(Ayaan Malhotra POV).

...

Following Siddharth’s luxury sedan, I pulled into the driveway of a sharp, modern contemporary home tucked away in an upscale neighborhood.

After stepping through the front entrance, Siddharth led me into the spacious living room. I settled onto the plush leather sofa, loosening my tie slightly. Siddharth dropped down beside me, while Aarohi immediately vanished toward the kitchen to fetch us cold drinks.

I looked around the sleek, minimalist interior, taking in the high ceilings and quiet atmosphere. "When did you guys move into this place?" I turned to Siddharth. "And why didn't you tell me you were relocating to Hillford?"

Siddharth let out a low sigh, running a hand through his hair as he leaned back against the cushions. "After the accident... when Dad and Mom passed... I had to step up and take over the entire corporate operation. You know our main headquarters was relocated near the city center here. Living at the old estate was just too far for the daily commute, so I decided it was best to shift here permanently."

I nodded slowly, a heavy weight settling in my chest. He had told me over the phone about the tragic crash that took his parents, and that he was restructuring his life around the company, but I’d had no idea his new base was in Hillford.

"And what about you?" Siddharth asked, turning the focus back to me. "Last I heard, you were down in Westford. How did you end up in Hillford?"

"After graduation, I moved to Westford to look for academic positions," I explained, turning toward him. "A friend of mine from university was teaching at a prep school there and put in a good word for me. Once the administration reviewed my credentials and research, they brought me on board. Last month, when an advanced mathematics position opened up at their top affiliate campus here in Hillford, they offered me a transfer. It all happened so fast—I've only been in town for about four weeks. I was planning to surprise you as soon as I fully settled in."

Siddharth gave a firm, understanding nod. "Got it."

"So," I asked, "how are things holding up?"

Before he could answer, the soft rustle of footsteps announced Aarohi’s return. She walked into the room carrying a tray with three tall glasses of chilled fruit juice. Stepping up to the coffee table, she carefully set the tray down in front of us.

"Thank you, Buttercup," I murmured, offering her a warm smile.

She gave a polite nod, not saying a word, and took a seat on the armchair directly across from us.

I picked up the first glass of juice from the tray and held it out toward her. "Here, take this."

Aarohi looked at the glass, her brow furrowing in confusion, and quickly raised her hands in a quiet gesture of refusal.

Siddharth let out a dry laugh at the interaction, leaning over to grab his own glass from the table. "Man, you still treat her like she’s seven years old."

"She’s always going to be a kid to me, Siddharth," I replied smoothly, gently pushing the glass toward her once more.

Seeing my persistence, she leaned forward and took the glass from my hands, her fingers briefly brushing mine. I smiled as I picked up the final glass, leaning back to take a slow sip.

"So, tell me," Siddharth started, a mischievous glint entering his eyes as he set his empty glass on the table. "How’s high school teaching going? Have you received any love letters from smitten students yet?"

I let out a soft laugh, shaking my head. "What are you talking about?"

Siddharth playfully punched my shoulder. "Dude, don't act all innocent. I know how famous you were back in university. You used to get flooded with confession notes from underclassmen."

"That was college, Siddharth," I countered, chuckling. "Now I'm a professional faculty member."

He stared at me for a beat before bursting into laughter.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

He waved a dismissive hand, still laughing. "You’re sitting there pretending you weren't the biggest heartthrob on campus, breaking hearts left and right!" He leaned in closer, nudging my elbow. "Come on, tell me the truth. How many letters have you gotten so far? Do you have a girlfriend yet or what?"

I shoved his shoulder playfully, pulling back. "Dude, I’m telling you the absolute truth. I haven't received a single love letter."

He rolled his eyes, clearly not buying a word of it.

I turned my head toward the armchair. "Buttercup, why aren't you saying anything? Tell your brother I’m telling the truth."

Siddharth stopped laughing, looking at me in utter bewilderment before turning to his sister. "Wait... why would cutie pie know anything about that? How would she know what happens at your school?"

I looked at Siddharth, a quiet smirk playing on my lips. "Because I’m her new advanced mathematics professor."

Siddharth’s jaw dropped. He stared at me in complete disbelief. "What? You’re cutie pie’s math teacher?"

I nodded, watching his brain try to process the information. "Didn't Buttercup tell you?"

Siddharth shook his head slowly, turning his head to look directly at Aarohi. "Why didn't you mention this to me, kiddo?"

I shifted my gaze to Aarohi as well.

Caught under the spotlight of both our eyes, her entire posture went rigid. She looked at Siddharth, then panicked as her eyes darted to me. Her hands began to tremble against her glass, and her breathing hitched.

"Brother... I... I..." Her voice stammered, completely failing her as sheer anxiety paralyzed her.

