Spicy Cravings & Spicier Revelations

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The morning sun streamed through her window, casting a warm glow over her room, but the real warmth was inside her. Her heart still fluttered from the previous night—Dhruvin’s surprise visit, the whispered confessions, the way he had held her like she was his entire world. She sighed, stretching lazily, before her phone buzzed with a message.

Dhruvin:  "Be ready by 6PM. Wear something comfortable. No questions. Just trust me. Love you. ❤️”

Aashna smiled, biting her lip. This idiot…

By 6PM, she was dressed in a flowy pastel blue dress, her hair in soft waves, and a hint of kohl lining her eyes. Just as she was checking herself in the mirror, a honk outside made her peek through the window. Dhruvin was there, looking effortlessly handsome in a black t-shirt and jeans, his car waiting for her.

She rushed downstairs, only to be met with his signature smirk.

“You look beautiful,” he murmured, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “But then, you always do.”

She rolled her eyes. “Flirting this early?”

“Only for you, Baby.”

With that, they sped off through Mumbai’s bustling streets, the wind tangling through her hair as she held onto him, her fingers tightening around his.

First Stop: St. Victoria University

Aashna frowned as they pulled up in front of their college. “Um… you do know I don’t have class today, right?”

Dhruvin chuckled. “Shut up and follow me.”

They walked to the empty lift, the place where they had met for the first time. The exact spot where she had came running, huffing being out of breath. She turned to him, realization dawning in her eyes.

“You remember?”

“Of course, I do,” he said, leaning  on the walls of the lift. “This is where it all started. Where I first saw a girl in a pink kurta hugging her novel like her life depended on it.”

Aashna laughed, shaking her head. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you’re my ridiculous.” He took out a small box from his pocket. “This isn’t your gift. Just a small token.”

She opened it to find a delicate silver chain with a tiny book pendant attached to it.

Her breath hitched. “Dhruv…”

“I wanted you to have something that reminds you of your dreams. Your words. Your stories. Because you are meant to write them.”

Tears pricked her eyes as she let him fasten it around her neck. She held onto the pendant, her heart swelling with emotions she couldn’t yet name.

Second Stop: The Old Bookstore

Dhruvin parked outside a quaint little bookstore nestled in a quiet lane. Aashna gasped, her eyes lighting up.

“You—how did you find this?”

“You mentioned it once. Said it’s where you used to come with your grandfather. Thought you might like a little nostalgia trip.”

She blinked rapidly, fighting the lump in her throat. “You really listen to everything I say, don’t you?”

“Always.”

They spent the next hour browsing, fingers skimming over old spines, laughter echoing between the aisles. Dhruvin bought her a vintage edition of Pride and Prejudice with her name embossed inside the cover. She could’ve cried again, but he distracted her with a kiss on her temple, muttering, “No crying on your birthday, Aashu.”

Final Stop: A Private Screening

As the sun set, Dhruvin led her into a small, private theater. Confused, she looked at him. “What’s happening?”

He simply smirked as the lights dimmed. And then, the screen flickered to life.

Aashna’s breath caught in her throat.

It was a video—a montage of their moments together. From stolen glances in lectures, to their first date, to random clips of her laughing, pouting, ranting about books. Her eyes welled up as she saw footage of her sleeping in his hoodie, of him sneaking videos when she wasn’t looking. And then, at the end, Dhruvin appeared on screen, running a hand through his hair, looking nervous for the first time.

“Aashu… I could write a whole film about you. But no words would ever be enough. I love you. More than I ever thought possible. And today, on your birthday, I just want you to know… you are my greatest story.”

The screen faded to black, leaving her stunned, tears streaming down her face.

When the lights came on, she turned to Dhruvin, who was already watching her, an anxious smile playing on his lips.

She didn’t say anything. She just launched herself into his arms, burying her face in his neck. “You are an idiot. The best idiot ever.”

