Chapter 26: 21| Teenage Love

20k special... Thankyou so much for all the love..

I hope you enjoy the chapter.

Sometimes I wonder, it would've been better if I wasn't born in such a privileged and authorized family, where your every move should be calculated. A ten year old taught that running in rain is what ordinary people do-not us- the family we call the underworld. Uhhh.

What contributes to my overthinking and cautious mindset is the disciplinary structure provided to every kid that's born in our society. I can still picture myself as a child who yearned to fly kites in the streets or eat street food like norms but, all I got was dad telling me that I'm not ordinary, I'm supposed to be perfect, I'm not supposed to act common. Why am I thinking about this all of a sudden? Because my dad just called me to inform about the eye he has on me and that I ain't supposed to attend carnivals like this.

As a girl who never had the chance to act like she always wanted to, I claim that I'd rather be poor than to have this pathetic sum of money which provides nothing but a sense of void within ourselves. My girls are the only souls who provide me with the adrenaline rush, acceptance and love that I crave, and they are the reason life is worth living.

I divert my attention back to the dazzling light of carnival along with the vivid environment. Me, Maha and Hoor left Ayra to deal with the problem Maha the crazy orchestrated, she's with her enemy I swear I had to cover my face in order to stop myself from laughing at her reaction.

After that, the rest of us girls giggled about the consequences Ayra will bring for us.

I lost the company of these girls as soon as I saw a stall selling chocolate gol gappay, it was too good to focus on anything else.

Now as I stand at the stall, the aroma of chocolate mixed with the tangy scent of gol gappay fills the air, making my mouth water. The vendor hands me another piece, the chocolate oozing over the crispy shell. It's a strange combination, but somehow, it works. I take a bite, savoring the sweetness and crunch, momentarily forgetting everything else around me. Gosh nothing beats the taste standards set by chocolate.

"One more" I tell the vendor, grinning like a little kid. Handling a saree while indulging in street food isn't exactly the easiest task, but I manage. Priorities, after all.

Just as I'm about to devour my next choco-gappa, a familiar voice cuts through the carnival's noise. "What is it with you and chocolate, Naya?" Ok I know that it's my turn to be aggravated now.

I glance up to see the Chichora heartthrob, standing beside me with his signature boxy smirk plastered on his face. His perfectly tousled hair and that annoying confidence radiate off him like he owns the place. Which, let's be honest, he kind of does-at least in the minds of most girls on campus.

"So should I eat you instead?" I retort, knowing without a miss of a beat that he has another flirty remark up his sleeves.

His smirk deepens, and he leans slightly closer, lowering his voice just enough to make it teasing but not creepy. "I wouldn't mind, Hazel." He uses the nickname he's annoyingly given me, due to the hazel shade of my eyes.

I roll my eyes but can't help the small smile that creeps onto my face. "Don't flatter yourself, Mr. Popular. You're not on my menu."

"For real I'm an entire buffet for you" he chuckles shoving a chocolate crisp in his mouth "but seriously.... chocolate gappas are too much"

"You're the only 'too much' here" I reply, popping the last Choco gappa into my mouth and licking the chocolate off my fingers. Glancing at him I release a frustrated sigh, he has to turn every normal situation into one of his liking. "Once a Chichora always a Chichora"

As I stand there, realizing the blunder I made in eating the chocolate gol gappay without any money, I start imagining the worst scenarios-like the vendor making me wash dishes to pay off my debt. Just as my overactive imagination kicks into overdrive, Ayan hands the vendor the money with a smirk on his face.

"My empty pocket is better than your empty head filled with the worst scenarios," he says with a chuckle, his hand slipping into the pocket of his white kurta.

I narrow my eyes at him, trying to ignore the fact that he just bailed me out. "How generous of you, Ayan. Maybe next time, you can keep your money and I'll keep my peace of mind."

He laughs, clearly amused by my attempt to deflect. "Or maybe next time, you'll remember to carry your own money, chocolate addict."

I roll my eyes and turn on my heel, leaving the vendor's stall behind. The last thing I need is to stand here and listen to more of Ayan's playful banter. As I walk away, I can feel his presence close behind me, his footsteps light but unmistakable.

A quick glance around confirms that several of Ayan's fangirls are watching us, their eyes wide with curiosity and perhaps a touch of jealousy. They murmur amongst themselves, clearly wondering why Ayan is following me instead of basking in their attention.

My pallu, as always, decides to test my patience, slipping from my shoulder. Before I can adjust it, Ayan appears beside me, effortlessly pinning it back in place. "Meri jaan, apko aur apka pallu saari zindagi sambhal lunga. Aap mera dil sambhalne ka waada karegi?"

(Meri jaan I can handle you and your dupatta for life. Do you promise to handle my heart?)

I raise an eyebrow at him, unimpressed by his smooth words. "Kitne dil hai? Jab dekho kisiko de rahe hote ho sambhalne ke liye."

