𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐟𝐞 || @𝘼𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙛𝙩𝙨||

.Chapter-2. Underneath the Surface

1280+words

Dil roya par aankhon ko
rone naa diya
Saari Saari raat 
jage khudko sone na diya 
Itna karte rahe yaad apko
par ess baat ka ehsaas
aapko kabhi hone
naa diya

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Author's pov: 

Ashwin maneuvered his car through the busy streets, his mind clouded with frustration from the day's events. As he sped past, something caught his eye—on the sidewalk, a young woman, radiating kindness, was helping a group of underprivileged children. She was beautiful, not just in appearance but in the way she passionately interacted with the kids, offering them food and comfort. Her name was Anshika, though Ashwin didn't know that yet.

Just as the moment seemed to bring a sliver of warmth into Ashwin's otherwise cold day, an incident flared his temper. Someone nearby, unaware of their surroundings, almost caused an accident, pushing Ashwin to the edge.

"You freaking jerk! How dare you do that? Let them die!" Ashwin shouted, his anger uncontrollable.

Unfortunately, his harsh words didn't reach the intended target but instead hit Ashlyn like a sledgehammer. Shocked and hurt, she straightened, the warmth in her eyes replaced by disbelief.

"Excuse me? What did you just say?" she asked, her voice tight with disappointment as she stepped forward to confront him.

Ashwin, realising the misunderstanding but too proud to apologise, felt his ego flare. "Look, it wasn't meant for them! Mind your own business," he said coldly, his tone dismissive.

Ashlyn's eyes narrowed, a mix of anger and bewilderment flashing in them. "Mind my own business? I'm helping these children, and you insult me like that? What kind of person are you?"

Ashwin, still stung by his own outburst, snapped back. "You're blowing this out of proportion. It wasn't about the kids. It was aimed at someone else."

Ashlyn folded her arms across her chest, her voice growing firmer. "Blowing this out of proportion? You wished death upon innocent children. How heartless can you be?"

"Heartless? You don't know the first thing about me," Ashwin shot back, his impatience growing. "I don't have time for this."

"It's not about time; it's about decency!" Ashlyn's voice cracked with frustration. "You're the one who lacks it."

Ashwin's eyes flashed with anger. "I don't need your judgment. I've got my own problems."

"Judgment? This is about basic human compassion. If you can't understand that, then there's really nothing to say." Ashlyn's words cut deep, her disappointment in him palpable.

"Fine by me. I don't need some self-righteous woman preaching to me."

Ashlyn's voice shook with fury. "You make me sick. To think someone could be so cruel, so despicable. How could you say that about innocent children?"

Ashwin laughed coldly. "Spare me the melodrama. You're just another person who thinks they're changing the world by handing out scraps."

"Charity case? These are human lives, you heartless idiot!" Ashlyn raised her voice, the anger bubbling over. "You may not care, but that doesn't make their pain any less real."