Author
The air was filled with the gentle fragrance of fresh flowers, their delicate petals arranged carefully in garlands and decorations all around. The pure scent of warm milk blended softly with the subtle aroma of freshly prepared food. It was a calm, sacred atmosphere, carrying the quiet beauty in itself.
Suddenly, a voice came "Ahana, when will you come yaar?" Dhirti said in her phone, carrying a note of impatience. "I asked you to come early, but you’re late."
"Aa gayi main, baby!" someone chirped from behind and wrapped her in a warm hug. It was Ahana.
"Finally aa hi gayi… I asked you both to come early, mey boli thi na sham ko puja hai tum log jaldi aaoge humara help krne but still late, huh?" Dhirti said, crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes at her friend.
"Sorry yaar… woh Aastik ji… you know how he always delays things," Ahana replied with an apologetic smile, tilting her head slightly.
"It’s okay… Where’s Jaanvi, by the way?" Dhirti asked, a frown settling on her face.
"I don’t know… she isn’t even picking up her calls," Ahana answered, glancing at her phone.
"Janmashtami ke din bhi sab log late karte ho yaar," Dhirti muttered in annoyance.
(Even on Janmashtami day, you guys are late, yaar.)
"Aree Dhirti, it’s fine… let’s start the preparations for the puja. She’ll come and join us, right?" Ahana said softly, trying to ease the tension.
Dhirti let out a small sigh and nodded. "Fine."
The two girls made their way towards the garden, where the boys were leisurely strolling along the flower-lined pathways. Their beloved Doggesh trotted happily behind them, his tail wagging.
"Three of you, come here!" Dhirti called out, her voice carrying across the garden.
Aastik, Avyan, and Doggesh exchanged glances before turning and walking towards the girls.
"Aap log thoda help bhi kar do… ya saara kaam hum hi karein?" Ahana said with a small frown.
(Why don’t you guys help a little too… or should we do all the work ourselves?)
"Aree aisa kyun, bhabhi ji? Hum dono k hote hue aap aur meri Dhirti baby kaise kaam karein? Aap log bas boliye kya karna hai," Avyan replied with a smile.
(Aree, why so, Bhabhi ji? When the two of us are here, how can you and my Dhirti baby do all the work? You just tell us what needs to be done.)
"Ha bhaiya, sirf aap hi help karoge… koi aur toh shayad karega nahi," Ahana taunted, her eyes flicking toward Aastik.
(Yeah right, Bhaiya, maybe only you will help… no one else will)
"Sweetheart, you just order and the work will be done," he said with a proud smile.
"Sachii?" Ahana asked, raising a brow with a smirk.
(Really?)
"Challenge?" Aastik replied, brimming with overconfidence.
Dhirti and Ahana exchanged quick glances before Ahana spoke sweetly, "How sweet of you, Aastik ji… and Avyan bhaiya. Actually na, humein Bhagwan ke liye bhog bhi banana hai. Toh aap dono wahan par jo bade bade bartan rakhe hain na…" she said pointing towards the utensils, "...wo dhoo dijiye." Her smile turned teasing.
("How sweet of you, Aastik ji… and Avyan bhaiya. Actually, we also have to prepare offerings for God. So, you see those big utensils kept over there…" she said, pointing towards them, "…please wash those")
"WHAT!" Both of them said in unison.
"Yes. Now jao, jaldi karo," Dhirti added firmly.
(Yes. Now go, hurry up.)
"Wow… The Aastik Malhotra aaj bartan dhoyega. Yeh din bhi dekhna pad gaya," Avyan muttered under his breath with a grin, shaking his head in mock pity.
(Wow… The Aastik Malhotra will be washing dishes today. Never thought I’d live to see this day.)
"Kyun nahi dhoyunga? Biwi ne bola hai, toh bina sawal ke dhoyunga," Aastik replied, his eyes locking with Ahana’s as he spoke the last words.
(Why wouldn’t I wash them? My wife told me to, so I’ll do it without any questions.)
