#malini acharya

[sleep-can-wait]

More than anything else, I ADORE character studies.

I have one on Suyodhana, one on Malini, and an unfinished WIP on Kara plus smth in another fandom

Basically, on all the underrated characters

I need help

[hazellevessque]

Me: Malini doesn’t need to date anyone after the divorce because in SoD she realized she was enough for herself and doesn’t need anyone because she rediscovered her confidence when Aiden shot the arrow

My brain: But we haven’t considered all the factors

Me: And what are the factors?

My brain: Aiden interacting with Malini’s new boyfriends would be hilarious

[writergracethepanda]

Mini: Just be yourself Aru: "Just be myself"? I have one day to win Aiden's mom over. How long did it take before you guys started liking me? Rudy:A couple weeks. Brynne: A few months. Nikita: Jury's still out. Aru: See? "Be myself", what kind of garbage advice is that? I hope you're not telling Sheela that crap.

[maitaiwiththecorpses]

Taylor Swift Albums As Aru Shah Characters (or vice-versa) (???)

Debut: Hira. She's young, seemingly innocent, but she's definitely experienced more than her fair share of heartbreaks and sadness. While singing along to Tim McGraw, Our Song, or Picture To Burn, she draws on those first few moments when she met Brynne. The country style and easy patterns soothe her- she definitely loves Shania Twain, too.

Fearless TV: Kara. Needless to say, most everything she's done to get to this point has required her to be fearless. She is all forbidden destinies and regrets, crying and hoping and crying some more. She'd definitely scream along to Fearless, and You Belong With Me, and sometimes with the Sleeper she'd hum Fifteen and Love Story- just for the feeling of a normal childhood.

Speak Now TV: Rudy. He only picked this because he saw the fabulous purple album cover and thought of dark benevolent queen. He thinks of the first time he met Mini when he listens to Enchanted, because he's sure the whole world is in love with death's daughter. He recreates the intricate sounds of Better Than Revenge, Speak Now, and Sparks Fly with his stones, soon getting his own recording studio to record his instrumental covers of them. And of course, Mean empowers him to brush past all the idiots who made fun of him being colorblind and a failure- cause they're pathetic and alone in life and mean.

Red TV: Malini. Do I even need to explain? Throughout the separation and divorce with Aiden's dad, she definitely listened to All To Well (Ten Minute Version) on repeat, nostalgically played 22 for Aiden, and finally, when she got a girl's night out, played We Are Never Getting Back Together. The heartbreak and cheating in Red highlights all her relationship troubles and how she comes out of them stronger in the end.

1989: Brynne. It's her workout music all the way. And life music too. She does HIIT sessions to Shake It Off and New Romantics, and dances to Out Of The Woods with Hira when it's late and they can't sleep. The feeling of reinvention and starting anew really draws her to the album- and who can blame her? (Plus, she was totally jamming to Rudy's TSwift battle music in SoD)

Reputation: Aru. She struggles with her legacy, her reputation, throughout the series. The thrumming beats and quick mood shifts of ...Ready For It? stimulate her ever-speeding mind and she loves making fun of Aiden with Gorgeous, the entire song a huge excuse to outright flirt with him. Getaway Car is her and Rudy's go-to car song when they drive alone, and there are days when Aiden finds her crying to Dress and Delicate in the shower. During and after the final battle, Don't Blame Me and I Did Something Bad were the only things she could hear in her ears- they were deafening, and a way of her brain guilting and processing all the events.

Lover: Aiden. I immediately knew this was his. He's surrounded by love, constantly, despite being afraid of it, calling upon Death By A Thousand Cuts. With his mom he softly sings Soon You'll Get Better and with Brynne and Mini they karaoke It's Nice To Have A Friend. His dad gets a very blurry video of Aiden and Bee one year in Father's Day in pink cowboy boots singing I Forgot That You Existed and his father never texts back. Ever the feminist and bisexual icon, he's out here bopping to The Man and You Need To Calm Down. He makes fun of Aru liking I Think He Knows, but that's nothing compared to his 2 am serenades of Lover. His favorites, though, are Paper Rings and ME!

Folklore: Mini. The med student of Epiphany. The calm, the quiet, the casual anxious spirals. Yearning at desperate when she hears Invisible String, Rudy cries when she sings it. Her mom hates Exile, but Mini hears it and thinks of all the ways she could fail and cries to it some nights. Seven reminds her of running around in a field of sunflowers as a little kid, not a care in the world, forgetting allergies, grades, or Pandava stuff. August is her back to school calling, a reminder of responsibilities and how they're not always bad. Cardigan is her pick me up when she's missing Rudy- not that he's ever too far.

