Ahana
It’s been three days since the reception party. All over social media, news channels, everywhere it's just Aastik and Ahana. Their reception photos. Their videos. Their smiles captured from every angle, Their romantic dance was flooding the internet like a perfect. Both of them Became the hot gossip of the internet.
People couldn’t stop commenting, some showering them with love, blessings, and calling them the perfect couple. A match made in heaven. And then, there were others questioning their marriage, digging up doubts, spreading hate like wildfire. As if two people being together was a public debate to begin with.
And in the middle of all this chaos Ahana's Mr. Devil aka Mr. Aastik Malhotra, had built a thick, silent wall between them.
Well, that wall was already there from the beginning... but now, he had just added an extra layer of cement on top of it.
Ahana was running away because of fear. Fear that maybe she crossed a line by questioning him. Maybe he was angry. And his silence was fueling the misunderstanding between them.
Whereas Aastik, he built the wall to play safe because he himself didn’t know how to answer the question she asked. He didn’t know what to say. He didn’t understand how to explain why he still hadn’t hurt her. Why her pain somehow mattered more than his revenge.
Both of them were having breakfast but none of them were talking. The air around them was thick, heavy, and uncomfortable with tension. But neither of them took the initiative to break the silence.
Aastik was about to get up when the watchman came running to the door, panting hard, voice broken between words, "S–sir… e–ek ladki… she was fighting and shouting w–with all of us and—"
Before he could finish, a sharp push stumbled him to the side.
Suddenly a girl stormed in, her face twisted in anger, nostrils flaring, eyes scanning the place like a hawk. She looked like a walking thunderstorm, ready to explode the moment she found her target.
When her eyes locked onto Ahana.
Ahana’s eyes widened in pure shock. Of all people, she never expected her to show up like this.
Aastik, on the other hand, stood still, watching the audacity of the girl who just walked straight into the lion’s den without fear.
The girl started marching towards Ahana. Her heels clicked sharply against the marble tiles, echoing with every step and in a blink of an eye she stood face to face with Ahana.
Before Ahana could even part her lips to say a word, she was pulled into a tight hug wrapping her arms around her neck and finally she bursted out every bit of emotions she had been holding on in forms of tears.
"Kya itni buri hu main? Itni buri ki mujhe social media se pata chala teri shaadi ka? Ek baar bhi mujhe bolne ki koshish tak nahi ki tu, Ahu? Kya mey sirf naam ki best friend thii?"
(Am I really that bad? So bad that I had to find out about your wedding through social media? You didn’t even try to tell me once, Ahu? Was I just a best friend in name only?)
Her voice cracked at the end statement...her sobs grew louder with every passing second. She was crying like she couldn’t even breathe properly anymore.
And that girl was none other than Janvi.
The moment Janvi found out about that Her best friend, her ahu got married to The Aastik Malhotra, she didn't waste a second and rushed to this place to meet her.
Ahana
"I-I'm sorry jaanu... I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to hide it from you," I said, my own eyes glistering with unshed tears
The pang of guilt for not calling her that day hit my heart like a sharp blow... and still, my jaanu showed up, came to me, without a second thought.
"No... this time I-I won't forgive you," she said, breaking the hug with a pout, crossing her arms like a stubborn little kid.
I chuckled softly and replied, "Then I'll work hard to seek your forgiveness."
"Yes, that you have to do," she said, nodding with a playful smile dancing on her lips.
"But... I'm really glad that you left that bastard—" but before she could take that pathetic person's name, I instantly kept my hand on her mouth and pressed her voice down.
My heartbeat increased in fear. With wide eyes, I slowly turned my eyes to the other side where Aastik ji was standing, and like I thought, his full focus was on me.
I gulped my saliva in fear cause I know very well that he can read my face like an open book and this is what scared me the most.
Following my gaze, Janvi also looked at his, and her eyes widened in realisation. She quickly lowered her gaze in fear, her confidence fading in a blink.
"I-I'm sorry Aastik ji... she... she's my best friend... please forgive her," I said nervously, trying to divert the topic.
And I know very well that he didn't like the way she showed up and disturbed his peace.
"H-Hi jiju, I'm Janvi, her best friend... sorry I was angry at her that I break into your house like this and ignored you," she chirped, trying to act normal but her voice trembled slightly, cause why not like I said in the first meet, he is not only handsome but dangerously Handsome.
