The Shekawat Mansion was in utter darkness as Taani and Rey returned back precisely 1 hour post midnight. Though Rey wanted Taani for all himself to enjoy the quality time with her, he knew others had planned something for her and all were waiting for their comeback. Hence, he quickly took her back.
The minute Taani hopped out of the car and landed a foot on the lawn, lights blared around the house, twinkling in gold, blue, red, blue, green and orange colors. It was fascinating to behold. She turned towards Rey in surprise. He just smiled holding her hand and dragging her inside. Rey stayed behind her while she entered first.
Heap of red balloons showered on her as loud cheers of "Happy Birthday" cooed by everyone. Taani blinked furiously and her heart leapt in fondness. House was completely decorated with fringe ribbons. And she breathed at the exurbant beauty of it. These people were really going to make her cry. First, it was Rey. Now, it was them. She was still rolling in the exceptional surprise Rey had given. And here these people took so much of struggle to surprise her. Probably, this was the most favorite birthday of her. She smiled as her Tauji and Taiji stepped forward first, embracing her with wishes. Then came, Mihir and Manini squeezing her in a warmth. Manini kissed her cheek wishing her as Mihir blessed, caressing her cheek. Followed by Swayam, Karan. Rey just stood there feeling the tenderness of her smile and happiness. He never appreciated how beautiful she looked while she laughed and giggled through joy at his people. He couldn't help but let his lips wide as he watched his parents mollycoddling her. They loved her. And that has to be the best feeling of watching his girl loved by two most important of his life.
Kunal dashed in pulling Taani into a hug amidst of other. And Rey's smile faltered. He was suppose to be Taani's best friend but whenever he closed in on her, he felt like whacking him back into the supernova zone. But he quitened not willing to make a scene. After all it was Taani's birthday and she deserved every second of smile pestered on her lips.
Zoya thwarted Kunal away as she pulled Taani into a hug cooing silently in Taani's ear which made her blush. And Rey suppressed a knowing smile. Then came Surbhi, Kriya, Neha, Rinni, Simmi and Sharon at last in girls. He didn't miss the beat of formalness between Sharon and Taani. Because Taani hugged everyone but not Sharon. She just smiled and accepted her wish rather than going all cuddly. Then the boys were in line already. Rithwik and Wahi nuzzled her like a pack of wolves where Rithwik just squished Taani's hand while Wahi kissed Taani on her forehead. That should have made Rey burn like he felt watching Kunal with her. But no. He didn't feel that for Wahi. There was a perception toward him. Taani always shared her close bond with Rithwik, Wahi, Karan and Surbhi. Kriya was not in the option as she was his ex-gf and it made things awkward for her to talk about her with him. He didn't mind though. And he knew well to understand that she had really become closer to the four or maybe five people.
Then Vicky, Nil, Amar and Bharath wished her in their own funny way making Taani chuckle recklessly. And it was time for a celebration.
Taani was pulled into the swarm. A three layer chocolate cake decorated was perched on a table in the center. Rithwik sang "baar baar aaye" an old Hindi song as all others chorused along. Taani twitched in her place looking at everyone. She was damn content. Rishi prodded her to cut the cake and she did. Everyone looked curiously trying to know whom she fed the first piece. Though she caught Rey's eye, she fed the piece of cake first to her Taiji and Tauji following to Mihir and Manini.
Rithwik staggered Rey towards Taani as she fed the next piece to him, then to her brothers and followed by the rest. Boys screamed on top of their lungs as girls hooted for Taani. Rithwik and Wahi pasted the cream on Taani's face making her go wild. But damn did she care! Not at all. She was too happy to care about the cream plastering on her face. As everyone were shouting, Rey suddenly kissed her on the cheek where her skin was left clean and whispered"Happy Birthday". She blushed furiously turning to see if anyone watched them. Though she didn't see anyone watching them, Rey had seen Kunal's eyes popping out at him kissing her. Rey smirked as if he didn't care.
