"Aap sab yahan? Omg!!" She squealed and ran to hug her family and friends while the elders looked at her with admiring eyes.

(You all are here?)

"How can we miss our little princess's birthday?" Her dad said while making her wear a tiara and aunty put a birthday girl sash over her shoulder.

"Before you ask anything let me clear you that it was all Ayushi's plan so take care of that however you like." Yukti stated, clearly putting Ayushi on a 'scary limelight' because Ms. Govind was giving her those akele-mein-mil-fir-bataungi glares while Ayushi just chuckled and asked her to cut the cake first.

Everyone sang her the birthday song, while she giggled and cried, getting overwhelmed. She then fed everyone a piece of cake also while taking blessings by touching feets of elders.

"Nahi nahi beta! Humare gharane mein betiyan pair nahi chuti." Maa hugged her while making her eat the cake first. Not gonna lie she gave me a tuney-itni-sundar-ladki-kaise-pasand-karli? look. And I just replied her with a mischievous but hideous grin.

(No no dear! Girls don't touch feets in our household.)

She then reached near Mr. Choudhary and following the same trend she fed everyone cake...except me. Wait, why am I an exception? Man sees, man waits, man disappointed, man leaves.

"Aaru, beta come here and greet uncle and aunty properly." I heard maa call me before I could feed a piece of cake to Akshit. "Just a minute, maa." I replied in a loud yet gentle voice. But wait, Choudhary ji went gayab all of a sudden. Strange.

I then headed to the sitting area where all the elders were. Including my parents, Akshit's parents, Yukti's and Manav's mother as both uncles were out on a business trip.

(Just a random TMI that Yukti's, Manav's and my mother were besties even before the term was invented.)

Dad and Mum then introduced all of us to Akshit's parents. "So, he is my best buddy from Medical college or you can say Jay to my Veru. The time spent with this guy was so precious that even after 10 years of being apart I can recall every tiny part of that phase." Dad mentioned with proud eyes.

"So do I, mere yaar! Those days were the best days of our lives. I mean excluding the stinky test days, scary surgical lessons and terrifying final exams of course." We heard them laugh.

While the 'purane kisson ka pitara' opened between the long lost best friends, the aunties settled near our pool with their packets of gossip and I joined my friends who were teasing Manav and Yukti.

"Hume toh dekho pata he tha." Yash shrugged. "Iski shakal pe he dikh jata tha!" Falak added. "I mean the whole senior community knew that 'Manav Gupta is whipped for Yukti Sharma'." I supported. That made the duo blush and hid their faces.

(We already knew this gonna happen.

It was evident on his face!)

Meanwhile, I observed the surroundings, realizing the absence of 2 people. "Yuku, where's Choti and Akshit?" I asked while she shrugged saying, "Yahin kahin honge."

I looked for them and found Ayushi on the other side of the terrace near the swing where the lights were barely lit. "Choti, what happened? Why are you sitting here alone?" She didn't respond and continued to look down. "Ayushi?" I shook her a little and all she did was mumble in her sleep.

'Daant khane se bachne ka achha tarika mil gaya isse! Chalo koi ni bichare ne itni mehnat bhi toh kari hai.' I covered her with a blanket. And went to search for Akshit but he was back.

(She found a nice reason to be safe from my scolding! It's okay anyways as she has worked so hard.)

"Where were you?" I asked him. "Umm, nowhere." He replied with a weak smile and joined Manav and my friends as I followed him. "Too many toppers together yarr, my average kid's eyes just can't!" Yash mentioned making us all laugh. "Ay c'mon these 2 are the only toppers here, we were just rankers." Yukti corrected him.

An hour later the party was about to get over. My friends were leaving. Now, only the 4 of us and our parents were there.

"Waise kehna toh padega Mamta ji, Akshit bahut he achhe baccha hai, ekdum shaant aur sincere." Mumma complimented him. "Beti toh aapki v badi pyaari hai Sarika ji, bilkul phool si." His mother complimented me while I covered my face out of sharam.

