1800+ Words

Mohabbat ke sapnney wo
Dikhaate Bahut hain,
Raaton mein wo hum ko,
Jagate bahut hain,
Mai Aakhon main,
Kajal lagaun toh kaise,
In aankho ko Log,
Rulatey bahut hain.

Author's pov: 

As Anshika drove back home, her mind was preoccupied with the day's events. Suddenly, her attention was caught by a distressing scene. A group of young, impoverished children were being ruthlessly beaten by a drunken man. The man, an owner of a nearby shop, was enraged because the children had accidentally eaten leftover food from his customers' plates. The sight of the children cowering in fear and pain ignited a fierce anger in Anshika.

"Anaya, stay in the car," Anshika instructed, her voice firm but tinged with concern. "I need to handle this."

Anaya, just back from Bali and visibly exhausted, nodded nervously. "Maariyo maat. Baato se he smjha liyo," she said, urging Anshika to use words rather than violence. (Don't beat him up. Use your words instead)

Anshika stepped out of the car, her determination hardening with each step she took towards the scene. The man was stumbling, barely able to stand, but his rage was unmistakable. He was hitting the children, who were now crying and huddling together in fear.

"What's the matter, sir?" Anshika's voice cut through the chaos, firm yet calm. She approached the man with a sense of purpose, her eyes fixed on him with unyielding resolve.

"Jaa Jaa apna kaam kar!" the man slurred, barely able to focus. (Go, go do your work!)

Anshika's patience was wearing thin. "You're hurting these children, sir. That's not acceptable."

The man's irritation flared. "Jaa na yaha se! Mereko mera kaam karne do, jaa tu apna kaam kar," he snapped, dismissing her with a wave of his hand. (Go from here! Let me do my work and you do yours.)

In a sudden, violent outburst, the man slapped one of the children so hard that the child fell to the ground, crying uncontrollably. Anshika's heart sank. She pulled out her phone to call the police, but before she could dial, the man shoved her aside and smashed her phone on the road, breaking it into pieces.

As Anaya watched the chaotic scene unfold from the safety of the car, she couldn't help but find humor in the gravity of the situation. "At this moment, he knew he messed up," she said, mimicking a dramatic tone as she aimed her phone's camera. "Let me shoot this, Oh My Gosh—"

Just then, Anshika, fueled by her righteous anger and determination, executed a powerful back kick. The man, still reeling from his drunken state, was propelled onto the road, landing hard on his backside. He groaned in pain, clutching his chest as he tried to recover. But before he could regain his balance, Anshika was already in motion.

With a swift, precise movement, she delivered another brutal kick—this time to his face. The impact was harsh, and blood exploded from his nose, painting a stark, red contrast against the grimy road.

"Fucking bitch!" the man spat out, his voice muffled by the pain and the blood gushing from his nose.

Desperation and rage were evident in his eyes as he glimpsed his reflection in a puddle of water flowing from a nearby car garage. The sight of his battered face seemed to intensify his fury. He gingerly touched his nose, feeling the warm blood and the throbbing pain.

Meanwhile, Anshika, undeterred by the man's curses, methodically fixed her disheveled hair with a calm and practiced touch. She surveyed her surroundings and found a glass bottle of beer lying discarded nearby. Without hesitation, she seized it, walked over to the man, and brought it crashing down on his head. The bottle shattered into a multitude of pieces, the sharp sound of glass breaking resonating through the air.

The shattering bottle did little to faze Anshika. She smirked, her expression a mix of satisfaction and resolve. Her next moves were decisive and relentless: a back kick to his ribs, followed by a side kick to his midsection. Each strike was met with a resounding thud and an agonized grunt from the man. Finally, she threw a punch straight to his face, the force of which sent him spiraling into unconsciousness.

By the time the police arrived, the man lay motionless on the ground, barely conscious. The officers quickly took him into custody, their professionalism evident as they assessed the situation. They requested Anshika to come to the police station to file an FIR against him, which she agreed to with a nod, her face still flushed with the adrenaline of the confrontation.

As the police led the man away, Anshika turned back to the children, who had witnessed the entire episode with a mix of fear and awe. They rushed to her, their small arms wrapping around her in grateful hugs. The sight of their smiles and the relief in their eyes was the greatest reward for Anshika. It felt as though she had triumphed in a battle far greater than any she had ever faced.

She bought the children food and chocolates, encouraging them to focus on their studies rather than working in such harsh conditions. When they explained that their parents were too poor to afford their education, Anshika reassured them that she would cover their school fees. Their faces lit up with joy, their smiles brightening the dimly lit street.

Meanwhile, Anaya, still in the car, was captivated by the spectacle she had just witnessed. She replayed the video of the confrontation over and over, her laughter ringing out like the delighted squeals of a child playing with a new toy. "This is too funny," she said between laughs, unable to contain her amusement.