Ahana froze for a moment, her breath catching slightly at his unwavering gaze. A soft blush bloomed across her cheeks and she quickly looked away, pretending to adjust her bangles.
"Bas bas, enough… now go, both of you," Dhirti said, breaking the moment with a playful shooing motion.
Avyan and Aastik finally headed toward the washing area, the clinking of metal as they gathered the large utensils echoing softly. Duggu, who had been standing in the middle, wagging his tail in indecision, trotted over to Ahana’s side instead.
"Guysss! I came… I’m so, so, so sorry for being late!" a voice suddenly rang out. A girl burst inside like a storm, panting slightly.
Everyone turned their head towards her recognising the familiar voice. It was none other than Jaanvi.
"Abhi time hua? Seedha shaam ko hi aa jati isse achaa," Ahana said, narrowing her eyes with an exaggerated glare.
(Now you’ve got the time? It would’ve been better if you’d just come straight in the evening.)
"Sorry, girls!" Jaanvi said, clasping her hands together. "But look… I brought something for you two. Come upstairs with me," she chirped, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Dhirti and Ahana exchanged a curious glance. "What did you bring?"
"You’ll see… come upstairs," Jaanvi replied mysteriously, already looping her arms through theirs and tugging them toward the staircase, her excitement practically pulling them along.
Aastik
"Bro, it’s been half an hour since they went upstairs. What do you think they’re doing?" Avyan asked, scrubbing a big steel bowl, his eyebrows raised in curiosity.
"Shut up and focus on the work," I snapped, irritation lacing my tone. The same question had been running laps in my head, and hearing him voice it, only made my patience wear thinner.
I was already missing her—too much. Thirty minutes and forty seconds. That’s exactly how long it had been since she walked off with her best friend, leaving me here with these utensils and no clue what they were up to.
Suddenly, Jaanvi’s loud voice rang out from upstairs, "Both the jijus… get ready to fall for your woman all over again. And honestly, I highly doubt you’ll be able to handle their beauty."
Avyan and I instinctively looked up towards the staircase… and in that instant, I forgot to breathe.
She… she looked like a goddess. Dressed in a traditional Gopi-style attire, the vibrant pink fabric with golden patterns flowed around her like a gentle river, each fold moving gracefully with her steps. The pallu draped over her shoulder seemed to dance with the breeze.
Her face carried the same delicate designs the gopis of Vrindavan once adorned themselves with fine white patterns and pink dots drawn across her forehead and the corners of her eyes, enhancing her beauty in a way that felt ethereal.
Her jewellery was made entirely of fresh flowers — a floral maang tikka resting in the center of her forehead, earrings of roses swaying with her movements, a garland-like necklace of tiny pink blooms circling her neck, and matching bracelets of fresh petals wrapped around her wrists. Her hair was gathered neatly, decorated with strands of fragrant flowers woven in, cascading down her back like a living garland.
"Bapre, aap dono ka muh khula ka khula hi reh gaya," Jaanvi said, but her voice felt distant, fading into the background.
(Oh my! Both of you are left completely speechless.)
I rose from my place and began walking slowly towards my sweetheart. With every step, her beauty seemed to bloom even more, as if the very air around her shimmered. The scent of fresh flowers from her hair and wrists was wrapping around me like an embrace, pulling me in, refusing to let me go.
I stopped right in front of her. Our eyes locked — hers soft and glowing, mine already lost. Gently, I tucked a loose lock of hair behind her ear and whispered, "Sorry, sweetheart… I can’t compliment you." My voice was low, almost trembling, still drowning in her presence that was calming my mind and filling me with a strange, positive warmth.
"…Because if I try to describe your beauty right now, it will be nothing but disrespect to you. Words can’t capture it — maybe heaven can… maybe divinity can… but not me. No words can express what I’m feeling right now, no words can express my adoration. I don’t even want to blink… I just want to keep looking at you — each second, each minute, each hour…"
Author
Ahana’s heart was filling with so much warmth… so much that it felt almost too much for her chest to hold. Each word he spoke was sinking deep inside her, wrapping around the parts of her that had always felt unloved, unworthy, unseen. She could see it — the adoration Aastik claimed he couldn’t describe glowing in his eyes like a quiet, unwavering flame meant only for her.