******
Taani, Karan, Surbhi, Rithwik and Wahi sat in Karan's big room. He usually didn't allow anyone. Well… it was Taani's birthday night and everyone wanted to have some group time with her. Hence he had to make some space for all. Taani was sprawled between Karan and Surbhi on the headboard of the bed. Kriya sat opposite to Taani on the bed. Rithwik and Wahi slept on their stomach on either side of Kriya gazing at Taani and others.
"Cake kaisa ta, Taani?" Kriya asked excitingly. "Ha bolo bolo… kabse Mari jaa rahi hai puchne ke liye… usine banaya hai…" Wahi mocked. Kriya glared him. "Aur meine bi help Kiya ta…" Rithwik intervened. "Aur meine waha kave Baga rahi ti Kya?" Surbhi flared for not giving her the credit. "Tum toh chup hi raho… mein waha Aya toh Kriya ko help mili... Warna tum toh sirf baitke uska dimag kaa rahi ti…" Rithwik teased her. "Hey…" Karan threw a pillow at him on behalf of his girl friend. "Usko kuch mat bolo…"
"Wa Bhai..." Rithwik mumbled. "Surbhi aur Rithwik dono ne help ki ti, Taani." Kriya clarified before two of them could rip their hair off. "Bahut accha ta… i liked it. Thank you…" Taani held Kriya's hand and squashed it. "Aur Hume?" Surbhi and Rithwik asked simultaneously. "Tum dono ko bi… thank you" she beamed.
"Per Taani…" Surbhi locked a hand around Taani's neck. "Tumne Hume nahi bataya ki Rey ne tumhe Kya surprise Diya..."
"Aur ye bi nahi bataya ki tum aur Rey itni der Kya Kya Kar rahe te…" Wahi blurted. Karan smacked on his head. "Toda Deere se bolo… warna Swayam diwar todke us room se ye room aa jayega…" He said it as Rey and Swayam resided to the room adjacent to his.
Everyone chuckled and Taani's cheeks transformed into beetroot red. And at the same time, Rithwik's phone buzzed. He bounced up immediately and excused walking out. "Isko Kya hogaya?" Kriya frowned. "Uski girl friend ka call hogi…" Wahi chuckled. But others stared him. Karan and Surbhi looked seriously at him while Kriya narrowed her eyes angrily at him. Taani was just surprised. "Aree… mein mazak Kar Raha ta… uska Koi gf kaha se ayega…" Wahi mused. "Taani… ab toh hum tumhara gifts kolke dekte hai…"
Taani nodded. All of them had given her gifts and she was overwhelmed that she had left everything back down in the hall. She really didn't expect everyone to give her gifts. But at the same time she couldn't help but feel a gratitude at the love they were sprinkling her upon.
Rithwik came back to the room along with Rey, Sharon and Swayam who were carrying all the gifts from the down.
"Wo…. Kisiko Taani ke bagair rehne ko nahi ho Raha hai…" Surbhi teased Rey as his face flushed. Swayam rolled his eyes. Was he ever going to get over at the fact that his sister and best friend were a thing? Hell, only if he knew. "Ab Swayam… tum apna ye muh Toda teek Karlo..." Sharon whispered hoping he didn't make things awkward for Rey and Taani. "Come guys… join us… Taani abi gifts open Karne wali hai." Karan persuaded.
Rey occupied Rithwik's place on the bed. Swayam and Sharon grabbed chairs to alight. Rithwik took a stool nearing it beside Wahi and slid his legs on Wahi's back making him grunt in annoyance. But he didn't push his legs away as Rithwik chuckled at his irritation.
