Shattered to Be His

71| Done with me? | Aayansh and Aashika. #3

Malang glances around frantically, spots a worker passing by, and calls out, "Hey, you! Come here! Madam needs help."

Lisa's eyes widen in horror, but Malang is quicker. He snatches the red velvet cake from her hands and takes several hurried steps ahead. She stares at him in frustration. "Fuck you, man."

Without bothering to look back, he smirks. "You wish."

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Moments later, Aashika reaches her floor, still on another call, unaware that she isn't alone in the cabin. Someone has already slipped inside before her.

"No, there's a reason for that!" she says into the call, her face cold as usual.

Standing just behind her with the cake is Malang, holding his breath so she won't sense his presence, a mischievous smirk tugging at his lips as he mimics the movements of her hands.

'How gorgeous this woman is,' he thinks, still staring at her. Until she opens those lips to speak. Correction-threaten. But who cares? I've never looked for easy things.'

Lost in his own world, he lifts his eyes, and they widen a fraction...

Lisa is storming toward them, looking absolutely furious.

Malang's mind races. His gaze darts to Aashika, still busy on the call. He knows she wouldn't hesitate to stab him the moment she realises he's been following her.

Then Lisa.

She's almost there.

Then to the cake in his hand.

A complete do-or-die moment!

But then, an idea clicks.

And the second Lisa opens her mouth to call his name, "Dr. Deew-"

He hurls the cake toward her.

Except, at that exact second, Aashika turns around.

And-Splat!

The cake is smashed directly into Aashika's face.

Realising what he's done, Malang's soul nearly leaves his body.

Aashika's phone slips from her hand, while the cake blocks her vision for a moment. Malang immediately crouches sideways behind the table, trying to disappear from sight.

Lisa, who has witnessed the entire disaster, stops dead in her tracks.

Aashika's jaw clenches. Wiping the frosting from her eyes, she looks ahead... only to find no one there.

By now, Lisa has already bolted.

Malang slowly peeks his head out. One look at her frosting-covered face, and a wicked smirk creeps across his lips.

"Gorgeous," he murmurs to himself.

For a long moment, all he does is stare at her.

Then, he rises from behind the table and steps out carefully, pulling his handkerchief from his pocket.

He stops right in front of her. Aashika's vision is still slightly blurred, her eyes meet his... and her already-cold expression hardens into a deadly glare.

Malang, however, doesn't utter a single word, he just holds her gaze deeply, intensely, as he slowly brings the handkerchief closer to her face.

"Let me clean that."

For that one minute, even Aashika stills, though her expression stays hard, expecting him to apologize and clean her face.

She looks into his eyes too, and there's a softness in them now, beneath all that mischief.

And for the first time in a long while, her heart flutters at the sight of him... so patient, so unexpectedly gentle.

The world around them stills. Completely.

Slowly, never breaking her gaze, Malang lifts his other hand. His eyes drop to the smear of cake on her lips, and he carefully picks up a tiny crumb with his thumb, making sure not to touch her lips.

He looks into her eyes again with the same intensity, and just when she thinks he's finally going to clean her face, he brings his thumb to his mouth, licks off the frosting, and murmurs, "Sweet..."

Aashika's eyes widen.

But the moment her hands shoot up to grab his collar and yank him down, Malang winks at her and moves away so quickly that she's left standing there, completely flabbergasted.

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Dusk has already settled, casting a serene glow over the massive cliff as the breathtaking view stretches toward the horizon beneath the setting sun.

That's when a car pulls to a stop nearby, and a moment later, someone steps out-Aashika.

She opens the trunk, retrieves a bottle of beer, then moves around to the front and climbs onto the bonnet.

Prying the cap off with her teeth, she takes a sip of beer, its bitterness settling on her tongue and burning the back of her throat as she quietly stares at the setting sun ahead.

[Song- 'aisa kyun maa' by sunidhi chauhan]

For a few moments, everything stays still. Normal.

Then, she lets her eyes fall shut as the soft breeze whispers across her face, and Aaina's face surfaces in her mind.

"Sometimes, your absence hurts so much," she murmurs, barely more than a breath. "Mom."

Then, she lets out a breath. "I can't pretend to be a strong woman every time. Sometimes, I just want to be your daughter. Nothing else. Just your Aashi."

Another slow breeze passes by, caressing her face, her hair fluttering across her cheeks with its gentle movement.

She takes another gulp of the beer.

Then, opens her eyes, gazing up at the sky above. "No one loves me like you," her voice almost too low. "I'm alone."

The faint sheen of tears gathers in her eyes.

