When Rivals Fall

Chapter 16 Birthday and Tangled fates or flowers??

" Mein kahin bhi jata hu
Tumse hi mil jata huu
Tum se hi , tum se hi
Shor mein khamoshi hai
Thodi si behoshi hai "
~ Tum se hi

Author's Pov

Kashvii sat quietly on the terrace of her hostel, staring at the starry sky. The gentle breeze played with her hair, but her heart felt heavy. "Maybe everyone forgot," she whispered to herself, her voice barely audible. It was her birthday, and yet, the day felt like any other. No calls, no messages, no surprises.

As the clock ticked closer to midnight, she sighed and hugged her knees.
While Kaustubh and Vedika were struggling with firecrackers at road. Vedika lightning the cracker said ," yeh jal kyunn ni ra haii , kaustubh, bs 1 min bacha hai"
( "Why isn't this burning, Kaustubh? There's just 1 minute left." )

Kaustubh replied," aree jal jayegaa " praying to God to burn cracker.
( "It will burn, don't worry," praying to God to burn the cracker )

Vedika said ," yrr teri tarah kharab hai yeee , areee jalaa..."
( "Ugh, it's as bad as you, come on, burn )

Just as she was lost in thought, the sound of soft laughter echoed from below. She brushed it off, thinking it was just the other hostel students.
But then-

BOOM!

The night sky erupted in colors, fireworks lighting it up in breathtaking patterns. Kashvii gasped, her heart racing as she stood up, her eyes wide with awe. Reds, blues, and golds painted the heavens, spelling out

"Happy Birthday, Kashvii!"

dazzling explosion of golden sparks erupted high above, illuminating the darkness. Kashvii flinched at first, her eyes widening in surprise. Then, one by one, the fireworks began to bloom like flowers in the sky-each brighter and more beautiful than the last.

Brilliant streaks of red, blue, green, and silver raced upward, bursting into cascading showers of light that seemed to rain down like falling stars. The colors danced and reflected in her eyes as she stood frozen, mesmerized.

And then, as if the universe itself was celebrating her, the fireworks took shape. In shimmering gold, against the velvet-black sky, the words "HAPPY BIRTHDAY KASHVII" appeared, sparkling like diamonds.

Her hands flew to her mouth, a tear slipping down her cheek as the display continued. Starbursts of pink and purple shot upward, spiraling into intricate patterns, followed by golden trails that faded into glowing embers.

Tears filled her eyes as she turned to see Vedika and Kaustubh standing near the terrace door, grinning from ear to ear. Kaustubh held some gifts while vedika held some.

Vedika was holding several small, colorful packages, her eyes sparkling with excitement, while Kaustubh followed closely behind, balancing a neat stack of gifts in his hands. The wide grin on Vedika's face gave away her bubbling enthusiasm.

But just as they got closer, Vedika's excitement exploded. "Kashuuuu!" she squealed, shoving the gifts she was holding into Kaustubh's already full hands. "Hold these!" she ordered in a rush, not even waiting for his reply.

Kaustubh groaned, adjusting the precarious pile, but Vedika didn't even notice. She dashed forward, throwing her arms around Kashvii and pulling her into a tight hug.

"Happy Birthday, meri jaan, Kashuuu, my everything , lovee youuu"Vedika exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion. She squeezed Kashvii so tightly that for a moment, Kashvii struggled to breathe, but she didn't mind.
( "Happy Birthday, my love, Kashuuu, my everything." )