Evermore: Suyodhana. Willow. He can't love the way he wants to, he can't say yes without worrying about everything- he is Champagne Problems. Forbidden, murderous, No Body, No Crime was made for him.

Midnights: Krithika. The definition of Anti-Hero. A lot of the series wouldn't exist without her causing more and more problems, despite being well-intentioned, she keeps messing up, and finally in NoI she starts owning up. Her glittering confidence in the early books beckon to Bejeweled and her ever-sermonizing self would scream Karma at the top of her lungs. Question...? would remind her of everything she left in the lamp, Suyodhana, Aru's chance at a father- the love of her life.

[izzy246girl]

aiden acharya <3 (@the-princess-fangirl cause he’s your blorbo aha)

[dream-of-potter]

Okay but Malini asking Rudy how his first day of human school was and expecting a reply like Aiden ("fine") but being delightfully surprised when Rudy launches into a (slightly spiced up) description of events that happened with him at school, because he's so happy and excited someone finally asked

[oneshotoneplace-osop]

Sunny Deol's son Karan Deol gets married to Drisha Acharya

Karan Deol has finally tied the knot to Drisha Acharya months after announcing his engagement. Actually, both the engagement and wedding were announced by his grandfather, Dharmendra. And no, in case you were wondering, Hema Malini and her daughters were not at the wedding. Doubt they were even invited since Sunny Deol has not been to any of their weddings either. And no, Dimple Kapadia and her…

[krishakamal]

Raag - Anurag § Chapter 1

— Ram x Sneha Acharya [OC]

*⁠.⁠✧ SYNOPSIS : Sneha Acharya lost her parents at a young age. Her father's friend, Arjun decided to adopt and take her to Hyderabad. There she grew up to be a beautiful woman. Then came her doom. She arranged to marry Ram, the traitor. Where will this go now?

*⁠.⁠✧ WARNINGS & TAGS : cursing, arranged marriage, 1.6k words.

*⁠.⁠✧ — NAVIGATION // RRR MASTERLIST // SERIES MASTERLIST

"Ahh!" Sneha yelled in pain, "It hurts, Kakima."

"Shhh, sit still." Her Kaki, Malini, ordered her as she worked on the latter's hair. Pinning the gajra to the bun.

Sneha huffed, looking at herself in the mirror. Today was her wedding and that too, with a man she despised.

At the tender age of six, Sneha lost both her parents to a car accident on their way home. Even though Sneha survived the accident, losing her parents left a great trauma on her. Arjun Dev, a close friend of her father who lived in Hyderabad, decided to adopt her.

Here, in Hyderabad, she grew up under his and his wife, Malini's care. Growing up, Sneha was fond of literature. She took inspiration from the nature around her and inked them in a diary. Later she decided to turn that hobby to her profession.

Sneha was not blind to atrocious works of the british. She knew well how monstrous they were. How they fooled Indians and took over the whole country. How they tortured poor Indians and kept them like slaves.

Sneha could not see their pain and misfortune so she decided that she would help as much as possible to free her country from their vicious clutches. She had written many nationalist books under the pen name 'Nandini'.

Now considering how much she loves Bharat and hates the British basterds, the last person she expected to marry was one of their loyal dogs, Alluri Sitaram Raju. She was pissed off when her uncle told her about the marriage proposal.

She instantly rushed off in anger to confront him but when he requested her with nothing but utter sincerity, Sneha could not turn him down. Had he not adopted Sneha, she didn't know what would have happened to her and Sneha was great to them. So, here she was now a few minutes away from getting married to that traitor, Sitaram.

Malini held Sneha's shoulders, "I'm so happy for you, Sneha. Trust me, Ram is a really good man and he will always keep you happy."

Sure, a traitor like him will do anything but keep me happy.

Sneha plasted a fake smile on her face and looked at Malini through the mirror's reflection, "I hope so."

Just then the door opened and one of her sisters ran in, "Hurry! The groom is here."

Malini left Sneha alone in the room to gather her thoughts. Sneha looked down, in her lap was a pendant, engulfed in her palms. Her mind was crowded with thoughts. How was she going to spend her life with Ram? Just how?

But time didn't stop for her. It went on it's pace. Sneha was escorted to the mandap where they were tied into the sacred bond of marriage. The wedding ended and Sneha bid a tear-filled farewell to her family. Then she was taken to his house where his side of the family performed all the rituals and in no time it was their wedding night.

Sneha sat on the bed, heart racing like a train. Her knees were pulled to her chest. She wondered if Ram would try to force himself on her. She was, by no means, ready for this. This was supposed to happen between two loves, soulmates and they were neither.