He chuckled, holding her tight. “Does that mean I did good?”

“You did perfect.”

As they sat there, wrapped in each other, Aashna realized something.

She had fallen for him before. But today, she had fallen even deeper.

And this time, she wasn’t scared at all.

After a day filled with surprises and love, Aashna sighed happily as she leaned back in her seat. Dhruvin glanced at her, his lips curling into a small smile as he drove through the dimly lit streets of Mumbai.

"Baby, you okay? Tired?" he asked, his voice laced with affection.

Aashna turned to him with a playful pout. "I am craving pani puri."

Dhruvin chuckled, shaking his head. "Of course, you are. After all the fine dining and surprises, my birthday girl wants roadside pani puri."

She grinned. "Priorities, Deshmukh."

With a smirk, he took a sharp turn towards their favorite stall. The street was buzzing with life despite the late hour. They stepped out of the car, the familiar aroma of tangy tamarind water and fresh puris filling the air.

"Bhaiyya, ek meetha for him and medium spicy for me," Aashna ordered with a knowing smile.

Dhruvin scoffed. "One day, Babba, you'll realize the joy of eating meetha pani puri."

"One day, you'll stop eating like a five-year-old," she shot back, making him roll his eyes.

As they stood there, enjoying their late-night snack, Aashna’s eyes drifted towards the street corner, where a familiar figure caught her attention. Her chewing slowed as she narrowed her eyes, nudging Dhruvin subtly.

"Look over there," she whispered, pointing discreetly.

Dhruvin turned his gaze, squinting slightly. "Is that Manan?"

At first, they assumed their entire group might be hanging out. But before they could confirm, their jaws nearly dropped as they saw Manan lean in and press a quick kiss to Sia’s cheek.

Dhruvin choked mid-bite, his pani puri getting stuck in his throat. Coughing, he pounded his chest, wide eyes meeting Aashna’s equally stunned ones.

"Manan and Sia are dating?!" they blurted out at the same time, their voices a mix of disbelief and amusement.

They quickly turned back to their own food, exchanging glances as they processed what they had just witnessed.

"I mean… did you ever think this would happen?" Aashna asked, still in shock.

Dhruvin smirked, popping another pani puri into his mouth. "Honestly? I should’ve seen it coming. Manan’s always been different around Sia. More… well-behaved."

Aashna snorted. "And Sia? She always pretended to be annoyed by him, but maybe she liked the attention."

Dhruvin chuckled. "Should we confront them?"

"Nah," Aashna grinned, licking the pani puri masala off her fingers. "Let them think they’re being sneaky for a while."

Once they finished, Dhruvin handed her his sukha puri without a word, and she took it happily. He just shook his head, amused at how predictable they were to each other.

After dropping her off at her building, he leaned in, cupping her face as he pressed a slow, lingering kiss on her lips.

"Happy birthday, my Aashu," he whispered.

Aashna sighed, feeling warmth spread through her. "Thank you, Dhruvin. For everything."

He smiled before pulling away, watching her walk inside before heading home.

As he entered his house, his Aaji and Aajoba were still awake, waiting for him with knowing smirks.

"Back from Aashna or straight from some mischief?" Aaji teased, folding her arms.

Dhruvin groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Aaji, tu pan na..." ("Aaji, you too…")

Aajoba chuckled. "Took you long enough! What’s going on between you two?"

Dhruvin sighed dramatically, flopping onto the couch. "Aaji, Aajoba, there's nothing to tell. It was just a birthday surprise."

Aaji nudged Aajoba with a grin. "Look at him! One day he's calling her 'babudi,' the next he's thinking about tattoos!"

Dhruvin groaned, covering his face. "I'm leaving, no one lets me live in peace."

His grandparents just laughed as he escaped to his room, a small smile playing on his lips. Today had been perfect. And somewhere deep down, he knew—he would do anything to make sure Aashna always had days as special as this one.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Author’s Note

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