Anshika, finally free from the intensity of the moment, walked back to the car, her face reflecting a mix of relief and contentment. Her hair was neatly fixed, but the emotional weight of the day was still evident in her eyes. She glanced at Anaya, who was still giggling at the footage on her phone.

"What?" Anshika asked, her tone a blend of curiosity and mild irritation.

Anaya looked up, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "You nailed it. You really showed him."

Anshika shook her head with a small, bemused smile. "Nailed what?"

Anaya leaned in, "You made that owner feel hell already, and that young man—"

Anshika cut her off, "He's such a jerk. I can't believe someone could be so heartless."

Anaya, still grinning, teased, "He was sexy though!"

Anshika wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Sexy? Ewww. Your taste in men is terrible."

Anaya chuckled. "He was hot too."

Anshika shook her head. "Your taste really sucks. I pity his wife or whoever ends up with him."

Anaya, with a mischievous glint in her eye, teased, "What if you ended up being his wife, eh?"

Anshika's response was immediate and emphatic. "NEVERRRRRR! And stop dreaming. I will never have a jerk like him as my husband."

Anaya just laughed, "Sure, sure..."

As they arrived home, Anaya was greeted warmly by their family. Anshika's brother, Ansh, was busy working on his laptop, his focus unbroken until Anaya burst into the room and hugged him.

"Hi bhaiya," Anaya greeted sweetly.

Ansh, slightly irritated, responded, "Duur hoke baat kr. Or touch maat kr aunty si shakal ki." (Keep your distance and don't touch me, you aunt-faced girl.)

Anaya pouted, "Kyu? Sharam aarhi hai aapko." (Why? Are you shy?)

Ansh laughed, "Naah! You smell like sewage water."

Anshika, lounging on the bed, added, "Mumma and Dad probably found her in the trash. Of course, she's stinky, Ansh! Have some logic."

Ansh laughed along. "Yeahhh, of course."

Anaya, still pouting, declared, "I hate you both."

In a burst of sibling camaraderie, Ansh and Anshika exchanged glances and began tickling Anaya, causing her to laugh uncontrollably. The three of them ended up cuddled together on Ansh's bed, their laughter filling the room.

Their parents, Sneha and Ankush, watched with affectionate smiles.

Sneha, beaming, said, "Hayee inko kisiki nazar naa lage!" (May no evil eye be cast upon them.)

Ankush nodded in agreement. "En tino ki jodi ko kisiki nazar naa lage or aise he saath mein rahe." (May no evil eye be cast upon the trio, and may they stay together forever.)

As the evening wore on, the warmth and laughter of the Antil family filled the room. Their grandparents, seated in their favorite armchairs, observed with contented smiles as their children and grandchildren gathered together. The old couple's eyes glistened with tears of joy as they took in the scene before them—a rare and precious moment of unity and happiness.

The Antils were known for their remarkable bond. Disputes, if they ever occurred, were resolved swiftly, leaving no room for lingering bitterness. Their home was a sanctuary of love and laughter, a place where family ties were cherished above all else. It was this harmonious atmosphere that had been the cornerstone of their family's success.

The legacy of the Antils was built on hard work, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to one another. Anshika and Ansh, in particular, had played pivotal roles in the growth of the Antil empire. Their journey had not been without challenges, but their resilience and determination had turned adversity into opportunity.

When Anshika and Ansh took over the reins of the family business, their influence was transformative. Under their leadership, the company flourished, achieving unprecedented success. Their dedication was evident in every aspect of the business, from its innovative strategies to its ethical practices. They had steered the company to the forefront of their industry, earning it a reputation as one of the most trusted and respected names in the market.

Despite their professional achievements, Anshika and Ansh remained grounded. Their success never overshadowed their core values. They were driven not by personal gain but by a genuine desire to help others. Their compassion extended beyond their immediate circle, and they consistently sought to make a positive impact on the lives of those in need.

This spirit of selflessness was a defining trait of the Antil family. Whether through charitable endeavors or simple acts of kindness, they remained committed to uplifting those who were struggling. Their approach to business and life was a testament to their integrity and their belief in the power of empathy.

As the grandparents looked on, their hearts swelled with pride. They had witnessed the growth of their family from humble beginnings to the heights of success. Their joy was not just in the prosperity of their descendants but in the way they had maintained their values and their unity. The Antils' ability to balance success with compassion was a source of deep satisfaction for the older generation.

In the Antil household, laughter and love reigned supreme. The family's close-knit bond was evident in every interaction, every shared smile, and every affectionate embrace. Their home was a testament to their collective spirit—a place where success and kindness coexisted, where challenges were met with resilience, and where every member, young and old, found solace in each other's company.

As the evening drew to a close, the Antils remained united, their hearts full of gratitude for the journey they had undertaken together. They were a family forged by love, strengthened by shared values, and bound by an unbreakable sense of togetherness. And as they looked to the future, they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them with the same unwavering support and love that had always defined their lives.