Step 1: Make Her Hug You. Step 2: Beg for Her Number.

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The morning sun stretched its golden fingers across the sky as Dhruvin and Aashna set off on their journey back home.

Dhruvin, ever the troublemaker, smirked to himself as he subtly increased the bike’s speed. As expected, Aashna, caught off guard, let out a surprised yelp and instinctively wrapped her arms around his torso.

“Dhruvin, slow down! This is not a racing track!” she scolded, her voice slightly muffled against his shoulder.

“Areh, tu toh mere pehli wali pillion rider hai jo itni tension leti hai,” he teased. (You're the first pillion rider who takes this much stress.)

“Shut up! Just drive properly.”

“As you wish, ma'am,” he replied, amusement lacing his voice, but he made no effort to loosen the grip she had on him.

After a while, he pulled into a small roadside hotel, the kind with a thatched roof and the irresistible smell of crispy dosas wafting in the air.

“Breakfast break!” he declared, hopping off the bike.

Aashna rolled her eyes but followed him. They found a table, and soon, plates of steaming idlis and golden dosas arrived before them.

“I bet you can’t eat that entire dosa without dropping chutney on yourself,” Dhruvin challenged, his smirk ever-present.

Aashna scoffed. “Excuse me, I am way more civilized than you.”

Barely a minute later, a dollop of coconut chutney fell onto her shorts.

Dhruvin burst out laughing. “Civilized, huh?”

"Shut up!” she grumbled, trying to wipe it off, but he leaned in with a napkin and helped her clean it.

After their meal, Dhruvin dropped Aashna home. As she got off the bike, she hesitated for a second before turning to him.

“We should divide the work. I’ll write the report about the NGO, and you edit the video,” she said.

“Sounds fair. But add some literature references. I want it to have that Aashna Pathak touch,” he said with a grin.

“Yeah, yeah. Bye, Dhruvin.”

“Bye, Aashu.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I am NOT your Aashu.”

He chuckled.

She scoffed and walked inside, her heart betraying her by beating just a little faster.

As soon as she stepped inside her house, a storm awaited her. Her parents pounced with endless questions and scoldings, their concern manifesting as anger.

“Do you have any idea how worried we were?” her Baba bellowed.

“I called! I told you I was safe,” she tried to argue, but it was futile.

The lecture lasted long enough for her head to pound. Frustrated and on the verge of tears, she stormed into her room and shut the door. Just as she flopped onto her bed, her laptop chimed with an email notification.

From: Dhruvin Deshmukh

Subject: Your Favorite Co-Volunteer (You Know It’s True)

Dear Ms. Pathak,

After spending such precious moments together in the noble service of mankind (and after you conveniently stole my blanket last night), I believe I have earned the right to your phone number. You can trust me—I promise I won’t send you 2 AM memes... okay, maybe just a few. Fine, a lot. But all quality content. Think about it. You won’t regret it.

Sincerely, Your Favorite Co-Volunteer

(And Soon-to-Be Favorite Contact in Your Phone)

P.S. If you don't reply, I’ll take it as silent approval and start texting random people asking for Aashna Pathak’s number.

She huffed out a small laugh despite herself and replied.

From: Aashna Pathak

Subject: RE: Your Favorite Co-Volunteer (You Know It’s True)

Mr. Deshmukh,

While your self-proclaimed title of 'Favorite Co-Volunteer' is debatable, I appreciate your attempt at persuasion. However, if you really want my number, you’ll have to earn it. Meet me in the library tomorrow. Help me find literature references for the report, and I might consider giving you my number.

Best,

Aashna Pathak

On the other side of the city, Dhruvin leaned back in his chair, a grin stretching across his face as he read her email.

“Might consider? Aare, Aashna Pathak, challenge toh bada strong diya hai,” he murmured. (Oh, Aashna Pathak, you’ve given me quite the challenge.)

“Kay zala re?” his Aaji asked, placing a cup of chai in front of him. (What happened?)

"Kahi nahi" he said chuckling, he finished his tea and got ready for badminton practice, already missing the warmth of Aashna's presence. Tomorrow was going to be interesting.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Author’s Note

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