"To me, maybe you’re the heaven Aastik ji because the description you’re unable to convey, the feelings you aren't able to put into words — I can see them all in your eyes."
"Ahemm… Avyan jiju and Aastik jiju… will you both stop now?" Jaanvi said, her tone laced with a hint of jealousy. Avyan was looking at Dhirti with so much love, whispering words meant only for her and the same went for Aastik and Ahana.
Meanwhile, Jaanvi, being the only single one, felt a little left out. She had also worn a Gopi dress, but there was no one to compliment her. "God ji aaj to janmastami hai, ek wish mang rhii hu pura krdo plzzz... mujhe v ek boyfriend dila do, jo mujhe bohot bohot bohot pyar krega" she prayed in her mind.
(Oh God, today is Janmashtami, and I’m making a wish... please make it come true… get me a boyfriend too, who will love me so, so, so much!)
Both couples finally broke their eye contact, though the smiles lingered on their lips.
"H-ha… abhi aap log rest kijiye, thak gaye honge, right Dhirti?" she asked.
(H-ha… both of you should rest now, you must be tired, right Dhirti?)
"Ya… you’re right," Dhirti muttered in agreement.
Both the boys settled onto the sofa, their eyes still not leaving their woman.
Whereas the three of them started preparing makahan.
They filled the pot with thick malai and chilled milk. The wooden mathani stood tall in the center, its smooth handle ready for the rope to twist around it.
Jaanvi grinned, tying the rope securely. "Alright, ladies… time to show some Gopi strength," she announced. Ahana held the churner steady while Jaanvi and Dhirti began pulling the rope back and forth, their movements falling into an easy rhythm. Soon, Ahana joined in, and the three of them were laughing and giggling among themselves as the mathani swirled through the creamy mixture.
Their warm laughter was filling the air, the atmosphere was filled with excitement and joy.
Gradually, the malai began to thicken, and tiny golden specks of butter floated to the surface. Jaanvi leaned in, carefully scooping the soft makhan into her hands, rinsing it gently in cold water.
"Perfect, it’s ready," Jaanvi chirped, a satisfied sparkle in her eyes. A few loose strands of hair fell across her face, and as she tried to tuck them behind her ears, her cheeks and forehead ended up streaked with a little makhan.
"Jaanu, muh dho le apna… pura muh pe makhan lag gaya," Ahana said with a chuckle.
("Jaanu, wash your face… your whole face is covered in butter!")
"Yup, I’m going—" but before she could finish, the doorbell rang.
"Jaanu, zara dekhna kaun aaya hai," Dhirti called from the kitchen.
(Jaanu, can you please check who’s here?)
"Haan… dekh rahi hoon," she replied, walking toward the main door. The moment she unlocked it, the door suddenly pushed open, making her lose her balance.
(Ya... I'm checking)
She was all set to fall, eyes squeezing shut, ready to lash out at whoever had pushed the door so roughly but instead, a strong hand grabbed her wrist and yanked her forward. The sudden force made both of them lose balance, tumbling to the ground together.
Her breath hitched as her gaze lifted to meet his. In spite of laying over him, she could feel how tall he was, broad-shouldered, radiating an unshakable presence even in that clumsy moment. His sharp jawline was dusted with a faint stubble, his cool gray eyes seeming even more piercing beneath a few strands of dark hair that had fallen over his forehead, slightly ruffled from the fall. The thin frames of his glasses did nothing to soften the intensity in his gaze—if anything, they only made him look more dangerously irresistible.
"Stand up," the man said, irritation laced in his tone.
Jaanvi who was already lost in his presence blinked and tilted her head slightly. In a dreamy voice, she asked, "Huh?"
"I said stand up!" he shouted, his deep voice booming through the corridor, making her flinch and dragging her out of her little daydream.