(How many hearts do you have? Giving everyone to handle it)

He chuckles, clearly unfazed by my roasting. "Bas ek hai, aur wo hamesha tumhare paas hi hota hai. Tumhe pata hi nahi."

(Only one, and that is always with you. Only you don't know)

Before I can think of a sharp retort, I turn to leave, but my dupatta gets caught on something. I glance back, and there it is-stuck on Ayan's watch. Of course.

He raises his wrist, showing the caught fabric, and takes a step closer. His fingers gently work to free the fabric, but then he pauses, his mischievous eyes locking onto mine. "Even your dupatta doesn't want to leave me," he says, tugging on it lightly.

[Assi taare ginar de ni

Hunr Mahir hogaye haa..Teri yaad ch likh likh k...Assi shayar hogaye ha]

I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the small flutter in my chest. "Maybe it's just as stuck-up as you are."

He laughs, a genuine sound that annoyingly tugs at the corners of my mouth. "You know, Naya, you're the only girl who can get away with roasting me like this."

"And you're the only guy who keeps asking for more," I reply, yanking my dupatta free from his watch.

As I turn to leave, I can't help but catch the disappointed looks from his fangirls, but I don't care. I have no interest in being another one of Ayan's conquests, no matter how charming he tries to be. I'll never be charmed by a guy who changes girls like clothes.

As I'm searching for Maha...a group of girls crowd me. I'm able to recognize a few of them as they're the meanest popular ones out here, "hmm how may I help you?" I ask plastering a polite smile on my face. (Yeah I know I'm only a badass when it comes to that playboy)

One of the girls, a tall one with perfectly styled hair, steps forward, her arms crossed. "So, how do you know Ayan?" she asks, her tone dripping with suspicion.

"And why is he so friendly with you?" another girl chimes in, her eyes narrowing as she looks me up and down like I'm some sort of puzzle she can't quite figure out.

I raise an eyebrow, surprised by their directness. "Oh, Ayan? We're just friends," I say casually, though I can already see where this is headed.

The girl who first spoke, I think her name is Minahil, doesn't seem satisfied with my answer. "Just friends?" she echoes, disbelief laced in her voice. "I was his girlfriend, you know. He literally doesn't talk to us now. So, what's your deal?"

I feel a flicker of irritation. So that's what this is about. Ayan's fangirls are pissed because he's been hanging out with me instead of them. Well, it's not like I asked for his attention.

I smile, but there's a sharp edge to it. "Well, maybe he's just grown tired of the same old routine," I say, keeping my voice light but adding just enough bite to my words. "People change, you know."

Minahil's face hardens at my reply, but before she can retort, another girl in the group, Sana, steps forward, her expression sour. "Oh please. You think you're special or something? Just because he's giving you attention now doesn't mean it'll last. Ayan's just playing his usual games."

I chuckle, unable to hold back the sarcasm. "Oh, trust me, guys. I'm fully aware of Ayan's reputation. I'm not here to be another one of his conquests. Unlike some people, I have a brain, and I use it."

Minahil's eyes narrow, and for a moment, I think she's going to lash out. But before the situation can escalate further, I hear a familiar voice cutting through the tension.

"Excuse me?" Ayan strides over, his usual cocky grin firmly in place. His appearance causes the group of girls to part, almost like he's some sort of prince making his grand entrance.

"Ayan!" Minahil's voice is suddenly sweet, all traces of the previous tension gone as she turns her attention to him. "We were just talking to your... friend here."

Ayan raises an eyebrow, clearly amused by the scene. "I'd appreciate if you don't" He glances at me, a flicker of concern in his eyes before he looks back at the girls. "I heard everything unfortunately, and just because I talked with you with a smile doesn't mean I'm your boyfriend. I don't recall calling you a girlfriend."

"No no Ayan we..." Minahil says quickly, her tone sickly sweet. "We were just curious about her."

Ayan steps closer to me, his presence almost protective as he looks down at me with a teasing smile. "I'd like to make one thing clear, you talk bad with her, you directly have a problem with me. Understand?"

His words, as simple as they are, have a ripple effect. I notice the girls exchange glances, their jealousy thinly veiled. I can't help but smirk internally at the shift in power dynamics. I never thought Ayan would stand up for me like this but...this may be one of his games.

Minahil tries to salvage the situation, batting her eyelashes at Ayan. "Of course Ayan we'll never talk with her like that we were just looking out for her you know"

Ayan waves off her concern with a stern face. "Don't. I'm there to look out for her"

I roll my eyes at his grand statement, but there's something oddly satisfying about the way he stands up for me. Not that I needed his help, but it's nice to see the fangirls put in their place.

"Now, if you'll excuse us," Ayan says, his tone polite but firm, "Inaya and I have plans. So, we'll be on our way."

The girls roll their eyes and leave the place as soon as they get the chance. I can't help but continue smiling at the way he looked out for me and handled the situation. My instincts are pointing towards two distinct direction, one is asking me to remain cautious and don't fall for his tricks and the other, it asks me to be optimistic and believe him.

