Aastik
"Anything but Mrs. Malhotra," is what she said, I thought, remembering her words... her nervous face.
Her face came in front of my eyes, every detail carved manually, like an artist's finest piece. From those long eyelashes that fluttered nervously to her raspberry pink lips that trembled slightly when she spoke.
There's a pull in my chest whenever I see her eyes, which I always tried to ignore but the more I try, the more impossible it gets to remove that thought from my mind. She does something within me. Something... even she isn’t aware of. Nor will I ever let her be.
"Aastik Malhotra will never... never allow anyone to become his vulnerability," I muttered, releasing a prolonged drag of smoke.
I looked at the cigarette and muttered, "This... this was the intoxication I craved last night but only for a fleeting moment because the moment I laid beside her, the suffocation... it dissipated. Vanished, as if it had never haunted me.
Her presence, It was like life breathed into a dying ember... An elixir to a collapsing soul and Oxygen to a flame gasping in its final moments.
I took the cigarette back between my lips and inhaled deeply. A long, desperate puff. The smoke slid down my chest, burning with a kind of satisfaction which brings a relief of sigh.
But then... her tear-drenched eyes came surging back into my mind, searing through my thoughts.
That shattered gaze. That quivering lower lip. My jaw locked in a simmering rage. And before I could even register it, the cigarette had scorched its way into my flesh.
But I remained unshaken.
Not a flicker of pain. Not a twitch of emotion. Because pain was no stranger to me.
"I know how it felt to be falsely accused."
And that time I already knew—someone dared to hurt her.
Someone had the audacity to mess with her heart, to bring tears to that ethereal face, to that innocent soul.
But who the hell even was it? Who made her suffer so much that... she ended up with a damn panic attack?
The very thought of it made my jaw clench so hard it ached, my fists curling tight beside me making my veins popped from my forehead.
How fucking dare they.
And the way she behaved today...
I bet she doesn't even remember a single thing from last night and to be honest that is good cause she may not want me to see her weak side.
Rubbing my temple for a minute, I looked at the dark sky, exhaling a deep breath.
I turned towards the obscurity, my room. I stepped inside. Well, residing in darkness had become a method of seeking solace. My eyes recollected every crevice of this space, that even in this gloom, I could perceive everything with the precision of an owl.
I checked my watch and it's almost time so I also started getting ready, opening my wardrobe I took out my black crisp shirt and styled it with black suit and pant, I left the first two buttons opened for my comfort.
Then I wore my silver watch which is detailed with small diamonds and styled my hair with some gel. And for the final touch I completed my look with a spray of my favourite perfume.
Author
On the other hand, Ahana sat in her room like a doll with a stiff posture. Two girls of her age were meticulously occupied, embellishing her face with layers of cosmetics. Ahana, being someone who preferred the simplicity of just a lipstick and a liner, felt an overwhelming sense of suffocation but chose to remain silent.
One of them was engrossed in styling her hair, curling each strand with delicate precision, placing every flick as if sculpting art. The other was diligently absorbed in crafting her eye makeup
The two girls were doing their work very professionally and after two long hours, their voice finally came, "We’re done, ma’am… please check the look if you want any changes or not."
Ahana slowly opened her eyes and looked at the mirror in front of her. The moment her eyes met her reflection, it felt like she froze. There was no reaction on her face, no smile, no blink, no movement she just kept staring at the mirror.
Seeing her reaction, the makeup artists got tensed. Their hands clutched their brushes tightly, exchanging nervous glances. They thought she didn’t like the makeup and more than her disapproval, they feared Aastik’s rage. They were silently praying to God when a soft whisper broke the silence in the room.
"Kya ye mey hu?"
("Is this me?")
The two poor souls looked at each other and gulped their dry saliva, "Y..yes ma’am… d-did you… n-not like the… look?" they finally asked, their voices trembling.
"Beautiful."
"I have never looked this breathtaking in my entire life…" she whispered with a sincere smile. Without uttering another word, she drew both makeup artists into an embrace. The gesture was so abrupt that they froze momentarily, but Ahana’s hug was tender, enveloping, and so comforting that they gradually softened in her arms and returned the embrace with a smile.
"We’re glad you liked it, ma’am," they said, their smiles reaching their eyes not just because of Ahana’s sweet behaviour, but because deep down, they were silently thanking God... that they could leave that place. ALIVE.
Soon after that, they quietly packed their stuff and left her room, leaving her behind.
She quietly sat in the room and took her phone, her fingers danced around a number, her mind spinning with the thought should she call or not? Because she knew, the moment she calls that particular person, a dozen scoldings are waiting for her.
