Author's POV
Today, Esha woke up early. It was her birthday, and excitement sparkled in every gesture. She got ready in one of the Sharara dresses picked from the mall and headed downstairs.
"Hey" Her brother greeted.
"Hii" she replied, voice bright with anticipation. He continued working, barely reacting. Her smile faltered.
"Abhi, Aaj 18th October hai." she prompted, hoping he'd remember.
("Abhi, today is 18th October.")
"Toh?" He replied with a poker face.
("So?")
"Toh? Really?"
("So? Really?")
He grinned, "Alright, mujhe tera birthday yaad hain. Bas mazak kar raha tha. Happy Birthday!!! Party de rahi hain, ya phir kahegi ki mujhe late ho raha hain." He ended dramatically. She smashed his shoulder. He then engulfed her in a brotherly hug.
("Alright, I remember your birthday. I was joking. Happy Birthday!!! You are having a party, but you will probably say that I am late.")
"Happy Birthday Baccha!!" Rajesh called, emerging from the dining area.
"Thank you, Papa." she said as he hugged her tightly.
Her mother entered with a bowl of sweets, her smile gentle.
"Happy Birthday Eshu!!" Her mother's arms were a comfort.
"Thank you, Mumma."
Everyone sat down at the dining table for breakfast. After breakfast, Esha left for the academy.
Aakash's POV
"Ma, Kya yeh aap Esha ko de dengi?" I asked, offering her a bag.
("Maa, will you give this to Esha?")
"Kya hai isme?" she inquired, suspicion already dancing in her eyes while looking at the bag.
("What is in this?")
"Kahin yeh koi gift toh nahi?" she said, watching me closely with a smile.
("Is it a gift?")
I grinned sheepishly, "Waise hi kuch samajh lijiye. Aur aap mera naam matt bolna. Bolna ki yeh aapne diya hain." I said in a pleading tone.
("Just understand it that way. And don't mention my name. Say that you gave this.")
"Theek hai." she agreed, stepping out as I drove away.
("Okay")
Esha's POV
As I entered the academy, shouts of "Surprise!" erupted. The academy was decorated with cheerful hangings and balloons. Friends crowded around, embracing and wishing me. We dove into practice with laughter echoing off every corner.
At lunch, a simple but beautiful cake awaited. Everyone insisted I cut it, then each one fed me a piece. My stomach, practically full of cake, still made room for lunch with Meera Aunty. She remembered something and excused herself.
While we ate, Meera Aunty slid a bag towards me.
"Yeh kya hain aunty?" I asked curiously. She paused briefly for 2 seconds before replying.
("What is this, Aunty?")
"Mujhe nahi pata, yeh Aakash ne tere liye diye hain." She answered.
("I don't know, Aakash gave this to you.")
The mention of his name sent my heart racing, curiosity burning, but I left the bag unopened until after lunch.
"Tujhe nahi kholna hain kya ab?" Meera Aunty asked out of curiosity.
("Tujhe nahi kholna hain kya ab?")
"Mein ghar jaakar kholungi." I promised, noticing the knowing smirk she tried to hide after I completed my statement.
("Don't you want to open it now?")
We resumed our practice for the rest of the day.
Aakash's POV
Work ran late. I messaged Maa to say I'd be home after hours. I left the office as darkness wore in. When I finally reached the academy to pick up Maa, she was waiting outside.
"Woh chali gayi hain. Tu itna late aayega aur who yahi rahegi? Woh wait karne ke liye ready thi, but mein ne hi usse bhej diya. I didn't want to spoil her day," she said as I drove off.
("She has gone. You are coming so late, and she will stay here? She was ready to wait, but I sent her away. I didn't want to spoil her day.")
Maybe luck wasn't on my side today. I sighed, and the car rose in the streets. After dinner, I retreated to my room and let the routine unfold.
Author's POV
Returning home, Esha grabbed the mysterious bag and hurried to her room. The box, which was neatly gift-wrapped. She unwrapped the box, unveiling the very same dress she had admired at the mall. Overjoyed, she twirled with the dress, a smile shining through every move. She realized he must've noticed her admiration. Just then, her phone pinged with a message.
