It had been two weeks since the Rajgir trip, and everything seemed to move in slow, thoughtful silence. Nothing had been said between Aradhana and Nilkanth, but everything had changed. Their occasional glances now lingered a second longer. Their greetings had softened. The air around them had started to crackle with something quiet but undeniable.

But the world has ears. And small towns like Patna—especially the corners of college corridors and local bazaars—are filled with mouths ready to talk.

Suspicion in the Haveli

At the grand old Thakur Haveli, nothing missed Ramesh Thakur's sharp eyes.

He was reviewing some construction contracts when he noticed Nilkanth coming home late, again. Not disheveled. Not drunk. But smiling. A soft, dreamy, unaware kind of smile that confused and irritated Ramesh.

He called for Raghav, the house helper.

"Yeh Nilkanth aajkal zyada ghar se baahar rehne laga hai. Kya chal raha hai uska college mein?"
( Nilkanth's been staying out too often these days. What's going on at his college?)

Raghav hesitated. "Kuch log keh rahe the... uska naam kisi ladki ke saath joda jaa raha hai. Aradhana Jha naam hai."

(Some people are saying... his name is being linked to a girl. Her name's Aradhana Jha.)

Ramesh's expression darkened like a gathering storm.

"Ladki? Apne ghar mein toh maine kabhi ek aurat tak nahi rakhi. Aur yeh ladki se dil laga raha hai?"
( A girl? I've never allowed a single woman in my house. And he's falling for one?)

He didn't say more. But something had cracked.

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Meanwhile, at the Jha household, Sushila Jha noticed changes in her daughter too. Aradhana was quieter than usual, sometimes smiling to herself while cooking or reading. Her saree pleats had become more careful, her dupatta placement more conscious.

That evening, while folding clothes, Sushila spoke without looking up.

"Kya naam tha us ladke ka... Thakur? Jis ke saath dance kiya tha trip mein?"

( What was the name of that boy... Thakur? The one you danced with during the trip?)

Aradhana paused. "Nilkanth Thakur."

"Usi se baat karti ho aajkal?"
(You've been talking to him lately, haven't you?)

Aradhana didn't lie. "Kabhi kabhi."

"Tumhare sapne mein koi ladka nahi tha, Aru. IAS officer banana hai. Aur woh ladka... uske baare mein achhi baatein nahi suni maine."

( There was no boy in your dream, Aru. You're meant to be an IAS officer. And that boy... I haven't heard good things about him.)

Aradhana lowered her gaze. "Woh aisa nahi hai, Maa."

( He's not like that, Maa.)

"Toh phir jaisa hai, woh dikhaye sabke saamne."
( Then let him show who he really is, in front of everyone.)

Sushila's words lingered in the air, heavy and sharp.

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Nilkanth knew it was coming. And still, when it arrived, it hit harder than expected.

He was in his room when his father burst in.

"Tumne apni maa ki maut ke baad yeh ghar kis mushkil se sambhala hai, yaad hai? Aur ab ek ladki ke liye sab kuch khatre mein daal doge?"

(Do you remember how we held this house together after your mother died? And now you'll risk it all for some girl?)

Nilkanth stood up slowly.

"Bauji, Aradhana alag hai. Woh koi bhi nahi hai. Woh samajhti hai mujhe."
(Bauji, Aradhana is different. She's not just anyone. She understands me.)

Ramesh's voice rose. "Ladkiyaan samajhti nahi, sirf barbaad karti hain. Tum uske pyaar mein bewakoof ban rahe ho."

( Girls don't understand. They only destroy. You're becoming a fool in love.)

Nilkanth didn't shout back. But his voice was steady. "Main aapki tarah auraton se nafrat nahi karta. Maa agar hoti... toh shayad main yeh sab kehna nahi padta."

(I don't hate women like you do. If Maa were here... maybe I wouldn't have to say all this.)

A long silence fell between father and son.

Ramesh didn't answer. He just walked out, leaving the room colder than before.

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The next evening, Nilkanth waited at the local tea stall near the library. He had texted Aradhana:
"Ek baar milna zaroori hai."
( It's important we meet once.)

She arrived, hesitant but calm.

"Mujhe sab pata chal gaya," he said. "Tumhari Maa, mere Bauji... sabko humare baare mein shak hai."

( I know everything now. Your Maa, my father... everyone suspects us.)

Aradhana sipped her chai silently. "Mujhe dar lagta hai, Nilkanth."

( I'm scared, Nilkanth.)

He nodded. "Mujhe bhi. Lekin main tumhare saath hoon."

( Me too. But I'm with you.)

She looked at him. "Agar tum sach mein ho, toh sabit karo."

( If you really are, then prove it.)

He leaned forward, serious.

"Main tumse chhupke milne nahi aaya. Ek din main tumhare ghar aakar tumhari Maa se tumhara haath maangoonga. Lekin pehle, tum IAS bano. Phir hum dono milke duniya ko jawab denge."

(I haven't come to meet you in secret. One day, I'll go to your house and ask your Maa for your hand. But first, become an IAS. Then together, we'll answer the world.)

Her eyes filled with tears.

Because in that moment, he wasn't just the awara boy she once hated.

He was the man she was starting to love.

That night, Aradhana sat by the window, the wind rustling the papers of her notebook. She stared at the word "Dream" scribbled on the front cover of her IAS prep book.

She whispered to herself:
"Pyaar, sapne ke raaste mein rukawat nahi ho sakta. Agar sahi ho toh woh sapne ka hissa ban jaata hai."
(Love doesn't have to be an obstacle in the path of dreams. If it's true, it becomes part of the dream.)

She opened her book.

And began studying.