, she started at her brother. " Bhaiya?"

" This isn't a joke, hasi-mazaak ek taraf... par yeh sab?" he said seriously. " Yeh serious cheez hai, Ana Dil ka maamla hai. Tum ab bacchi nahi ho." like he was disappointed.

Aashi opened her mouth, but Rachit cut her off, his voice sharp. " Aashi, stay out of this.'

Ananya's eyes filled with uncertainty and guilt. Had she really done something wrong? The room was heavy with tension. Rachit stared at her for another beat -then turned and walked out without another word.

Ananya sat back down, stunned, her hands trembling slightly. Aashi rushed to her side, comforting her, " Arey relax.. mujhe lagta hai voh bas shock mein hai.."

Prisha, nodded trying to reassure her too, but Ananya couldn't shake the horrible, sinking feeling inside. A minute later, the door burst open again.

Rachit walked back in -but this time, he was hiding something behind his back. Ananya stared at him, confused and scared. He kept his serious face intact as he walked towards her... And then with a sudden flourish, he pulled out a colourful party popper and yelled - " CONGRATULATIONS,ANA"

The little pop exploded with glittery paper everywhere. Ananya gasped -stunned." Bhaiya? Aap naraz nhi ho?" she cried almost disbelieving.

Rachit grinned and pulled her into a brotherly hug. " Naraz? Bilkul nahi, main toh bas acting kar raha tha...mujhe pata tha ki meri choti si Ana ki life mein ye din aayega. As long as my little Ana is happy... I'll always support her."

Ananya felt tears prick her eyes as she hugged him tightly, her heart overflowing. Prisha and Aashi clapped excitedly. " Arey party toh banti hai iss baat par!"

Rachit laughed " Bilkul banti hai" Then he paused, his face turning a little worried again. " But kya Abhimanyu bhi tujhe pasand karta hai?" he asked gently.

Ananya blinked, suddenly realizing she didn't really know. Her smile faltered a little." Mujhe nahi pata.." she whispered.

Prisha ever confident, piped up. " Arey! Main guarantee leti hoon! Uski nazar Ana se hat-ti hi nahi hai, I'm damn sure he also loves our Ana."

Aashi nodded excitedly. " Haan, maine bhi notice kiya aaj kaise uski Nazre humari Ana par hi tiki hui thi.. feelings toh hai."

Ananya's cheeks flamed again, burning with shyness. Rachit groaned dramatically." Hm. Mujhe pasand nahi aata vase toh jab koi meri Ana ko dekhe but I notice too... Jis tarh voh Ana ko dekh rha tha, it was so pure and genuine." he said with a brotherly pout. " Aur most important Ana khus hai.. toh mujhe koi problem nahi."

There was laughter, love and a soft, glowing happiness between them all.

_____

The night outside was silent, but inside the atmosphere was buzzing - and Abhimanyu was very much the centre of attention.

Trisha leaned forward, her eyes suspicious and sharp , voice playful yet firm." Bhai..ab toh bata do." she said, narrowing her eyes at him.

Abhimanyu, who was casually scrolling on his phone, looked up. " Kya?" he asked, deliberately trying to avoid everyone's gazes.

Avni joined in, throwing a teasing glance at him. " Yahi ki...koi aapka dil ko chura le gayi hai? she said.

Manik, lounging lazily beside Aarav, grinned and added." Koi blue butterfly shayad?" Winking exaggeratedly.

At that, Abhimanyu shifted slightly, a rare hint of fluster appearing on his composed face. He cleared his throat and said. " A-aisa kuch nahi.. tum log kuch bhi bakwas karte ho."

Aarav laughed loudly, shaking his head. " Aree kya yaar, itna sharma raha hai! Bata bhi de. Hum sabne notice kiya...toh yeh zyada faltu ka drama band kar."

Abhimanyu, cornered and struggling, could only mutter helplessly. " I-I don't know."

The group leaned in closer, their grins growing wider. Aarav not letting go, pressed further." Aree kya I don't know? Pasand karta hai na Ananya ko?"

There was a beat of silence. Abhimanyu looked down at his hands, his mind swirling with emotions he had tried so hard to contain.

Finally in a low, nervous voice, he began -words slipping out like a confession he couldn't stop. " I don't know what this feeling exactly is... But I can't stop thinking about her.." he said, voice slightly raw.

He exhaled slowly and added. " She's always there... occupying my mind like no one ever did before. Even when she's not around, I want to see her...I want to hear her laugh, her voice...it calms me like nothing else. Whenever she's near, it's like.. I'm pulled toward her without even trying." His voice grew softer, moving vulnerable." The way she smiled ..it feels like my whole world lights up. And when she speaks , it's not just words -its like she understands a part of me even I never tried to explain."

He paused, lost in the sincerity of his own words. " She doesn't just heal wounds...she makes me forget they ever excited," he finished queitly, almost to himself.

Everyone had gone completely still, listening -smiles forming slowly as they realized the truth he had just unknowingly spoken.

There was a long pause. Then Aarav, grinning ear to ear, broke it. " Love, you idiot. Yeh pyaar hai! Dil haar gaya hai tu aapna uspe."

Manik, leaning back smugly crossed his arms and said with a proud grin. " Main toh first time dekhte hi samajh gaya tha.. smart jo hoon."

Trisha almost bounced in her seat, eyes wide with excitement." Finally, Bhaiyaa! Pyaar mein gir hi gaye aap."

Avni softer. " Bhaiya par pyar ka rang chad gaya hai...voh bhi ananya ke pyar ka."

Abhimanyu looked at all of them, stunned for a second..then lowered his gaze,as if the truth had finally settled deep inside him. " Love?" he murmured, almost questioning himself.

Then slowly, as if realizing it fully for the first time, a small genuine smile broke on his lips. " I-I think...maybe.." He stopped -no, not maybe. " I love her... I love Ananya." A tiny disbelieving smile escaped him.

At his confession, everyone broke into cheers and whistles - Aarav dragging him into a hug, Manik ruffling his hair laughing

. Trisha almost jumped in excitement, and Avni grinned proudly.

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