The noise brought everyone rushing to the spot. "Wow, what a scene," Avyan smirked, eyes glinting with amusement.
"Shut up!" the man barked, his voice sharp enough to silence the grin on Avyan’s face.
Jaanvi scrambled to her feet, brushing imaginary dust from her clothes, but instinctively stepped back, putting a little distance between them.
"Bhuvan bhaiya?" Ahana’s voice was laced with confusion.
"What happened? How did you guys end up like this?" she asked, her gaze darting between the two.
"Bhabhi, who is this mad girl?" Bhuvan’s voice was tight with frustration, his eyes narrowing at Jaanvi. "She was standing right in front of the door like an idiot. The moment I opened it, she fell. I tried to save her but the next thing I knew, she toppled over me again."
"Oyee… oyee… what huh? What?" Jaanvi shot back, hands on her hips. "Ek thappad maarungi na, seedha Atlantic Ocean me jaake giroge! Ahana, who is he? Maan liya handsome hai, hot hai iska matlab ye nahi ki kuch bhi bolega! You know, I was already moving away but he—" she jabbed a finger toward him, "—he’s the one who pushed the door roughly, making me lose balance!"
("Oye… oye… what, huh? What?" Jaanvi shot back, hands on her hips. " I'll slap you so hard that you’ll fall straight into the Atlantic Ocean! Ahana, who is he? Just because he’s handsome and hot doesn’t mean he can say anything he wants!....)
"Such a liar he is... Not a small one but a capital letter LIAR" jaanvi said turning her head and moving inside.
On the other hand, ahana looked at Bhuvan and said, "sorry bhaiya, she is my best friend, wo thori pagal hai"
Bhuvan nodded and replied "it's ok"
_______________________
(Evening)
All the fairy lights, diyas, and preparations were finally in place. It was time for the puja—but before it could begin, Ahana called out, catching everyone’s attention.
"Guys, dekho to… mera nanha Duggu kaisa dikh raha hai," she announced with a grin.
(Guys, just look… how adorable my little Duggu looks!)
Stepping aside, she revealed Duggu. He came forward wearing a pink hairband perched neatly on his head, a matching scarf tied elegantly around his neck, making him look surprisingly adorable.
The moment Dhirti and Jaanvi laid eyes on him, a synchronized “aww” escaped their lips. Without hesitation, both rushed forward, crouching down to shower him with kisses and cuddles.
Meanwhile, Aastik, Avyan, and Bhuvan stood frozen, utterly baffled. This… this was the dangerous Doggesh? The same black wolf who could scare grown men now stood there, basking in affection like some pampered princess.
Once the ladies reluctantly let him go, Duggu strutted forward with the confidence of a runway model, stopping right in front of the boys. Then he winked. Yes. Winked. As if saying, Look at my acting skills, gentlemen.
Bhai… bhai ye… what in the actual…" Avyan’s voice trailed off, completely at a loss.
"We saw that" Aastik replied, a smirk tugging at his lips, his chest swelling with pride at Doggesh’s flawless performance.
After all that, everyone stood in a line with flowers in their hands, pandit ji performing the rituals, reading mantras, chanting his 108 names in a rhythmic flow.
"Shukriya, Kanha… bohot bohot shukriya. Tumne mujhe galat saabit kiya. Mujhe lagta tha ki meri zindagi mein sirf dukh aur aansuon ka silsila likha hai… lekin mujhe pata hi nahi tha ki tumne mere liye itni saari khushiyaan sambhaal rakhi hain. Itna accha pati diya hai mujhe… bas meri yehi dua hai ki wo hamesha khush rahein, unko sahi-salaamat rakhna, Kanha." ~ Ahana
("Thank you, Kanha… thank you so, so much. You’ve proven me wrong. I used to think that my life was only meant for sorrow and tears… but I had no idea that you had saved so many joys for me. You’ve given me such a wonderful husband… my only prayer is that he always remains happy, and that you keep him safe and sound, Kanha.")
