Ashika grabbed her phone, which shone with names she held close to her heart: Aahana and Swasti.
'Ashu!!!', the voices rang out, and Ashika had to put a distance between the phone and her ear, grinning slightly.
'What? You know I can hear you guys without you having to scream', Ashika said, laughing from earlier as she lay back on her bed.
'Ah! A normal greeting won't do. You are our baby. Normal doesn't exist in our dictionary for you', Swasti said, a hint of admiration and love in her voice.
'Anyways, Ashu, you have to come to Mumbai this Friday. I have a meeting scheduled for you', Aahana cut in.
Ashika sat up straight as she let Aahana's words sink in.
'You what?', that's all Ashika gasped, before Swasti's carefree laughter filled in.
'That's so cool. I'm so proud of you, Aahana. I thought you forgot about that', Swasti cut in excitedly.
'I wouldn't forget that, we both decided on that', Aahana said, as a matter of fact.
'Wait, I have to be there. I'm coming too', Swasti said. There was a faint rustle from her side. Clearly, she got out of her bed and was now pacing about her room excitedly.
'Of course, you are. I booked tickets for both you and Ashu', Aahana said. 'Thank you'
'Why are you thanking me Aahana?', Swasti asked, confused.
'Oh, I just thanked Akash. He got me coffee', Aahana said. There was a hint of love and admiration for the man she loved.
'Oh, say hi to Jiju from me', Swasti said, asking Aahana to greet Akash on her behalf, already addressing him as brother-in-law.
'Oh my god', that was all Aahana could manage before Akash's deep voice chimmed in.
'Hey Swasti, nice to meet you. Long time no see', Akash managed, before a low groan and thud filled in. Before Aahana spoke again, breathing heavily, slightly, as though she had just wrestled someone.
'Wait, did you just throw my jiju over? That's so bad, Aahana', Swasti spoke, partly worried for Akash and partly amused.
'He's not your jiju. Call him your jiju once he proposes and asks me to marry him', Aahana said, speaking in fake annoyance.
Swasti rolled her eyes, grinning at the sheer love radiating through the phone from Akash and Aahana. It was nauseatingly cute.
'Hello, guys. I'm still on call. Did you just forget about me? That is so unfair', Ashika continued with her ranting without any interruption.
Ashika quietened down after hearing no response from the other end.
There were faint giggles from the other end. Swasti and Aahana had clearly enjoyed this.
'All right, Ashu. You have to get on this next flight to Mumbai. We have a lot of work to do. We have to shop for your first date', Aahana said. Excitement dripped from her voice.
'My first what?', Ashika gasped. Thinking she had heard it wrong.
Swasti squealed when she heard the mention of a date.
'My first date. Is that correct?', Ashika answered, checking.
'Yes, my dear Ashu. Your first date', Aahana said.
'I'm unemployed! What if he finds out and… you know… loses interest? I'd be so embarrassed,' Ashika blurted.
Aahana tried to calm Ashika down, but she couldn't.
Akash stepped in with his calming and deep voice as he spoke.
'Ashika, you don't have to worry too much about that. When I first met Aahana, she was unemployed too,' A loud smack was heard from his end. Aahana had clearly smacked him.
Ashika chuckled softly. She remembered how nervous Aahana was when Akash had asked her out.
'What I'm saying is, you don't have to worry too much. You are one of many Ashika. Any man in his right mind would see your worth. Don't settle for anything less. A right man would support you, help you fly', Akash continued with his soft voice.
'I have to agree with Akash on this, ' Aahana spoke in, her voice soft. 'When no one believed in me, he was the one cheering on for me. Who stood right behind me and made me push myself forward. He was always there to catch me when I fell. If you think I'm strong, I'm strong because of him. He believed in me when even I didn't believe in myself.'
'So Ashu, just give it a go. What if he is the man who would make you feel safe? What if he is the safe place you have been waiting for? If he's not to your liking, we can move on from him right away, Akash said softly, encouraging Ashika.
But Ashika was anything but encouraged.
'No more discussions, Ashu. Pack your bags. Your flight to Mumbai is on Wednesday, and don't procrastinate, thinking you have time. It's Monday today. So, you'd better remember how much time you have left. Swasti's flying in, too. I'll send you your tickets once I hang up,' Aahana said, leaving no room for argument.
'At least, tell me his name, ' Ashika said.
'Ekanksh. Ekanksh Rathod', Aahana said. 'He seems to be a good guy. Anyway, you'll be meeting him in three days. I'm so excited,' Aahana said, her voice cracking slightly with excitement.
'Ok. That's enough talking. Ashu and I have to pack now. Aahana, you know you could have informed us yesterday. I was totally free, I was lazing around yesterday', Swasti whined.
'Ashu, rest well. Don't worry too much. You are not just anyone. Remember, you are "THE NOODLE", the author who makes people cry with her words. So don't you dare say you are unemployed. We can always say that you are a full-time author published on WebNovel,' Aahana said encouragingly.
'Aahana's right. You spin words so beautifully, Ashu. It makes us feel that we are the characters from your stories', Swasti added, clearly proud of Ashika's works.
'Even though Akash won't admit it, he cried on your latest chapter where the female lead almost dies trying to save the male lead, ' Aahana said, trying to stifle a laugh as Akash tried to lunge for the phone to prevent her from embarrassing him further.
Ashika managed a small chuckle. Her heart filled with remembering how much love she received from her fans and her friends.
'Ok. I'm gonna hang up. I have got packing to do', Ashika said, only to be greeted by cheers from both Swasti and Aahana.
There were hurried goodbyes and friendly scoldings to Aahana from Swasti before Ashika hung up.
Ashika strolled to the balcony outside the bedroom, trying to figure out her thoughts.
Kanha, what kind of man am I going to meet? I just want to meet my soulmate. None other than that. I only want to look at him with the love that I have kept reserved in my heart. Only him. I really hope that this meeting goes well. Please let him be a good man, Kanha.
Ashika ran her hand through her hair, sighing in annoyance.
Kanha, he'd better be good, or I'm going to complain to Radha di that you made me meet someone who is not of my standards.
Ashika walked back to her bedroom, locking the door behind her, and started packing for her trip to Mumbai.
I think I can stay with Aahana for a couple of days. I can hang around in Mumbai, go shopping, and also visit beaches.
Ashika sighed happily at the thought of beaches.
Just what Ashika didn't know was that Kanha had planned her meeting with her soulmate in the most beautiful way possible.