Aastik
It's been a week since we returned from her parents' place... To be honest, we became quite close these days. She started getting comfortable with me - laughing, smiling, joking but not totally. She still hasn't let her guard down.
Well, there's nothing much we can do about that. But still, I want to try harder... to make her feel safe, to earn her trust. I want to be the reason she lets her guard down and brings me into her world, the one she's hiding, the one she's scared to show.
But right now, let's focus on the work and complete it.
This is what I thought a second ago, but suddenly the door of my cabin flung open with a sudden thud and two familiar figures barged in without a care in the world.
Caring less about their presence, I continued signing the files without bothering to look up.
"Avyan, let's start the show," Bhuvan said in a mocking tone.
"Ahemm," Avyan cleared his throat with extra flair and mimicked Ahana's voice from that day, "Aastik ji is such a gentleman, he takes care of me..."
"Aastik ji... Gentleman... Hehe... I'm shyyyy," He acted like shit, hugging Bhuvan dramatically with that overly emotional expression on his face.
I rolled my eyes and slammed the file shut.
"Will you both stop it? Shall I throw you out of my office right now? And Bhuvan? Don't you have your classes? You're a professor or what?" I asked, shooting a deadly glare toward this idiotic duo who were clearly jobless today.
"Arey... sorry guys, I forgot to tell you, I resigned from that college. It got kind of boring. Now I'll be applying to a new one," Bhuvan said nonchalantly, settling comfortably onto the sofa"
"By the way Aastik, is it true what I heard?" He leaned forward with a teasing grin, "You're being a gentleman? The Aastik Malhotra who once said love is just a waste of time and money?"
"I never said I love her, Bhuvan," I said plainly, leaning back in my chair and folding my arms.
Her face flashed before my eyes - her laughing, giggling, crying, sulking, getting angry but trying to mask it unknowingly brought a smile to my face.
"She's like an obsession to me. I don't know how, but she has a strange power. Just her mere presence calms my mind. Her laugh, her little giggles... they make everything feel lighter. I feel drawn to her to the way she walks, the way she smells, just her being there. And when she's sad, I swear, something inside me snaps. I feel this uncontrollable urge to destroy whatever or whoever made her cry. And her eyes... they're everything. You can read her soul through them if you're willing to look close enough. They carry so many unsaid stories, so much buried pain. But when she's happy, when she truly smiles... they shine like pearls. Pure. Bright. Unmissable."
"Sometimes I feel like calling it an obsession is illegal, because it's more than that... I can feel it deep inside, and I know this is going to ruin me to the point where I can't turn back. Nor will I ever regret it. For those pearl-sparkling eyes, I could kill anyone. Literally anyone."
"But that's it... That's where I draw the line. Love is such a heavy and overwhelming word which only adds pressure to someone's life. After watching those I cared for break me, I'm scared to attach that name to what I feel. Scared to trap myself with those four letters."
When I said those words, not even I knew I felt this way about her. It was like my heart wanted to brag, and my mouth just helped it out.
"Bro, do you know that holding past scars can affect the future too? I know what happened to you in the past isn't something we can just brush off and say let it go. No one in their right mind would dare to say. But look at Ahana bhabhi. She isn't just someone who entered your life by coincidence... she is your present reality. And if fate allows, if you both just surrender to it, she might just become your irrevocably beautiful future.
The way you spoke about her... those words didn't feel like just words. It was as if your heart had sculpted her image and poured it out through your voice. Listen carefully to the truth which you need to know. You're breathing her presence. You're living in her. It's evident, brutally obvious. To me. To Bhuvan. To everyone out there. And if you're honest with yourself we know that you feel it too. She has already embedded herself in your core. She's not just your attachment... she's your vulnerability now." Avyan said placing a firm and comforting hand on my shoulder.
"You're calling her your obsession? Maybe it is... but only halfway. There's a difference between obsession and that four-letter-heavy word 'LOVE.' Obsession wants to own her, mark her, maybe even ruin her to make her yours. But love? Your love won't ever ruin her without her will. Your love will heal. Slowly, painfully, beautifully... it'll stitch the broken pieces in both of you. And yeah, love will make her cry, it'll make you break down too but what's wrong with that? Loving someone doesn't mean just sharing smiles and kisses. It's about sharing the tears too. The scars, the anger, the late-night silences filled with pain. That's love too. It's two souls choosing each other again and again, even in pain. This is the beauty of those four letters." Bhuvan said with a painful smile as if remembering some unhealed scars.