If he tries something, I'll kill him.

Sneha thought to herself. The wooden door opened and Ram walked in, closing the door behind. Sneha gripped the saree harder, so much that her knuckles turned white.

Ram started walking towards the bed. Just as he came to the end of the bed, Sneha shot up, standing on it with a knife in her hand, "Don't you dare come any closer or else I swear to god, I'll kill you."

Ram flinched back, startled, "What on earth are you doing?"

Ram glared at her but she snapped back, "Listen mister, I have no intention of being your wife, let alone spent a night with you. Stay the fuck away from me."

Ram could not help but scoff at her atrocious words, "Like I want to sleep with you. I have way more important work than sleeping with someone foul-mouthed like you."

"Yeah yeah whatever. Now get out." Sneha swung the knife in the door's direction, "You are not staying in the same room as me."

"This is my room. You get out."

"Do you want to die in your sleep?"

Ram gulped in fear, the kind of person she seemed to be, she probably would not even hesitate before stabbing him to death. Sneha smirked, knowing very well that she had won.

"Whatever, hope you die in your sleep." Ram snatched the blanket off the bed and started walking out, muttering under his breath, "Who named her Sneha, they need to be put in a mental asylum."

"And your name should have been Ravan instead, even better Shishupal, you useless coward." Sneha yelled before the door slammed shut.

Sneha waited a few seconds before sighing in relief, saved for the day. She got down from the bed and carefully hid the knife in the nightstand's drawer. She quickly took of all the make up and jwelleries and changed into simple saree. Then turning off the lights Sneha snuggled into the soft sheets and let the slumber pull her into the dreamland.

Sneha woke up the next morning to the empty house. Ram was nowhere to be seen. That happened the next and then the next day. Ram would leave the house before Sneha could wake up and come back after she had gone to sleep. The sofa in the living room was now his bed.

Sunlight peeked through the sheer curtains, filling the room with golden light. You snuggled more into the sheets before blinking your eyes open. Glancing at the table clock, it showed the time was 7 o'clock. Sneha sat up on the bed, streaching her limbs to get rid of the sleepiness.

Throwing off the blanket, which she found in the closet (Ram was too much of a dick to give her one), she got up. Sneha made the bed and then did her morning routine. Sneha dressed up in a red silk saree with gold work done on it.

Today she was going to make a library card at the local library. Books were her addiction and not being able to read one the past days were killing her inside. Her hair was still a little damp so she decided to leave them open.

Sneha walked down the stairs and into the living room, only to stop at the bottom step. There was Ram, sitting on the sofa, reading newspapers. Dressed in a simple white shirt and dress pants.

He was handsome— scratch that, he was extremely good looking. If only his personality was like Sri Ram. Sneha mourned internally. She walked into the kitchen, adjourned to the living room.

"Wow, look who didn't sneak out early in the morning today." Sneha said loudly, too loud.Ram could feel his eyebrows twitch. Stay calm Ram, don't listen to her bullshit. He could not stay calm for long when started again, "What? Did your dear British government fire you already?"

His mouth moved even before he could comprehend, "Look who didn't sleep till afternoon like a pig. What direction did the sun raise from today?"

Sneha's jaw dropped on the floor, "I sleep like a pig? Me? Sneha Acharya? Then you sleep like a damn donkey."

Ram mumbled, loudly, while turning a page of the newspaper, "Truth hurts. What can we do?"

This damn donkey!

Sneha stomped her feet before rushing into the kitchen. She could feel herself fuming with anger. Only a good cup of chai could help her calm down. As slammed the saucepan on the stove, an idea hit her brain.

"Oii." Sneha called from the kitchen.

"What?"

"I'm making chai. Do you want some?"

".............Sure." Ram answered after a minute of silence.

Sneha threw him an 'ok' sign and got back to prepare tea. Ram could feel something was off. But what could she do? Poison his tea?

Calling me a pig. The audacity. Now taste the tea made by a pig.

Sneha quickly prepared two cups of tea and brought it out in the living room. Placing the tray on the low coffee table, she handed him a cup and she herself started sipping from one.

Ram inspected the cup and the liquor. Smelling it, seeing from all angels. Sneha suppressed the laugh, dying to come out. Finally Ram took a sip.

Hmm? Not bad.

Until a second later it hit. The inside of his mouth started burning like hell. Ram dropped the cup on the ground, yelling in pain. He felt like he had eaten a thousand chillies. Sneha could not stop it anymore. She threw back on the sofa, laughing like a mad woman.

Ram searched the containers and cabinets, searching for something, anything, to help with the burning feeling. He finally found a small container of rasogolla. He somehow opened it and gulped down all of them in a matter of a few minutes.

