National Anthem to Midnight Antics

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The living room was filled with laughter, the warmth of the evening still lingering in the air as everyone gathered for one last set of pictures. Phones were being passed around, cameras flashing, and goofy poses being struck.

“Aashna, Dhruvin, ek picture tum dono ki bhi honi chahiye,” Aaji announced suddenly, clapping her hands together.

Aashna, who was busy adjusting her dupatta, froze. “Huh?”

Dhruvin, on the other hand, grinned. “Aaji, brilliant idea!”

“No, no, that’s not necessary,” Aashna mumbled, suddenly feeling self-conscious.

“Ae drama band kar,” Manan smirked. “Picture toh banti hai.”

With no way out, she sighed and stood beside Dhruvin, maintaining a polite distance. They both looked at the camera, standing straight like disciplined school kids.

Sia burst into laughter. “Bhai, tum dono national anthem ke liye khade ho kya?”

Everyone erupted in laughter, and before Aashna could shoot Sia a glare, she felt Dhruvin’s warm palm slide onto her waist, pulling her slightly closer. The sudden proximity made her heartbeat stutter, and as she turned her head in reflex, Dhruvin looked at her at the same moment.

Click.

The camera flashed, capturing the moment—a candid shot of them looking at each other, her eyes wide in surprise, his lips tugged into an amused smirk.

“Perfect!” Aaji beamed, inspecting the photo.

Aashna, still a little dazed, cleared her throat and stepped back. “Uhm… I should get going now.”

Dhruvin frowned. “Itni jaldi? Rukh na thodi der aur.”

“It’s already late,” she said, looking at the time.

She turned to Aaji and Aajoba, touching their feet. “Thank you so much for the lovely dinner. Mujhe bohot acha laga.”

Aaji cupped her face, smiling warmly. “Kabhi bhi aa sakti hai, beta.”

With one last glance at Dhruvin, she left with Sia and the rest.Aashna sighed as she entered her room, throwing her dupatta onto the chair. The evening had been… unexpectedly wonderful. She had felt a warmth in Dhruvin’s home that she hadn’t realized she had been craving.

After freshening up, she slid into bed, exhaustion finally catching up to her. She had just closed her eyes when her phone buzzed.

Dhruvin: Hey

A small smile crept onto her lips as she unlocked her phone.

Aashna: What do you want?

Dhruvin: Bas aise hi… tu reach kar gayi na?

Aashna: Haan, ab sona hai mujhe, goodnight.

Dhruvin: Arre arre! Abhi se so rahi hai? Maine suna hai winners ki raaton ki neend chain se nahi hoti.

Aashna: Kyuki unke doston ke dimaag mein akal nahi hoti.

Dhruvin: Oof. Phir se attack. Seriously, Aashu?

Aashna: Mat bula mujhe Aashu. I’m not your Aashu.

Dhruvin: Lekin tu toh hai…

She could almost hear the smirk in his words.

Aashna: Mujhe kyun lagta hai tu zyada khush hai aaj?

Dhruvin: Kyunki aaj ki raat special hai. Pehli baar, Miss Pathak ne mujhe apna number diya hai.

Aashna: Bas iss baat ka itna chadha mat le.

Dhruvin: Nahi nahi. Yeh toh history hai. Ek din tujhe yaad dilaunga, "Aashna, woh raat yaad hai jab tu ne finally apna number diya tha?"

She rolled her eyes, but her lips twitched.

Aashna: Mujhe neend aa rahi hai.

Dhruvin: Toh so ja, lekin yeh mat bhoolna…

Aashna: Kya?

Dhruvin: Ki tu ab officially meri contact list mein hai. Mera inbox ka ek hissa. Mera WhatsApp ka ek icon. Mera…

Aashna: Shut up.

Dhruvin: Mera toh already ho chuka hai, bas tu maan nahi rahi.

She groaned and turned onto her side, staring at the screen.

Aashna: Goodnight, idiot.

Dhruvin: Goodnight, Aashu.

She stared at the message for a long second before turning her phone upside down and pulling the blanket over her head. She should be annoyed. She should be rolling her eyes.

And yet… she was smiling.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Author’s Note

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