𝐻𝐸𝑌 𝐸𝑉𝐸𝑅𝑌𝑂𝑁𝐸 💞🎀

𝑃𝐿𝐸𝐴𝑆𝐸 𝐷𝑂 𝑉𝑂𝑇𝐸𝑆 𝐴𝑁𝐷 𝐶𝑂𝑀𝑀𝐸𝑁𝑇𝑆 𝑌𝐴𝐴𝑅!!

𝐼 𝐾𝑁𝑂𝑊 𝑌𝐸𝐻 𝑊𝐴𝐿𝐴 𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝐾𝐴𝐴𝐹𝐼 𝐿𝐴𝑇𝐸 𝐴𝑌𝐴 𝐻𝐴𝐼...𝐵𝑈𝑇 𝐼 𝑃𝑅𝑂𝑀𝐼𝑆𝐸 𝑁𝐸𝑋𝑇 𝐶𝐻𝐴𝑃𝑇𝐸𝑅 𝐽𝐴𝐿𝐷𝐼 𝐴𝐴𝐸𝐺𝐴..😭

___________________________________________________

The next morning had barely begun, and the soft glow of early sunlight was just starting to peek through the curtains. Ashi was still deep in her peaceful sleep, completely unaware of the chaos about to unfold around her.

Suddenly-

"Aaahhh... I'm late... I'm late!!! Oh my God, I'm so dead!!! Shivangi, you little menace! You unplugged my phone from charging last night, didn't you?!"

She loud, panicked voice shattered the calmness of the room like a glass falling off a table.

Ashi stirred, her sleep breaking in slow fragments as she groggily sat up on the bed. She blinked a couple of times, trying to process the scene in front of her-and when she finally did, her eyebrows lifted in mild amusement.

There was Mahi.

Running from one corner of the room to another like her life depended on it. One moment she was frantically searching for her phone, the next she was looking for her watch, and in the middle of all that chaos, she somehow managed to get tangled in her own bag strap.

"Aree, aree... relax," Ashi said, getting up and grabbing her before she could fall flat on her face. "Where exactly are you planning to fly off to this early?"

Mahi looked at her as if she had just asked the most ridiculous question in the world.

"Did you forget?!" she said in a rushed, almost breathless tone. "Yesterday, when we were coming back, my boss called! He said there's an important meeting today-and because of that Shivangi, I'm late now! Listen, I'll talk to you in the evening, okay? Bye!"

And just like that-without waiting for even a single word from Ashi-she rushed out of the room like a storm that had places to be.

The moment she left, there was a slight movement behind the door.

A teenage girl, who had been quietly hiding there the entire time, carefully peeked outside. She watched her elder sister leave, and the second she was sure the coast was clear, she let out a dramatic sigh of relief.

"Uff... that was close!"

She dusted her hands off with unnecessary elegance, as if she had just completed a very risky mission, and stepped out into the room like nothing had happened.

Ashi, however, was already watching her-with raised eyebrows and a very I know everything kind of expression.

"Ashi didi, don't look at me like that," the girl said instantly, putting on her best innocent face. "I didn't do anything!"

Ashi crossed her arms over her chest, leaning slightly to one side.

"But I didn't say anything... Shivangi," she replied calmly, a small smirk playing on her lips.

Shivangi blinked.

"Oh... okay, bye! I'm getting late for school!" she said quickly, attempting a smooth escape.

"Oh really?" Ashi's voice turned slightly suspicious as she took a step forward. "If you don't want Mahi to come back and turn you into mashed potatoes, you might want to tell me the truth. You did do something to make her late, didn't you?"

Shivangi paused at the door, then slowly turned back.

A mischievous smile spread across her face-the kind that practically screamed guilty but proud.

"I'm very innocent, didi," she said sweetly. "I just unplugged her phone from the charger... and plugged mine in."

Ashi stared at her for a second.

Then shook her head.

Of course. Of course it was her.

Ashi stared at her for a moment longer, then slowly dragged her palm down her face like she was physically trying to process the level of chaos standing in front of her.

"Very innocent, huh?" she muttered.

Shivangi gave a proud little nod, clearly impressed by her own brilliance.

Ashi let out a short sigh. "You do realize she had an important meeting today, right?"

Shivangi shrugged, completely unbothered. "Now she'll learn to keep her phone closer instead of trusting the charging point like it's some sacred temple."

Ashi blinked.

There was a pause.

Then-she laughed.

Not a soft, polite laugh. No. This was a full-on I give up on this child kind of laugh.

"You are unbelievable," Ashi said, shaking her head. "One day, Mahi is actually going to catch you red-handed, and that day... I'm not saving you."

Shivangi gasped dramatically. "Didi! You're supposed to be on my side!"

"I am on your side," Ashi replied instantly. "I'm just also on the side of peace, which you clearly have personal issues with."

Shivangi rolled her eyes and grabbed her bag. "Peace is boring."

"Your definition of entertainment is borderline criminal."

"Thank you," Shivangi said proudly.

Ashi just looked at her again, completely speechless this time.

"Okay, I'm seriously late now," Shivangi said, adjusting her bag on her shoulder. She started walking out, then suddenly stopped mid-step and turned back.

"And haan... if Mahi asks anything-"

"I will tell her everything," Ashi cut her off immediately.

Shivangi froze.

"Didi!"

Ashi raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"You're betraying me."

"No, I'm educating her."

Shivangi narrowed her eyes, then pointed a finger at Ashi like she was making a lifelong declaration. "This... this is why people don't trust you."

Ashi gasped softly, placing a hand over her heart. "Wow. The criminal is questioning my loyalty."

"Ex-criminal," Shivangi corrected with dignity.

"You're not even remotely ex."

"Details."

Ashi couldn't help but smile again. "Go to school, Shivangi."

"Fine," she huffed, then walked out-only to rush back in two seconds later, grab her forgotten water bottle, and run out again like nothing happened.

The door finally shut.

And just like that-

Silence.

Ashi looked around the now-empty room, the morning chaos settling into a quiet calm again. She walked over to the window, stretching slightly as the sunlight fell across her face.

For a brief moment, everything felt... normal.

Peaceful.

Then her phone buzzed.

Ashi glanced at the screen.

Mahi Calling.

She stared at it.

Then slowly mischievous smile appeared.

"Oh, this is going to be fun."

She picked up the call.

"Hello-"

"Ashi!!!" Mahi's voice practically exploded from the other side. "I just reached the office and my phone is at 5%. FIVE. PERCENT. Do you understand the level of betrayal I'm going through right now?!"

Ashi bit her lip, trying not to laugh.

