Time flowed steadily onward, and soon, the middle of June arrived. The fifteenth was a rare gift for Ariana;a day completely free of lectures, work, and obligations. With Kian busy from morning lectures through afternoon sports practice, she found herself drawn to her sanctuary: the bench by the pond. ⛲
She settled onto the familiar wood, a soft sigh of contentment escaping her. It was then she noticed the subtle, beautiful changes around her. A delicate blue flower had unfurled on a vine clinging to a nearby pole, and the orchid bushes in the distance were heavy with vibrant, intricate blooms. The world was in full, glorious bloom.
Her gaze drifted from the flowers to the calm surface of the water, her mind blissfully empty. Then, a sudden, sharp thought pierced the tranquility.
"Today is the 15th, right? That day is in three days!"
Her eyes widened. Kian's birthday. June 18th. It had almost slipped her mind completely, lost in the whirlwind of their return to college and the start of their demanding final year.
A determined smile touched her lips as she looked back at the brave little blue flower. It was a sign, a reminder to celebrate life and love amidst all the pressure. "I need to do something about this," she murmured to herself, her mind already whirring with quiet, secret plans. This would not be a birthday that passed by unnoticed; it would be a perfect, heartfelt surprise for the boy who carried the weight of the world without ever asking for anything for himself. 🎂