"Kabhi bhi aap pe vishwas nahi kiya… kabhi nahi, kyunki jitni baar maine aapko pukara, aapne andekha, ansuna kar diya. Lekin aaj… aaj main shukriya kehna chahta hoon. Shukriya ki aapne Ahana ko mere jeevan mein bheja. Wo mujhe sikha rahi hai… kaise main phir se saans le sakta hoon, jee sakta hoon. Aur iska saboot… yehi hai ki main aaj, itne saalon baad, aapke saamne haath jod kar khada hoon, Madhav… prarthana kar raha hoon" ~ Aastik
("I never trusted you… never, because every time I called out to you, you ignored me, pretended not to hear. But today… today I want to say thank you. Thank you for sending Ahana into my life. She is teaching me… how I can breathe again, how I can live again. And the proof of that… is that today, after so many years, I am standing before you with folded hands, Madhav… offering my prayers.")
After more than two hours, the puja finally ended. Pandit ji had some prasad with everyone and left early.
"Chalo, sab sahi tarike se ho gaya," Dhirti said, adjusting the edge of her dupatta. "Ab prasad kha le?" she suggested with a bright smile.
("Alright, everything’s done properly," Dhirti said, adjusting the edge of her dupatta. "Now, let's have the prasad")
"Ha yaar… bohot bhook lagi hai," Jaanvi said dramatically, rubbing her hand over her tummy like a child who had been waiting for hours.
(Yeah, guys… I’m really hungry)
Everyone laughed. Ahana chuckled softly and nodded, ready to join them. The group started moving towards the dining area, but suddenly someone covered Ahana’s face and pulled her towards the garden.
Her eyes were wide in fear, muffed screams of protest could be heard but then one word in her ear came and she calmed down.
"It's me sweetheart"
She quickly turned around only to find Aastik smiling at her with grin.
"Aap… aap pagal hai?" she blurted, still catching her breath. "Aise khinch ke kyun le aaye?"
("You… you’re crazy?" she blurted out, still trying to catch her breath. "Why did you pull me like that?")
"Mey kya karta? Tum to mujhe thoda sa bhi attention nahi de rahi thi wahan," he replied, stepping closer until she had to tilt her head to meet his eyes. His voice was playful, but there was that familiar intensity in it.
(What could I do? You weren’t giving me even the slightest bit of attention there)
Before she could respond, he waved his hand dismissively. "Achha, wo sab chhodo. I have something for you."
Then he gently took her hand and dragged her to the swing. The moonlight bathed them softly, making them look like two beautiful lovers meeting in secret.
Then he knelt down before her, cradling her legs in his hands delicately and kept on his knees.
"A-Aastik ji... what are you doing? Aise mat kijiye... Mere pero pe haat q rakhe aap?" Ahana’s voice trembled, caught between surprise and a fluttering heart.
(A-Aastik ji… what are you doing? Please don’t do this… Why have you placed your hand on my feet?)
His eyes met hers with quiet warmth. "Abhi pata chalega q rakha hu," he whispered softly, reaching into his pocket and slowly pulling out a small box.
(Now only you’ll find out why I kept it)
He opened the small box carefully, revealing a delicate toe ring—thin silver, open-ended, adorned with two tiny flower designs, each sparkling with small, clear stones like little stars. Even in the faint moonlight, its simple beauty shone clearly.
Ahana’s eyes lit up the instant she saw it, the silver glint catching the moonlight just enough to make it look magical. Her love for the toe ring was written all over her face.
"Toe ring!" she chimed, her voice carrying a toothy, innocent smile.
"Yes, toe ring," he replied warmly, his own smile mirroring hers. "Did you like it?"
"Like it? I love it!" she said without a pause, and he gently slid the delicate ring onto her toe.
She immediately jumped off the swing, her anklets giving a faint jingle as she walked and hopped around excitedly, like a child who had just received her favourite gift. Her happiness was pure and uncontained.
"Apko kaise pata tha I love toe ring? Maine aaj se pehle ye kisi ko nahi bataya," she asked, her eyes holding both curiosity and seriousness.