Kriya was suddenly alert as Rey sat closer to her at one side. Though she had moved on from him, she felt strangely weird. Rithwik watched her from the corner of his eye as her brown pupils fidgeted. He liked how maturely she handled everything with Rey and Taani. He would have lost his shit before seeing his love of life with someone else. He also liked how she wasn't affected the same was as before by Rey anymore. Recently, he was observing Kriya more than required. It wasn't done purposefully. Yet he always caught in her while she did her things. He watched her like a stalker. He smiled at her smiles. He disliked seeing her sad. He loved her making smile. And - He shook his head at the sudden eerie thoughts invading his brain. What was he even thinking?
"Pehle kiska gift open karogi?" Karan asked. Taani looked at all opting her Tauji and Taiji's gift pack. "Wait…" Surbhi stopped her. "Pehle tumhe humko batana hai ki Rey ne tumhe Kya gift Diya hai…" She demanded. Taani looked at Rey asking for his permission. But she couldn't really say all the surprise plan. But she could atleast show the gift piece. There was no need of asking for his permission. He would be elated if she screamed and told the world about it. Still, he just nodded for her satisfaction.
Before she could open her mouth, Wahi tugged Taani's hand where the gold rose ring securely sat between her fingers. "Don't tell me ki tumhara lover boy ne tumhe Shaadi ke liye propose Kar Diya?"
Everyone looked at Wahi and Taani's hand in shock. Swayam's eyes went over his head as he peered again and again. Rey and Taani glanced at each other in shock at themselves. It wasn't a ring of proposal. "Nahi… nahi…" Taani dismissed before all could analyse it wrong. "It's her birthday gift, guys. That's it…" Rey clarified. And that stung Taani a little though she knew he wasn't wrong. She always dreamt of getting married to him and having a life of their own. But after their breakup, she was really afraid to even think about the marriage. It wasn't like they were going to get married the next minute. But Rey never spoke about it. Or assured her about the life long commitment though she didn't doubt him for a minute about his love and intentions towards her. She was just too terrified that he would abandon her if she even thought about the word MARRIAGE.
"They are still in college, guys. Let them enjoy their space…" Sharon gave her cent of advice. Taani whipped her head at her. But didn't speak a word. And it went noticed by both Swayam and Rey.
"No one are asking them to get married now, Sharon. But that's a choice they have. I don't see anything wrong even if they are ready to get married if they love each other… and are sure about it…" Rithwik's voice went hard. "We never know… how long we have… And sometimes we need to make decisions before the time takes decisions for us…"
And all of a sudden, the argument wasn't just about Taani and Rey. The edge in Rithwik's voice had put everyone in pin drop silence. "Guys… Taani ko gifts kolne de yaar…" Kriya muttered breaking the silence. She looked at Rithwik and he was staring right back at her. And everyone shifted in their seats. "Ha... Taani… tum gifts open Karo..." Swayam smiled, hoping he didn't ruin her mood by his possessive attacks. He was happy to know that his BF and sister had not yet accepted the eternity of undying love with the marriage cards. Taani was still a kid and he… well…
Taani unwrapped the gift from her Tauji and Taiji. It had a beautiful golden jewellery set. Earrings, mangtikka, necklace and ring in the set. "Wow…" Surbhi exclaimed as she grazed the golden piece. "Ladkiyon ko jewellery dekte hi pata nahi Kya ho jata hai…" Wahi murmered. All the girls glared at him. "Okay… okay…sorry..." He hugged back to his pillow. Then she opened the gift box by Mihir and Manini to find a beautiful diamond necklace set with white stones in silver coating. Taani seized Rey's eye. His eyes twinkled at the gift by his parents. They sure knew the way to a girl's heart. "This is beautiful…" Sharon beamed getting emotional at the gift. Swayam watched her realising he had never gifted her anything till date. And he mentally noted to research about it and gift her something with the help of Rey.