Ayan situates his arm on shoulder and affirms "well so what we she wasn't my girlfriend.. she's beautiful, I can charm her now, what say hazel?"

My face switches from being the smiling, fazed into an aggravated scowl. Taking my words back- this pervert will never change. I step aside, causing him to stumble "why don't you go and sit on her lap?" I sarcastically mutter and step from that place while crossing my arms over my chest.

He chuckles and runs after me "I was just kidding hazel"

I roll my eyes, picking up my pace, but he effortlessly matches my stride, still grinning like an idiot. I can't help but wonder how this guy manages to be so persistent. It's almost endearing-almost.

As we weave through the carnival crowd, my irritation starts to fade. The colorful lights, the lively music, and the joyful atmosphere begin to lift my mood, and before I know it, I find myself slowing down.

Ayan's teasing stops as he notices my sudden change in demeanor. "What's up, Hazel? Why did you stop?"

I don't answer right away, my eyes are drawn to a nearby stall. It's filled with plushies of all shapes and sizes-bears, rabbits, even some cartoon characters. There's one plushie, a little white bear with a blue sweater, that catches my eye. For a moment, I'm completely absorbed, memories of my childhood surfacing.

Ayan follows my gaze and raises an eyebrow. "You want that?"

I quickly shake my head, snapping out of it. "No, I mean... I used to like soft toys a lot, but then my dad said that mature kids aren't supposed to be playing with them, so I never did."

Ayan's expression softens, and he raises his eyebrows. "Oh, I never knew kids were supposed to be mature. Like, mein to bara hoke bhi mature nahi hu."

(I'm not mature even after becoming an adult)

I can't help but laugh at that. "You? Mature? That's the biggest joke I've heard all day."

He grins, clearly pleased to have made me laugh. "See? That beautiful smile. Who says being immature is a bad thing?"

I shrug, not entirely disagreeing with him. "I guess it's not... but still, my dad was really strict about it. He wanted me to grow up fast, I suppose."

Ayan looks thoughtful for a moment, then suddenly his expression brightens. "You know what? I think you need to relive your childhood a bit."

Before I can even begin to protest, he strides over to the stall and points at the plushie I was eyeing. But instead of the vendor simply handing it to him, the man behind the counter shakes his head with a grin and points to a set of targets lined up on the other side.

"You have to win it by shooting the targets," the vendor explains. Huh the only thing he's better at shooting is the girls' heart, not mine is silent.

Ayan's grin widens, clearly up for the challenge. He picks up the toy gun, examining it with a confident smirk. "Piece of charming you. Easy" Huh as if he'll knock down every target with a single shot.

I can't help but roll my eyes. "Oh please, Ayan, I bet you'll miss all the targets. You probably don't even know how to hold that thing properly."

He turns to me, feigning offense. "Hazel, you wound me! Have some faith. I've got this."

He winks, and before I can fire back another sarcastic comment, he takes aim at the first target and looks at me. With a steady hand, he pulls the trigger. The shot rings out, and the target topples over.

He glances at me, his grin growing wider. "One down, Hazel."

"Beginner's luck," I mutter, though I'm secretly impressed. Beginners luck would be taking time to aim the target and dictating your entire focus on the target, not looking at me and flawlessly hitting it.

He continues, hitting each target with precision, never once missing. By the time he takes down the last one, the vendor is already pulling down the brown bear with the red bow, handing it to Ayan with an approving nod.

Ayan accepts the bear, his eyes gleaming with triumph. He turns to me, holding it out just out of reach. "Oh, you wanted this, right?"

I glare at him, realizing what he's about to do. "Ayan, don't you dare-"

Before I can finish, he bolts off into the crowd, holding the plushie above his head and laughing like a maniac.

"Ayan!" I yell, half-laughing, half-serious as I chase after him through the bustling carnival. He weaves in and out of people, dodging booths and stalls, all the while making sure to keep just out of my reach.

"Come on Naya, catch me if you can!" he teases, his laughter echoing through the air.

Finally, after what feels like forever, I corner him near the carousel, panting slightly from the chase. "You... are... so... annoying!"

He grins, holding the plushie out in front of him like a peace offering. "Okay, okay, I'm done. Here you go."

But just as I reach out to take it, he pulls it back again with a mischievous smirk. "Or maybe not."

I narrow my eyes at him, my patience running thin. "Ayan, if you don't give me that bear right now, I swear-"

He laughs, finally handing it over with a wink. "Alright, Hazel. I was just having some fun. Here, it's all yours."

I snatch the bear from his hands, clutching it to my chest. "Thankyou"

"I'd look better clinging with you then this bear" he says with a grin.

I roll my eyes but can't help the small smile tugging at my lips. "Jealous?."

He chuckles, clearly unfazed. "You want me to be?"

With the plushie finally in my possession, we continue through the carnival, Ayan still buzzing with his victory. As much as he drives me crazy, there's something about these moments-when it's just us bantering and laughing-that makes me glad he's around. But again like I always say, it's better to limit Ayan as a friend.. nothing else.