"Huh.... you're sitting here giving me a lecture about love but look at you, Bhuvan. What did she do to you? And still... You haven't moved on.
"I know... but the memories she gave me are also beautiful," Bhuvan spoke, his eyes distant, holding a certain softness that only pain can shape. "She's happy, and it's fine. If I wanted, I could've ruined her... shattered everything she built. But I loved her genuinely. Unfortunately, it stayed one-sided. So let it be..."
He was clearly remembering her. The one who still lingered somewhere deep in his chest.
"Bhuvan, you know why she didn't choose you, right?" I snapped, anger rising in my voice. This man... he never understands things unless screamed into his face.
"I know..." he whispered, the corners of his mouth twitching in a half smile that didn't reach his eyes, "but that's okay. She won't come back into my life... nor will I ever let her enter."
"Guys... wait... stop this..." Avyan interrupted, clearly irritated now. He ran a hand through his hair. "We have to go to the godown."
"Let's GO," we both muttered in sync, shooting each other a final glance before getting up. The three of us walked out of the cabin, steps firm, not caring about the few employees throwing side-eyes or ogling like we were the drama of their day.
We didn't even glance their way. Royally ignoring their curious stares, we made our way out of the company building.
After stepping out, we got inside the car and drove straight to our godown without wasting another second.
_____________
Author
The trio finally arrived at their destination, an old godown situated far at the outskirts of the city. The area was dead silent, empty... not a single soul in sight. It looked abandoned, like even the wind refused to touch that place.
They walked in.
The inside was dark, hazy with smoke lingering in the air. The room was packed with boxes. And in the middle of that there was a man, tied brutally to a chair. His body was slouched, barely hanging on. His face was swollen beyond recognition. Jaw broken, nose bent inwards, teeth shattered and lips bloodied. Every inch of him screamed pain... and the terror of knowing death was no longer a concept, but standing right in front of him.
Aastik walked forward without a word, eyes fixed on the man. Bhuvan and Avyan followed, the three forming a silent wall of danger in front of the half-dead creature.
"Bhai kya maara hai... Dil khush kar diya," Avyan said with a dark chuckle, eyes glinting with amusement at the pathetic state in front of him.
Just then, from the side, a shadow emerged. His face was dipped in the darkness, blending into the smoky black. But the trio instantly recognised him.
Because was one of their own.
Right! They were never just a trio. It had always been a squad.
"Welcome back brother, long time no see huh" Avayan said with a smirk.
"I was always with you guys... What do you mean by 'back,' huh? Fucker," the shadow spoke with a twisted grin, his voice laced with that familiar dark humour.
Then he moved towards Aastik. Their eyes locked into a heavy, unblinking stare. An eye contact so intense it felt like time paused for a moment. A silent conversation passed between them... layered with darkness, violence, loyalty, and something that couldn't be put into words.
After a few more seconds of that silent battle, both of them broke into a smile which was twisted, dark, familiar. And then, without a word they pulled into a side hug.
"Thank you, brother," the shadow said, confusing Bhuvan and Avyan both.
"Thanks to you too," Aastik replied.
Their body language, their words, their gestures made both Bhuvan and Avyan confused. So with frustration, they asked-
"Guys what the fuck is this? What's happening?"
"Some things are meant to be kept silent for the time being. Jab waqt ayega, tum logon ko sab pata chal jaayega," the shadow said calmly, voice low but firm.
Then his eyes shifted to the tied man, filled with disgust. "Ab is harami ka kuch karte hain. Pura dhande ka sabse bada chuha yehi tha... Ronit," he added, gesturing towards him.
(Let’s deal with this bastard now.
He was the biggest rat in the entire game… Ronit.)
The full squad looked at him with piercing eyes and then sat on their respective chairs with their kingly gestures, one leg above another.
Bhuvan leaned forward, grabbed Ronit's hair into a tight fist, and yanked his head up forcing his half-shut, bruised eyes to open and face the squad.
Ronit's body trembled, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth as he tried to focus his blurred vision.
