1800+ Words

Ek ajib sa manzar nazar aata hai. 
Har ek pal samandar 
Nazar aata hai, 
Kahan banau mai ghar 
sheeshe se, 
har kisi ke haath mein 
patthar nazar aata hai...!

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Author's pov:

As Anshika sat at her laptop, her fingers dancing across the keys as she delved into her work, a gentle knock on the door pulled her attention away. Anshika looked up from her laptop . With a warm smile, she called out, "Ji mummy papa, aaiye aap udhar kyu khade hai aaiye baithiye?"(yes mom dad, come why are you standing there please take a sit) inviting them into her room. As Ashwin's parents stepped inside, their faces lit up with genuine warmth, and Anshika couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort in their presence.

Ashwin's Mother, Ashwin's mother, approached Anshika with a soft smile, while Ashwin's father stood beside her, his expression equally welcoming.

Ashwin's Mother: "Anshika beta, we thought we'd come and have a little chat with you."

Anshika nodded, her curiosity piqued as she gestured for them to take a seat. She couldn't help but wonder what they wanted to discuss about Ashwin.

Anshika: "Of course, please have a seat."

As they settled into chairs, Ashwin's Mother began to speak, her voice gentle and reassuring.

Anshika: "Please come in. What brings you both here?"

Ashwin's Mother: "We just wanted to check on you, dear. How are you settling in?"

Anshika: "Oh, I'm doing fine, thank you. Just catching up on some work."

Ashwin's Mother: "Anshika beta, we know that Ashwin might come across as cold at times, but deep down, he's a wonderful person. He just needs a little time to open up."

Anshika listened attentively, her heart swelling with a mixture of hope and apprehension. She longed to understand Ashwin better, to unravel the layers of his complex personality.

Ashwin's Father chimed in, his eyes twinkling with fond memories.

Ashwin's Father: "That's good to hear. We know Ashwin can be a bit reserved at times, but please don't take it to heart. He's just adjusting to the situation."

Anshika nodded, understandingly. She knew that building a relationship with Ashwin wouldn't be easy, but she was willing to give it her all.

Ashwin's Father: "You know, Anshika beta, Ashwin wasn't always so serious. When he was a child, he was quite mischievous, always getting into one scrape or another."

Anshika couldn't help but smile at the image of a young Ashwin, his playful antics contrasting with the stoic man she had come to know.

Anshika: "Really? I would love to hear more about Ashwin's childhood."

Ashwin's Mother nodded, a soft chuckle escaping her lips as she recounted tales of Ashwin's escapades, from his adventures with the family pet to his antics during family gatherings.

As they shared stories, Anshika felt a sense of connection forming between her and Ashwin's parents. They were no longer just strangers; they were family, bound together by their love for Ashwin.

As they settled into conversation, Ashwin's parents began to share snippets of Ashwin's childhood, painting a picture of the man he had once been. They spoke of his mischievous antics, his tender moments of kindness, and the deep love he held for his family.

Anshika listened intently, her heart warming at the thought of the man Ashwin had once been. She couldn't help but smile as she imagined him as a young boy, full of life and laughter.

Ashwin's Father: "And then there was the time he tried to bake a cake for his mother's birthday..."

Anshika chuckled, the image of a young Ashwin covered in flour and frosting filling her mind. It was moments like these that reminded her of the depth of love that bound their family together.

Ashwin's mother reminisced about the time when Ashwin, as a young boy, decided to surprise her with a homemade birthday cake. Excited and determined, he embarked on his baking adventure, only to end up with a kitchen covered in flour and a cake that resembled more of a lopsided tower than a culinary masterpiece. Despite the cake's less-than-appetizing appearance, Ashwin proudly presented it to his mother with a beaming smile, earning him hugs and laughter from the whole family.

Anshika: "Thank you for sharing these stories with me. It's nice to know that Ashwin wasn't always so serious."

Ashwin's Father smiled warmly, his eyes twinkling with affection.

Ashwin's father shared a story " Ashwin's brief stint as a pet owner when he brought home a talking parrot from a school carnival. Ashwin spent hours teaching the parrot to mimic his words and phrases, much to the amusement of his family. However, the fun quickly turned to chaos when the parrot escaped from its cage and proceeded to fly around the house, squawking loudly and causing mayhem. It took the entire family hours to catch the mischievous bird, but the memory of Ashwin's determination and the ensuing chaos became a cherished family tale."

Anshika smiled with awwww.

Anshika's heart melted as Ashwin's mother recounted his first school dance recital." Ashwin, who had always been shy and reserved, surprised everyone by taking the stage with confidence and grace. Dressed in a colorful costume, he danced his heart out, his face lit up with joy as he twirled and leaped across the stage."

 The sight of her stoic husband embracing his inner performer brought a smile to Anshika's face and a warmth to her heart.