When he finally calmed down, his chest was heaving crazyly. Anger raised in his head when he fully grasped what had happened. He saw Sneha leaning on the kitchen door, giving him mocking looks. Ram glared at it like an angry bull. If looks could kill, you would have been six feet under the ground by now.

Ram marched up to you, jabbing his pointer finger on your forehead with each word, "You. Will. Pay. For. This."

He gritted out before walking past you, shoving your shoulder with his in the process. You turned your head to see him stomping up stairs.

We will see Mr. Ram.

© 𝐊𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐀𝐋 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑, 𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐕𝐄𝐃 — all content rights belongs to KRISHAKAMAL. Do not plagiarize any works and do not repost or translate onto any other sites.

All the rights and credits of the characters, gifs, songs and pictures used here belongs to their rightful owners.

[loife1m]

Only Idiots Catch Colds In Summer ~ aruden

It was literally 9 in the morning. On a summer day. And Aru Shah was awake.

I know I know. Who died, right?

Well, for one. She was 19 and a college student, so she unfortunately turned into an early bird. And two, something you guys never would have guessed.

Aiden Acharya, the man of health, is sick!

"What did you do?" Aru spoke into the phone. "You know, only idiots catch colds in summer"

"Maybe it's better since I caught a fever instead"

"Do you need me to come or what?" Aru asked, already getting up and changing. She wasn't about to take no for an answer.

"You're not gonna accept a no"

"Yep. I'm coming. Is your mom home or no?"

"No. She won't be home for another 5 days. Wait, you know that"

"Just testing your memory" Aru's mom and his mom had gone on a trip to LA because 'memories'? Whatever that meant. 

They cut the call and Aru walked over to his house. She texted, 'im coming in ok' and walked in with the spare key.

As usual, the homely smell of spice and fresh laundry welcomed her into the house.

She ran up the stairs and knocked softly on his door. "Could I come in?"

"Come..cough..in" He replied. She opened the door and walked in. The trash can was near his bed and was filled halfway with tissues.

Aru pressed the back of her hand to his forehead. "Are you fine?"

"Yes, I'm perfectly fine" Aiden snarked, pausing to cough. "I'm not bedridden or anything, with a pile of tissues next to me"

Aru fixed him with a 'seriously?' look. "I guess I'll leave then, Mr. Perfectly Fine"

"No wait" Aiden laugh-coughed as she turned around. He pulled her back.

"And I thought I was the sarcastic one" Aru rolled her eyes. "Someone came to your house to take care of you, and this is what you say?"

"I'm sorry. No, I'm not fine"

"Well, that's just too bad, isn't it?" Aru smirked and walked away. "Suck it up, buttercup"

"Wait no, you wouldn't do this" Aiden called from behind her. "Sha-hhhhhhh"

"Where's your kettle? I'll get hot water" 

Aiden sighed in relief. And then he thought for a moment. "Dont kill me. I don't remember"

"How don't you remember?" She cried out.

"My mind is like, really foggy right now" He responded, clutching his head.

"Is it in the kitchen?"

"Yeah"

Aru walked downstairs. She looked around, but no sign of a kettle.

She called Malini. "Hello?"

"Aru? What's wrong?"

"Sorry to interrupt your vacation" She started. "Could I know where your kettle is? Your son is sick"

"In the summer? What did he do now? Or is it the change in seasons?"

"Probably"

"Well, unfortunately darling, I took the kettle with me" Malini spoke regretfully into the phone.

"Oh. Alright."

"What you can do however, is make some chamomile tea. I have some chamomile flowers for that in the fridge. Instead of using the kettle, you can-"

"Um, I'm really sorry. Could you give me one second? Then repeat?"

"Of course, dear."

Aru took out the packets. "Okay. Instead of the kettle...?"

"Take a double boiler, fill it halfway with water. Drop chamomile flowers, perfectly dry, into the water. Let it infuse for 3 minutes. Then strain it, and that's it"

"Okay, got it. Thank you so much!" Aru thanked and cut the call.

She made the tea and heard footsteps behind her. Now the logical part of her brain knew it was probably Aiden. Or some serial killer that broke into the house.

Say, did she lock the door after coming in?

Anyway, the many years of Otherworldly training made the rest of her mind overrule the logic. She turned around, hot spoon in hand (from the steaming hot tea) and pointed at the culprit.

Yeah, so, surprise surprise , the logical part of her brain was correct.