✯✯✯✯

THE PLUSHIE

✯✯✯✯

There's one point where I notice his smirk faltering, he gulps down and nervously rubs his hands. I mentally chuckle after witnessing what caused Ayan Ansari to act like this, so he's afraid of haunted houses. I like it.

Feigning innocence, I glance at the haunted house, then back at him. "Hey, Ayan, why don’t we check out Bhoot Bangla? It looks fun!"

He immediately shakes his head, taking a step back. "No, no, no. I don’t like such nonsense places, Hazel." I need to hide the mischievous grin on my face, there's no way he isn't afraid of them. We are going there.

I raise an eyebrow, a mischievous grin spreading across my face. "Oh? Are you afraid?"

His pride kicks in, and he immediately stiffens, straightening his shoulders. "Afraid? Me? Of course not! Darta to tumhare Sath flirt thori karta" he huffs, though the nervousness in his voice betrays him. I'm habitual of his sudden shift from flirting to roasting so yeah it's fine.

"Then why don't we go in?" I ask sweetly, knowing I’ve backed him into a corner.

He hesitates for a moment but finally gives in, unwilling to let me have the last laugh. "Fine! But stay behind me and watch how a real man protects his girl." He puffs out his chest, trying to reclaim his bravado.

I almost giggle at his act but manage to suppress it as we make our way into the haunted house. The moment we step inside, we're greeted by the eerie sound of creaking doors, howling winds, and distant, unsettling laughter. The dimly lit corridors are filled with fog, making it hard to see more than a few feet ahead.

✯✯✯✯

BHOOT BANGLA AESTHETICS

✯✯✯✯

I can practically hear Ayan's heartbeat as he walks ahead of me, shoulders tense. I trail behind him, doing my best to hide my amusement.

Suddenly, something brushes against his feet. He flinches, letting out a small yelp before instinctively turning around and hugging me tight.

"Afraid?" I tease, barely holding back my laughter.

He quickly releases me, clearing his throat. "No, just… protecting you from whatever that was," he mutters, trying to save face. I can't swallow back my laughter looking at the great Ayan freaked out like this.

We continue further into the haunted house, the creepy ambiance doing little to calm his nerves. Every sound seems to make him jump, and I can’t help but silently revel in his discomfort.

And then it happens.

We round a corner, and a ghost leaps out of the shadows with a terrifying shriek. Ayan's reaction is instantaneous—he lets out a high-pitched scream that echoes through the halls and drops to the floor with a loud *thud*.

I stop in my tracks, my eyes widening in shock for just a moment before I burst into uncontrollable laughter. I can't even stand, my knees buckle as I sit on the floor beside him, clutching my stomach.

The ghost, now just standing there awkwardly, seems as stunned as I am amused. It looks down at Ayan, then back at me, unsure of what to do next.

"Oh my God… Ayan!" I gasp between fits of laughter, tears streaming down my face. "You… you fainted!"

The ghost, still in character, slowly backs away, clearly not expecting this kind of reaction. I wave a hand at it, trying to catch my breath. "Bhoot Bhai is Bache pe itna heavy nahi hona that"

(Bhoot brother, you weren't supposed to go this heavy on a child)

The ghost, now completely thrown off, just nods slightly before retreating into the darkness. I’m still laughing manically as I sit beside Ayan's unconscious form, shaking my head in disbelief.

"Darpok Ayan" I mutter to myself, still grinning ear to ear. "Itna to mein bachpan mein bhi nahi darti thi"

(I wasn't this afraid even in my childhood)

I pat his cheeks, still unable to contain the thunderous laughter erupting from within me. "Wake up, Ayan! Won't you flirt with the ghost?" The irony of the situation is too much for me to handle, and I clutch my stomach, laughing even harder.

But as my laughter slowly subsides, I realize the seriousness of the situation. Reclaiming my composure, I secure my pallu tightly around me and rub my hands together, preparing to do something I might regret. But with no other options, I release a sigh, clutch his feet tightly, and start dragging him out of the haunted house.

The sight of me dragging an unconscious Ayan, who just minutes ago was boasting about how a 'real man' protects his girl, has me snickering again. Despite his weight, I manage to drag him across the dimly lit corridors, the eerie sounds and creepy atmosphere of the Bhoot Bangla now seeming more like a backdrop to the hilarious scene I find myself in, one of the ghost was peeking out and looking at us "Bhai abhi behosh Huwa hai ab agar daraya to ye marjayega" I snicker and he makes way for me to go out.

(Brother he has just fainted now, if you scared him again then he'd die)

Finally, I manage to pull him outside, where the bright carnival lights greet us once again. The stark contrast between the haunted house and the lively carnival makes the whole situation even more surreal. I spot a nearby bench and, with some effort, hoist him up and place him down on it.

As soon as he’s settled on the bench, I take a moment to catch my breath, but as I look at Ayan, slumped and still slightly dazed, I can't help but burst into laughter again. The image of the cocky, flirtatious Ayan being reduced to this state is simply too much.