Aastik ji cared less about her presence, her intro. His eyes were locked on me. My cheeks heated up by the intensity of his gaze. I turned my eyes to the other side and looked down, to hide my flushed face.
He started walking towards me, ignoring Janvi's presence totally, as if she didn’t even exist.
"Aastik ji—" but before I could say something, he did something which took my soul away from my body.
HE PECKED MY CHEEKS!!!!
H. E. P. E. C. K. E. D!!!
I looked at him with a shocked face, completely blank for a second and he? He was smirking at my reaction. And then he slowly leaned near my ear, his face way too close for my heart to stay calm. I bet he can hear it.
"Make sure your best friend doesn't find out how we got married..." he whispered, his breath brushing near my ear sending chills all over my body.
His cologne... his scent... it was hitting my nostrils, making me close my eyes for a second, sinking into that moment.
And then, Janvi’s throat clearing voice broke it.
Shit!
I forgot Janvi is here.
I pushed Aastik ji a little, creating a safe distance between us, but that teasing smirk never left his face.
I looked at her and she was looking at the other side being embarrassed by the sight of us.
My whole face became red, but Mr. Devil? He looked unaffected.
Then his voice rang out but this time not in a whisper, like he deliberately wanted Janvi to hear it, "Ok sweethearttt... I'm seeing you in the evening... wait for me," he exaggerated the word SWEETHEART in a way that only made my face flush deeper. He casually stroked my hair, but it felt so comforting, I masked a smile on my face, trying to calm my stupid heart and then he finally turned to leave.
But before that, he stopped in front of Janvi and without even looking at her he spoke
"You're her best friend, Miss, that’s why I'm not saying anything this time. But your behaviour was improper. I hope from next time you'll try to have some manners. And ya... you can stay here for the whole day, give her the best company,"
But this time... his voice was completely emotionless.
We both stood there, silently watching him leave the room, and the moment he walked out through the door, Janvi squealed loudly,
"Ahuuuuu... ahu... ahu... Kya jija pataya hai yrr! I'm so so sooo happy for you!"
I couldn't help but smile at her reaction well she's not wrong. Aastik ji is strong, tall, Handsome, has a sharp jawline, beautiful hazel eyes and he is also a GENTLEMAN.
(A/n: gentleman ONLY for her 😭💗🤌🏻)
"Ahana... but tere sir ke upar se uss bastard ka bhoot utra kaise? I swear aisa lag raha hai jaise bhagwan ne finally tere ankhein khol di ho," she said dramatically pulling me out from Mr. Devil's thoughts.
(Ahana… but how did that bastard’s spell finally break from over your head? I swear, it feels like God has finally opened your eyes.)
But the moment I heard about him, my smile slowly faded. Yes... she’s talking about Kabir.
I inhaled deeply and forced a small smile on my lips as I asked her softly, "Upar chale?"
(Let's go upstairs?)
Her laughter faded away and now she's looking intensely. Her eyes narrowed slightly as if she caught something in my voice.
Then she asked, her tone suddenly low and serious, "Kya hua tha, Ahu?"
(What happened, ahu?)
That single question made my heart ache in a painful way.
"K-kya bol rahi hai jaanu... let’s go upstairs," I said, brushing it off quickly, trying my best to divert the topic.
(W-what are you saying jannu... let's go upstairs)
But this girl, she won’t let go that easily.
"MRS. AHANA AASTIK MALHOTRA!" she called out, loudly.
I halted on my track but didn’t dare to look at her, my eyes were already brimming with tears. She was walking towards me, I could feel it and then stood right behind me.
Suddenly she held my shoulder with a crushing grip and asked through gritting her teeth, "I said tell me, what did he do?"
Saying that, she turned me towards her. My glassy, drenched eyes met hers and I immediately lunged into her arms and cried my heart out.
All the pain I had buried inside me came flooding out like a storm I couldn’t stop.
"I’m a pathetic, worthless girl, Jaanvi… I’m such a delusional fool... was loving me really that unbearable for him?" I choked on my words, barely able to speak through the tears.
"H-he betrayed me, Jaanvi... with Diya... I caught him s-sleeping with her and then..."
Like that I told her everything. Every word they told me. Every wound they gave me.