"Hmm... sounds serious ek kaam kar abhi ke abhi police mein complaint kar de," she said calmly.

"SERIOUS?!" Mahi almost yelled. "My entire life is hanging on this 5%!"

Ashi walked over to the bed and sat down, crossing her legs comfortably like she had all the time in the world.

"Well..." she said slowly, a teasing smile forming on her lips, "maybe next time... you shouldn't underestimate a certain very innocent someone."

There was a pause on the other side.

A very dangerous pause.

"...Shivangi."

Ashi closed her eyes, already knowing what was coming next.

"ASHI, I SWEAR-WHEN I COME BACK-"

And just like that, Ashi pulled the phone slightly away from her ear, smiling to herself as Mahi continued her dramatic threats in the background.

Yeah.

This evening was definitely going to be interesting.

***********************************************

Mahi reached the office in a state that could only be described as barely functional-running on panic, a dying phone battery, and a series of truly questionable life decisions.

Her hair had slipped out of place, a few strands clinging stubbornly to her face, her bag kept sliding off her shoulder no matter how many times she adjusted it, and her breath came in uneven bursts as she hurried down the corridor like she was chasing time itself.

She didn't stop for anyone, didn't look anywhere else her entire focus locked onto one destination she absolutely could not be late for.

But the moment she reached the door... she stopped.

Her steps faltered, and her eyes slowly lifted to the polished nameplate fixed neatly above it.

Chief Executive Officer: Hriday Singhaniya.

And just like that, her heartbeat betrayed her.

Not metaphorically-literally.

"Okay... okay... calm down, Mahi," she whispered under her breath, tightening her grip around the coffee cup she had somehow managed to carry all the way without spilling. "Just go in, give the coffee, say sorry for being late, and leave. Simple itna hi karna hai bass."

Except it was never going to be simple.

Taking a small, steadying breath, she pushed the door open in a hurry-but at that exact moment, someone from the other side pulled it open too. The door jerked awkwardly between them, stuck in a brief, confused struggle.

Mahi frowned, too distracted and overwhelmed to think clearly. "Barish ka mausam to hai nahi...to yeh door kis Khushi mein jam ho rakha hai bhai?" she muttered, tugging it harder.

The next second, the door flew open.

And she walked straight into someone.

The collision was sudden, jarring, and completely disastrous. The coffee slipped from her hand, and as if time itself decided to slow down just to make things worse, she watched in horror as the entire cup spilled-straight onto the crisp blue shirt of the person standing in front of her.

Silence followed.

A full second of absolute, suffocating silence.

Mahi's brain short-circuited. Her fingers went stiff, her breath caught somewhere between panic and disbelief, and very, very slowly, she lifted her gaze.

The moment her eyes met his.

Her soul nearly abandoned her body.

"B-b-boss... sir... m-main-" she stammered, her voice trembling as the reality of what had just happened crashed over her all at once.

Standing in front of her was Hriday himself.

He instinctively took a small step back, more to give her space than anything else. His shirt was now completely stained with coffee, the dark patches spreading across the soft blue fabric, yet his expression held no anger.

If anything... he looked concerned.

"Ms. Malhotra... shant, shant. Dekhiye, kuch nahi hua hai," he said gently, raising his hand slightly in a calming gesture. "Aap tension kyu le rahi hain? Gehri saans lijiye and relax."

His voice was steady. Calm. Grounded in a way that felt almost unreal compared to the storm raging inside her.

Mahi blinked rapidly, trying to pull herself together. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, forcing herself to take a deep breath just like he said, and then slowly opened them again.

But the moment her gaze dropped to his shirt.

All that guilt came rushing back, twice as strong.

"Hriday sir... aapki shirt... puri ki puri... tehas-nehas ho gayi..." she said, her voice still shaky but slightly more stable than before. "I'm really, really sorry!"

She looked like she was on the verge of apologizing at least a hundred more times.

Hriday glanced down at his shirt for a brief second, observing the damage as if it were nothing more than a minor inconvenience, not a disaster worth stressing over. Then he looked back at her.

"It's okay, Ms. Malhotra," he said calmly. "Coffee hai... holi ka pakka colour nahi hai don't worry nikal jayega."

Mahi blinked.

Once.

Twice.

That was... not the reaction she had expected.

"But sir... meeting-" she started again, panic creeping back into her voice, "aapko change karna padega... aur main already late hoon... aur-"

"Relax," he interrupted softly, a faint trace of amusement now flickering across his expression. "Meeting abhi start nahi hui hai. Aur aap bhi saans le sakti hain...."

Mahi stopped mid-sentence.

Her brain processed his words.

Paused.

Then processed them again.

"...Okay," she said quietly, almost as if she were trying to convince herself more than him. "Okay... mai normal hu...duniya khatam nahi Hui hai"

A brief silence settled between them.

And then.

Her eyes flickered back to his shirt.

"...but shirt toh ho gayi," she muttered under her breath.

Hriday did, in fact, smile this time properly. It wasn't loud or dramatic, just a small, quiet curve of his lips that appeared and disappeared almost instantly, like he wasn't used to doing it often.

Mahi, unfortunately, noticed.

And that somehow made her more nervous.

Great. Now not only had she ruined his shirt, she had also unlocked a rare facial expression.

"Ms. Malhotra, agar aapka panic session khatam ho gaya ho toh..." he said lightly, tilting his head just a little, "kya aap andar aa sakti hai? Ya aaj ka din yahin corridor mein hi spend karna hai apko?" he said.

Mahi's eyes widened.

"Oh! Yes-yes, of course! I'm so sorry-again!" she said quickly, stepping aside so fast that she almost bumped into the wall this time. "Please... you go ahead..." she replied.

Hriday gave a small nod and walked into the cabin as if nothing unusual had happened which, according to Mahi, was very unusual.

She stood there for a second, mentally replaying the entire incident.

Door. Collision. Coffee. Shirt. Death.

"Okay... I'm alive," she whispered to herself. "That's... good thank you bhagwan ji...bacha liya aaj to apne."

Then, realizing she was still standing outside like a confused intern on her first day, she quickly followed him inside.

The cabin was neat, minimal, and intimidating in a very quiet way just like him. Everything was perfectly in place, not a single paper out of line. Meanwhile, Mahi herself felt like a walking example of chaos entering a space that clearly preferred order.

Hriday moved toward his desk, placing his phone down and casually picking up a file as if coffee stains on his shirt were just another part of his daily routine.

Mahi, on the other hand, was still stuck on it.

"Sir... if you want, I can arrange another shirt for you," she said hesitantly, clutching the empty coffee cup like it was evidence of her crime. "Ya... maybe I can send it for cleaning immediately?" she replied.