In the Aiden part, not the serial killer part. (Thankfully)

He threw up his hands, and said, "If you ask me to be silent, that's not gonna be possible because I'm literally coughing every 3 seconds"

"Sorry" She lowered the spoon. "Anyway, thank your mom when she gets back. She answered the call, literally taught a terrible cook of a 19 year old girl how to make chamomile tea and was patient about it on vacay. Literally" 

She gestured to the cup. "Take that. Do whatever"

Aiden grinned at the cup. "You? Making something? Without the house burning down?"

"Sir" Aru looked him dead in the eyes. "I have no idea if your fever is making you act up and be all sarcastic with me lately but I will not be having that. I literally woke up at 9 in the morning to take care of you, you sick piece of shit"

Aiden smiled at her. Her eyebrows scrunched up. "What?"

"Sorry. I'm so in love with you right now"

She covered up her face with her hand and turned away. "I. I just. Absolutely disgusting. No thanks"

"Oh come on. It's just affection"

"You know what effect that has on me"

Aru could practically see him smirking as he said, "The affection or me?"

Aru promptly turned and walked away, Vajra's electricity moving up and down her arm. Aiden laughed and called, "Don't make me pull you back, I'll get you sick too"

She still walked into the living room and sat on a chair. 

"You sit there" She pointed to a chair far away from her. "Mini would kill me if I got sick from you"

"Truth" He responded, drinking the tea.

After drinking the tea, just like a child, Aiden Acharya went up to his room and passed out on his bed.

"What a baby" Aru smiled and shook her head after checking up on him. She got up to leave before her hand, only two of her fingers, were grabbed. She turned back to see him clutching those two fingers, still asleep.

"You really are a child huh" She said softly, careful not to wake him up. He moved his head slightly, and squeezed the fingers a bit tighter, before moving his hand up a bit to fully grasp hers.

Aru's heart had almost melted at the sight. Keyword, almost. But it definitely melted when he pulled her hand down and had hugged it. 

She sat down and accidentally fell asleep on his bedside drawer.

And yes, 3 days later, Aru Shah, the woman of health from a few days ago, was bedridden, unable to lift a finger.

"Only idiots catch colds in the summer, huh" Aiden handed her some hot water.

"Shut. Up" Aru groaned. "I fucking healed you, dammit"

"Language"

"No"

[common-man]

Achar and co.

Achar and co Recently I saw this Kannada movie and enjoyed the concept. The story reveals between 1960 and 1970 in old Bengaluru Jayanagar area nicely captured by the cinematographer AbhimanyuSadanandan.As if we are in that period picturaisation was nicely taken. Story about middle class family with their siblings . The father role played by Ashok done well and his ambition that one son must become a engineer was not fulfilled.story how the sisters getting married and the eldest sisterSuma has her own dreams shattered and later become a big business magnet was the turning point . Her dream of going to London was fulfilled with her own money of earning from Picklebusiness.Produced by Ashwini Puneeth Raj kumar of PRK productions and Gurunath Talwar on this subject is and initiative for this concept is laudable. Totally this movie has clicked nicely with story , crisp dialoques by Kanan Gil Trilok if I amright and with huge support from Senior citizens.Bindu Malini’s Music and mother Character Sudha Belawadi is worth mention. The effort taken by the young talented actress cum Director Sindhu Srinivasamurthy should be admirable. One of the sophisticated movie in the recent I saw . All actors and the young son Anirudh Acharya ‘s action was impressive. He has good future . With WarmRegards K.Ragavan 7-8-23

[sleep-can-wait]

Can't believe I'm doing this but.... what is Aiden's dad's name?

I know it isn't mentioned so I need to make one up but when I tell you I suck at names-

Mythought process so far:

Jack

John

Andy

Tiffany (To be quirky)

Fucking asshole

oh and

Rohith (the most innapropriate one tbh)

So yeah send help pls give me name ideas for this thing

[hazellevessque]

Nobody hates Aiden’s dad as much as I do.

[writergracethepanda]

There are two types of mama's boys.

The creepy emeshment I hate every other woman ones.

And the close to their moms, drank their 'respect woman' juice every mourning ones.

Guess which one Aiden is.

[maitaiwiththecorpses]

Avoidance Of The First Class

Making this a separate post bc I absolutely died trying to find it again.

@queenofapeacefuldawn thanks so much for the idea and letting me use it! It was and honor!

Avoidance Of The First Class

Coming back to the museum for Thanksgiving was weird.

Her mom was determined to make a feast, celebrate with her sisters, and just be super festive this year.

Aru had a feeling Krithika Shah was feeling lonely.

In the time since the Potatoes had gone off to college, her mom had become besties with Malini across the street, and a painful dread came over Aru as her mom said, "This weekend, beti, we're going to have a big feast. Malini and I planned it! Isn't that exciting?" She asked, bustling around the kitchen.