Aakash was on the bed with his phone in his hands. He opened her profile and typed:
He: Happy Birthday, Esha🎂
She: Thank you😊
She: Ek baat puchu?
(Can I ask one thing?)
He: Puchiye na
(Ask na)
She: Aap ko kaisa pata tha ki
mujhe yeh dress pasand hain?
(How do you know that I like this dress?)
Aakash froze, wondering if his mother had betrayed his secret. He scrambled for an excuse.
He: Oh! Tumhe pasand aya. Maa ne kahan tha ki
tumhara birthday hain aur kuch loon tumhare liye lee aaon.
(Oh! You liked it. Mom said that it's your birthday
and asked me to bring something for you.)
She: Accha
(Ok)
Deep down, Esha knew this wasn't a coincidence, and he lied. Conversation paused as both were unable to think of what to chat about. After a while, Esha changed and went downstairs.
Esha's POV
"Bua, Happy Birthday!!" Soham shouted as he ran up to me.
"Thank You, Babu" I said, lifting him into a warm hug. Ritesh Bhai, Shreeja Bhabhi, and Soham had come over to celebrate with dinner.
Bhai and Bhabhi wished me, and I cut the cake. After having dinner, Bhai was chatting with Abhinav and Papa, and Bhabhi was with Mumma, helping her. I took Soham with me to my room. He was looking at the sketches I had made.
"Wow bua! Aapke drawing to bohot acche hain." He said, feeling quite amazed by looking at my drawings. A smile formed on my lips automatically. My eyes went to the dress gifted by him.
("Wow, Bua, your drawings are so good.")
Whenever I see him, I feel a hundred unsaid words bubbling to my lips, but somehow, they always dissolve before I can speak. His mere presence wraps me in comfort—it's as if the world shifts subtly, colours sharpening and sounds growing softer, every time he is around me. I'm filled with this strange, exhilarating tension, a warmth that lingers in the pit of my stomach. Even a few days ago, when we crossed paths at the temple, I noticed how effortlessly he stood out—so confident yet so quietly attentive, a gentle smile makes him seem both mysterious and familiar. Why is it that a single glance from him can make my heart race and my breath falter? I've turned away so many admirers before, unmoved by compliments or overtures, but this... this connection is different. It's like a silent conversation, a thread pulling me closer every time our eyes meet.
That spark—electric and undeniable—sets me alight, especially in those stolen moments when our eyes lock from across a crowded room. I used to think he was just "another good man," someone with a pleasant smile and a kind nature, but lately, the anticipation of his arrival has woven itself into my evenings. I catch myself lingering near the entrance with Meera Aunty, inventing reasons to be close whenever I know he'll be coming by to pick up Meera Aunty, my heart fluttering if our hands brush, even accidentally.
Even today, when Meera Aunty handed me that beautifully wrapped gift, I couldn't mask the curiosity that leapt inside me. My hands shook just a little as I opened it; my heart leapt to recognize the dress I had silently adored at the mall. The gesture was so thoughtful, almost impossibly perfect. My mind keeps circling back to one question—could it really be just a coincidence, or is there something deeper between us, something neither of us dares to name? I find myself wishing, more than ever, that these feelings aren't just mine alone, that this unspoken bond is woven into his heart as much as it is into mine.
Sometimes, my imagination runs wild: What if he feels the same pull? Does he ever think of me, too, waiting, wondering, hoping for the right chance?
[If not, why would he go out of his way to buy such an expensive dress—just for me? 😏]
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Hey Folks!!
Feelings are mutual but unsaid. Feelings are mutual, but words remain unspoken. How do you think they'll finally confess? Drop your ideas in the comments below. What will happen next? For that, stay tuned!!
Hope you like this chapter. If yes, please like the chapter and comment on your favourite part.
Also, comment on the theories you think would happen next. Would love to read them.
Thanks for reading ❤️...