Patakhas, Pooja & Unspoken Pyaar

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The day before Diwali was a blur of activity for both Aashna and Dhruvin. With preparations in full swing, neither of them had gotten a chance to meet, and it was slowly starting to bother them more than either was willing to admit.

That night, after another exhausting day, Aashna finally flopped onto her bed. Her body ached from all the running around, but as soon as she closed her eyes, her phone buzzed. A smile crept onto her face as she saw the name flashing on the screen.

Dhruvin.

She answered, suppressing a yawn. “Kya hai?”

“Wow, what a warm welcome. I could almost feel the love,” Dhruvin teased.

Aashna chuckled. “I’m exhausted, Dhruvin. What do you want?”

He sighed dramatically. “I want to see you, but some people are too busy ignoring me.”

“Oh, cry me a river. I’ve been drowning in work. Unlike you, who probably spent the day annoying your Aaji and eating all the faral.”

“Excuse me, ma’am, I have been working very hard. I helped clean the entire house and assisted Aaji in making chakli and karanji. Do you even know how delicate the stuffing process is?”

Aashna laughed. “Maharashtra ka sabse bada faral expert, huh?”

“You mock me now, but when I open my own faral business, you’ll be my first customer,” he said proudly.

She rolled her eyes. “Oh, how will I ever resist?”

A comfortable silence settled between them, and for a brief moment, all the day’s exhaustion melted away.

“Come to my place for the Diwali party tomorrow,” she said softly.

Dhruvin perked up. “Wait, what?”

“You heard me. You and your gang are invited. My parents have planned a huge get-together, and it would be... nice if you came.”

He smirked. “Aashu, is this your way of saying you miss me?”

“In your dreams.”

He chuckled. “Fine. I’ll be there. But be warned—I am known to be extremely charming at family gatherings. Your parents might just adopt me.”

Aashna scoffed. “Oh, please. Just wear something decent and don’t embarrass me.”

“No promises,” he said cheekily. “See you tomorrow, Aashu.”

The next morning, before the sun had even fully risen, Dhruvin was rudely awakened by his Aaji, who was standing over him with a mischievous grin and a bowl of uthna.

“Aaji, no—” he groaned, but it was too late.

His protests fell on deaf ears as Aaji smeared the fragrant mixture all over his arms and face. The cooling sandalwood-like paste was a traditional part of Diwali’s first bath, but Dhruvin never got used to the ritual of being practically attacked with it.

“Aaji! I have an image to maintain,” he whined.

His Aajoba chuckled from the doorway. “Konsa image, ha? That ‘bad boy’ act? Uthna se koi bhi ladki door nahi bhagegi.” (What image? That ‘bad boy’ act? No girl will run away just because of uthna.)

Aaji nodded. “Aashna will still like you.”

Dhruvin nearly choked. “What—why—who said anything about Aashna?”

Aaji and Aajoba exchanged knowing glances, and he groaned.

After a quick shower, he dressed in a red kurta and white pajama, clicking a picture and sending it to Aashna.

But there was no reply. He checked his phone multiple times over breakfast, where he sat with Aaji and Aajoba, relishing the faral and sweets.

“Phone band kar ke kha, Dhruvin,” Aaji scolded. (Keep your phone down and eat, Dhruvin.)

“Bas ek message dekh raha hoon,” he muttered. (Just checking one message.)

“Wahi Aashna ka hoga,” Aajoba teased. (Must be from Aashna.)

Dhruvin rolled his eyes but felt a little restless. Why hadn’t she replied?

Meanwhile, at Aashna’s house, she was running around, managing last-minute decorations while her mother called out instructions.

“Aashna, put the garlands properly, then go and get ready.”

“Coming!” she yelled back.

She finally got a chance to breathe and picked up her phone, eyes widening at the messages and missed calls. Guilt immediately flooded her.

Dhruvin: Morning, Aashu. Photo dekh ke batao, will I get a 10/10 or not?

Dhruvin: Hello?? Busy aahes?

Dhruvin: Ignoring me on Diwali? How heartless.

Aashna bit her lip, then quickly replied.

Aashna: You look nice. Stop being dramatic.

Almost instantly, her phone rang. She sighed, answering, “What?”

“You ignored me all day.”

“I was busy!”

“Busy ignoring me.”

She groaned. “You’re impossible.”

He chuckled. “So, what are you wearing?”

Aashna glanced at the pastel-colored saree her mother had picked for her. “A sack.”

Dhruvin laughed. “I bet you’d still look good in it.”

She rolled her eyes. “Aaji has trained you too well in flirting.”

“Clearly not, since you still haven’t fallen for it.”

Before she could retort, her mother’s voice called out, “Aashna! Go get ready.”

“I have to go,” she said hurriedly.

“Fine, but I’m expecting a grand welcome.”

“Sure, sure. Bring a gift for Aryan if you want my brother to let you in.”

“Noted,” he said with a laugh. “See you soon, Aashu.”

Her heart skipped a beat at the nickname, but she ignored it and hurried off to get ready.

As Dhruvin got into his car, picking up Manan, Raj, and Saumya one by one, the teasing was relentless.

“So, nervous?” Manan smirked.

“About what?”

“Meeting the parents.”

“I meet parents all the time.”

“Yeah, but this time, it’s her parents.”

Dhruvin groaned as they continued their teasing, but beneath it all, a nervous excitement bubbled in his chest. Tonight would be the first time he’d officially meet Aashna’s family, and he wanted everything to go right.

Little did he know, Aashna was just as nervous on the other end.

And somehow, amidst the lights and celebrations, this Diwali felt a little extra special for both of them.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Author’s Note

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