Seeing her on the verge of a breakdown, I immediately stepped in to deflect the pressure.

"Ah, come on, Siddharth," I interjected smoothly, catching his attention. "Why are you putting her on the spot like that? How was she supposed to realize Professor Malhotra was the same Ayaan from her childhood? It’s been years since she last saw me, and she was just a kid back then. After so much time, how could you expect her to remember my face? Heck, when I ran into her at school, I didn't recognize her right away either. So how could she?"

Siddharth listened to my explanation, the tension leaving his shoulders. He reached over and patted my shoulder warmly. "Yeah... yeah, that actually makes a lot of sense."

"Exactly," I nodded.

Before Siddharth could say anything else, his phone rang loudly in his pocket. He pulled it out, checked the caller ID, and stood up. "Hold that thought, man. I need to take this work call."

He walked out of the living room, his voice fading down the hallway.

The room fell into a quiet, heavy calm. I turned back to Aarohi, who was sitting quietly, taking small, nervous sips from her glass.

"You've grown up well, Buttercup," I said softly, breaking the silence.

She looked up, meeting my eyes briefly before offering a simple, quiet nod. She didn't speak, dropping her gaze back to her glass.

"When was the last time I actually saw you?" I mused aloud, tapping my chin thoughtfully. "You were in eighth grade, right?"

She gave another small nod.

"And then you came to my university graduation with Siddharth," I continued, watching her reaction closely.

Her eyes snapped up, a faint flicker of surprise floating across her features. "You... you remember that?"

I crossed my arms, leaning back with a fond smile. "How could I possibly forget that day? You threw a complete tantrum and cried your eyes out just because you wanted a photo alone with me."

A deep, rosy blush flushed across her cheeks. She quickly looked back down at her glass, thoroughly embarrassed.

I chuckled softly, watching her innocent reaction. "That was the last time I saw you before I moved away for my job." I rested my arm along the back of the sofa, leaning slightly toward her. "And look at us now. We meet again, but this time..."

I paused mid-sentence.

Aarohi looked up at me, her curiosity piqued. "But... what?" she whispered softly.

I offered her a gentle, teasing smile. "But now, it looks like my little Buttercup is all grown up and doesn't cry anymore."

She dropped her gaze to her feet, a faint pout forming on her lips as she muttered, "Why would I cry? I'm not a child anymore."

I laughed softly. "You'll always be a child to me, Buttercup."

She looked up at me, her wide eyes locking onto mine—just as heavy footsteps echoed from the corridor.

Siddharth walked back into the living room, pocketing his phone. "What's so funny? What are you laughing at?"

"Nothing," I said, turning back to him with a smile. "Who was on the phone?"

Siddharth dropped back onto the sofa with a heavy sigh. "Just the office. Endless paperwork."

I nodded sympathetically.

He turned his attention to Aarohi. "Kiddo, go upstairs and change out of your uniform."

Aarohi nodded quickly, set her empty glass on the tray, and practically bolted up the stairs toward her bedroom.

I tracked her until her door clicked shut upstairs. I let out a low sigh, turning to my best friend. "Buttercup grew up so fast, Siddharth."

Siddharth looked at her closed bedroom door, a fond, weary smile on his face. "Yeah... she really did."

"It feels like just yesterday she was running around the house causing chaos," I murmured, reaching out to pat his shoulder. I knew better than anyone how fiercely protective he was of his little sister, especially after taking over the role of her sole guardian.

Looking at him, a sudden smirk crossed my face. "So, dude... do you really not have a girlfriend yet?"

Siddharth laughed, shaking his head. "You know how busy I am with the company, man. I don't have time for that."

My smirk widened. "Oh yeah? Then what about Siya?"

Siddharth froze, snapping his head toward me. "Who's Siya? Stop joking around, I don't know any Siya."

I burst out laughing. "You don't know Siya? Really?"

He shook his head adamantly. "Nope. I have no idea what rumors you're talking about."

I reached over and aggressively ruffled his hair. "Alright, cut the act, man!" I laughed, leaning in. "Are you really telling me you don't remember back in school when you got chewed out by the teacher because of those rumors about you two?"

Siddharth scoffed, turning away. "Me? Scolded? Never happened."

"Oh, come on!" I teased, standing up as he quickly pushed himself off the couch to head toward the hallway. "Listen to me, buddy!"

"I am not listening to you!" Siddharth called back, picking up his pace.

"Siddharth!" I shouted, chasing after him. "Buddy, admit it!"

"I am not your buddy right now!" he yelled back playfully.

"Yes, you are!"

Laughing out loud, I followed him down the hall toward his room, the heavy weight of the day completely melting away in the warmth of our old friendship.