Hriday looked up at her, his expression calm but slightly thoughtful, as if he was considering her offer more for her peace of mind than his own need.

"Aap mujhe abhi yahin office mein dry cleaning kara dengi...muje nahi pata tha mere office mein dry cleaning ka bhi kaam chal raha hai?" he said, a hint of dry humor in his tone.

Mahi froze.

"...Right. Woh to Nahi chal raha ," she said awkwardly. "But sir that sounded smarter in my head." she replied.

For a brief moment, there was silence again-but this time, it wasn't heavy. It was almost... normal.

Hriday placed the file down and leaned slightly against the edge of his desk, his attention fully on her now.

"Ms. Malhotra," he said, his voice steady but softer than before, "mistakes hoti hain. Aap itni tension lena band kariye. Aap late bhi aayi hain, stressed bhi lag rahi hain, aur ab guilt bhi add kar liya hai... it's not a good combination for anyone's health." he said.

Mahi blinked, slightly surprised.

Nobody had ever summarized her condition so accurately within five seconds.

"I... I'll try, sir," she said, a little sheepishly this time. "Bas aaj ki starting badi bakwas hui meri." she replied.

"Dikh raha hai woh to... Shivangi ne waps kuch kiya kya?" he asked.

Mahi nodded while almost pouting.

And for the second time.

That almost-smile appeared again.

Mahi didn't know why, but this time... it didn't make her panic.

It just made her pause.

Then suddenly, reality hit her again.

"Sir! The meeting!" she said, straightening instantly like someone had pressed a reset button. "We should go, right?" she replied.

Hriday glanced at the clock, then back at her.

"Haan, chalna chahiye," he said simply, picking up his file. "Aur iss baar... bina kisi accident ke pahunchte hain okay?" he added.

Mahi nodded a little too seriously.

"Yes, sir. No accidents. Bilkul bhi nahi," she replied.

They both walked toward the door together-and for a split second, Mahi hesitated before touching the handle.

Hriday noticed.

"Aap pehle check kar lijiye... iss baar door ke dono sides safe hain ya nahi," he said.

Mahi looked at him.

Then at the door.

Then back at him.

She carefully opened the door this time very carefully and peeked out like she was expecting another human collision waiting for her.

Nothing happened.

She let out a tiny breath of relief.

"Safe hai ekdum," she said.

"Good chaliye phir," Hriday replied.

And as they walked out side by side toward the meeting room, Mahi couldn'

t help but think.

Maybe the day hadn't gone completely wrong...Okay, no.

It had gone completely wrong.

But at least...Her boss wasn't scary.

Just... unexpectedly calm.

And slightly sarcastic.

***********************************************

*Next Day*

Ashi and Shivangi were sitting comfortably on the couch, legs tucked in, a packet of chips placed between them like it was some sacred offering. Both of them were casually munching away, completely at peace with life, while their eyes followed a very restless figure in front of them.

Mahi.

Who had been pacing from one end of the room to the other for the past ten minutes.

Left.

Right.

Turn.

Left again.

It was honestly starting to feel like they were watching a live tennis match except the ball was Mahi's anxiety.

Both Ashi and Shivangi exchanged a look, then sighed at the exact same time, shaking their heads in perfect sync.

Finally, Ashi couldn't take it anymore.

"Tu kabse north se south aur south se north kyu ghume jaa rahi hai mehudi?" she asked, tossing a chip into her mouth.

Mahi stopped mid-step and turned toward her like she had just been personally attacked. "Tujhe tension nahi ho rahi hai kya? Land owner se milne ke liye?" she asked.

Ashi blinked.

Then shrugged.

"Tension ki kya baat hai? Land owner hi to hai... kaunsa koi bhatakti hui aatma hai jo khaa jaegi?" she replied casually, grabbing another handful of chips.

Mahi just stared at her like she had officially lost it.

Before she could say anything, Shivangi who had been unusually quiet till now-sat up a little straighter, her expression suddenly thoughtful.

"Nahi Ashu didi..." she began seriously, "...aapko pata nahi hai woh lady na mare hue insaan ko zinda kar de apni enquiry karke."

Ashi paused mid-chew.

Mahi blinked.

Shivangi continued, fully committed to the drama. "Aapko ek baat batati hu... abhi pichle mahine unhone mujhe ek ladke ke saath dekh liya tha. Meri class ka... hum logon ka kisi baat par argument ho raha tha..."

She took a dramatic pause.

"Bhai..." she leaned forward slightly, lowering her voice, "...jab main building mein enter hui na... to unke sawal AK47 ki tarah shuru ho gaye!!"

Ashi almost choked on her chips.

Mahi's eyes widened. "Tune mujhe to nahi bataya tha iss baare mein!!" she asked, narrowing her eyes.

"Batane jaisa tha hi nahi kuch," Shivangi said with a shrug. "Waise bhi aapko to pata hi hai... woh Akshat ka baccha starting se pakata hai mujhe!!"

Mahi immediately shook her head. "Shivi... respect se baat kar yaar... woh Hriday sir ka chota bhai hai. Agar usne teri complaint kar di to pata chala Hriday sir mujhe job se nikal de!!"

Shivangi rolled her eyes. "Arey didi, woh khud complain karne layak hai..."

Ashi, who had been silently watching this entire conversation derail into something completely unrelated, finally snapped.

She slammed both her hands dramatically on the table.

"BASSSS!!" she almost yelled.

Both Mahi and Shivangi froze.

Ashi looked at them with pure disbelief. "Yaar hum log kya baat kar rahe the... aur tum dono behno ne kaha topic mod diya!!"

There was a pause.

Shivangi blinked. "Land owner?" she said slowly.

Mahi immediately turned back to her panic mode. "HAAN LAND OWNER!!" she exclaimed, starting her pacing again like someone had pressed her reset button.

Ashi groaned, leaning back into the couch. "Mujhe lagta hai asli problem land owner nahi... yeh hai," she muttered, pointing at Mahi.

Shivangi nodded seriously. "Confirmed," she said, picking up another chip.

Mahi stopped again and glared at both of them. "Tum dono ko bilkul bhi tension nahi ho rahi hai??"

Ashi stretched lazily. "Nahi."

Shivangi popped a chip into her mouth. "Bilkul nahi."

Mahi stared at them for a full three seconds.

Then resumed pacing.

Left.

Right.

Turn.

Ashi watched her for a moment, then sighed. "Yeh agar aise hi chalta raha na... to Parul anuty ke aane se pehle hi yeh floor ghis jayega," she said.