"That's great, mom," Aru said. She slyly left the room, pulling her phone out and scrolling through her contacts till she found one at the bottom.

Aiden Acharya

She sighed and clicked on the contact, tapping out a hasty text to her ex-boyfriend.

Aru: Did you know about this dinner our moms are hosting? Aiden: Actually? Aru: Yes... You didn't tell her did you?

The palpable pause in the conversation made her heart sink They'd decided to not tell anyone they'd broken up, to keep the dynamic of the Potatoes afloat. Aru remembered that conversation, with both of them dripping in apathy. It was the worst thing to happen-

Aiden: No. Should I? Aru: I think we can get through a dinner. Aiden: Avoidance of the first class?

She thought about responding to that- it was hilarious, it was perfect, it was so utterly them.

Aru left him on read.

THAT SATURDAY, THE MUSEUM KITCHEN.

Brynne bustled around the kitchen with Krithika, stuffing the turkey and stirring the curry as Aru's mom rolled out the roti. Mini was washing rice and Rudy was working on tunes. Hira was watching the football game with Gunky and Funky as the twins set the table.

"Beta!" Malini called. Aru, who had been at the door of the kitchen on her phone looked up to see what all the commotion was about, when she saw Malini bringing Aiden to her.

What a momma's boy.

"I want you two to go back to the house and make the peas and mac and cheese. Oh, and take the turkey," she handed the tray to Aru, who scowled at the bird. "And don't come back until it's done cooking. If you two are going to sit around then I might as well get you out of the way."

Aiden nodded as Aru made her way out of the house, not wanting to deal with anyone else's bullshit. It's not her fault she arrived late!

When they got to Aiden's house, she threw the turkey in the oven without a single thought. "Woah, there Shah. You gotta baste it first!"

Aru stiffened, rolling her eyes. "Fine. You do it. I'm going to get the peas." Who was Aiden to behave like an authority to her?

She pulled the frozen peas out of the freezer and put them on a pan, turning the heat up and throwing frozen butter on it. She rummaged through a few drawers, looking for a spatula, when Aiden came up behind her, tapping her back and handing her the spatula. Aru felt the ghost of a hand around her waist, a phantom kiss on her cheek, and she practically shook at the memories of him cooking with her.

Krithika Shah wasn't the only one who was lonely.

It had been so long since she'd been around other human beings, since she'd occupied the same space as one, worked with someone. Aru had to remind herself to breathe.

We don't need Aiden anymore, Shah. She exhaled deeply, thinking back as to why they broke up in the first place.

=================================

"I'm gonna be moving around a lot, Shah."

"I can handle it."

A pause.

"I can't."

=================================

Photojournalism. His dream. His one passion.

Their downfall.

Aru snapped back into reality when the doorbell rang, frantically stirring the peas, praying that they hadn't burnt yet.

"Is Aru home?" A voice came from the door. Probably some estranged relative, looking to see 'how much she'd grown!'

"Uh, she doesn't live here," Aiden said, an edge to his voice.

Aru turned the stove off, and ran to the door to see...

Andy?

The blond boy from college who'd been on her debate team for finals?

"Hey, Andy... what're you doing here?" She asked cautiously.

"Oh! Aru! Hi," he waved, a small grin gracing his features.

"Hi?" Aru said lamely.

"Uh, I'm probably interrupting something, I can leave-" Andy's eyes ping-ponged between Aiden and her, and Aru desperately stepped out of the door, grabbing his arm.

"No, it's ok. What's up?" She looked at Andy searchingly- could this be the rebound she'd been looking for?

Andy took a deep breath, as if psyching himself up, and Aru heard Aiden shift behind them.

"I was wondering if you maybe wanna go get some coffee with me?" He asked hopefully. "Like. Now?"

Aru's heart sank a bit, despite having a cute boy actively ask her out. No, she couldn't go now, she was helping with dinner. She was spending time with her family. She was trying to get not-so-lonely.

But this was an opportunity to get not-so-lonely!

"Shah, did you turn off the stove?" Aiden asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, it's off," she said quietly.

"Aru?" Andy called softly. She hadn't answered him. Oh.

"I can't go right now, Andy. It's, like, Thanksgiving, and I'm spending time with my family-"

"Seems like an awfully small family with just your boyfriend," he mumbled.

"He's not my- Andy! Come on, you can't expect me to drop everything and be with you!" She yelled as he walked away to his car.

Rude.

She turned to Aiden, glaring at him like a surly teenager, and stormed inside.

She sat on the couch, flipping through the channels when Aiden came in, closing the door softly.

"I'm sorry he did that."

"What? Asked me out? Please," she scoffed. Aru sounded pathetic, and she knew it.