(I must say Mamta ji, Akshit is a very good child, he's very calm and sincere.

Even your daughter is very lovely Sarika ji, just like a flower.)

"It's nothing like that aunty, both of them are very different in front of us. Believe me." Manav stated, receiving supportive nods from Yuku.

"Han toh tum dono kon sa doodh ke dhule ho!" Minakshi aunty, mentioned while Supriya aunty supported her saying, "Sahi baat hai!". Manav and Yukti watched their mothers in amusement.

(So what, even you guys aren't so innocent!)

[Minakshi aunty or Minakshi Sharma, Yukti's mother and a renowned fashion designer. She is in her mid 30s. She treats Yukti as her friend more than her daughter but is strict when it's about study. She is sweet and savage, that's where Yukti got the similar traits from.]

"Aww, poor babies." I mocked the duo and later received a smack from Yukti who instead of laughing gave me a 'chamaat markar chord rahe hain, zyada uchli toh khopdi he uda denge' look. And I was honestly scared for my life.

Then I heard dad's voice calling me and Akshit near them as he was sitting beside Sandeep uncle. "Yes dad?" I replied, standing beside papa. "Sandeep needed a tiny bit of help from you." He added. "From me?" I asked out of curiosity as Akshit looked confused as well.

"He needs someone who can tutor his son about the importance of fun and enjoyment in life." "His son- you mean Akshit?" We received a pair of nods from the duo. "Okay I will surely help uncle, but just saying that being simple and reserved is not that bad." I sent a brief smile to Akshit as he let a relieved smile leave his face.

"I know, I know. But at this age along with studying, you guys should also create beautiful memories." uncle mentioned. "That's true! Because years later when you'll meet those friends again, you won't have just stories to share but have whole journey to discuss." Papa added while Akshit and I nodded, understanding.

The night witnessed nostalgic stories, enthusiastic atmosphere and delightful celebrations. Cheers to my sweet 17th!

Few days later.

"So who wants to explain the context or the theme of the poem?" I raised my arm, waiting for Miss Joshi to pick me. "Umm, you Yash." She picked Yash to answer the question even when he didn't raise his hand. Yash looked confused and dumbfounded at the same time. A chuckle left Falak's mouth making a few students laugh as well.

"The- the poet is trying to convey a deep and meaningful message that...we should keep quiet." Yash stated receiving a few slow claps and a stern glare from Miss Joshi. "Anybody else? Umm yes Aarohi please."

"The impactful message by the poet here was the significance of mindfulness, introspection and retrospection as these lead to attention, unity and brotherhood. In order to develop a better understanding of themselves and their surroundings, the poet emphasizes stillness and watching nature." I explained, and thought to add on a bit more when;

Ronika cut me off, "The poem also considers how the modern world may be noisy and distracting and how spending some time to be silent can still be a helpful strategy for obtaining clarity and inner calm." Miss complimented both of us. Ronika gave me a sly smirk that looked horrifying.

'Yuku sahi kehti h, yeh chudel ki chudel he rahegi he rahegi.'

(Yuku is right, she will always remain a witch)

During Recess.

"Hii ladies, please take your seats." Manav invited us with a cheerful smile. "Oyee hoyee bhai, aaj bade chahek rahe ho!" I said, making him smile even more. "I got selected in the junior state cricket team!!" He exclaimed, making the 2 of us jump in excitement.

(Oyee hoyee bhai, you're looking so happy!)

"Oh my god, congratulations bab- Manav" Yukti said giving him a side hug and I congratulated him with a small handshake. "Bhai party!!" I added. He nodded and that's when Akshit came with 3 plates of samosas and a frankie for himself. "Aaj ki party meri taraf se." Manav said.

While we were celebrating Manav's achievement, I noticed an unknown worry on Akshit's face. Something is wrong. I nudged his shoulder gently, "Yes?" He asked. "Zindagi mein bohot si jagah pareshan, tanha aur bebas hone ka moka milega." I stated while he passed me a confused look.