She stood still hugging me in a bone crushing hug and was just... absorbing everything, Just... consuming my pain with me.
Almost twenty minutes passed before my sobs began to settle. My body still trembled as she cupped my face gently and asked...
"Why didn’t you contact me, Ahana?"
Her voice was hoarse, thick with emotion, as if she was trying to feel my pain.
"Mere andar shamta nahi thi, Jaanu..." I whispered. "I’m sorry... I'm so sorry... that man.. he shattered me. You know, I felt so helpless... so small. His cruel words echoes in my ears even now. His touch, his betrayal... haunts me. H-he..."
(I didn't have the courage, jaanu....)
"Shhh... shhh Ahana..." she hushed me gently, wiping my tears and lowering me onto the sofa with care.
"Bas... bas ab aur nahi rona. And stop thinking about him. He never deserved you not then, not now. I always told you, didn’t I? But tu toh pyaar mein andhi ho chuki thi... completely lost in him."
(Enough... enough now, no more crying. And stop thinking about him. He never deserved you — not then, not now. I always told you, didn’t I? But you were blinded by love… completely lost in him.)
"But mera kya, Jaanu? Meri life to barbaad kar di uss larke ne..." I argued with a cracked voice.
(But what about me, Jaanu? That guy completely ruined my life.)
"Ahana... listen to me," Janvi said, her voice low and gentle, "I'll ask you a question, okay? Just answer me honestly. Hmm? "
I nodded, still looking down.
"Kya Aastik jiju tujhe torcher krte hai?"
("Does Aastik jiju torture you?")
Her question hit me like a slap. I snapped my head up, looking at her in disbelief.
"NO! Are you insane, Janvi? Do you even hear yourself?" I shouted.
"Do you know... he doesn't even touch me without my permission! And on our reception day, when we danced? He had to touch my waist, and you know what? He said sorry for that.
Like SORRY and HIM no connection right? But he still said it. Wo sorry na bhi bol sakte the, pati hai wo mere. Haq hai unka but unhone meri izzat ki, meri comfort dekhi...Pata hai Jaanu.... I never saw LUST in his eyes for me. Never. I never felt uncomfortable with his gaze. And I know... I know he’s still an unknown person, a stranger technically... but still, unknowingly, wo... wo mujhe safe feel karwate hain."
"I feel like finally, koi to ek insaan hai jo mujhe truly dekh raha hai. Who sees me. And you're accusing him?"
My voice trembled...but this time not with fear but with anger, though mujhe khud hi nhi pata hai ki mujhe itna gussa q aa rhaa hai.
"Tu meri best friend hai, Jaanvi... but I swear, I will never tolerate a single bad word, a false accusation against him. Because he is such a pure, decent, genuine man and—"
But before I could even complete it, Janvi burst out laughing like a maniac.
"Hahaha... omg Ahu..." she clutched her stomach.
"What's so funny, Jaanvi?" I asked, the frustration bubbling inside me like boiling water, my chest rising fast.
She finally stopped laughing, but that smug smile still lingered on her face.
"Ahu... Ahu... meri pyari Ahu..." she said, in her usual teasing tone.
"You should actually thank Kabir for walking away from you."
I looked at her, puzzled, my brows furrowed in confusion "What do you mean?"
"Arey meri naive Ahu... whenever I used to curse Kabir in the past, you never defended him. You just said ‘stop Jaanu’ or used to quietly switch the topic. But now? Look at yourself!" she said, pointing a finger at me dramatically.
"You're defending your Aastik ji like a literal lioness."
"You say he broke you? Ahu, just see the kind of dignity Aastik gives you... the way he sees you. Look at how much you've evolved from the girl you used to be"
"And you know what Ahu? This is the first time I’ve seen you raise your voice like that... and not in pain, but in strength."
She smiled widely, her eyes glistening with proud warmth. "I’m so, so happy you found someone like Aastik jiju in your life."
I took in her words and stayed silent for a minute.
Was that really me a few minutes ago? Did I really change this much?
A slow and wife smile crept onto my lips, my eyes filled with tears again but this time it's happy tears.
"J-jaanu... I... I..."
"Yes, Ahu..." she cut me off gently, squeezing my hand, "Always stay happy now... just let go of him."
I nodded like a kid and replied
"I will, Jaanu... I swear on my self-respect, I’ll never shed a single tear for that bastard again."