Then opened all other gifts one by one. Swayam had gifted her a wall frame of Taani's childhood pics in the form of mosaic format. She giggled in delight and thanked him. Karan's gift pack had a luxurious Rolex watch in Rose gold color. She immediately loved the extravagance of it. She side hugged Karan thanking him. Surbhi's gift pack was big and when she opened Taani wailed in chuckles to find a fluffy teddy bear, the length of a big grown human. Surbhi and Taani equally squeezed the bear before diving into next packs. Wahi had gifted her a platinum bracelet with customized name of her on it. He winked as she melted at his sweet way of expressing his affection towards her. Kriya's gift was a certificate of a tree planted in the name of Taani on her birthday. It was very thoughtful and she was just too impressed at her presence of mind. Even Rey went Gaga over at it.
Neha had presented her a small frame with the initial of Taani's name T which consisted of her various photos with white and black theme. It was really peculiar. Rinni had packed a wooden hard book dairy and a wooden pen with Taani's name inscribed on it. Simmi had opted a heart shaped sling bag in golden color. It was pretty and party usage. Vicky and Nil chosen a combined gift. When she opened it, Rey had warned her to be careful. As expected they had pranked her with a explosive box in which a fake hand punched her as she opened it. Rey had plucked that out of her hand cursing them. But there was a note of sorry behind with a bunch of chocolates under it. And she really didn't mind the punch seeing the bunch of delicious chocolates. Everyone chuckled and giggled along with Taani.
Amar had given her a hand made greeting card which was very simple yet authentic with a cake on the forefront while ample of candle lights inside the card as she opened. It was very innovative and she just loved it as she loved all other gifts. Bharath had presented a moon lamp which changed colors at frequent time. And only one gift was left which was by Sharon. Taani opened it slowly. Taani's breathe hitched. There was a beautiful frame of her and Rey. The pic which was taken during their affair scandal in the beginning of the college due to which she had opted to pretend as Shivam's girlfriend. That was when Taani and Rey's lovestory had begun. Rey looked at Sharon in surprise. Those pics were all over the college website during those days. And Rey never thought it will be one of the turning moment in his love life. Taani thanked her. But there was a hint of resentment in her words which Rey found unrealistic. Maybe he haven't noticed till now but Taani and Sharon weren't getting along well though they behaved to be cordial. He would definitely had things to talk with Taani about it.
"Are… Rithwik… tumne Taani ko kuch bi gift nahi di…" Surbhi questioned him. "Are. it's okay… gifts aren't necessary…" Taani intervened little embarrassed at Surbhi's demand. "Wo madam…" Rithwik dragged his legs away from Wahi's back and the bed. "Mera gift ko mein pack nahi Kar sakta ta…"
"Matlab…" Rey mused. All others stared at Rithwik. "Wo Kya haina guys… I have something special for Taani... Jo Mein abi usko dene Wala hun…" he hopped up and slid towards the door.
"Are kaha jaa Raha hai… tu…" Karan battled. Rithwik ignored the prying eyes and slid the door. While everyone looked straight, Taani's eye fell lower and she screamed making everyone to struggle to sit in a straight face. The next thing she did was… jump down the bed. She moved towards Rithwik. "OMG!" She yelled falling onto his chest and making him go down on the wall at her sudden attack. But he was smiling wider than ever. He knew it. He knew this would gag her up into juggle nut. He braced her hands across her back and held her as she trashed in happiness. "I can't believe it…" she mumbled as she squirmed in him.
Rey and Swayam looked at each other not understanding what was the fuss was all about. They really didn't understood what was happening all of a sudden. Not just them but all others had similar expressions. Wahi had bounced into a sitting position trying to catch up with the situation. But no luck. He looked the same as others. Kriya's insides tugged unpleasantly at the sight. oh man... was she going psychotic seeing Rithwik and Taani in a embrace? Hell, yes. All of them watched Taani and Rithwik squeezing one's life in each other's arms yet not knowing why they were giggling happily.
******"
Author's Note:
I challenge you all to guess the surprise by Rithwik to Taani😜 Well, let's meet in the next update.
Thank you.
Love - Asha