But as I continue to laugh, I notice something—his fangirls have gathered around, watching the scene with wide eyes and murmurs of disbelief. They've probably never seen Ayan like this before, and the fact that he's in such a state because of a haunted house is clearly not what they expected from their heartthrob.

I stifle my laughter enough to realize that I should probably get someone else to help. With a final giggle, I straighten up, give Ayan a gentle pat on the head, and turn to one of the onlooking fangirls.

"Stay with him," I say, still chuckling. "I’m going to call someone."

Leaving the scene, I walk away, still unable to wipe the grin off my face. Today has been a lot more fun than I expected, and I can’t wait to see how Ayan reacts when he wakes up and realizes what just happened.

The first thing I notice as I gain my consciousness is the sound of giggling. It feels distant at first, but as I regain full consciousness, it becomes clearer. And then, the throbbing in my head hits me like a ton of bricks.

What the hell happened?

I blink my eyes open, the bright lights of the carnival coming into focus. I’m lying on a bench, and as I groggily sit up, I see Inaya standing in front of me, her arms crossed and a smirk that can only mean one thing: I’ve done something incredibly stupid.

"Oh, look who's back from the dead," Inaya says, her voice dripping with mock concern. "Did you enjoy your little nap, Sleeping Beauty?"

My head is still spinning, but the memory of the Bhoot Bangla slowly starts to come back. The creepy noises, the eerie lighting, that damned thing brushing against my feet—oh no.

"Oh no," I mutter out loud, realization dawning on me.

"Oh yes," Inaya replies, clearly enjoying this far too much. "The 'real man' who was going to protect me just fainted in the Bhoot Bangla. You should have seen your face, Ayan! You looked like a brown aunty just seeing their daughter with a guy"

Before I can even try to salvage my dignity, I hear another voice join the roast session.

"You really are something else, Ayan," Ayra grumbles, stepping forward with her signature scowl. "Fainting in a haunted house? Seriously? And here I was, thinking you couldn't get any more ridiculous."

I try to defend myself, but my mind is still foggy, and the words just won't come out right. "I wasn’t... I mean, it was just..."

"Oh, please," Inaya interrupts with a laugh "You screamed like a lady and...fell with a loud thud"

Ayra isn't done either. "Honestly, Ayan, I should've known that you're just a freak"

Before I can reply, I hear a familiar chuckle. Of course, it's Zaid, leaning against a nearby stall, clearly enjoying the show. He's always had a knack for showing up at the worst possible moments. Of course he'll get back at me for all those embarrassing moments I've sealed on my screen.

"How beautiful you look while fainting" Zaid says, strolling over with that annoying grin of his. "Don't worry once he fainted after looking at a joker we called on our little cousin's birthday"

"Shut up, Zaid," I grumble, trying to shake off the lingering embarrassment. Can this day get any more embarrassing?

But Zaid isn't done yet. He turns to Ayra, who’s still glaring at me, and smirks. "Ayra if you continued looking at him like that he'll faint again after looking at a witch"

Ayra narrows her eyes at him, clearly not amused. "Tum Jese haiwano ko cousin rakha Huwa hai chudailo se Kya darega?."

(He has monstrous cousins like you, why would he be afraid of witches?)

Zaid raises an eyebrow. "You know the day I don't see you will be luckiest day of life"

Ayra crosses her arms, her glare intensifying. "Oh really? That day will be when you're covered in all white"

"Alright, alright, enough," I groan, holding up a hand. "Can we all just calm down for a second?"

Inaya, however, isn't about to let me off the hook. "Oh, Ayan, don't think you're getting out of this that easily. You've got some serious explaining to do, Mr. 'Real Man.' Or should I call you fainting machine?"

"I was just... you know..." I start, but the words trail off as I realize there's no way I'm getting out of this.

"Oh, we know," Inaya says, leaning in with a mischievous glint in her eye. "You were just showing us what not to do in a haunted house, right? Very educational, Ayan. We appreciate the life lesson."

Zaid laughs, clapping me on the back a little too hard. "Don’t worry, man. Happens to the best of us... well, maybe not quite like this, but you get the point."

I roll my eyes, still trying to figure out how to salvage any scrap of dignity I have left. But as I look at Inaya's amused expression and Ayra's unimpressed scowl, I realize that this is just one of those moments where you have to take the insult and move on.

But of course, Zaid has to get in one last jab before letting it go. "Maybe next time, just stick to the carnival games, Ayan. Leave the haunted houses to the professionals... or, you know, people with functioning nerves."

Ayra rolls her eyes at Zaid, but her lips twitch like she's fighting a smile. "Or just stay out of the way entirely. It’s safer for everyone."

Inaya chuckles beside me, shaking her head. "You're lucky I was there to drag your unconscious self out, Ayan. Otherwise, you might still be in there, scaring off the other visitors."

I groan, running a hand through my hair. "Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Just wait until next time—I'll show you who’s really afraid of ghosts."

Inaya smirks, playfully poking my side. "Sure, you keep telling yourself that, Mr. Faints-a-Lot."