With a deep sigh, she finally decided to call... but before her thumb could hit the dial button, the door of her room knocked.
Startled by the sudden knock, she quickly kept her phone aside and went to unlock the door.
She opened the door only to find the devil himself standing outside. But rather than calling him in, she stood rooted to the spot utterly captivated by his presence.
Aastik looked devastatingly handsome, so much so that Ahana was certain every woman at the party would unabashedly fawn over her husband tonight. And for some inexplicable reason, the mere thought of other women casting their eyes on Aastik stirred a quiet displeasure within her.
But it wasn’t just Ahana who was staring, what about the devil himself?
Aastik
The moment the door opened and my eyes caught the beauty standing at the door, I forgot everything breathing, moving, thinking all. My heartbeat picked such a pace that I myself didn’t knew it could beat so hard.
She looked like a sin covered in this black hot damn saree, which is provoking the devil inside me. The long eyelashes are little more defined, her hair with a little more wave, and her red hot lipstick so juicy, like a cherry I wanted to taste.
She was looking like temptation itself, the kind of sin even hell would bow down to. My eyes darted down to her blouse which was strapless, wickedly carved to show just enough to ignite the fire, giving me a teasing view of her cleavage.
I tried to move my eyes from it, I was fighting a war inside, but the control... it was slipping like sand through fingers and with whatever strength I had left, I shifted my gaze but destiny had its own cruelty, because my eyes landed straight on her curvy waist.
Her curves were looking like a silent invitation to me. My dark desires, the ones I’d buried beneath layers of restraint, clawed back up with a hunger because of her.
And then my eyes fell on that small mole near her waist which is looking at me like a challenge to my patience.
If I keep looking at it for even a second, I myself don't know what I would do.
But before anything could happen, a melodious voice reached my ears,
"Aastik ji... are you listening... Aastik ji?"
I snapped back to reality. "H-huh?" I asked like I had just returned from another world.
"Aree this is my room, I was calling you for so long," she said, blinking innocently.
I quickly composed myself, shaking off those illegal thoughts. "Ya... umm... it's time. We should go," I replied.
"Oo... achaa... okay... let's go," she said softly, and we both walked toward the stairs. But just before she could step down, I stopped her.
"What happened?" she asked in confusion.
"Umm... we have to go hand in hand," I said.
"I know you must be uncomfortable but—" I started, but she cut me off.
"It's fine. Let's go," she said, without hesitation.
I looked at her. She had already extended her hand. I first looked at her and then at her hand. Then I held her small, soft fingers and intertwined mine with them, and together we started walking down.
The moment we stepped into the hall, the air shifted. Murmurs filled the room.
'Who is she with Mr. Malhotra?'
'Is she someone close to him?'
'See, they’re coming hand in hand!'
'What is his motive?'
The gossip didn’t affect me I was used to it. But her fingers curled tighter around mine. Her grip told me everything. She was nervous.
"Relax, I'm with you," I whispered, leaning just a little closer.
"Ya," she breathed out, but the stiffness in her shoulders remained.
I glanced at her again, and a smirk tugged at my lips. "The way you’re looking tonight… it’s a crime to look this tempting, sweetheart."
For a second, she stilled like the words needed a moment to sink in. But I had seen it coming, so before she could go into shock-mode, I gently tugged her forward again.
Ahana
The whole room felt silent when we stood in the middle of the hall where the spotlight fell on us.
Suddenly, he started speaking with his deep voice and his signature poker face.
"Good evening everyone. I won’t waste time with pleasantries I know most of you aren’t here to celebrate, just to gossip and judge. But since you made the effort to show up, let me give you what you came for."
"Tonight’s party isn’t for business, or your curiosity. It’s for something far more personal. Someone far more important. This evening is to introduce you to the most significant person in my life who is none other than the beautiful lady standing beside me, MRS. AHANA AASTIK MALHOTRA. '
The moment he said this a flood of gasp could be heard from the people standing there but without giving a damn to anyone he continued...
"I don’t expect anyone to understand it. And frankly, I don’t need anyone’s validation either. Just know one thing any disrespect towards her will be taken personally. Very personally which may cost your life"
"Now enjoy the evening and let's raise a toast for our new journey," he said, and many people with an awkward smile raised their glasses, toasting and quickly getting back to their whispers and fake smiles.
And me? I'm still in shock. Did he just give a threat in the name of a speech... to everyone?
I turned to look at him with a horrified expression, but he just smirked at me wickedly.
The moment he started walking toward me with that god-like confidence and extended his hand again, I could feel the weight of every stare pinning me down. Eyes full of curiosity, jealousy, and questions. Every damn eye was on me.