(How did you know I love toe rings? I’ve never told this to anyone before.)
"The day you stopped at that shop and kept looking at the toe rings… I knew," he said softly. "Your eyes were shining like a little kid, sweetheart. This took time because I had it customised for you."
Hearing this, Ahana’s heart swelled. She couldn’t hold back—she ran to him and wrapped her arms tightly around him. "Thank you so much, Aastik ji."
"Pagli," he murmured fondly, pulling her closer into his embrace.
On the other hand,
Everyone was eating their food, no one question about Aastik and Ahana because both of their absence said they were spending their alone time.
Janvi was moving around the table, serving kheer to everyone. But when she stopped in front of Bhuvan, her eyes seemed to get stuck on him. Lost in that moment, she kept pouring kheer into his plate, spoon after spoon, until it was nearly spilling over the sides.
Bhuvan, completely unaware, was engrossed in checking his email on his phone. He didn’t notice at first. But when Janvi didn’t move for several minutes, he finally glanced at his plate. His eyes went wide in shock.
"What the hell!!!" he shouted, pushing his chair back and standing abruptly.
The sudden outburst made Dhirti peek out from the kitchen, while Avyan chuckled at the scene. Ahana and Aastik, who had just stepped back in from the garden, paused at the doorway when they heard Bhuvan’s voice.
"Andhi ho? Dikhta nahi hai? Pura kheer mere plate mein daal diya! Just look at my plate, damn it!" he said, his voice sharp with irritation.
(Are you blind? Can’t you see? You dumped all the kheer onto my plate! Just look at my plate, damn it!)
"Jaanu, yeh kyun kiya tune?" Dhirti asked, confused.
(Jaanu, why did you do that?)
"Wait, Dhirti," Janvi said, her tone calm but her eyes locked on Bhuvan.
"And you..." she suddenly raised her voice, "gunge ho? Baat nahi kar sakte? Tum mana kar sakte the na ki that’s enough? Khud khate time phone chala rahe the? Table manners nahi pata kya?"
(Are you mute? Can’t you speak? You could’ve just said "that’s enough," right? But you were using your phone while eating, don’t you know table manners?)
With each question, she stepped closer, and with each step, Bhuvan instinctively moved back.
"Panga mat lena mujhse… warna mere ko na karate bohot achhe se aati hai," she declared.
(Don't mess with me... otherwise I know how to do karate very well)
Her last statement made the entire table burst into laughter. She was small, practically a chutki in front of towering Bhuvan yet she stood there challenging him without a flicker of fear.
It was something none of them had expected to see.
"Achha… okay… now let’s finish dinner, it’s getting late," Ahana said, stepping in to control the situation.
Both of them stopped, but they were glaring at each other as if they could devour one another right then and there.
"By the way you both lovers... Where did you go?" Avyan asked, a playful smirk tugging at his lips, trying to break the awkward intensity.
"W-wo actually, w-we...." Ahana stammered, her cheeks flushing a deep shade of red with each passing second.
"Ahemm blushy blushy huh, ahu?" Jaanvi teased, nudging her lightly with a mischievous grin.
"Yeah… the GENTLEMAN AASTIK must be the reason, right, bhabhi?" Bhuvan added, smirking towards Aastik.
"Ha to mey nhi to meri sweetheart ko aise blush kon karwayega? Koi himmat krk dekhe" Aastik replied, returning the same smirk, while smoke seemed to rise from Ahana’s face in pure embarrassment.
"Yeah... Yeahh... We can see that" Dhirti replied, with a teasing tone.
"Guys, stop!" Ahana said, but her voice came out exactly like a cat’s meow, and hearing it, everyone burst out laughing.
The dinner was filled with teasing, laughter, and jokes. And just like that, the day ended with pure joy, entertainment, and little moments that brought warmth to their hearts.
HAPPY JANMASHTMI❤️
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Roses, don’t forget to comment your favorite part and please complete the targets… 🥹 It really hurts to see that after putting in so much effort, the voting target is still not complete.
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