"S-sir... P-please... I-I don't know a-anything... J-jo mujhe bola gaya tha m-mene wahi kiya... s-sach mein..." Ronit quivered, voice barely a whisper, throat dry with fear.
"Kon bola tha?" Aastik asked, looking straight into his eyes, voice calm but sharp enough to slice through Ronit's already trembling soul.
(Who asked you to do this?)
Ronit swallowed hard, "U-unka naam nhi p-pata sir... But wo u-underworld k log thee," he stammered, shutting his eyes like that would somehow protect him.
(S-sir I don't know his n-nane)
"Is it all you know?" Avyan questioned, his tone cold and unreadable.
"Y-yes..." Ronit nodded rapidly, like any delay would cost his life.
"Fine," the shadow spoke, his voice heavy yet eerily composed. With a soft thud, he placed a glass bottle in front of Ronit.
Ronit’s eyes darted to the bottle and with a questioning gaze he asked, "Y-ye kya hai?"
"POISON" came the reply casually followed by a twisted, dark and unbothered smirk.
"And you know the best part is?" the shadow tilted his head slightly, and continued "You will drink this poison with your own hand."
Ronit's eyes widened at their words. Terror hit him like a wave. His voice trembled as he started shaking his head, "N..no I won’t drink i-it... No... never..."
"Dekh le... choice is yours," the shadow said in his sinful, haunting tone.
"Tera maut to aaj hi likha hai... ab choice tera hai... poison se asan tareeke se marega ya fir..."
He pulled out a gun from his coat slowly, metal clicking as he reloaded it, and then, without breaking eye contact, he gestured toward the silent squad.
(Your death is written today itself...
Now the choice is yours...
Will you die easily with poison or...)
"...humare haatho, tarap tarap k"
(...by our hands, writhing in pain.)
"N-nhi please... Mujhe inn dono mein se kisi k v haath nhi m-marna... Please, have some mercy..." Ronit sobbed, pain and fear laced in every syllable. But the four demons sitting before him remained still, unbothered, watching him like hunters cornering their prey.
(N-no please… I don’t want to die at the hands of either of them…
Please, have some mercy…)
"Fine," Aastik finally declared standing from his seat in a low voice. He loosened his tie and slowly rolled up his sleeves.
Ronit's eyes lit up with sudden hope. Relief flooded his face, he thought he was being spared.
But that tiny spark of joy was crushed in the very next second. The smile that touched Aastik’s lips wasn’t mercy. It was doom.
Violence alert ⚠️
"DOGGESH" He called making the room silence.
The hallway echoed with pawsteps like an animal was Walking in a dangerous and heavy step, soon after that A big wolf entered the room.
And this time this is not Ahana's duggu it's the underworld's most feared pet, DOGGESH who killed more than 50 people in a most painful way.
Doggesh's eyes were fixed on Ronit like a hunter, he was just waiting for signal and no one in this world rather than AASTIK could stop him.
"S..Sir please s-sir I will drink this p-poison, P-Please take this wolf a-away" Ronit begged in tears.
"Tch..Tch too late" Aastik mocked and then announced, "GO"
This was the signal and now Ronit is being torn apart, his flesh is falling on the ground, this throat is bringing in pain of shouting and in just 30 second Ronit silenced for entire life. Now only the flesh tearing and blood dropping sound can be heard in the whole room, which was an enjoyable sight for the group.
Ahana
"Dono k dono chale gye mujhe akela Ghar mey chor k... Kya mey pagal hu... Or inke hai ye body guard... Ghar k bahar pair tak nhi rakhne dete. Seriously!" I whinned in my room, rolling on the bed getting bored.
(Both of them left, leaving me alone at home… Am I crazy or what? And these so-called bodyguards of him? They won’t even let me step a foot outside the house. Seriously!)
Literally mne sab krlia jo mey kr skti thii, jaanu se gossip, book reading, walking in the garden, hair wash. Nothing is there for me to do-
"1 sec!" I paused for a moment as a sudden idea clicked in my mind, so random yet so exciting, it made me jump from my bed and sit upright like I just cracked some secret mission.
"Aastik ji nhi hai Ghar pe, Duggu v nhi... mtlb mey... mey chup k se Aastik ji ka room dekhne jaa skti hu? Yessss! Kitni genius hu mey. Hayee!"
