64. Reunion

Another chapter!

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The chill room was filled with the laughter and chatter of the girls.

Ishika was lounging on the bean bag, munching on a packet of chips, while Divya braided Amrita's hair.

Ananya was scrolling through her phone on the couch, and Mahima, who had grown close to the family, was sitting cross-legged on the floor, flipping through a magazine.

"I love this place," Mahima said, looking around with a content smile. "It feels like home now."

"That's because it is home," Divya said warmly, tying the braid with a small rubber band. "You're family, Mahima."

Mahima smiled, and just as she was about to say something, Ananya gasped. "Oh my god!" she exclaimed, sitting up straight.

"What happened?" Amrita asked, immediately alert.

"Did you lose another online shopping parcel?" Ishika teased, tossing a chip in her mouth.

"No," Ananya said, rolling her eyes. She held up her phone. "We have a college reunion today!"

"Today?" Divya perked up, her eyes widening. "Oh my god, shall we go! I miss those days!"

"I'm not going if the professors and lecturers are coming," Amrita declared firmly, crossing her arms.

"Why not?" Divya asked, tilting her head.

"Because I don't need a moral science lecture on how we're supposed to behave as adults," Amrita retorted, making everyone laugh.

"It's not like they'll have time to lecture us," Ishika said, shrugging. "Reunions are chaotic. Too many people catching up, taking selfies, and pretending they're still best friends."

"True," Ananya agreed. "But it's a day event, not a night one."

"Oh, what a bummer!" Ishika groaned dramatically. "Day reunions are so boring. Who parties during daylight hours?"

"Exactly!" Mahima chimed in. "It would've been so much better if it were at night. The vibe would've been perfect with fairy lights, loud music, and maybe a dance or something."

"Yeah," Divya sighed. "A night reunion sounds like a proper party. During the day, it'll just feel like a fancy lunch."

Ananya looked back at her phone. "Well, apparently, there's going to be a senior as the chief guest."

"Oh no, not them," Amrita muttered.

"Do you know who it is?" Ishika asked curiously.

"No idea," Ananya replied. "But they said it's someone really important. Probably someone successful or well-known from our batch or a year ahead."

"Better not be that senior who used to boss everyone around," Divya said with a frown.

"You mean the one who used to call himself 'the king of the campus'?" Mahima asked, raising her brow.

"Yes, him!" Divya said, laughing. "If it's him, I'm not going."

"Honestly, day events feel like a formality," Ishika said, leaning back. "Night reunions would be more relaxed and fun."

"I'll go, but only because I want to see how everyone's doing," Ananya said.

"Same," Mahima agreed. "I kind of want to see who got married, who has kids, and who's still single and living their best life."

"Nosy much?" Amrita teased.

"Not nosy, just curious," Mahima said with a grin.

Divya clapped her hands together. "Okay, so we're going, right? Day or night, let's make the most of it!"

"Fine," Amrita said reluctantly. "But I'm not dressing up too much. It's just a reunion."

"Agreed," Ishika said. "Let's keep it casual but classy."

"Done," Ananya said with a smile. "Now let's figure out what we're wearing because I don't want to hear last-minute panic about outfits."

And with that, the room was filled with excited chatter as they started discussing their reunion plans, each of them secretly looking forward to the day more than they wanted to admit.

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The girls, brimming with excitement, headed to Dadi's room to inform Geeta and Rukmini about their plans.

The elders were seated comfortably around Dadi's bed, chatting and reminiscing about old times.

"Dadi, Chachi, we have a college reunion today," Ananya announced cheerfully as they entered the room.

"A reunion?" Rukmini asked, her face lighting up. "That sounds like so much fun! Are all of you going?"

"Yes, all of us," Ishika said, grinning. "Even Amrita."

Amrita rolled her eyes but didn't argue.

"That's wonderful," Geeta said with a smile. "You girls deserve some fun."

"Don't worry dadi, we'll behave," Mahima added with a mischievous grin.

"Oh, we're not worried about you behaving," Dadi said with a teasing glint in her eye. "We're worried about the others surviving you!"

All the girls burst into laughter.

"Have fun, my girls," Dadi said warmly, waving at them as Geeta and Rukmini joined her.

The three elders waved their goodbyes with bright smiles as the girls left the room, excited and ready for the day.

