Where's My Aashu?

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Dhruvin stood in front of the mirror, scrutinizing every little detail of his reflection. He adjusted his baby pink shirt for what felt like the hundredth time, smoothing out invisible wrinkles. Running a hand through his hair, he sighed. Was it too messy? Or did it look effortlessly cool? He exhaled sharply and ruffled it again. No, this was fine. It had to be fine.

The excitement bubbling in his chest was almost embarrassing. He knew his friends were arriving, but there was only one person he was truly waiting for. He checked his watch. 7:15 PM. Any moment now.

“Dhruvin, kay karto aahes? (What are you doing?) Your friends are here,” Aajoba called from downstairs, snapping him out of his thoughts.

Taking one last glance at the mirror, he straightened his posture and forced himself to walk down the stairs in a composed manner. But as his gaze swept across the living room, his heart sank. His friends were all there—Manan, Raj, Saumya, Advait—but not Aashna.

His face fell before he could stop himself, and Manan, always the troublemaker, caught on immediately. “Arre chalo, chalo,” he smirked. “Dhruvin toh bas humein dekhke udaas ho gaya. Seems like we aren’t the guests of honor tonight.”

The others chuckled, and Dhruvin rolled his eyes, masking his disappointment. “Shut up, Manan.”

They all sat down, chatting and laughing with Aaji and Aajoba, who were more than happy to entertain them. But the back of Dhruvin’s mind was preoccupied with only one thought—where was she?

Unable to hold it in anymore, he turned to Manan. “Call Sia. Ask her where they are.”

Manan smirked but pulled out his phone. Just as he was about to dial, a familiar voice rang through the house. “No need for that, we’re here.”

Dhruvin froze. His head snapped toward the entrance, and his breath hitched. Sia stood there, grinning, but behind her—adjusting her dupatta—was Aashna.

She looked ethereal.

A soft baby pink kurta, her hair slightly damp as if she had rushed to get ready, jhumkas swaying gently as she walked in. Dhruvin blinked, suddenly forgetting how to breathe. His heart did an embarrassing little flip when she looked at him and smiled hesitantly.

“H-Hi,” he stuttered, cursing himself immediately.

Aashna, on the other hand, was having her own crisis. She had been mentally preparing herself for this dinner, but nothing could’ve prepared her for Dhruvin in that baby pink shirt. Why did he look… so good?

She swallowed, gripping the edge of her dupatta. “Hi,” she said, voice softer than intended.

The entire room went silent for a second. Then, Manan let out a dramatic sigh. “God, the tension here is unbearable.”

Raj snorted. “Just kiss already and end our misery.”

Dhruvin shot them a glare, while Aashna’s face turned bright red. “Shut up!” they both said in unison, making the group burst into laughter.

Aaji, ever the observant one, smiled warmly at Aashna. “Aashna, beta, come, sit.”

“Ji, Aaji,” Aashna said with a small smile, taking a seat next to Sia.

As everyone settled into easy conversation, Dhruvin stole glances at her every few seconds. She was here. She had come. That was all that mattered.

After a while, Aashna noticed Aaji and Aajoba moving toward the kitchen. Without hesitation, she stood up and followed them.

“Aaji, let me help.”

Aaji turned around, startled. “Arey, beta, no need! You’re our guest.”

“But I’d feel weird just sitting there while you both work,” Aashna insisted. “Please, let me help.”

Aaji looked at her with an affectionate smile, then at Aajoba, who nodded approvingly. “Bas bas, she’s stubborn, just like you,” he chuckled.

“Alright, but only if you want to,” Aaji relented, handing her a bowl to mix.

From the living room, Dhruvin watched the entire scene unfold, something warm spreading through his chest. He had never seen anyone—not even his friends—walk into his home and fit in so seamlessly. She was standing beside his Aaji, helping her roll out chapatis, laughing as Aajoba cracked some old joke.

Something inside him clenched, and for a moment, he felt overwhelmed.

This was new. This was terrifying. This was… wonderful.

Aashna Pathak, in his home, laughing with his family.

He didn’t know what this meant yet. But he knew one thing for sure.

He didn’t want it to end.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Author’s Note

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