Ashwin's father also told one more memory "Ashwin's mischievous side was revealed in his penchant for playing pranks on his siblings and friends. His parents fondly recalled the time when Ashwin orchestrated an elaborate prank involving fake spiders and a haunted house setup in the backyard. The prank may have caused a few screams and startled jumps, but it also brought the family closer together as they laughed and bonded over the shared experience"

Ashwin's Father: "He may seem cold on the outside, but deep down, he has a heart of gold. Give him time, Anshika beta. I'm sure he'll come around."

Anshika nodded, her heart filled with a newfound sense of hope. She may not understand Ashwin completely yet, but she was determined to stand by him, to support him through whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Ashwin's Mother and his father rose to leave, Anshika couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards them. They had welcomed her into their family with open arms, and for that, she would always be grateful.

Anshika: "Thank you, Mumma and dad, for everything. I promise to do my best to understand Ashwin better."

Ashwin's Mother smiled warmly, her eyes brimming with maternal affection.

Ashwin's Mother: "You're welcome, beta. Just remember, we're always here for you, no matter what."

Anshika: "Thank you for sharing these memories with me. It means a lot."

Ashwin's Mother: "You're welcome, dear. We're just happy to have you as part of our family."

With a grateful smile, Anshika bid farewell to Ashwin's parents, feeling a newfound sense of confidence and determination. She knew that with their support, she could weather any storm that came her way.

As Anshika watched Ashwin's parents leave the room, a wave of frustration washed over her. Despite their warm words and genuine concern, she couldn't shake the feeling of disillusionment that lingered in her heart.

Anshika: inwardly "They speak of us as if we're the perfect couple, but in reality, Ashwin and I are nothing more than strangers. We're living a lie, pretending to be something we're not."

The weight of their facade pressed down on her, suffocating her with its deceit. Anshika couldn't bear the thought of continuing this charade, of pretending that everything was fine when it clearly wasn't.

Anshika: sighs deeply "How did it come to this? How did we end up in a marriage built on lies and pretense?"

She hated the fact that she couldn't voice her true feelings, that she had to maintain the illusion of happiness for the sake of appearances. But she knew that revealing the truth would only cause more pain and turmoil.

Anshika: resigned "I suppose I'll just have to bury these feelings and focus on my work. It's the only thing keeping me sane in this farce of a marriage."

With a heavy heart, Anshika returned to her laptop, throwing herself into her work with renewed determination. 

After few hours:

As Viyaan and Ashwin returned to the office, the atmosphere was tense. Ashwin's mind was preoccupied with the impending trip to London, while Viyaan couldn't shake the feeling of unease that lingered in the air.

Upon entering the office, Ashwin made a beeline for his room, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. Anshika, who was working at her desk, looked up in surprise as Ashwin stormed into the room.

Anshika: "Ashwin, you're back early. Is everything alright?"

Ashwin's jaw tensed as he replied, his tone sharp and dismissive.

Ashwin: "No need to concern yourself with my schedule. I have things to take care of."

Anshika's brows furrowed in confusion, taken aback by Ashwin's abruptness. She tried to hide the hurt that welled up inside her, masking it with a forced smile.

Anshika: "Of course, Ashwin. If you need anything, just let me know."

But Ashwin didn't respond, his attention already turned to packing his belongings. Anshika watched in silence as he hastily gathered his things, his movements tense and agitated.

Anshika couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness at the way Ashwin was shutting her out. Despite their strained relationship, she had hoped that they could at least communicate civilly with each other.

Anshika: whispers to herself "What happened to him? Why do I even care about him after all I am just a arranged wife huh! nevermind being kind to this shittiest person is worst so of course I won't"

But her thoughts were interrupted as Ashwin abruptly left the room, leaving behind an atmosphere heavy with unresolved tension.

As she returned to her work, her mind couldn't help but wander to the rift that had formed between them

......

Viyaan approached Abhiraj with a sense of apprehension, knowing the weight of his request. With a calm and measured voice, he began to speak.

Viyaan: "Dadu, I know it's a lot to ask, but Ashwin needs to leave for London tomorrow. There's an important meeting he needs to attend, and his presence is crucial."

Abhiraj listened intently, his expression unreadable as he considered Viyaan's words. After a moment of contemplation, he shook his head decisively.

Abhiraj : "No, Viyaan. Ashwin's responsibilities lie here with the family. He cannot simply leave at a moment's notice."

Viyaan's heart sank at Abhiraj's refusal, but he knew better than to argue further. With a resigned nod, he accepted Dadu's decision, though disappointment lingered in his eyes.

Viyaan: "I understand, Dadu. I just thought it was worth asking."

Despite the setback, Viyaan remained composed, masking his disappointment with a forced smile. He knew that challenging Abhiraj's decision would only lead to further tension, and he was unwilling to jeopardize the delicate balance of their family dynamic.

As he left Abhiraj's presence, Viyaan couldn't help but feel a sense of frustration at the situation. He knew that Ashwin's trip to London was important, but Abhiraj's unwavering stance made it clear that their plans would have to wait.