(Aastik ji isn’t home… Duggu isn’t either… Which means… I can quietly sneak into Aastik ji’s room? Yessss! God, I’m such a genius. Hayee!)
A wide grin formed on my face as I quickly jumped off the bed and tiptoed my way towards his room like some professional spy on a mission.
I have never gone to his room but saw him come out from there once or twice. With top toes, looking here and there like a thief, I slowly walked to his room.
I was standing outside it now... hand on the door knob.
My heart was beating fast for some reason... A weird mixture of excitement and fear... Like I was doing some crime. Taking a deep breath I turned the knob slowly, and it unlocked with a click sound.
Slowly... I opened the door and stepped inside. The room was pitch dark, not a single ray of light.
I locked the door behind me and stretched my hands along the wall, searching for the light switch like a blind girl.
With great difficulty, finally, my fingers touched the switch and I turned it on.
My eyes shut tightly at the sudden brightness hitting them. After a few seconds, I opened them slowly, blinking multiple times to adjust.
As my gaze roamed around, my eyes widened. The room was way bigger than mine. The walls were painted deep black with random red splashes, almost like blood... bold, raw, intimidating. Just like him.
I walked around slowly, taking in every little thing... every corner, every shadow, trying to imagine HIM living here, breathing here, doing his everyday things in this very space. My heart thumped at the thought.
On a small table near the window, dozens of files and papers were scattered here and there I didn’t dare touch anything. If even a page went out of place, he’d know someone had dared to step inside his den.
I kept walking and reached a corner that turned into another room... maybe the bedroom?
I tiptoed in and the sight froze me in place.
My breath hitched. My jaw nearly dropped.
There was a king-size bed in the center, all-black bedsheet, minimal but bold. But what caught all my attention was what was right in front of it—
One entire side of the wall was covered with mirror.
Not just a strip. The entire wall.
Like... if I wake up from sleep, the first thing I’d see is myself.
A blush crept up my cheeks as a thousand unholy thoughts started forming in my mind.
What the hell kind of room is this...
I have seen this adult scene in some movies... but Aastik ji? Why did he do it?
I walked closer to the bed and gently touched it, fingertips brushing the smooth fabric before I sat down with a soft plop. My eyes went straight to the mirror in front.
I laughed quietly, biting my lower lip, and struck a little pose...sensual, playful.
Waise v kon hi dekhne wala hai?
(Anyway, who’s even going to see me?)
I raised my finger near my lips, biting it lightly while half-closing my eyes, holding the pose like I was in some photoshoot, then broke into a laugh looking at myself.
"Mental hu mey," I whispered to myself, still giggling.
(I'm mad)
Then, curiosity poking me again, I stood up and made my way to his closet. As soon as I opened it, a strong musky smell hit me, intoxicating and warm.
I closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath. It’s his smell.
My fingers slowly ran along the sleeves of his jackets, shirts, coats like I was touching memories. I paused and picked one of his shirts, a dark one, crisp and clean.
I brought it close to my face, inhaling deeply. "Peace," I murmured softly, a strange calm washing over me.
Still holding the shirt close, I walked back to his bed, eyes still closed, and let myself fall on the mattress again pressing the shirt to my chest.
His scent. His space. His world.
And I was lying right in the middle of it.
"Hayee... Kitna achaa lag rhaa hai iss room mey... Bilkul ek apna paan sa," I whispered, smiling to myself as I cuddled more into his shirt.
(Hayee... Feels so good in this room... Just like my own little world.)
But that smile didn’t last long.
Suddenly the sound of his car horn echoed from outside.
My heart dropped.
Shit! Shit!
I jumped up from the bed, panic flooding every inch of me. "Abhi aana tha kya unko! Thora late aate"
(Why did he had to come home now, couldn't he come a little late)
Oo kanha ji bacha lo plz...
I started running here and there like a mad girl, holding his shirt in one hand, my brain completely blank.
I can't get caught. No, no, no!
What will he think of me? Obviously a pervert. Or worse... maybe even a thief.
I rushed towards the door, fumbled with the lock almost about to open it
but I froze.
My eyes widened like I just saw a ghost. That sound... those footsteps. He is here already. Right outside the door.
Shit! shit! SHIT!
And suddenly, the door unlocked
and—
______________________
Cliffhanger 👀
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