Shivangi nodded thoughtfully. "Aur security deposit mein floor polishing ka charge alag se lagega," she added.

Mahi stopped again.

Slowly turned.

"...Main seriously bol rahi hu," she said.

Ashi nodded. "Hum bhi," she replied.

She was still half-annoyed and half-entertained by Mahi's nonstop pacing when something suddenly clicked in her mind. She straightened a little, pointing a chip at Mahi like she had just remembered a crucial detail.

"Ek minute," she said. "Tune bola tha na interview ke time pe koi aur bhi aayega hamare saath... woh kaun hai?"

Mahi froze.

For a split second.

Then she gave the most suspiciously awkward smile possible.

"Tera pati!!" she said.

Silence.

Ashi blinked.

Once.

Twice.

And then she almost choked on the chip she was eating.

"KYA?? Kaunsa pati?? Kahan ka pati?? Yeh kab paida ho gaya??" she sputtered, coughing slightly while Shivangi immediately burst out laughing beside her.

Mahi took a deep breath, clearly preparing herself for the explanation she knew was about to sound ridiculous.

"Yaar situation samajhne ki koshish kar..." she started, raising her hands defensively. "Woh Parul aunty na... thode purane type ki thinking wali hai!!"

Ashi just stared at her, still recovering. "Toh?" she asked.

Mahi continued, trying to sound logical. "Aur jo flats khaali hua hai na... uska reason bhi wahi thi. I guess kuch log waha live-in mein reh rahe the... aur jab unhe yeh pata chala na, toh unhone bina kuch samjhe un dono ko building se bahar nikal diya!!"

Shivangi stopped laughing.

"...Wait, seriously?" she asked.

Mahi nodded quickly. "Haan! Isliye main risk nahi le sakti. Agar unhe pata chal gaya ki tu akele rehne wali hain na... toh seedha reject kar dengi...uper se tune already advance de diya hai!"

Ashi leaned back slowly, processing this.

Then pointed at herself.

"Toh iska solution yeh hai ki... mera pati create kar diya jaye??" she asked.

"Temporary," Mahi corrected immediately.

"Imaginary?" Ashi added.

"Situation-based par," Mahi replied.

Shivangi, who was enjoying this way too much, leaned forward with interest. "Matlab... Ashu didi shaadi-shuda banegi?" she asked, eyes sparkling.

Ashi turned to her. "Main tujhe adopt karke hostel bhej dungi," she said flatly.

Shivangi grinned. "Par jiju kaun hai?" she asked, completely ignoring the threat.

Mahi looked at Ashi.

Ashi looked back at Mahi.

And then narrowed her eyes.

"Naam bhi decide kar liya hai kya?" she asked suspiciously.

Mahi hesitated.

"...Haan," she admitted.

Ashi closed her eyes.

"Of course kiya hoga," she muttered.

"Sun to le," Mahi insisted quickly. "Bas acting karni hai... thodi der ke liye. Simple si baat hai-tu married hai, husband out of station hai, kabhi kabhi aata hai...bass itna hi bolna hai."

Ashi slowly opened her eyes again.

"...Aur agar aunty ne bola 'beta phone lagao apne pati ko'? To? To mai kya hawa ko phone lagaungi?" she asked.

Mahi froze.

Shivangi immediately leaned in. "Haan didi... video call bhi ho sakta hai kya bharosa," she added helpfully.

Mahi's confident plan visibly cracked.

"...Phone silent rahega aisa kuch bol sakte hai shayad," she said weakly.

Ashi stared at her.

Then clapped slowly.

"Wah," she said dryly. "Kya solid planning hai Teri..."

Shivangi nodded in agreement. "Haan, bilkul pakde jayenge," she said.

"Arey yaar!" Mahi groaned, holding her head. "Kuch to karna padega na! Itna acha flat hai...tere liye Ashu.. location perfect hai... rent bhi manageable hai..."

Ashi sighed, looking at her dramatic, overthinking friend.

Then at Shivangi.

Then back at Mahi.

"...Theek hai," she said finally.

Mahi's head snapped up. "Sach??"

Ashi raised a finger. "Par ek condition hai."

"Anything!" Mahi said instantly.

"Main pati banaungi... story main decide karungi... aur agar pakde gaye na..." Ashi leaned forward slightly, "...toh main bol dungi yeh sab tera idea tha."

Shivangi immediately clapped. "Deal accepted!"

Mahi looked between both of them.

Then sighed.

"...Theek hai abhi ke liye aur koi chara bhi nahi hai," she muttered.

Ashi leaned back again, picking up another chip like she had just signed a business contract.

"Chalo," she said. "Aaj se main shaadi-shuda hoon."

Shivangi grinned. "Congrats Ashi didi."

Mahi, who had just somehow convinced Ashi into this ridiculous "married woman" plan, suddenly straightened like she had one more card left to play.

"Waise..." she began cautiously, "agar situation... na chahte hue bhi ulti gayi na... to maine tere liye ek nakli pati ka intzaam karke rakha hai!!"

Ashi didn't even react immediately.

She just gave her a long, slow, completely bored look.

"...Main sun rahi hu bol aage," she said flatly.

Mahi quickly continued before she lost whatever little credibility she had left. "Mere bachpan ka dost hai... abhi kal hi mujhe coincidentally mere office mein mila tha!! Woh bhi flat dhund raha hai!!"

Shivangi's interest peaked instantly. "Matalb sach mein muje mere brand new jiju milne wale hai... Because Mahi didi se to koi umeed hai nahi muje," she whispered dramatically.

Mahi ignored her and kept going, now sounding more confident. "Aur don't worry... uski warranty main leti hu!! Woh trustable hai ekdum!!"

Ashi raised a brow.

"Warranty?" she repeated.

"Haan!" Mahi nodded firmly. "Full guarantee. Koi bakwaas nahi karega, jo bolenge wohi bolega, acting bhi kar lega...thodi bohot"

Ashi crossed her arms, leaning back again. "Aur main usse jaanti hu?" she asked.

Mahi paused.

"...Nahi," she admitted.

Ashi stared at her.

Then slowly nodded.

"Perfect," she said dryly. "Matlab ek unknown ladka aayega... aur bolega 'hello ji main iska pati hu'... aur Parul aunty turant maan jayengi."

Shivangi burst out laughing again.

"Visual imagine karo didi bhai kya mast expressions honge na Parul anuty ke!" she said between laughs.

Mahi groaned. "Arey yaar tum log samajh kyun nahi rahe ho... backup plan hai bas!"

Ashi tilted her head. "Naam kya hai uska?" she asked.