And as I stand there, surrounded by these idiots who seem to take great pleasure in my misery, I can't help but laugh along with them, even if it is at my own expense.

Only if Ayan wasn't stupid enough to blackmail me, I hadn't been here in the first place. I spot no presence of Ayan around me yet he was so persistent about dragging me into this vibrant event, the mingled smell of dishes providing me a sense of discomfort.

Recognizing that I have no activity planned, I secure my hands inside the pocket of my kurta and roam around the carnival. What's the big deal about it? Only few random stalls and rides? What's fun in that?

I recall being in sixth grade, during our annual event. Our teacher assigned us some costumes, finding them boring I called my driver and sneaked out from the function.

As I stroll around this so called vibrant event, I notice a familiar figure cladded in a non familiar saree. I would've doubted my judgement for a second, but witnessing the way she's widening her arms apart for no reason, informs me that it's no one else but Maha.

Suppressing a groan, I decide it’s better to deal with this bundle of chaos now rather than continue to witness her antics from afar. As I approach her, she's still in her dramatic pose, completely oblivious to the world around her. Classic Maha.

"Rayan!" she exclaims, eyes lighting up when she spots me approaching, her arms still wide open. It's as if she's expecting a hug or something equally outrageous. Gosh I'm already regretting choosing to come closer to her.

Maha's green eyes narrows as she strides towards me, with a focused expression, she examines the sides of my face. Not again, I can't deal with her non stop antics.

"What are you—" I start, but she silences me with a finger pressed against her lips. "Shhhh," she demands, cutting off my words. My protests die in my throat as I watch her slowly, dramatically, reach out her hand toward my face. Her movements are deliberate, almost exaggerated, like she's in a slow-motion scene from some over-the-top drama.

And then, before I can react, her palm smacks against my cheek with a sudden, sharp sting.

I'm too stunned to move, too shocked to even form a coherent thought. I just stand there, blinking at her, utterly speechless.

Maha brushes her hands off like she’s just finished some important task, a satisfied grin spreading across her face. "Eik machar" she declares, almost proudly, her eyes twinkling with amusement. Then, in a sing-song voice she begins, "Eik machar admi ko h—" But her words trail off as she finally notices the red mark blooming on my cheek.

(It's a meme if you have seen it)

Her smile falters, and a flicker of panic crosses her face as she realizes what she's done. "Oops…" she stammers, shifting awkwardly on her feet. "Umm… You should thank me instead of making that ugly scowl," she quickly adds, trying to recover. "I mean, I saved you from malaria and dengue!"

I finally found my voice, though it’s laced with disbelief. "Saved me from? You just slapped me, Maha!" My hand instinctively goes to my cheek, which still stings from the impact.

"It was a mosquito!" she insists, though she’s clearly struggling to keep a straight face. "A dangerous one! I had to act fast, Rayan. It could have bitten you!"

I narrow my eyes at her, not buying her excuse for a second. "And hitting me was the only solution you could think of?" She bites her lip, clearly trying not to laugh, but her eyes betray her amusement. "Well… it worked, didn't it? No mosquito, no disease. You're welcome." Only Maha can laugh at such situations.

"How generous of you" I sarcastically mutter, knowing perfectly well that Maha will find logic in it as well. Like expected, she offers me a bright smile, "I know right like since I'm your girlfriend..fake one..so it's my responsibility to shield you from unwanted problems which includes mosquito. I know Maha bohot mahaan hai so don't bother thanking me"

"Museebat bankar peehe pari ho mere! Chup ho jaya Karo!!"

(You're after me like a problem. Shut up!)

If I imagine someone normal at her place so they would've flinched, however, Maha just rolls her eyes and looks around probably to search for her so called entertainment. Madam requires a minute to get bored.

Before I can say anything else, she grabs my hand and starts dragging me through the carnival, her grip firm and her pace determined. "Come on, boyfriend, you'll have to do everything I say," she says, her voice brimming with excitement. I don't even bother resisting, knowing it's useless.

She pulls me toward a stall where people are trying to toss rings onto objects to win prizes. Her eyes gleam with excitement as she surveys the colorful trinkets on display.

"Seriously?" I raise an eyebrow, watching her wuth a smirk "will you be able to do it?"

She gasps, turning to me with a mock gasp "oh please I can do it with one eye closed"

I can't resist the urge to tease her more "well it requires focus and you know you're.....Maha"

"Oh just watch me rhino" she huffs, grabbing a ring from the vendor, with a determined expression, she throws the first ring. It misses. She tries again misses it again. Each time, the ring either overshoots or misses the target, she literally shot the ring on the head of a bald men. Uhh where have I got myself?

I can't help but laugh "want me to do it?"

"Watch me, Rhino," she snaps, more determined than ever. Her eyes dart around, and I can tell she's scheming something. The vendor looks away for a moment, distracted by another customer. Maha seizes the opportunity, crouching down and slipping the ring through the grill, bypassing the whole point of the game. She carefully places it on a keychain, a look of triumph on her face.