(There will be many reasons to be troubled, lonely and depressed in life.)

"Abhi se udaas hone ki practice matt kijiye, Choudhary ji." I clarified to which he replied with a low chuckle.

(Don't practice to be upset from now on, Choudhary ji)

The day followed up the usual routine. The night sky soon embraced the environment as I sat near my window looking at the stars around the moon.

That's when I remember a quote saying,
Tu chand aur main sitara hota,
Asmaan mein ek ashiyana humara hota.
Durr se dekhte tujhe lakhon magar,
Pass se dekhne ka haqq sirf humara hota.

This made me think and miss Akshit more, as I've become a hopeless romantic who still haven't mustered up the freaking confidence to propose her crush.

Oh did I mentioned that I've started to write a book? Finally I got a proper plot and the characters are as amazing.

'Aaj mazak mein toh keh diya tha par unhe life mein kabhi udasi na dekhni pade Radha Rani. Please khayal rakhna han.' I thought about today's encounter and finished my pending works.

A week later.

"Akshit is absent today." Manav mentioned making me go sad, not evident enough for him to catch it thoug- "Why did your face withered suddenly?" He asked. I chuckled nervously, while Manav darted a look but shrugged later on receiving no response from me.

That's when Ronika enter the canteen, coming towards our direction. "Hey Manav, where's Akshit?" She asked. "Mere dil mein." I mumbled quietly.

"Why are you asking?" Manav interjected. "Well I had some personal work with him so yes, anyways can you ask him to meet me after the school ends?" She spoke in the same annoying tone. "He's abs-" "Thank you." She walked off before hearing Manav's response.

"Why was she asking Akshit's whereabouts and what did she meant by 'personal work'?" I asked, curious. "Don't bother! She speaks rubbish anyways." Yukti said. "Han, waise bhi Akshit bhao nahi deta isse, chord!" Manav supported. I shrugged my intrusive thoughts and had my food calmly.

(Yeah, Akshit doesn't care about her anyways, just leave it!)

Later that evening.

'Umm text karu ya nahi?' I thought to myself. I was slightly worried about Ronika's behavior and how she mentioned that she had some 'personal work' with Akshit.

'Puchun? Lekin kya puchungi? Yahi ki aapke aur Ronika k beech kuch chal toh nahi raha? Creep na samajh bethen woh mujhe.' I fidgeted my phone when a notification lit my phone screen.

akshit_choudhary

❤ 💬 ➤

Liked by manav_gupta03 and others

akshit_choudhary Lag raha hun na ekdum ✨️ Aesthetic ✨️

Comments
manav_gupta03 Akele akele? Gaddar.
- akshit_choudhary Mummy ke sath gaya tha

arjun.443 Aesthetic ka 14
- akshit_choudhary Pata tha yahi sunne milega, waise aap he ka bhai hun.
- arjun.443 I- Damn.

xyz.00._. Aree bhai bhabhi ko piche bitha diya kya?

random.guy.1 Piche wali ladki Ronika jaisi nahi lagg rahi?
- xyz.00._. Are han!

Wait what?? I zoomed through his pic ignoring the cute hooman for the first time as I read the comments that made me anxious. Is she really Ronika? The wavy and long hairs- oh shut up Aarohi, you are just overthinking.

'Akshit doesn't even look at any girl Aarohi, your brain is just tricking you. Have faith in your choice, your man.' I just threw my phone, embrace my pillow and let my tiredness engulf me.

♡

Sushi's note: Hey readers, hope you liked and enjoyed this chapter!

And a subtle request to please vote and comment as it encourages us to write more. From here on we will give targets, not too much but atleast what we deserve.

Vote target: 30+
Comment target: None (Leave your opinions)

And don't forget to take care of yourself and drink loads of water. Stay protected from this hot hot garmi.

Also we are finally on insta as @sushimagines so make sure to check that out as well! We've also provided the link here on wattpad.

With love
《 Radhe Radhe 》