"No one asks if I've eaten."

"If I'm sick."

"Or... what am I feeling?"

She finally lets her voice crack. "No one."

Then, the tiniest smile touches her lips, carrying a tenderness that feels almost childlike. "One day, I'm going to meet you again. And complain about everything. Not as a grown woman-but that same-eleven-year-old Aashi."

"Promise, mumma."

Just when a sound comes from behind her, but she ignores it.

Drawing in a deep breath, she brings the bottle to her lips again, only for someone to intercept it mid-air.

Her head instantly turns, and there he is-Aayansh.

Aashika's expression hardens instantly, every trace of vulnerability disappearing behind her usual mask.

With a sharp glare, she asks, "What are you doing here? Tum mera peechha kar rahe the?"

Aayansh plucks the bottle from her hand, tosses it aside, then casually leans against the bonnet beside her. "So this is how you miss her."

Aashika turns her gaze back toward the cliff. "I can't erase her from my life... like you."

He says nothing, simply pulling a cigar from his pocket and pressing it between his lips. His unbothered reaction only fuels Aashika's irritation.

"What?!" she snaps, scowling at him.

Aayansh lights his cigar with a lighter, then looks at her as though nothing happened. "What?"

"Why did you throw my bottle?"

He takes a slow drag, his gaze shifting to the tranquil sunset.

"Aayansh?!"

"I'm talking to you. You have no right to interfere in my life."

"Correct," he says. "But I'm going to do that anyway."

Aashika sucks in a sharp breath, fighting to rein in the dangerous instincts clawing at her.

She, too, looks toward the dipping sun, its peaceful, warm glow easing the tension in her muscles just a little.

Then, almost hesitating, she gives him a sidelong glance. "Did you hear everything?"

"I'm just drunk, alright? I'M NOT LIKE THAT!" she adds, clearly not willing to sound any low.

Aayansh glances at her. "So... what are you?"

"I'm strong."

"Strongest," he corrects.

She pauses, staring at him in disbelief.

"You heard everything." She sighs dryly.

But this time, Aayansh doesn't look away. His gaze stays on her as she stares out at the cliff, silent and exhausted.

Then, without a second thought, she leans over, resting her head against his shoulder.

The alcohol is beginning to fog her senses. "You're a good... pumpkin." A tiny, almost-giggle escapes her.

Aayansh just shifts slightly, making sure she's secure against the bonnet before leaning back himself, letting her weight settle on him.

And as Aashika continues to ramble, her eyes slowly close, a fragment of memory surfacing in her mind.

And noticing her expression, Aaina mutters softly, "What's with that grumpy little face, hmm?"

Aashika quickly turns her face away. "I know you love that pumpkin more. Hmph!"

That makes Aaina's eyes snap to her face in disbelief. For a moment, she just watches her, then asks quietly. "When did I make you feel that way?"

Aashika slowly looks back at her mother, searching for an answer... at least one instance so she can use it to argue. But she finds none, and instead, realises she has unintentionally hurt her mother.

She quickly reaches up, wrapping her little arms around Aaina's neck. "Sorry, Mumma! A serious sorry. Sorry, sorry, sorry!"

With a tiny smile, Aaina pulls her into a warm embrace. "You're also becoming like your brother. Kuch bhi bolti ho!"

"For me, both my babies are my world."

Aashika's nose scrunches at the first sentence. "I'm The Aashi Oberoi!" she scowls. "I don't need to become like that round ball. You should say he copies me!"

Aaina laughs. "Right. But guess who's getting late for school?"

"The Aashi Oberoi?" she adds, making Aashika sigh dramatically.

From inside the closet, Aayansh's voice calls out, "Mom, where are my pants?!"

This time, Aaina sighs. "Come here. I'll get you ready."

Aashika sniffs. "Such a pumpkin."

Aaina pinches the tip of Aashika's nose. "Hey, he's your little brother!" Aashika rolls her eyes. "If someday I won't be there with you, he'll be there-for you."

"As if I need him?" Aashika huffs, flipping her hair with an exaggerated attitude.

"You both may not need anyone else, but you'll always need each other."

As the memories resurface in Aashika's mind, a small, genuine smile touches her lips. Intoxication blurring the world around her as her head rests on Aayansh's shoulder.

"Do you... miss her?" she breathes through the haze.

Aayansh takes another drag from his cigar, his gaze on the sinking sun. His expression is neither stern nor soft, just... thoughtful.

His eyes settle on Aashika. By now, she has already surrendered to sleep, her breathing slow and steady.

Something in his expression softens as he gazes at the girl beneath all that hardness...