"Huh? Ahana? Curse?" she gasped dramatically, placing a hand on her chest like a typical TV serial aunty.
"Yaa... because he deserves it," I said, flipping my hair sassily and then both of them looked at each other and brusted into laughter.
Ahana
Both Ahana and Jaanvi were laughing among themselves when Janvi’s phone rang.
She glanced at it, and without saying much, she silenced it.
"Ahu… I-I’m just coming, need to attend a phone call," Janvi said with a quick smile and hurried out of the room.
The moment she stepped out and the door shut behind her, her expression twisted. That cheerful smile? Gone.
Her face turned blank...
"Good job," a man’s voice echoed from behind.
She turned around slowly and saw a tall figure leaning against the wall, wearing sunglasses, looking up at the sky, smirking like the villain of his own movie.
She walked over to him and asked with a wicked smile, "Are you happy now?"
"Yeah… you’re good at your work," the man said, finally turning his head toward her.
"I know… jo kaam aapne bola tha, wo maine kar diya. Mere paise?"
(I know... I did the work you asked me to do. Where's my money?)
He looked at her with a casual nod,
"Tumne apna kaam ache se kiya… paise tumhare account mein transfer ho jayenge. Don’t worry."
(You did your job well… the money will be transferred to your account. Don’t worry.)
Then, his eyes drifted towards the house. Through the window, he looked at Ahana for a moment... and without another word he walked away.
Janvi stood there for a second, then looked back to Ahana and in her mind, she thought, "Thanks to you, mujhe itne saare paise mil gaye, dear Ahu."
(Thanks to you, I got so much money, dear Ahu.)
After that, she walked back inside as if nothing happened. The smile returned. The jokes resumed. The laughter echoed again.
Both the girls were giggling among themselves, completely lost in their silly banter, when suddenly a soft clicking sound echoed from behind Ahana.
Janvi followed the noise and looked behind Ahana and instantly her face turned pale. Her eyes widened in pure terror, as if she’d just seen a ghost crawl out of the grave.
"A..aa...ahhhhhhhaaaaaaaaannnnnnnaaaaaaaaaa..... Bhediya...bhediya... Ahana... bheriya...." Janvi screamed, jumping up from her place like a spring.
(Bheriya=wolf=duggu)
Her shout was so loud and panicked that for a second, even Ahana got startled. She turned back quickly, only to find her precious Duggu standing calmly beside her, rubbing his head lovingly against her leg.
Ahana let out a relieved smile and crouched slightly, cooing, "Nini complete ho gaya, Duggu? Come here… sit on the sofa, beside mumma."
While Ahana was busy pampering her big fluffball, Janvi had gone full circus mode. Screaming, running around the house like her life depended on it, looking for the nearest exit.
Ahana looked at her best friend’s chaotic state and let out a soft chuckle. "Jaanu wait, calm down… he won’t attack you."
Janvi paused in the middle of her mental marathon, panting, eyes still wide. "What the fuck! That... that wolf will eat you raw without sauce, Ahu! Run from there!"
She screamed at the top of her lungs like she was watching a horror movie unfold in real life.
"Ufff… tu na chup reh!" Ahana rolled her eyes. "Boli na yeh kuch nahi karega… he’s just a cute Duggu. Come, meet him Jaanu… he’s a good boy, our pet," she explained, gently stroking Duggu’s head like he was the softest cloud on earth.
(Ugh… just shut up!" Ahana rolled her eyes. "I told you, he won’t do anything… he’s just a cute little Duggu. Come, meet him Jaanu… he’s a good boy, our pet.)
But Janvi looked at her as if she’d lost every brain cell in her head. "Are you kidding me, Ahu? Or have you completely lost it? He’s a fucking wolf, girl! For God’s sake, I know you love animals but this one? This one will enjoy your flesh with an extra crunch!"
Before Janvi could finish her dramatic monologue, a deep, threatening growl rumbled through the room.
Doggesh was staring straight at Janvi, his intense, piercing eyes fixed on her like she was prey. The way his ears perked and lips twitched in warning made Janvi freeze on the spot, her voice dying in her throat.
"Duggu!" Ahana scolded, giving him a light glare. "Usko darao mat… she’s my friend."