Mahi hesitated for half a second.

"...Abir," she said.

Shivangi repeated dramatically, "Abir jiju..."

Ashi picked up a cushion and threw it lightly at her. "Chup hone ka kya legi tu."

Then she looked back at Mahi. "Aur is Abir ko pata hai ki uski shaadi ho chuki hai?" she asked.

Mahi scratched her head. "...Abhi nahi," she said slowly.

Ashi blinked.

"Matlab tu usse jaake bolegi-'hi, yaad hai bachpan mein hum khelte the? By the way, kal se tu mera pati hai'?" she asked.

Shivangi clapped again. "Aur woh manege?"

Mahi threw her a look. "Shivi chup baith!"

Then she turned back to Ashi, almost pleading now. "Yaar trust me... woh help kar dega. Thoda ajeeb hai, par acha hai. Aur situation samjhega."

Ashi sighed deeply, rubbing her forehead like she was already tired of problems that hadn't even happened yet.

"Mujhe na..." she said slowly, "...iss plan se zyada dar tere confidence se lag raha hai."

Shivangi nodded seriously. "Same."

Mahi frowned. "Tum dono bilkul support nahi karte ho!"

Ashi looked at her.

Then smirked a little.

"Kar rahe hai na... warna main abhi tak bhaag chuki hoti," she said.

Shivangi added, "Main to popcorn le aati."

Mahi just stared at them, completely done.

"Bas... kal ka din nikal jaaye," she muttered.

Ashi leaned back comfortably again, munching on another chip. "Haan... ya to flat mil jayega..."

Shivangi grinned.

"...ya apko ek pati permanently mil jayega," she added.

Ashi paused mid-bite.

Then slowly turned toward her.

"Zyada khush mat ho... tujhe hostel bhejne ka plan abhi bhi active hai," she said.

Shivangi just smiled wider.

And Mahi?

She buried her face in her hands.

***********************************************

The moment Ashi and Mahi stepped into the building office, Ashi's confidence-whatever little she had left-evaporated into thin air. Her fingers shot out and grabbed Mahi's hand like it was the last lifeline on Earth.

"Yaar, tab toh maine bas attitude dikhane ke liye bol diya tha... but now even I'm scared!" she whispered in panic, her eyes darting around like the landlord might jump out from behind a dusty file cabinet.

Mahi, on the other hand, looked far too calm for someone who was clearly enjoying this. She patted Ashi's hand like she was soothing a dramatic toddler. "Arre relax... tune hi toh bola tha-landowner hai, koi bhatakti hui aatma thodi na hai! Chill kar. And look," she nudged her subtly, "there's Parul aunty, standing by the window like she owns the entire building... which, technically, she does."

Ashi followed her gaze and spotted Parul aunty. Taking a deep breath, she straightened her posture like she was about to give a TED Talk on bravery.

"Okay... I can definitely do this. I'm independent. I can do anything," she muttered to herself, trying very hard to convince her own soul.

Mahi heard that-and almost burst out laughing. A small chuckle escaped anyway.

Ashi immediately turned her head and glared at her like a villain discovering betrayal. "Dikh rahi hai meri fist? Yeh seedha tere naak pe padegi na... saari hasi hawa ho jayegi. Chup reh!"

Mahi, still grinning, quickly slapped a hand over her mouth to contain the laughter, though her eyes were still dancing with mischief.

Before Ashi could continue her threats of physical violence, a warm voice interrupted them.

"Arre Mahi beta... kaisi hai tu? Main tera hi wait kar rahi thi!"

Both of them turned toward the voice, and just like that, Mahi switched into her "good sanskari girl" mode with a perfectly genuine smile.

"Main toh bilkul achhi hoon aunty, aap batao? Aap kaise ho?" she said sweetly, as if she hadn't just been seconds away from getting punched.

Parul aunty smiled warmly at her, clearly pleased. But then her gaze shifted to Ashi-and her expression changed into a confused frown, like she had just spotted an unexpected parcel.

"Yeh?" she asked, eyebrows slightly raised.

Mahi didn't miss a beat. "Aunty, maine aapko call pe bataya tha na-meri ek friend Delhi se aa rahi hai? Same friend," she gestured toward Ashi, who was now trying very hard to look like a responsible, rent-paying adult. "Woh jo last week flat khaali hua hai, ussi ko dekhne aayi hai. Aur... aapke kehne par isne 10% advance bhi de diya tha."

Ashi stood there, nodding awkwardly with a tight smile, silently praying that her earlier "I can do anything" speech didn't get tested right here, right now-because honestly, she was still recovering from just entering the office.

Parul aunty's eyes slowly moved from Mahi to Ashi, scanning her from head to toe like she was a human lie detector. Ashi felt that gaze in her soul. For a split second, she forgot how to blink.

"Accha..." Parul aunty said, dragging the word just enough to make Ashi internally panic. "Advance bhi de diya?"

Ashi immediately nodded a little too fast. "Ji! Matlab... yes... I mean-haan aunty!" She winced at her own multilingual disaster but kept smiling like everything was perfectly under control.

Mahi, standing beside her, bit the inside of her cheek to stop herself from laughing. Bas thoda aur aur yeh khud hi apna deal cancel kar degi, she thought.

Parul aunty crossed her arms, still observing Ashi. "Delhi se ho?"

Ashi straightened again, as if posture alone could make her more believable. "Yes aunty. Proper Delhi. Very... responsible Delhi."

The moment the words left her mouth, she regretted them. Responsible Delhi? Seriously? she screamed internally.

Mahi coughed loudly, pretending to cover it up. "Matlab... she's very responsible, aunty kabhi kabhi...excitmemt mein idhr udher ho jaati hai."

"Hmm." Parul aunty didn't look fully convinced, but she nodded anyway. "Chalo, flat dekh lo. Phir baaki ki baatein karte hain."

Ashi's heart did a tiny somersault. Bas? Itna easily? She almost looked around to check if this was a trap.

Mahi leaned slightly toward her and whispered, "Dekha? Koi aatma nahi thi."

Ashi glared at her without turning her head. "Abhi bhi ho sakti hai. Old buildings are suspicious Shivangi bol rahi thi waise bhi."

They followed Parul aunty through the corridor. The building had that typical old-but-still-functioning vibe-slightly faded walls, a faint smell of phenyl, and stairs that looked like they had seen generations of tenants come and go.

As they climbed up, Ashi tried to act casual, but her curiosity-and anxiety-kept bubbling up.

"Umm... aunty," she started cautiously, "yahaan... sab normal hai na? Like... water, electricity... aur... you know... koi... issues?"