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At the reunion, the atmosphere was buzzing with excitement. Laughter and chatter filled the air as people caught up with old friends.

The girls stepped in, and heads turned. Their presence lit up the room.

"Let's split up for now and meet later," Ishika suggested, grabbing Divya's hand. "We'll catch up with our batchmates."

"Sure, go ahead," Ananya said, waving them off.

Amrita crossed her arms. "This already looks boring."

"It's not boring! You just haven't given it a chance," Ananya said, grabbing Amrita's hand. "Come on, let's meet some people!"

Amrita groaned but let herself be dragged across the room. Her face, however, remained cold and stoic, earning her a few nervous glances from people who recognized her.

Meanwhile, Mahima wandered over to the drinks counter, feeling slightly out of place. She scanned the menu and was about to order when a familiar voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Hey," the voice said.

Mahima turned and froze. It was Max, her ex-boyfriend.

"What do you want?" she asked, her tone icy.

"I just wanted to talk," Max said, stepping closer.

She ignored him and turned back to the counter, but he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't touch me," she snapped, shrugging his hand off.

"Why are you behaving like this?" he asked, frowning.

"How else should I behave?" she shot back, glaring at him. "You cheated on me, Max. Repeatedly. Behind my back. Do you expect me to smile and pretend everything's fine?"

"That was a long time ago," he said defensively. "Can't we just move on?"

"Move on?" she said, her voice rising. "You don't get to decide when I move on. You broke my trust, Max. There's no coming back from that."

Max's face darkened, and before she could react, he grabbed her arm.

"Let go of me!" she said, struggling to free herself.

"Don't make a scene, Mahima," he hissed.

"Let. Go!" she repeated, her voice firm.

Just then, a calm but dangerous voice interrupted them.

"I believe the lady asked you to back off."

Both Mahima and Max turned toward the voice. A tall, broad-shouldered man with sharp features and a piercing gaze stood a few feet away, his presence commanding the space.

He looked entirely out of place in the reunion setting-like someone who belonged in a high-stakes meeting rather than a casual event.

Mahima furrowed her brows, confused. She thought she had seen this man before in her life.

Max, however, visibly paled. "Rishi..." he muttered, his voice barely audible.

Rishi's gaze shifted to Mahima for a brief second, his eyes softening slightly before returning to Max with an intensity that made him shiver.

"Max," Rishi said, his tone low and controlled but carrying an unmistakable edge. "What do you think you're doing?"

"This has nothing to do with you, Rishi," Max said, trying to sound confident but failing miserably.

"It has everything to do with me," Rishi said, stepping closer. "You were manhandling her. That's not something I overlook."

Mahima looked between the two men, her confusion growing. She had no idea who this Rishi was, but it was clear Max did-and he was terrified.

Max raised his hands defensively. "I wasn't... I mean, we were just talking."

"Talking?" Rishi's lips curled into a cold smirk. "It didn't look like just talking to me."

He took another step forward, towering over Max now. "I'll say this once, Max. Leave her alone. Now."

Max clenched his jaw, glancing nervously between Rishi and Mahima.

"Fine," he muttered, his bravado completely gone. "I was leaving anyway."

"Good," Rishi said, his voice even but carrying an unmistakable warning. "And don't let me catch you anywhere near her again."

Max nodded hastily and disappeared into the crowd without another word.

Mahima finally exhaled, still processing what had just happened. She turned to Rishi, unsure of what to say.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer now as he looked at her with genuine concern.

"Yes," she said slowly, her brows knitting together. "But... who are you?"

"Rishi," he said simply, offering no further explanation.

"And how do you know Max?" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"That's a story for another time," he said, his lips twitching slightly as if amused by her suspicion. "Let's just say... he knows not to cross me."

Mahima blinked, still bewildered. "Well... thank you, I guess."

"You don't need to thank me," Rishi said, his tone calm but firm. "No one should treat you the way he did."

Before she could respond, Rishi gestured toward the counter. "Now, why don't you get your drink? I'll make sure no one else bothers you."

Mahima hesitated but nodded, her curiosity about this mysterious man growing with every passing second.

As she ordered tequila shots, she couldn't help but steal a glance at Rishi, keeping a watchful eye on the crowd.

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And a New Story Begins...🌸✨