I was feeling scared, nervous... and overwhelmed. And just when it was becoming too much, his body covered me. He stood right in front of me, blocking every gaze like a protective shield.
He was so close, so incredibly close that I had to look up at him, even though I was wearing heels.
Then with his deep, low and dangerous voice he whispered, "You're getting nervous as if I’ll not burn this entire place down the second someone breathes wrong near you... sweetheart"
My breath caught in my throat. His voice held no joke, there was full seriousness laced in his eyes, like he meant every damn word he just said. But strangely, in that exact moment, I felt A strange warmth. A feeling of safety.
As dark and terrifying as his words were, they held a beauty of their own. Because behind that darkness was care. Behind that threat, there was protection. And maybe for the world it would sound dangerous, possessive, even insane but for me, it felt like the first time someone truly stood for me. Not with soft promises or fake concerns, but with fire in his voice. And for some reason, the more horrifying his words were… the more beautiful they seemed to me.
Maybe I’ve completely lost it… or maybe I’ve just gone crazy. Because the strangest part? I wasn’t even scared of his words. In fact, they felt like something new I’d just discovered about myself.
"Let’s go… we need to do some hi-hellos," he called out casually, snapping me back to reality from my running thoughts.
Then we moved around the room, meeting businessmen, politicians, actors, actresses, and a lot of other renowned and powerful people. I greeted everyone with a warm smile, and in return, some smiled back genuinely… while others gave me that perfectly practiced, polite, fake smile.
After a while, I excused myself and went to grab some juice near the bar. Just as I picked up the glass, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and saw a woman standing in front of me, she was a tall, confident beauty dressed in a red gown. She looked stunning, like the kind of woman who could turn every head in a room without even trying.
"Y-yes?" I asked, a little unsure of what to do.
"You’re Ahana, right?" she asked, her voice sweet and her smile almost too friendly.
"Yes… I’m Ahana. And you are?" I replied, still confused about who she was or why she was talking to me.
"I’m Dhriti," she said with a soft smile.
"Umm… okay… nice to meet you, Dhriti," I replied awkwardly, because nothing about this interaction made sense. I had no idea who she was….or why she reached out to me.
Sensing my confusion, she chuckled lightly and said, "Sorry for the late introduction….but I’m his girlfriend."
She said that while pointing at a very familiar figure across the room.
"Hi ladies… and baby, you could’ve waited for me," that person said with that same carefree smile.
"Avyan bhaiya, aap? Means… Dhriti, aap Avyan bhaiya ki girlfriend ho?" I asked with wide eyes, still processing this new piece of information.
"Ha Ahana… she’s my girlfriend. The love of my life," he said, proudly side-hugging her. "Dhriti… did you guys already meet?" he added with a dramatic pout.
Dhriti and I looked at each other and chuckled at his sudden cuteness.
"Aww mela baby naraz nhi hota warna… warna ghar jaake mirchi wali chai pila dungi," she teased, pulling his cheek.
("Aww, my baby doesn’t get upset, ok? Otherwise… otherwise I’ll make you drink spicy tea once we’re home.")
I looked at her, horrified. What sort of punishment was that?! Even Avyan bhaiya looked a little scared now.
"Don’t worry bhabhi," he quickly said, scratching his neck, "our relationship is like this only."
Just then, a voice came from behind, "Hi Bhabhi."
I turned around and saw Bhuvan bhaiya and Mr. Devil himself standing there. Both had drinks in their hands and were walking toward us casually.
"Aastik… thode control rakh nahi sakte thee kya?" Dhriti scoffed with folded arms. "She’s such an innocent soul… aur tumhare jaise monster ke haathon mein aani thi? Kya hi destiny hai."
(Aastik, couldn't you control yourself a little)
(She’s such an innocent soul… and she had to end up in the hands of a monster like you? What kind of destiny is that.)
I was stunned at her boldness. She just… said that? Out loud?
But Mr. Devilbeing Mr. Devil royally ignored her words like they were air.
And me? I tried to press my laugh behind my lips… but clearly, I lacked the skill, because it slipped out in the next second and betrayed me.
Serious situation pe hasne ki aadat hai mujhe...hahaha🥲
(I have this habit of laughing in serious situations... hahaha 🥲)
Umm… I guess I know why Mr. Devil isn’t saying anything to Dhriti. Because she’s Avyan bhaiya’s girlfriend. That’s the only explanation… or else, someone else would’ve already been on fire.
"Sorry," I mumbled, feeling awkward under everyone’s gaze. My voice barely came out as I looked down in embarrassment, avoiding everyone’s eyes.