Mahi immediately looked at her like don't you dare.

Parul aunty paused mid-step and turned slightly. "Kaisa issue?"

Ashi forced a laugh that sounded more like a cough. "Nahi nahi... matlab... leakage ya... wiring... ya... umm..."

She lowered her voice dramatically, "koi... ajeeb awaazein?"

Mahi slapped her own forehead. "Ignore her, aunty. She watches too many horror reels."

Parul aunty stared at Ashi for a second... and then, unexpectedly, chuckled. "Ajeeb awaazein toh aati hain..."

Ashi froze.

"...upar wale Sharma ji ke TV ki," Parul aunty finished calmly and continued walking.

Mahi burst out laughing this time, not even trying to hide it.

Ashi exhaled so loudly it almost echoed. "I hate you," she muttered to Mahi.

"Love you too," Mahi replied sweetly.

Finally, they reached the flat. Parul aunty unlocked the door, and it creaked open dramatically-like it was auditioning for a horror movie.

Ashi and Mahi both paused.

"...Why did it sound like that?" Ashi whispered.

"Because it's a door, Ashi," Mahi replied, already stepping inside.

The flat was surprisingly spacious. Sunlight streamed in through the windows, making the place feel warm and welcoming. It had a simple layout-clean, airy, and honestly, way better than Ashi had expected.

For a moment, Ashi forgot to be scared.

"Wow..." she said softly, stepping in. "This is actually... really nice."

Mahi folded her arms, smirking. "Of course it is. Maine bola tha na."

Ashi walked around slowly, peeking into rooms, opening windows, mentally imagining where her bed, desk, and unnecessary decorative fairy lights would go.

Parul aunty watched her quietly this time, her expression softer now.

"Pasand aaya?" she asked.

Ashi turned toward her, and this time her smile was real. "Haan aunty... bahut pasand aaya."

By the time they returned to the office, Ashi had already mentally placed her imaginary sofa, curtains, and even a "Do Not Disturb (Unless You Have Food)" sign on the door. Reality, however, was sitting right across the table in the form of Parul aunty-with papers, a pen, and a suspiciously sharp gaze.

"Chalo beta, basic formalities kar lete hain," Parul aunty said, adjusting her glasses like she was about to conduct an interview for Life Decisions Pvt. Ltd.

Mahi immediately slipped into her efficient mode, pulling out documents like she did this every day. Ashi, meanwhile, sat beside her trying to look like a financially stable, emotionally mature adult... which, given her track record from the last ten minutes, was ambitious.

Forms were signed. Names were written. Signatures happened-some confident, some slightly trembling.

Everything was going suspiciously smooth.

Too smooth.

And then-it happened.

Parul aunty casually looked up from the papers and asked, "Aur beta... tumhare husband kya karte hain?"

Silence.

Not normal silence.

The kind of silence where even the fan seems to stop rotating.

Ashi froze.

Mahi froze.

Even Ashi's pen froze mid-air like it had also decided, Nope, I'm not part of this.

Inside Ashi's brain, "muje pata tha yeh puchne wali hai..par ab mai kya bolu?"

They both slowly turned to look at each other like two students who forgot there was an exam today.

Parul aunty, completely unaware of the internal meltdown she had just triggered, continued, "Main yeh flat sirf married couples ko hi dungi hoon. Because phele wale tentet sahi nahi the."

Of course she does, Mahi thought. Kyunki universe ko drama pasand hai.

Before Ashi could open her mouth and accidentally confess her entire life story, Mahi jumped in like a last-minute substitute player.

"Haan aunty, actually... iska husband toh..." she paused for half a second, searching for something believable, "...abhi bahar hai. Out of station."

Ashi immediately nodded like a bobblehead. "Yes! Bahar. Very bahar hai ki woh to."

Parul aunty raised an eyebrow. "Kahan?"

And that's where everything collapsed.

"Delhi-" Ashi blurted.

"Gujrat-" Mahi said at the exact same time.

They both stopped.

Turned.

Stared at each other...Betrayal. Pure betrayal.

Parul aunty blinked slowly. "Delhi ya Gujrat?"

"Delhi-Gujrat!" Ashi said quickly, inventing a new geographical concept.

"Haaan... matlab travel kar rahe hain," Mahi added, smiling like this was all perfectly normal. "Kaafi... dynamic job hai uski."

"Accha..." Parul aunty leaned back slightly, clearly not convinced but definitely entertained now. "Kya kaam karte hain?"

"Engineer!" Ashi said.

"Business!" Mahi said at the same time.

Another pause...Another stare.

If looks could kill, both would've been gone.

"Engineer... business," Ashi corrected weakly, her voice shrinking with every word.

"Haaan... engineering business," Mahi nodded enthusiastically, as if this was a well-known profession.

Parul aunty didn't say anything for a few seconds. She just looked at them... the way teachers look at students who are confidently writing the wrong answer.

Meanwhile, under the table, Mahi slowly unlocked her phone like she was defusing a bomb.

Her fingers flew across the screen:

"Kaha hai tu?? Jaldi aa yaar... hum log almost phasne wale hai!!"

Within seconds, a reply popped up:

"Aree yaar tere taraf kaafi traffic hai... bas aa raha hu, ruk ja Rajdhani Express 😎"

Mahi's eye twitched.

She typed back furiously:

"Ye time joke ka nahi hai!!! tune kaha tha tu help karga...ab jaldi aa bhai...mere se jyada der tak yeh nahi sambhalegi!"

Ashi, sitting beside her, tried to maintain a normal face but leaned slightly to peek at the phone. The moment she read "Rajdhani Express," she almost choked.

Parul aunty noticed the micro-chaos happening in front of her. "Sab theek hai na?"

"Bilkul!" both of them said instantly-this time at least synchronized.

"Bas... iske husband ka hi wait kar rahe hain yaha aane ke pehel uska message aya tha Ashi ko...woh thodi der mein aa raha hai," Mahi added, forcing a smile.

"Haaan... aa hi rahe hain," Ashi nodded, praying to every possible deity.

Inside her head, "Bhagwan, jis bhi insaan ko Mahi ne message kiya hai... please usse jaldi bhej do. Chahe woh aadmi ho, alien ho, ya Zomato delivery boy-main adjust kar lungi."

A few painfully slow minutes crawled by, stretching so long that even the wall clock seemed tired of ticking. For Ashi, every second felt like a countdown to public humiliation. Her fake marriage-her brilliant last-minute idea-was seconds away from collapsing like a poorly built house of cards.

Parul aunty had gone back to her papers, but the way she kept peeking over them made it very clear-CID mode: ON.