I stare at her, stunned. "What the-"

"Save your 'what the,'" she interrupts, standing up and acting as if nothing out of the ordinary just happened. She turns to the vendor with a sweet smile. "Look, I won!" The vendor, none the wiser, hands her the keychain. She beams, satisfied with her little heist. Turning back to me, she grabs my hand and slips the keychain into my pocket, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "It's for you."

I’m still processing what just happened. "You… you can't just do that!" She grins up at me, completely unfazed. "Of course I can. I'm Maha, remember? The mahaan fake girlfriend who saves you from mosquitoes and wins you prizes."

I shake my head utterly baffled "you're insane"

"Haw I'm insane?" She turns towards me with both of her hands on her waist, "you know what? Rayan you were the one who came towards me asking to be your girlfriend not me. So take your words back ok? I'm not insane" she slightly tilts her head and stands on her tiptoes to match my height, and I do something I shouldn't but..ok.

With a single arm, I grab her by the waist and pick her up, our faces just inches apart. For once, Maha Ansari is stunned, her usual fiery retorts nowhere to be found. "Agli baar jhagarna ho meri choti paagal larki, to mujhe boldiya karo... mein jhuk jaaonga," I murmur, a small smile tugging at my lips.

(If you want to fight next time my tiny, crazy girl, then ask me, I'd lean down)

Her eyes widen slightly, her lips parting as if to say something, but no words come out. It's a rare moment of silence from her, and I can see the wheels turning in her head as she processes what just happened.

She hits my shoulder as I place her on the floor, "Pagal Tum khud hoge" she chuckles and crosses her hands over her chest.

(You're crazy yourself)

For a second, it looks like I'm torn between doing something or not. But in the end, I reach into my pocket and pull out a small velvet box. "What's this?" she asks, her voice curious, still reeling from the surprise.

"Open it," I reply simply, watching her reaction carefully.

She does, her fingers trembling slightly as she lifts the lid. Inside lies a delicate pendant in the shape of an orchid. The same flower she once mentioned her grandmother used to give her. I remember her telling me how those orchids were her most treasured memories, a piece of her grandmother she could hold onto.

✯✯✯✯

THE ORCHID PENDANT

✯✯✯✯

Her eyes well up as she stares at the pendant, and before I can say anything, she jumps on me, wrapping her arms around my neck, clutching me tightly. "Thank you, Rayan! Thank you so much!" she exclaims, her voice muffled against my shoulder.

I chuckle, feeling her happiness radiate off her in waves. "Okkk Maha, I can't breathe," I say, slightly teasing, but genuinely struggling to catch my breath from her enthusiastic hug.

She pulls back quickly, an embarrassed grin on her face as she looks at me with those bright eyes. She gently places the pendant box into her bag, her expression still overwhelmed with emotion. "Thank you, Rayan. This means so much to me," she says softly, her voice full of sincerity.

For once, she's not teasing or arguing—just genuinely happy. And seeing her like this... well, it makes everything worth it.

I never thought that Rayan Khan would consider giving me such a wonderful gift, a piece of myself that destiny stole. As long as memory serves, I've been fond of my grandmother. It was her habit to hand me the orchids and after he death, they are the only essence I have of her. It uses to be heart wrenching to see them withered, but now, I'm keeping it close to my heart forever.

I tuck the pendant safely into my bag, still reeling from the unexpected gesture. I glance up at Rayan, who's watching me with a look I can’t quite place. Is it relief? Satisfaction? Maybe a mix of both. Either way, it’s a side of him I haven’t seen before.

Just as I'm about to say something—maybe tease him or thank him again—the moment is shattered by the arrival of someone I've been dreading.

Mariam.

She sweeps into view, dressed head-to-toe in designer attire, her posture perfect, her expression cool and confident. The girl his mother chose for him to marry. The only reason we're in this ridiculous fake dating arrangement. I can't help but chuckle at Rayan's reaction as he tries to hide from her, but me being me, I push him to meet Mariam.

he passes me an annoying scowl and talk to her, while I feel a gentle tap on my shoulder. Ayan appears by my side, he's like a male version of me at least he's not grumpy like rhino. "I don't like her" he declares, keeping his voice high enough for me to hear.

"Neither do I" I reply getting an appreciative smirk from him.

Ayan leans closer, his voice brimming with mischief "you're thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Oh, definitely," I say, already formulating a plan in my head. If there's one thing Ayan and I excel at, it's causing trouble. And right now, I can't think of a better target than the perfect Mariam.

Without missing a beat, we go into full-on crime-partner mode. Ayan nudges me, and I fake a stumble, bumping into Mariam just enough to make her totter on her ridiculous heels. She barely catches herself, shooting me a glare that could melt steel.

"Do you know how expensive it was? Probably costs more than your entire home" she screams meanwhile me and Ayan try our level best to surpress the laughter.

"Oh my friend bought the exact same pair from chor bazaar" Ayan chimes in.