But suddenly, out of nowhere, I felt a strong grip wrap around my wrist and pulled me backwards. I collided into something hard and it didn’t even take me a second to recognize HIS CHEST.
"When my sweettttheaaarrtttt doesn’t have a problem…" he started, pulling the word long enough to make it sound deliberately mocking, ".....why do you, Miss Dhriti?"
His voice held a challenge as he galred at Dhriti.
Dhriti looked at him with narrowed eyes but even she couldn't take to stare at him for so long, his eyes are so powerful to be controlled.
"Okay guys, stop it!" Avyan bhaiya finally stepped in like a referee. "Lemme go in the middle I've got something to announce!" Saying that, he dramatically rushed toward the DJ like a kid on a mission and started demanding a mic.
Meanwhile, I turned to Bhuvan bhaiya and started chatting casually, trying to shake off the tension that just passed… when suddenly Avyan bhaiya’s voice boomed across the speakers.
"Helloooo Hellooo Hellloooo beautiful sisters and dashing gentlemen. Today, we got the biggest news of the century The Aastik Malhotra is officially married!"
"Unbelievable, right? I know, I know! Even we got a thunderbolt shock when we heard it but hey, if we’re suffering, you both couples should suffer too!"
Our full concentration drawned to Avyan bhaiya's commentry right now, trying to understand his motives.
"But wait, wait, wait…...This party’s missing some spice, isn’t it?" he added, So what better than a couple’s dance… and not just any couple, the main attraction of tonight… Mr. and Mrs. Malhotraaaaa!"
Everyone started hooting and cheering for us, The spotlight already fell on us.
Why God🙃.... Iss Devil k sath hi kya dance Krna tha.
I looked at him with a horrific expression but he seemed composed like he saw that coming. He walked toward me and asked for my hand for dance.
Which I took nervously and then we walked in the middle and the song started playing on the background.
O ho...
Bheegi bheegi sadkon pe main
Tera intezaar karun
Dheere dheere dil ki zameen ko
Tere hi naam karun
He looked at me with a soft gaze, his hand resting gently on my waist while the other found its place on my shoulder. Slowly, our bodies began to move in sync with the rhythm of the song.
Khudko main yoon kho doon
Ke phir na kabhi paaun
Haule haule zindagi ko
Ab tere hawaale karun
Sanam re, sanam re
Tu mera sanam hua re
Sanam re, sanam re
Tu mera sanam hua re
He pulled me by my waist, his rough hands felt like a fire touch to my waist skin. My breath hitched, and my hands locked behind his neck, almost instinctively. He leaned in a little, his face nearing my ear, our bodies dangerously close. To the audience, it may look cute, like some sweet dance moment, but to me... it's taking my breath away, every second making my heart race faster.
And then, in the softest tone that brushed against my skin, I heard him whisper, "sorry sweetheart... I had to touch your waist which I promised not to do."
Karam re, karam re
Tera mujhpe karam hua re
Sanam re, sanam re
Tu mera sanam hua re
O ho...
But before I could say or reply to him, he started twirling me around him softly. My hair moved slightly with the air, I was feeling like a heroine of some bollywood movie. And then, with a sudden force, he pulled me towards him causing my face to hit his chest and my cheeks instantly heated up my the closeness.
I placed my hands near his chest when I felt his heart beating so fast, thudding against my palm. I looked at him and asked, "aap ka dil... itna tez q dharak rhaa hai Aastik ji?"
(Why is your heart beating so fast Aastik ji?)
Tere kareeb jo hone laga hoon
To toote saare bharam re
Sanam re, sanam re
Tu mera sanam hua re
Sanam re, sanam re
Tu mera sanam hua re
O ho...
But he didn't reply to me, rather than questioned me too, "tum batao sweetheart... tumhara dil itna tez q dharak rhaa hai?" he asked, pushing me to the other side and then pulling me by my back again.
(You tell me, sweetheart... why is your heart beating so fast?)
My back hit his chest, the heat of his body sinking into mine. His hands slowly roamed down my arms, sending shivers with every inch they touched. The way his fingers lingered, soft yet possessive, made the dance feel different now.
And then, as the beat of the music hit its best, I slowly turned towards him. Our eyes locked with each other, felt like talking through souls.
"Pata nhi q dharak rhaa hai ye dil itna zor se... aisa lgg rhaa hai jaise ye dil mere kabu mey hai hi nhi," I replied looking into his eyes.
(I don’t know why my heart is beating so fast… it feels like it’s not even under my control anymore.)
"Ab aap bataiye... aapka kya reason hai?"
