Operation: Wake Up Aashna

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Dhruvin sat on the college steps, tapping his foot impatiently. His phone screen lit up, but it wasn't the notification he was waiting for. Aashna still hadn't replied to his email. His fingers hovered over the keyboard again, but he knew he was reaching dangerous levels of desperation.

"Calm down, Dhruvin. She's probably just busy... or ignoring you. Damn."

Before he could spiral further, he spotted Sia walking out of college-with Advait. His eyes narrowed. Sia had refused to give him Aashna's address earlier, and now she was leaving with Mr. Always-There-for-Aashna.

Without thinking, he jogged toward them, calling out, "Sia! Ruk na, ek minute!" (Sia! Wait up, one minute!)

Sia and Advait turned, surprised. Dhruvin barely acknowledged Advait before blurting out, "Mujhe Aashna ka address chahiye." (I need Aashna's address.)

Advait's expression darkened instantly. "Kyun?" (Why?)

Dhruvin crossed his arms. "She skipped college, hasn't replied to my emails, and isn't answering calls. Aren't you worried?"

Advait scoffed. "Tension lene ke liye dost hai, tujhe kyun problem ho rahi hai?" (She has friends to worry about her. Why is it your problem?)

Dhruvin smirked but his voice had an edge. "Dost hi hoon... abhi tak." (I'm her friend... for now.)

Sia, sensing the tension, quickly stepped between them. "Bas bas, dono hero mat bano. Aashna bechari fever mein tap rahi hogi aur tum dono yahaan WWE shuru kar rahe ho." (Stop it, both of you. Aashna is burning up with fever, and you guys are starting WWE here.)

Dhruvin looked at her sharply. "you know na, then giver her address her."

Sia sighed dramatically. "Arre haan, madam ki 'I don't need anyone' attitude toh jaante ho na? Maine kaha bhi tha ki rest kar, but did she listen? Nahi. Ab so rahi hogi, shanti se." (Yeah, you know her 'I don't need anyone' attitude, right? I even told her to rest, but did she listen? No. Now she's probably sleeping peacefully.)

Dhruvin groaned. "Uska address de na, please. Sirf check karna hai ki sab theek hai." (Just give me her address, please. I just want to check if she's okay.)

Sia glanced at Advait, who still didn't look convinced. She sighed, pulled out her phone, and texted Dhruvin the address "Just don't create a scene there. Aashna is already irritated."

Dhruvin gave a mock salute. "Drama? Who, me? I'm the definition of peace!"

Advait muttered something under his breath, but Dhruvin was already on his way.

Standing outside Aashna's apartment door, Dhruvin's confidence finally wavered. His fingers hovered over the doorbell as the reality of what he was doing hit him.

"Is this too much? Should I have brought soup instead of laddoos? Should I even be here?!"

His inner debate ended when his hand moved on its own and rang the bell. No answer.

He knocked. Still nothing.

Just as he pulled out his phone, the door creaked open.

Aashna stood there, wrapped in a giant fluffy blanket, her hair an absolute mess, her voice raspy from sleep. Her sleepy glare could have killed a weaker man.

"Dhruvin?! What the hell are you doing here?"

Dhruvin grinned nervously, holding up the laddoos like a peace offering. "Surprise visit! Also... laddoos?"

Aashna groaned, looking seconds away from shutting the door in his face.

"Nahi chahiye. Bye." (Don't want them. Bye.)

Before she could close it, Dhruvin slipped inside.

"Arre, sun na! Itne pyaar se laya hoon, tu lene toh de." (Hey, listen! I brought these with so much love, at least take them.)

Aashna sighed, too exhausted to argue. She shuffled toward the couch, wrapping herself tighter in her blanket cocoon.

Dhruvin took in the sight of her apartment. Minimalistic, lots of books, a cozy reading corner-exactly what he imagined.

"Your parents aren't home?" he asked, looking around.

Aashna yawned. "They went to a wedding. I've been immune to family functions since childhood.")

Dhruvin smirked. "Acha, toh bimaari sirf shaadiyon se hoti hai, par fever se nahi?" (Oh, so you only fall sick because of weddings, not fevers?)

Aashna rolled her eyes. "Don't lecture me. I've taken my medicine."

Dhruvin handed her the laddoos. "Aaji ne tere liye bheje hain. Agar nahi khayegi toh unka dil toot jayega." (Aaji made these for you. If you don't eat them, her heart will break.)

Aashna raised an eyebrow. "Emotional blackmail?"

Dhruvin grinned. "Bilkul." (Absolutely.)

She took one reluctantly, biting into it. Her expression softened. Dhruvin watched, feeling oddly victorious.

There was a moment of silence before he smirked. "You really suck at letting people care about you, huh?"

Aashna paused mid-bite, looking at him. For once, she had no comeback.

Dhruvin took that as his win.

Standing up, he stretched. "Baghun ghe, agli baar reply nahi kiya toh soup leke aaunga." (Just watch, if you don't reply next time, I'll bring soup.)

Aashna shook her head, amused despite herself. "Idiot."

As she shut the door behind him, a small, tired smile played on her lips.

Dhruvin, walking away, checked his phone out of habit. Still no reply to his emails.

But this? This was better.

❤️❤️❤️

Author's Note

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