Chapter 7 : The promise we forgot

Location: Saraswati Global Academy – Main Archives Room

Rhea didn’t mean to pull the folder from the old student council archives.

She was just looking for old reports on previous Innovation Week projects.

But the label on one file made her pause:

> "Malhotra–Kapoor: Proposal Draft, Parental Consent – 2014."

Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened it.

Photos. Stamps. Two childish signatures.

And a printed note at the bottom:

> “This agreement between the Malhotra and Kapoor families ensures future collaboration and optional engagement of heirs.”

> “...Engagement?”

She nearly dropped the folder.

---

🧪 Scene Cut – Aarav’s Dorm Room, 10 Minutes Later

> Rhea:

“Tell me you remember this.

Tell me this was some rich-people prank.”

Aarav blinked, still holding a mug of black tea.

> “I vaguely recall being bribed with laddoos to sign something.

Didn’t realize I agreed to a marriage contract.”

> Rhea:

“Our families literally drafted an arranged partnership when we were nine!”

Aarav raised an eyebrow.

> “...Well, that explains why your mom used to call me beta-in-law in front of strangers.”

Rhea threw a pillow at him.

> “You knew!”

> Aarav (dodging):

“Siya knew too. She told me never to bring it up unless you brought a lawyer.”

---

🧒🏻 Flashback – Childhood Memory (9 Years Ago)

The scene: a giant traditional Kapoor-Malhotra joint puja.

Two tiny kids forced into fancy outfits, standing awkwardly beside each other.

> Rhea (child):

“If you marry me, you have to give me your comic books.”

> Aarav (child):

“If you marry me, you have to promise not to talk during math class.”

> Siya (watching from a distance):

“They’ll either kill each other or run a startup.”

---

🤣 Back to Present – Campus Lawn

Zoya joined them mid-argument, holding a cold coffee and a samosa.

> “Why do you two look like someone read your shaadi horoscope in reverse?”

Rhea handed her the document.

Zoya choked.

> “You’re telling me you’ve been contractually bound since 2014 and STILL haven’t gone on a single date?! What are you two even doing?!”

Aarav sipped his tea, dry as ever.

> “Avoiding destiny. One sarcastic retort at a time.”

---

🧠 Emotional Beat

Rhea sat down on the bench, quiet for a second.

> “You know what’s weird?”

> “Even when we weren’t speaking for years… I never hated the idea of you.”

Aarav looked at her.

> “Same.

I just didn’t think we’d ever talk like this again.”

> “And now here we are—contractually obligated childhood friends turned almost-enemies turned… project partners?”

> “Don’t forget fake dating for Innovation Week.”

> “Yeah. That too.”

They both laughed.

But a silence lingered under the smile.

The past wasn’t gone.

It had just been quiet.

---

📞 Final Twist – Rhea’s Phone Rings

Unknown number.

A childlike voice on the other end.

> “Didi… don’t forget what they did to me.”

Rhea stood, heart pounding.

> “Siya?!”

The call disconnected.

Aarav turned, pale.

> “Rhea… who was that?”

She looked at him.

> “I think Siya… remembers more than we do.”