(Now you tell me.... what's your reason)
Baadalon ki tarah hi toh
Tune mujhpe saaya kiya hai
Baarishon ki tarah hi toh
Tune khushiyon se bhigaya hai
Aandhiyon ki tarah hi toh
Tune hosh ko udaaya hai
Mera muqaddar sanwara hai yoon
Naya savera jo laaya hai tu
Tere sang hi bitaane hain mujhko
Mere saare janam re
"Mujhe khud v nhi pata sweetheart.... prr aisa lag rhaa hai ki ye dil firse dharakna Sikh rhaa hai kisi Karan se...." He murmured near my face.
(I don’t even know myself, sweetheart… but it feels like this heart is learning to beat again, for some reason)
"Kis Karan se?" I asked curiously. His hands snaked around my full waist and pulled me a little more closer.
(For what reason?)
"Karan tumhe abhi jaane ki zarurat nahi hai, sweetheart… jab waqt ayega, sab kuch khud ba khud samajh aa jayega. Tumhe bhi, aur mujhe bhi."
(You don’t need to know the reason right now, sweetheart… when the time comes, everything will become clear on its own. To you, and to me as well)
Sanam re, sanam re (sanam re.)
Tu mera sanam hua re
Sanam re, sanam re (sanam re.)
Tu mera sanam hua re
Karam re, karam re (karam re.)
Tera mujhpe karam hua re
Sanam re, sanam re (sanam re.)
Tu mera sanam hua re
O ho...
I sighed slowly… well, I felt a little sad that he didn’t tell me, but one more question had been resting in the back of my mind since morning… and now, I think I should finally ask.
"One more question," I said, looking at him with pleading eyes.
He just nodded, signalling me to continue.
"Q Aastik ji... Q aap meri itni parwa kr rhee hai... jab aap mujhe iss ghar mey laye thee, yaad hai apne kya kaha tha?" I paused, watching his expression closely. "Ye ek normal shadi nhi hai... aapne badla k lia shadi kia mujhse… fir q..." My breath hitched slightly, but I continued, "Q aap mujhe istemal nhi kr rhee hai... Q aap mujhe chot pohochane ki kosis tak nhi kr rhee hai?"
("Why, Aastik ji… why are you caring so much about me? When you brought me into this house, do you remember what you said?" I paused, watching his expression closely.
"This isn’t a normal marriage… you married me for revenge… so why then…" My breath hitched slightly, but I continued, "Why aren’t you using me… why aren’t you even trying to hurt me?")
"You married me for revenge, then why did you never try to hurt me?" I repeated my question.
I was looking straight into his eyes, my hands were still on his shoulders and it felt like it stiffened for a second and something flickered in his eyes which he masked it within a blink of second.
Mere sanam re mera hua re
Tera karam re mujhpe hua ye
Mere sanam re mera hua re
Tera karam re mujhpe hua ye
The song ended, but we didn’t move… we just stood there, still wrapped in each other, our eyes locked with each other, I was getting scared with each second but somehow I masked it when a voice broke our staring competition.
We finally left each other and looked at Avyan bhaiya who is now smirking at HIM.
Meanwhile, Aastik ji cared less and walked straight to the bar, clearly uninterested in the chaos behind him. His face was unreadable, and that only made my heart pound harder.
I took a step to follow him, thinking maybe I could explain... but before I could even take two steps, Dhriti came rushing to me with a toothy smile.
"Ahana! You both looked so good together... uff! What a performance, I swear!" she gushed, clutching my hand excitedly.
I smiled weakly, nodding as if I was listening. But inside, my stomach was twisting.
‘Dance hi to krna tha Ahana... itna muh chalane ki kya zarurat thi, pagal larki... badi aayi puchne wali—apka dil q dhadak raha hai...’ I mocked myself bitterly in my head.
(It was just a dance, Ahana… what was the need to run your mouth so much, you crazy girl… acting all bold—‘why is your heart beating so fast’...)
Why did I ask that? What was I even thinking? He doesn't like anyone questioning him. What if... what if he gets angry? What if he shouts at me? Or maybe... worse.
My fingers turned cold as fear crept up my spine. I shouldn't have crossed the line. I should stay away from him for now. Maybe that’s the only way to save myself.
Or else... my end will be written in his hands, very early.
Trying to keep my mind busy, I watched Dhriti and Avyan hit the dance floor again. Their carefree laughter was so different from the storm that had started brewing inside me.
I moved around, greeting some guests, checking if they had food, fake smiling, nodding at compliments... anything to distract myself.
And just like that, the night wrapped itself around us, and the party slowly faded into the calm of midnight.
____________________
Hey roses, that’s it for today! ❣️ Don’t forget to VOTE and COMMENT your favourite part and dialogue below. And make sure to follow me on Instagram for spoilers!
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