Mahi, meanwhile, looked like she was guarding the gates of heaven. Her eyes were glued to the door, her leg bouncing non-stop, silently praying to every god she had ever heard of. At this point, even she didn't care who walked in-bas aadmi hona chahiye.

And then... the door opened.

Not just opened. Dramatically opened. Jaise kisi serial ka hero entry le raha ho.

Mahi's head snapped toward it so fast it was almost concerning. Her eyes widened, her face lit up like Diwali, and before logic could intervene, she pointed and blurted, "Aunty, woh dekhiye-woh raha Ashi ka husband! Samne se aa raha hai!"

Ashi, who had just picked up a glass of juice to calm her dying soul, rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't get stuck. "Haan haan, of course-mere husba-"

She turned.

She saw.

And her soul left her body.

"KHHH-COUGH-COUGH-!"

Juice went down the wrong pipe, dignity went out the window, and her brain just... shut down.

Because standing there-walking in like he belonged-was him.

The same guy from the flight.

The same guy she had argued with.

The same guy she had mentally canceled, insulted, and planned ten imaginary revenge scenarios for.

Out of all the people in this giant, overpopulated world...

THIS. GUY.

Ashi's brain blue-screened.

Mahi looked between the two of them for exactly two seconds. Confusion flashed, calculations happened, and then-decision made.

"Ise kya hogya achank?? Chodo abhi yeh important nahi hai...abhi to bass jaise taise parul aunty maan jaye."

Meanwhile, the guy paused for just a fraction of a second when he saw Ashi. Surprise flickered in his eyes-but only briefly.

Because the next second, it was gone.

Replaced by a calm, confident smirk.

Oh, he liked this.

Ashi wiped her mouth, still coughing, staring at him like she was witnessing a glitch in the universe. "Tum?!"

He raised an eyebrow, completely unfazed, like this was just another Tuesday. "Haa Main."

Pranisha: Bas. Itna hi. Jaise woh coffee order kar raha ho, na ki ek fake marriage drama mein entry maar raha ho.

Parul aunty looked between them, clearly intrigued now. "Tum dono ek dusre ko jaante ho?"

Ashi opened her mouth, fully ready to say, "Haan, unfortunately, aur mujhe yeh bilkul pasand nahi-"

But Mahi?

Mahi was not here for truth.

She was here for survival.

"Haan aunty! Obviously jaante hain... husband-wife hain aur ek dusre se bohot jayda pyaar bhi karte hai," she jumped in with a smile so wide it deserved its own zip code.

Ashi snapped her head toward her so fast it could've caused a minor earthquake while thinking ,"Tu to ruk beta. Ghar chal. Tera hisaab alag se hoga."

The guy glanced at Mahi, then at Ashi, and that smirk? It upgraded. Premium version.

"Of course," he said smoothly, stepping closer like he had rehearsed this his whole life. "Kaise nahi jaante honge akhir she's the love of my life."

Ashi narrowed her eyes at him. Don't. You. Dare.

He ignored that completely.

Instead, he came and stood right beside her-way too comfortably-and casually placed his hand on the back of her chair like this was his permanent seat.

Permanent. Seat.

Excuse me?!

"Sorry, thoda late ho gaya," he added, looking at Parul aunty with the sincerity of an award-winning actor. "Mumbai ka Traffic to apko pata hi hai."

Parul aunty nodded, now visibly satisfied. "Koi baat nahi beta. Tumse hi milna tha."

And just like that... tension? Gone.

Suspicion? Gone.

Ashi's sanity? Also gone.

She sat there, completely frozen, staring straight ahead while her brain screamed in surround sound, "Yeh kya ho raha hai?! Yeh kyun ho raha hai?! Aur sabse important-YEH BANDHA ITNA COMFORTABLE KYUN HAI?! Aur yaha kya kar raha hai!!! Aree yaar koi aur nahi mila tha kya apko Bhagwan ji!! Muje nahi chahiye yeh."

Slowly, very slowly, she turned her head and looked up at him, her voice barely above a whisper, teeth clenched so tight it was impressive.

"Tum yahan kya kar rahe ho?" She asked.

Without even looking at her, he leaned slightly and whispered back, as if they were sharing some cute little secret-

"Tumhari izaat bacha raha hoon aur kya miss badboli."

Ashi's eye twitched.

Once.

Twice.

Her fake husband...was officially the most annoying man she had ever met.

Aur sabse badi problem?

Woh jaane ka naam hi nahi le raha tha.

Parul aunty adjusted her glasses and looked at the newly arrived "husband" with fresh curiosity, clearly ready to verify if this unexpected entry actually made sense.

"Naam kya hai beta tumhra?" she asked.

The guy didn't even hesitate. Not even a second. Like he had been born for this moment.

"Abir," he said smoothly, slipping his hands into his pockets with effortless confidence. "Abir Mittal."

Mahi nodded immediately like she had personally filled out his birth certificate. "Haan aunty, Abir. Maine bataya tha na-"

Ashi slowly turned her head toward him, eyes rolling to that extent ki permanently wahi shift ho jaegi.

Parul aunty gave a small nod... but then her gaze shifted to the documents lying on the table. Specifically-Ashi's ID.

Her eyebrows slowly came together.

"Ashi... Aggarwal?" she read aloud, looking back up at them.

And just like that-

Round 2 of panic began.

Ashi froze again.

Mahi froze again.

Abir... did not freeze.

In fact, the man looked almost excited.

Parul aunty leaned back slightly. "Agar tum dono husband-wife ho... toh surname alag kyun hai tum dono ka?"

Ashi opened her mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.

Nothing came out except internal screaming.

Before she could accidentally say something like "Actually aunty, main toh single hoon aur yeh aadmi mujhe flight mein irritate kar raha tha aur ab yaha aaker dimaag ka dahi kar raha hai," Mahi and Abir BOTH leaned forward at the same time like synchronized performers.

"Aunty woh-" Mahi started.

"Actually aunty-" Abir started.

They both paused... looked at each other... and in that one silent moment, an entire fictional universe was created.

Then Abir took the lead, his voice suddenly dropping into that emotional Bollywood hero tone.

"Humari shaadi..." he began dramatically, glancing at Ashi for effect, "itni aasaan nahi thi bohot jyada mushkil aayi thi."

Ashi blinked.

Excuse me?

Mahi immediately caught on and nodded sadly, like she had personally witnessed their imaginary struggle. "Bilkul aunty... bohot problems hui thi."

Parul aunty leaned in slightly, now fully invested. "Kaisi problems?"

And bas. That was it.

Story mode: ON.

