Song: Got a little Crush on you - Emmi, Wildflower.

Anaya's POV

I reached home quite late. I just hoped mom hadn't waited up—it was past her usual bedtime. I thanked Abhi's driver for the drop-off and quietly made my way inside.

The living room lights were off. As expected, mom had already gone to bed. She was always punctual with her routine. I wish I could be that disciplined.

Dropping my phone and bag on the bed, I headed straight for a shower. Ten minutes later, when I stepped out in my nightwear, I noticed my phone blinking. Probably some notification. But I was too hungry to check it right then. Food came first.

I made my way to the kitchen, rubbing my growling stomach. As soon as I stepped in, I noticed a covered bowl on the counter with a note stuck to it.

Don't just drink coffee. Eat your dinner—I made it for you.
Love,
Mom.

A smile tugged at my lips. Her love always found the simplest ways to show up. I lifted the lid—my eyes lit up. Her famous pasta! My favorite. I quickly set it in the microwave and began preparing my Bournvita milk. Yeah, I know—Bournvita over coffee. Guilty as charged.

Once the food was ready, I jumped onto the counter like a kid (yes, I know, childish—but try being hungry). Mom calls me a monkey. She's not wrong.

Just as I took the first bite, my phone rang. The name on the screen nearly gave me a heart attack.

I picked up.

"Are you out of your fucking mind or what? Didn't I clearly tell you to call me once you got home? I've been blowing up your phone like a lunatic, and you just ignored every single message?"

I held the phone away from my ear and waited.

"Will you speak or just keep wasting my time?"

I opened my mouth to reply, but he interrupted again.

"Forget it. Open the door. I'm outside."

What the—

I jumped off the counter and ran to the door. There he stood, my childhood best friend—Abhi—with a grumpy look stamped across his face.

I stepped aside and let him in, shutting the door behind him.

"Can I speak now?" I asked quietly.

He nodded, still refusing to meet my eyes.

Clearing my throat, I said, "Sorry. I forgot. I was just really hungry when I got in. I didn't think to check my phone." I gave him my best puppy face—the one that usually worked like magic.

He sighed, shaking his head, then walked straight to the kitchen. I followed.

"Are you hungry, Abhi?" I asked, already knowing the answer. He came straight from practice—of course he hadn't eaten.

He scowled. "Is that even a question? I'm starving. Thanks to someone."

"Okay okay, I'm sorry! Let's just eat together, yeah?"

He nodded, finally softening, then reached out to cup my face. "Don't ever do that again. I was worried."

Moments later, we were in my room with a bowl of pasta and two cups of Bournvita. I placed everything on the small table in the balcony and sat, while Abhi freshened up in the bathroom.

This—this had been our thing since childhood. Sharing food, space, clothes... everything. Then Aashi happened. I smiled as the memory crept in.

We met her in college, even though we weren't in the same department. It was... unforgettable.

Flashback

Abhi and I were having lunch in the canteen. The usual scene. Girls hovered at a distance, throwing heart-eyes at Abhi—the cricket prodigy and walking poster boy of charm. He enjoyed the attention, of course. I was content being the nerd in our duo.

Suddenly, a girl rushed over to our table, crying.

"You ruined my life! You got me pregnant and now you're abandoning me!" she screamed at Abhi.

I choked on my food. Abhi began coughing like a lunatic.

"What the—are you crazy? I don't even know you! Forget impregnating you. I have taste, and you're not it. I don't fuck ugly ducklings," he retorted.

The entire canteen exploded in laughter—especially his fan girls.

I wanted to hit him with a textbook.

The girl's face turned red with rage. She picked up my fat anatomy book and whacked him.

"You moron! It was a prank! You didn't need to insult me! I wouldn't let you touch me even in your dreams, you arrogant jerk!"

And then... chaos. They started pulling each other's hair.

Desperate to stop them, I did the only thing I could think of—I poured my hot coffee on both of them.

We got suspended.

Abhi was mortified. I was devastated. My practical exams were just around the corner. Dad was furious.

That girl—still smiling—introduced herself outside the dean's office. "Hi. I'm Aashi. Thanks for helping me escape this boring college for three days."

Abhi barked, "Do you even understand what you've done?! Her exams are coming up!"

She looked at me, saw the tears, and suddenly deflated. "I'm sorry. I promise I'll fix this."

Later that day, when Dad called me to his study, I was bracing for the worst. Instead... he hugged me. Told me the dean had revoked the suspension—because of a call from Mr. Rajvansh.

Aashi's brother.

The next day, we were summoned again. Aashi was there, grinning. She said, "See? I told you I'd fix it. I begged bhai until he agreed."

Apparently, her brother was someone powerful—and when she told him how I was innocent, he made a deal with her. If she promised to pass the academic year without any more drama, he'd intervene.

I was speechless. I wrote him a thank-you note. My first ever to any man. Gave it to Aashi with a chocolate bar.

We became inseparable after that. The bond just grew.

Back to Present

Abhi snapped his fingers. "Dora, where did you vanish?"

Yeah, he calls me Dora—ever since kindergarten when I dressed like Dora the Explorer.

"I was just thinking about how we became friends with Aashi," I murmured.

He rolled his eyes. "She was, is, and will always be an idiot."

They say they hate each other. But the moment something goes wrong, they're on speed dial to each other before they even think of me.

Idiots.

We ate, laughed, and eventually, Abhi left. I crawled into bed and drifted into a peaceful, dreamless sleep.

Third Person POV

While Anaya slept peacefully, Arjun Singh Rajvansh sat alone in his office, working through old files. It was late, but he didn't care. For him, nights were just an extension of the workday.

As he flipped through one folder, a folded slip of paper fluttered out.

He picked it up.

His eyes narrowed the moment he recognized it.

Aashi's "new best friend" had written it. The girl she wouldn't stop begging him to help.

He remembered how Aashi had demanded—yes, demanded—he revoke the suspension of a girl who got dragged into her idiotic prank. She insisted the girl was brilliant. Innocent. That she would be ruined if he didn't step in.

At first, he was irritated.

But he never did anything for free.

So he made a deal.

If Aashi passed her academic year flawlessly, he'd intervene. She agreed. He made the call. The issue was handled.

Now, staring at the neat, carefully penned note in his hand, he frowned.

_Mr. Rajvansh,

Thank you for your help. It was because of you that I was able to continue my studies. So thank you once again.

This is my first ever note to any male. I don't know how these things work, but I promise you—if you ever need my help or support, I will be there without delay. I never break my promises.

With respect,
Anaya._

Arjun stared at the note, blank-faced.

A few seconds passed.

Then, with a quiet scoff, he crushed the paper in his fist and tossed it into the bin.

"Stupid girl," he muttered darkly, the corner of his mouth twitching into a faint smirk. "Promising something... to the devil."

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