Hearing her tone, Doggesh’s posture immediately softened. He flattened his ears, lowered his gaze, and in the most overdramatic way possible, buried his big head into Ahana’s dupatta like a little child caught red-handed.
Ahana couldn’t help but smile, while Janvi stood there questioning every life choice that brought her to this moment.
Then Ahana turned to Janvi and raised a brow. "And you... don’t you trust me? Come here, sit down and meet my Duggu."
Janvi immediately shook her head like a terrified child. "What did I do to die this early, huh? I’m still a virgin, abhi toh maine apni first kiss tak complete nahi ki yaar!" she wailed, clutching her imaginary future.
"Will you come or not?!" Ahana scolded loudly.
Janvi’s eyes welled up like a baby who just got yelled at for breaking a vase. She took slow, reluctant steps and finally plopped herself down beside Ahana with a heart thudding like a drum.
In her mind, she was already doing pooja-path. "Bhagwan, is bheriye se bacha lo... aapko pura 21....nahi... nahi... 121 rupees ka nariyal charaungi!"
(God, save me from this wolf… I’ll feed you a coconut worth 21… no, no… 121 rupees!)
Seeing Janvi's condition ahana let out a soft chuckle and turned to her fur baby. She cupped Duggu’s chubby face in her hands, his cheeks looked extra squishy and too cute to handle.
"See Duggu, she’s my friend. That means she’s your friend too, right? So be a beautiful boy with her too, hmm? Or else I might feel a little sad," Ahana said dramatically, glancing away like a pouty actress.
Doggesh: Mumma… mujhe laga main sirf aapka pookie boy hoon… aap toh mujhe zara bhi dangerous rehne hi nahi de rahi ho... hmph.
(Mumma… I thought I was just your pookie boy… but you’re not letting me be even a little bit dangerous… hmph.)
With an exaggerated sigh, Doggesh finally moved toward Janvi. Each step he took was pure torture for her, she sat frozen like a statue, internally screaming as her soul nearly escaped her body with every pawstep.
In her full-blown panic mode, Janvi’s brain was short-circuited and she started singing in her mind,
"Accha chalta hoon, duaaon mein yaad rakhna..."
As if she was already attending her own funeral.
Before she could mentally finish the second line, Doggesh calmly rested his big furry head right on her lap.
Janvi’s eyes flew shut, tighter than a bank locker, and she immediately started chanting Hanuman Chalisa under her breath like her life depended on it.
Jai Hanuman gyan gun sagar
Jai Kapis tihun lok ujagar
Ram doot atulit bal dhama
Anjaani-putra Pavan sut nama
Mahabir Bikram Bajrangi
Kumati nivar sumati Ke sangi......
Ahana stared at her like she was watching the biggest clown alive on earth. "Jaanu… Duggu is not a ghost!" she said, half-laughing, half-annoyed.
"Oh ha... then there’s no chance of living now," Janvi murmured back, voice shaking.
"Shut up and pat him."
"Fine," Janvi mumbled, taking a long breath like she was about to touch lava.
Slowly she opened one eye, then the other. And right there, Duggu was looking up at her with those innocent, soft, puppy eyes... the kind that could melt glaciers. And maybe even Janvi’s fear, just a little.
But her brain was still screaming RUN, while her heart was whispering he’s kinda cute though…
She slowly reached out with her trembling hands and gently placed one on his head. Duggu immediately leaned into her touch, closing his eyes like a sleepy baby soaking in love.
Janvi’s lips curved into a soft smile. "You’re not as scary as you looked…"
"Haina? I told you already!" Ahana beamed, watching the two with pride like a mom introducing her kid to new people.
"Yeah… you’re cute," Janvi admitted, now settling in a bit more comfortably. Duggu opened one eye, looked up at her, and gave her hand a sweet little lick.
Janvi let out a bubbly giggle, "Hey! Don’t just lick my hands like that…"
Then she patted the space beside her and said, "Come here, sit, and talk with us too."
Duggu gave a soft huff, his tail wagging as he climbed up on the sofa positioning himself right between both the girls like he was the VIP of this girl gang.
Now, the girls kept talking, giggling, and pulling each other’s legs, while Duggu rested his head on Ahana’s lap, occasionally switching to Janvi’s, claiming both as his own.
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Hey roses, that’s all for today… Please do vote, comment, and share this story 🌹
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