"That he doesn't understand how important family is to you," Aiden finished, leaning over to her. He put a hand on hers, and static shocked him a bit, but still Aiden would not move.

These things were always easier when she was with him. She didn't have to choose between spending Thanksgiving with family or him. They were one and the same.

He did this.

And I can't do it.

The oven beeped. The peas were loaded into a Tupperware container, and now all they had to do was make the mac and cheese.

As the macaroni boiled, Aiden and Aru bickered about what cheese to use.

"All of it." Was Aru's argument.

"Just the string cheese." Was Aiden's.

Aru won with her famous throw-all-the-shit-in-when-they-least-expect-it method.

The mac and cheese was incredible.

Aiden chopped up pieces of bacon to put in the dish before it went into the oven, and Aru made the most awkward conversation ever.

"So. What did you think of Andy?"

Aiden whipped his head to her at breakneck speeds. "He's... blond."

"He's quite nice."

"Not the most understanding one you've found," he remarked, going back to the bacon. Right. Andy had just thrown a tantrum.

Fucking hell, Andy, can't you just make my life easier?

"And you? How many girls have fallen over themselves to have you?" Aru eyed him, slowly stirring the thick mac and cheese.

"A few."

"And how many have you taken?" She asked sharply. He knew what she was asking, but he was making Aru spell it out.

He set the knife down harder than necessary, turning to glare at her. "None. You know that."

"Do I?" She said, raising her voice.

"Yes you do!" He yelled back. "I was ready to wait my whole life for you, I died for you, and I was ready to do it again!"

Right. Aru had forgotten about that part.

=================================

"I can't."

"Why not?" She was on the verge of tears.

"I can't handle being away from you. And I don't want you to waste your time waiting for me."

"Aiden."

"I'm setting you free, Shah. I'll wait and wait and wait my whole life, but the thought of you doing that..." He paused, as if picturing a horror. "You've got better things coming your way."

=================================

"You didn't need to do that," she whispered. It had been a hero-complex moment, unnecessary, unexpected, and painful for the both of them.

"Yes, I did," Aiden said, walking towards her. He reached behind her, turning the gas off, and then took her hands in his. She looked up at him, and in his eyes she knew she would find galaxies. She didn't look for them this time, though.

"Aiden," she said softly, as if that were it. That was the whole sentence, that was everything.

"I'm back, you know." This time she looked him in the eye, shocked.

"What?" She dropped his hands, moving out of being in between him and the stove.

"I did my work. I took my photos, got my money, and lived everywhere. I'm writing now. Poetry. I'll pair the photos I take with a few of them, but yeah. Basically," he shrugged. "I'm back."

"What about school?" She asked, ignoring that open-ended unsaid question. Him being back meant that she didn't have to wait any longer, and neither did he, and they could be together-

"Getting my degree in English. It'll be chill." Aru stared at him, shocked. "Shah, I came back because, sure, I'm tired of moving every month, but also..." He smiled gently. "Family, right?"

She put the mac and cheese in the oven, he sprinkled the bacon bits on top. Family.

"I don't want Andy," she said suddenly. "I don't want to choose family or dating, I don't want to wait for someone else to find me, and I don't want you to hide from me anymore." She glared at him, tears pooling in her vision.

"Oh, Shah," he said sadly, hugging her.

"Are you going to leave me again?" She asked softly.

Aiden paused thoughtfully. This wasn't hesitation, and she knew it. This was him thinking and calculating, giving her the most honest answer possible.

Because Aru would not accept lies.

"No, I don't think I could."

She slumped into him, out of relief, exhaustion, or just starved for comfort. "Good, cause I was dying of boredom these past few months."

He laughed and kissed her once, swiftly and softly, then pulled away searching her face for something telling him to stop. He grinned when he found none, Aru smiling softly, and she leaned in this time.

The oven beeped.

They brought the food to the museum, barely four hours later. No one knew that they had ever broken up, her sisters making jokes about them, her mom smiling sweetly at them, as if to say, "look at the happy couple," but Malini, she looked at Aru and winked.

"When you marry my son, Arundhati, you will mention me in your toasts at the wedding," she said, a hint of menace in the apsara's voice.

Family.

Things were easy with her family. Rarely simple, but easy, yes. She did not have to compromise on her values, she could eat happily, watch movies.

And in the middle of it all, Aiden would be there.

Because family, right?

[bollywood143114]

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[dream-of-potter]

Jab Aru met Malini

Aru had done a lot of scary things in her life. She’d ridden elephants through the air, fought an army made up of all sorts of crazy creatures- and defeated the ten headed Ravana. But all of that paled in comparison to the fear she felt now- as she stood at the doorstep of the Acharya's house, waiting to meet her boyfriend’s mother. It was no secret Malini hated her. 