"Wahi...90s ki bollywood movie wali problem...Family issues," Abir sighed, running a hand through his hair like he had suffered deeply. "Dono families against thi hum dono ke pyaar ke."

Ashi almost choked again. Dono? Meri toh family ko pata bhi nahi hai main yahan yeh notanki dekh rahi hu!

Mahi jumped in, her voice filled with fake emotion. "Aunty, aap samajh sakti ho na... different backgrounds... different expectations...itna sab kuch saha hai inn dono ne."

"Lekin pyaar..." Abir continued, placing a hand dramatically over his heart, "aur woh bhi ekdum saccha pyaar to rukene se kaha rukta hai."

Ashi stared at him.

Isko Oscar do koi.

Parul aunty's expression softened just a little. "Accha Phir kya hua tha?"

"Phir kya aunty," Mahi said, lowering her voice like she was narrating a tragic love story, "inn dono ne bhaag ke shaadi kar li."

Ashi's soul left her body.

BHAAG KE SHAADI?!

She turned slowly toward Mahi like, 'Wahh...matalb ab mai baagi bhi? Ek do goli bhi khaali seene par yeh bhi bol hi de ab to!!'

Abir, meanwhile, nodded with full seriousness. "Haan... situation hi aisi thi aap hi bataiye kya karte hum log...mai iske alwa kisi aur ke baarien mein soch bhi nahi sakta hu!!"

"Isi liye inn logon ne Court marriage ki pichle mahine hi," Mahi added quickly.

"Simple ceremony thi ekdum," Abir confirmed.

"Bahut simple," Mahi agreed.

Ashi sat there, hands folded in her lap, trying to process how her life had turned into a low-budget romantic drama without her consent and almost scoffed.

Parul aunty looked at Ashi again, now with a mix of sympathy and curiosity. "Toh beta... abhi tak naam change nahi kiya? Ager court marriage hui hai to tabhi ke tabhi naam change kar dena chahiye tha na?"

Before Ashi could say literally anything, Abir answered smoothly, "Process mein hai aunty. Documents update hone mein time lagta hai apko to pata hi hoga...system kitna jyada wala corrupted hai"

Ashi almost mummered, "Sabse jayada corrupted insaan to mere side mein hi baitha hua hai!"

Mahi ignored her and nodded at Abir's statment like a government officer. "Haan aunty, aaj kal system thoda slow hai."

Ashi blinked.

System slow hai ya tum dono fast ho?

Parul aunty sighed softly, shaking her head. "Aaj kal ke bachche bhi na... ghar walon ki marzi ke bina..."

Abir immediately looked down, acting guilty. "Galti ho gayi aunty... par ab shaadi ho chuki hai ab to kuch nahi kar sakte na!!"

Mahi even sniffed a little for dramatic effect.

Ashi was this close to applauding.

Instead, she just sat there, completely stunned, thinking, 'Main flat lene aayi thi... yeh log mujhe poori shaadi karwa ke hi chodenge.'

Parul aunty finally set the papers aside and adjusted her glasses with a satisfied little nod, as if everything had fallen perfectly into place just the way she wanted. The tension in the room eased instantly, at least for her, because in her mind things were now simple, sorted, and moving exactly on track.

"Theek hai," she said warmly, glancing between Ashi and Abir standing beside her with quiet approval, "kuch paperwork aur baaki hai. Woh complete ho jaayega... aap log kal tak shift kar sakte ho."

And just like that, another shockwave hit silent but deadly.

Ashi didn't react immediately. She just stared at Parul aunty, her expression blank for a second too long, as if her brain was still buffering the sentence. Kal tak shift? Together? In the same house? With him? Her mind, already hanging on by its last thread, simply refused to process any more information.

Somewhere internally, a voice just whispered, "You must be kidding me."

Next to her, Mahi looked like she had just witnessed a miracle unfold in real time. Relief washed over her face so dramatically it could've been filmed in slow motion.

She almost sighed out loud but quickly covered it up with an overly bright smile. "That sounds perfect, aunty," she said, way too quickly, way too happily, like someone who had just escaped a life sentence.

Then she nudged Ashi subtly, her eyes screaming-say yes, warna main tujhe yahin bech dungi.

Ashi turned toward her with the slow, controlled movement of someone planning a future murder. Her stare alone carried a full warning-tu bach nahi rahi hai iske baad.

Before she could say anything out loud though, Abir beside her spoke, completely calm, completely unfazed, as if none of this was insane.

"Yes, that works perfectly fine with us," he said smoothly, his tone steady and assured, like shifting in together overnight was just another item on his daily to-do list.

Ashi's head snapped toward him instantly, disbelief flashing across her face. That works? Of course it works. Kyun nahi karega? Free entertainment mil raha hai na.

Parul aunty seemed pleased, nodding with satisfaction. "Good. I'll have everything prepared by tomorrow morning then. You won't have to worry about anything."

Except my entire life collapsing, Ashi mentally added, but her lips stayed sealed.

The conversation moved on casually after that, but Ashi wasn't hearing a word anymore. Her thoughts were running in circles, crashing into each other at full speed. Moving in with a stranger was already a nightmare. Moving in with this stranger? That was a personal attack from the universe.

Trying to keep her expression neutral, she leaned slightly toward him, her voice barely above a whisper but filled with sharp disbelief. "Tum seriously pagal ho kya? Kal shift? Tumhe problem samajh aa rahi hai ya nahi?"

He didn't even turn to look at her. Didn't flinch. Didn't hesitate. There was just that faint, infuriating smile still resting on his face as he murmured back quietly, "Problem samajh aa rahi hai... solution bhi."

Ashi frowned, confused for half a second before irritation took over again. "Kya solution?"

This time, he finally glanced at her, eyes calm, almost amused, like he knew something she didn't. "Main hoon na don't worry yaar!!!"

"Tum hi sabse badi problem dikhai de rahe muje abhi to!!" She snapped at him.

He just give her amused smile.

And somehow... that made it worse.

Ashi leaned back in her chair, completely done, staring straight ahead while internally questioning every life decision that had led her to this exact moment. Fake marriage? Bad idea. Trusting Mahi? Worse idea. But the worst part of all?

The man who was supposed to be a temporary solution was looking way too comfortable being a permanent problem.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

𝐼 𝒉𝑜𝑝𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑖𝑘𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝒉𝑖𝑠 𝑐𝒉𝑎𝑝𝑡𝑒𝑟 ❤️

𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑡𝑜 𝑣𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡 👉👈

𝐿𝑜𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑜𝑣𝑒 💕

~𝑃𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑠𝒉𝑎𝑋𝑤𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