Mariam’s eyes narrow, but she doesn't say anything, just straightens her outfit with a huff. Meanwhile, Ayan and I exchange a quick, victorious glance. Step one: done.

Rayan, as always, looks like he's mentally counting down the seconds until he can escape and rush home. But there's still so much fun to be had, and I'm not about to let him off the hook just yet.

Ayan's grin widens as he catches the defeated look in Mariam's eyes. "You know, Mariam, they say confidence is the best accessory," he says, his voice smooth. "But I guess even the most expensive outfit can't make up for... well, you know." He shrugs, letting the implication hang in the air.

Mariam bristles, her face turning a shade of red that clashes horribly with her designer dress. Before she can respond, I step in, sliding my arm around Rayan's waist and leaning into him shamelessly.

"Babe, don't you think it's sweet how she tries so hard to get you? But you know he loves my screams too much" I bat my eyelashes at Rayan, my voice dripping with faux sweetness.

Rayan stiffens beside me, choking slightly on his breath as he struggles to find words. "Ever heard of the word hesitate?" he mutters, his eyes darting around as if looking for an escape route.

But I'm having too much fun to stop now. I reach up, playfully ruffling his hair, knowing full well it’ll drive Mariam crazy. "Hesitate? Why would I hesitate when I have the most amazing boyfriend right here?" I say, loud enough for Mariam to hear.

"Huh Ray, aunty asked me to join you here to make sure that you don't have middle class company" Mariam completely ignores my company.

"Isliye phuphu ne lower class bhejdiya?" Ayan utters with a mock innocent expression, oh damn bro he's the brother everyone deserves.

Mariam's face flushes with anger, but before she can retaliate, Ayan and I exchange a mischievous glance. With matching grins, we each grab one of her shoulders.

"Let us show you around," I suggest, my tone saccharine sweet. Mariam looks like she'd rather eat nails, but before she can protest, Ayan and I start leading her around the carnival, pointing out the most ridiculous attractions and making up absurd stories about each one.

Eventually, we manage to steer her toward a particularly dingy-looking game booth. Ayan nudges me, and I know exactly what he's thinking. "Mariam, you have to try this game," I say, with the most earnest expression I can muster. "It's a tradition here. They say whoever wins gets eternal good luck."

Mariam eyes the booth suspiciously but clearly doesn’t want to back down. "Fine," she mutters, stepping up to the booth. Ayan and I share a quick look, barely containing our excitement.

After a bit of coaxing and manipulation, Mariam is fully engrossed in the game, and that’s when Ayan and I sneak away, leaving her to her fate. We find Rayan, who's leaning against a tree with his usual serious expression, looking like he’s already regretting every decision that led him to this moment.

"Where is she?" Rayan asks, his eyes narrowing at the two of us.

Before Ayan and I can come up with a plausible excuse, we hear a shriek behind us. We turn to see Mariam, running toward us, drenched in what can only be described as the most disgusting water imaginable. Her hair is plastered to her face, and her designer outfit is ruined. She stops in front of Rayan, her face twisted in anger and humiliation. "You’re dating a crazy girl!" she spits out, pointing an accusatory finger at me.

I blink up at her, putting on my best innocent face, I didn't blink once so that tear starts welling up in my eyes. "I didn't do anything," I say, my voice trembling with fake emotion.

Ayan's eyes go wide with surprise at my performance, but before he can say anything, I elbow him in the stomach, hard enough to make him gasp.

Rayan, torn between disbelief and amusement, looks at Mariam. "Maha can't do anything like that," he says, his tone firm but with a hint of doubt.

Mariam glares at him, muttering something under her breath before storming off, leaving the carnival in a huff.

As soon as she’s out of sight, Ayan and I dissolve into fits of laughter, clutching each other for support. Rayan watches us with a mix of exasperation and amusement. "You guys should've left her hair at least," he says dryly.

Ayan and I look at each other, still breathless from laughing, and I say between giggles, "Damn, you should've seen her face!"

Rayan shakes his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "I'm done with both of you," he says, his voice tinged with mock defeat. Then he turns to Ayan, his expression turning serious. "You're answerable to Mom."

Ayan straightens up, feigning shock. "What? Me? But it was Maha’s idea!" he protests, pointing at me.

"Hey!" I exclaim, punching Ayan lightly on the arm. "Crime partners aren't supposed to be like this"

Rayan sighs, clearly fighting to keep a straight face. "You two are hopeless," he mutters, but there's a warmth in his eyes that wasn’t there before.

Ayan grins, throwing an arm around my shoulders. "Bhabhi is more fun than you"

Rayan just shakes his head, a small smile tugging at his lips as he starts walking away, leaving us behind.

"Come on, Rhino, admit it—you had fun" I call after him, still laughing.

He doesn't answer, but the slight nod of his head as he walks away tells me everything I need to know.

And the rest of the carnival was all chaos and fun. One thing's for sure this was the bestestestestttttt carnival I've ever had.

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Hey guys I hope y'all are doing fine and well ❤️‍🩹

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