“Relax, Shah,” Aiden whispered in her ear, sensing her nervousness as he entwined his fingers through hers. The gesture sent a reassuring thrill down her spine, and she smiled gratefully at him. 

Barely a moment later, the door of the house opened, revealing Malini standing in all her apsara glory. She smiled at both of them, her eyes holding a careful glint. “Aru,” she greeted pleasantly in the voice that had charmed so many, “how are you?”

“I’m good, thank you,” she squeaked, feeling smaller than ever under her watchful gaze. She plucked inside herself for the courage she’d had when she fought the Sleeper, but came back empty handed. 

Malini waved them both in, closing the door behind her and leading them to the drawing room. Before they could sit down, she said, “Aiden, could you please get us some orange juice? I’d like to talk to Aru alone.” 

Aru immediately felt her stomach plummet. This was it. This was the talk. Now Malini would order her to leave her son forever. 

She scolded herself immediately for those thoughts. This wasn’t an Indian serial!

A gentle squeeze of her hand brought her back to the world. “Will you be okay?” Aidenasked lowly, uncertainty pooling at the bottom of his eyes. She knew how important it was to him that she talk things out with his mother. She nodded, encouraging him to go on. She’d do this for him. For them. 

As Aiden walked out of the room, Malini sat down on the wooden armchair gracefully, placing her tan hands on her lap as she looked up at Aru. “Take a seat won’t you? I promise I won't bite.” She laughed, the sound like the ringing of a windchime. 

Aru took a seat on the sofa opposite to her, her legs trembling against its soft fabric. 

Malini watched her with her surveying gaze, and Aru suddenly felt like she was sitting before her principal, ready to be sentenced to a month of detention. 

“So,” Malini started, “you like my son?”

Like. The word dug in the depths of her heart, twisting and turning. Malini had no idea how far they had already come from that point. 

Maybe it was another apsara superpower, or maybe Malini just read her face, but she sucked in a breath of air as an expression of surprise crossed her face. “You love him, don’t you?”

And there it was- out in the open. There was simply no denying the fact. She nodded. 

Malini took a deep breath, and suddenly all the careful lines of her face melted. The woman before her became raw, unfiltered. “Well, that complicates things significantly,” she smiled tiredly, “I had hoped it would just be an incessant crush, but I guess I should have realised- Arjuna and Draupadi-”

“I fell for Aiden’s dad when I was very young,” she said suddenly. “Everyone- everything was against us, but my heart felt sure that he was the one. I fought everyone to be with him- all for nothing, it seems.” She gave a bitter smile, and Aru no longer saw her as someone fierce and strict- she only saw a woman who had loved and lost. 

“When you love someone, you are often going against your mind- the rational part of yourself,” she continued, and Aru silently agreed, thinking of the many times her brain had reminded herself of her incompatibility with Aiden. “But that’s okay, because the mind is never made to love anyway. What matters is the approval of the heart, and what matters even more is that your heart is in the right place.” With each word she spoke, Aru felt like she was trying to guide her- to get her on the right path. “Sometimes, you may feel like you love someone- and the heart may agree- but maybe it just wants to be loved- not to love.”

Finally, she looked at Aru. “So tell me, Aru, do you really love my son?”

This was the time. The time to lay it all before her. “I never thought I’d come to love someone so early. But Aiden-” she broke off in a rush of emotion, tears coming to her eyes. “-we’ve been through so much together that I just know. It’s him.” She finished lamely. Maybe someone would have told her she was a fool, that kids didn’t fall in love. But then again, they weren’t ordinary kids either, and they had been through things most people probably didn't go through in their whole lives.

Malini nodded, taking one of her hands in hers, her own eyes glistening. “Thank you, Aru.” 

The comforting silence lasted a moment before Aiden poked his head from outside the door, a cautious smile on his face. “Hey,” he said. “You guys good?”

Aru opened her mouth, about to reassure him before Malini spoke. “Just a minute, Aiden.”

“Of course.” Aiden disappeared again, and Aru turned to face Malini, wondering what was left.

“Aru, I need you to promise me something,” she said. “Aiden hasn’t had the best examples of love in his life, you know? He grew up with his mom and dad fighting. So he’s going to be slow sometimes. He may not know what to do- and he may frustrate you- but promise me you will wait for him?” Aru saw the vulnerability on her face, the concern only a mother can have. 

The answer was immensely clear. She knew Aiden wasn't perfect, and nor was she. But their love was, and she’d hold on to it till the day she died. She smiled. “Always.”