Total Eclipse of the Heart

Mishti's Birthday

"Tell me what you are thinking when you look at me like that. I feel strong and weak at the same time. When you look at me, I feel exposed, as if you can see my most private thoughts. And though it frightens me- you frighten me- it is such an exquisite sensation that I do not want it to end. Because I want you to know me, to see the deepest parts of me."

Amy Sandas,

There were 15 mins left for the clock to strike 12. Abir needed some fresh air to deal with the after effects of his conversation with Mishti. He decided to take a stroll in the forest surrounding the resort. After walking for some time he came across a tent he went inside and saw it beautifully decorated. There was a cake in the center of the table that said "Happy Birthday Mishti" it seemed like Nishant might have set up this as a surprise for Mishti. He was about to leave when Mishti walked in.

"I am sorry, Mishti I came across this tent by chance Nishant might be coming I will leave" He said

"Abir, before Nishant came into the room you were about to say something what was it?" she asked

"Mishti, please let it be" he said and was about to leave

"Cheezin aur baatien adhoori chod kar janay ki adadat ho gayi hain tumhay, Abir" She said

"Uss baat ka koi point nahi hain,Mishti tum kisi aur ki ho. Mera toh kuch hain bhi nahi" Abir said

"Tum aik baar awaaz day kar toh dekho Abir bas aik baar" Mishti said

"Mujhay issi baat say toh darr lagta hain Mishti. Tum mujh say abhi bhi itn pyyar kyun karti ho. I don't deserve it. I broke your heart and all my promises" Abir said

"You broke your own heart too Abir and your own dreams. Jitna main tumhay jaanti hu I know you didn't do it on your own your mom forced you didn't she" Mishti said

"Yeah but I still did it didn't I. We always have a choice and I chose to be a coward you deserve someone who choses you no matter what" Abir told her

"So, that's it you are going to leave again do you not love me anymore" Mishti asked

He turned back and cupped her face in his hands.

"Please, don't ask me to say I don't love you because that's a lie" he touched her forehead with his.

"Then why don't you say what you need to say" Mishti asked him

"Mishti, please" he pleaded

"Abir, please kia tumhay koi farq nahi padhta seeing me with Nannu" she asked

He grabbed her again and pulled her close

"Mujhay farq padhta hain dammit I love you aur jab main tumhay uss kay saath dekhta hu mujhay bohot gussa ahata hain" Abir told her.

"I love you to, Abir" She said

He looked at her face threw caution to the wind and kissed her on the lips and said

"Happy Birthday, Angry Chorni" he gazed into her eyes

"Thank you but I must confess you are a very bad kisser Ajeeb Abir Rajvansh matlab I have kissed better people" She teased him

"Matlab you have kissed other people exactly how many boyfriends do you have Mishti?" Abir pretended to be angry

"I was joking, I have only kissed a few times and that was back in school" Mishti told him

"You are my first" Abir confessed

"Seriously?" Mishti was surprised

"Yeah woh pehlay meray thoday weight issues thay na so I wasn't that popular. I was always a bit of a loner aur koi pasand hi nahi ahayi. Mujhay toh pata bhi nahi thamujhay kabi pyaar ho ga par phir mujhay dunya ki sab say best larki say pyaar hua aur phir mujhay uss say chodna pada aur abb bohot dartay dartay main phir uss ka haath thaam raha hun. Pata nahi who larki abb tak meray saath kyun hain" Abir told her

"Iss liay kyun tum nay uss larki ko pyaar karna sikhaya hain Abir. Tumnay uss ko khud say pyaar karna sikhaya hain toh who tum say itna pyaar kyun na karay" Mishti asked him

"Aur agar who larka fail ho gaya toh agar tumhari family ko laga woh tumhray kaabil nahi hain agar tumhay yay laga toh" Abir expressed his fear

"Main humrahy pyaar ko fail nahi honay du gi" She held his hand in her hand. He entwined his fingers with her. Just then both heard noises and smelt a burning smell. When they stepped out of the tent the forest around them had caught fire. Instinctively Abir pushed Mishti behind him.

"Abir, yay aag oh god hum yahan say kaisay niklay gay" Mishti said

"Ssssh calm down Angry Chorni main tumay kuch nahi honay du ga" Abir grabbed her hands.

Abir thought of calling Kunal but he wasn't picking up. He tried calling Nishant but even he wasn't picking up.

"Dammit koi phone kyun nahi utha raha" Abir said

"Abir, abb hum kia karay gay"

"I hope koi miracle ho jayay waisay this tent its sheets and my jacket Mishti tum yay sab use kar sakti ho I can help you escape and then you can bring help" Abir suggested

"Abir tum pagal ho idiot ho ekta kay show kay hero ho toh phir aisi stupid baatien kyun kar rahay ho main tumhay chod kar kahin na ja rahi" Mishti said

"Mishti main hum dono ki jaan bachnay ki kohsish kar raha hu" Abir said

"I don't care jo karay gay saath main karay gay chaaya mar hi jayay par saath main"

"Shut up, Mishti please aisi baatien mat karo lets pray for a miracle. Partner, please help" He got so scared by her suggestion that he hugged her close.

"Mishti whatever happens tum jaanti ho na I love you"

"Hah and I love you too aur jab tak tum meray saath ho kuch bura ho hi nahi sakta, Abir" she told him. After some time it started raining.

"Abir, tum roh rahay ho?"

"Hah, it's a miracle Mishti December main baarish and I finally have you back in my life Happy Birthday Mishti" Abir hugged her

"Yeah my birthday was super adventurous"

"I hope that's enough adventure for the day because I have plans" Abir said and picked her up in his arms

"Abir what are you doing put me down" Mishti hit him on the chest

"Nope its your special day so some birthday bumps are a must" Abir said and twirled her around

"I thought we had other plans you promised me a sword fight" Mishti said

"Oh yeah that and after that I have more plans" Abir said and put her down but held her waist

"What plans" Mishti asked

Abir leaned closer and huskily whispered in her ears "Umm so you called me a bad kisser so I thought I need some extra coaching so are you willing to help" Abir smirked at her.

"You Ajeeb Adami" Mishti tried to smack him but he ran away and she ran after him. Their laughter echoed in the forest. They both reached the resort and were almost breathless.

"Thank you, Mishti"

"Kis liay?"

"Meri zindagi main ahnay kay liay mujhay aik aur chance dainay kay liay you are the miracle in my life" Abir said and bent down and buried her head in her arms

"Kia kar rahay ho Abir get up"

"Maafi maang raha hu for everything I did for all the times I made you cry" Abir said

"Abir main toh tumsay kabi naraz thi hi nahi now get up. We have plans remember" she winked at him.

He got up and interlaced his fingers with hers. It seemed after a long time things were finally falling into place. All was well.