A new day is a new beginning, and you must start from the beginning. This is what these two girls believe in. It’s another day, and Ishika is in the kitchen, brewing coffee and preparing breakfast. She’s humming her favourite song when she receives Naman’s message that he has to visit the Police Headquarters in Pune and won’t be able to meet her but will be in touch. She’s content with the single message and replies to him. Meanwhile, Priyanka enters the kitchen; she’s all dressed up.

“Ishu, you didn’t get ready?” She asks.

“Nope, I will get ready in a while, but you’re ready and leaving early?” Ishika asks in return.

“Yeah, bataya tha na kuch new project hain. Samarth messaged me that he'd come early to pick me up. Aaj tumhe akele jaana hoga.” Priyanka says.

“No worries! I’ll manage. Is Samarth coming?” Ishika asks, and Priyanka nods positively.

The two have their breakfast, and meanwhile, they hear a car horn. Priyanka hurries, recognising it to be Samarth’s car. Ishika sees them off and then gets ready for the day. As she’s getting ready, something strikes her mind, and her eyes twinkle with joy. She knows her next step, and she needs to talk to Dushyant. She gets ready and leaves for the bureau.

*****
The next two days passed in a blur. Priyanka is returning home from the office. The last two days have been hectic. She is glad that the man who spread fake news has been exposed and is behind bars. Today, she's a bit astonished that Samarth left the office as soon as the mission was completed. She had to finish the paperwork. He said that he has an urgency and has to meet a friend.

Priyanka is clueless about the happenings. Ishika has also been behaving strangely since the morning. She left home early and didn’t call her during the day. She reaches home and finds that the house is unlocked. She’s surprised but smiles, assuming that Ishika is home early. Now, they’d have enough time to talk.

Priyanka enters the house and finds it pitch dark. She calls for Ishika but doesn’t get a response. As she steps ahead,  calling for her friend, the lights are turned on, and she hears a loud scream.

“Happy Birthday!”

Priyanka turns around only to find her best friends shouting for her. The only two additions to this group are Naman and Ishita. These two have blended well with the group. She’s overwhelmed. Under the pressure of work, she had forgotten her special day. She’s been keeping busy lately.

“You guys remembered?” She asks, astonished at the sweet gesture thrown her way.

“You’re being a little forgetful, Pree.” Samarth comments.

“As if you remembered!? Agar yaad hota toh subah hi wish kar dete.” Priyanka makes a face.

“Wish kar deta toh Ishu mujhe ghar mein ghusne bhi nahi deti. Abhi bhi daant rahi thi mujhe.” Samarth makes a face while looking at Ruhana.

“Toh tum kaam hi aisa karte ho, Sam! Tumse kaha tha cake lete aana, lekin nai! Janab toh bhul gaye! Toh ab dantun nai toh kya karun? Vo toh thik hain Ishita got a home-made cake, nai toh saari planning kharab ho jati.” Ishika glances at her best friends.

“Han han! Hum hi miley tujhe satane ke liye. Tu Naman ko pareshan kyun nahi karti?” Samarth glares at her.

“Usko beech mein na laao, Sam! Apni baat karo.” Ishika replies annoyingly.

“Okay relax! Aise ladte kyun ho? Pree is back! Cake cut karte hain naa! I hope, Pri, you’ll like it.” Ishita smiles at Priyanka.

“Of course, Ishita! Dushyant often praises your baking skills. I got to taste that chocolate cake you made on Dushyant’s birthday.” Priyanka compliments her.

Ishita is elated, and soonish, Priyanka freshens up into a clean and shimmery outfit, all set to cut the cake. She’s astonished to find two cakes on the table, one for her and one for Naman. Ishika grins at finding her thoughtful.

“Kal Naman ka birthday tha, aur aaj tumhara! Mere liye toh dono din special hain, toh maine socha dono ek sath celebrate karun. How’s it?” She asks.

“I am overwhelmed and surprised, Ishu! Ye toh maine expect hi nahi kia tha.” Priyanka says she can’t contain her excitement.

“It’s all Ishu’s plan!” Dushyant says this and trails down memory lane.

A day before, when Ishika met Dushyant in the bureau, there was no case. The officers were chatting, and as she had an idea in her head, she told Dushyant that she wanted to host a party for Priyanka. Last year had been hard for them, and they couldn’t celebrate. But now she wants to surprise her. Dushyant readily agreed, and Ishita proposed to bake a cake. Also, she informs Samarth and Naman about the same. It’s like a good, friendly family gathering.

Priyanka is touched. She and Naman cut the cake, and the other sang the birthday song. They’re showered with gifts, but Priyanka notices something amiss. She finds Samarth lost in some thoughts of his own. She snips her fingers in front of him.

“Where on earth are you, Sam? 2 din se kuch khoye khoye se lagte ho, sab thik hain na?” She asks with concern.

“Pri, I want to talk to you,” Samarth says, leaving her thoughtful.

“Bolo na! Why are you so formal? Hum best friends hai naa!” She looks at him.

“More than that, maybe?” He looks into her eyes, and she’s astonished.

“What do you mean?” She asks, though she understands where he’s headed.

Samarth and Priyanka have grown up a little more concerned for each other, but they are not showing it on their faces. Samarth carries a grin on his face when around her, while she prefers staying silent around him. Yeah, there are teases and a lot of fun while they’ve grown some feelings out of the circle of friendship.

Dushyant and Ishika have often confronted each other regarding their feelings. Priyanka feels that Samarth might not feel the same, while the latter feels that he might lose a friend in Priyanka’s face.

A little silence prevails over the two souls. Priyanka is looking at Samarth, and they’re lost in the moment. Meanwhile, a voice falls into their ears.

“Until when will you two mask your feelings? Why not express it?” It’s Ishika who stands near the two.

“I don’t want to say anything. It’s useless!” Priyanka tries to mask her feelings again and turns to walk away, but Samarth holds her wrist.

“But expressing is good for you and for us.” He looks at her, and the urge to tell her everything is strong in his eyes.

Yeah, he realised the other day that he has to tell his feelings to Priyanka. He knows friends could make good partners. But he’s been fearful throughout, and maybe it’s time now. He decided to express his feelings to Priyanka on her birthday.

And the day is today!

Priyanka is awestruck at the moment. She’s constantly looking at Samarth. He’s silent, maybe trying to find the right words. Priyanka waits for him to speak while the others get indulged in their talks, letting these two alone.

“Sam, bolo na! Kya ho gaya hai tumhe?” Priyanka asks impatiently.

“I know I annoy you, but ….” He begins to speak but she cuts him.

“But that’s what friendship is all about. Haina! Best friends are for that only.” She says while looking at him.

“Yeah, but sometimes it’s more than the friendship. That’s what I have realised now.” Samarth says leaving Priyanka awestruck.

Priyanka is astonished. She does hold feelings for this friend of hers, but she never said it. Since he doesn’t open up about his feelings, she’s unaware of what he feels for her. They do believe that love exists in friendship as well, but that never felt special or personal.

As per Samarth, he didn’t know if Priyanka would feel the same for him. He knows that she cares for him and always holds him back even in the office, but he’s unsure. After much procrastination, he decided to let her know that he holds feelings of love towards her.
“I know I should have said it earlier. But I was scared.” Samarth says.

“Sam, please say it clearly. Ye tumhari gol-gol baatein mujhe samajh nahi aati.” Priyanka says it annoyingly.

“Aur tum dono ko seedhi baatein samajh nahi aati.” It’s Dushyant who comments, who’s sitting in the hall.

“Toh samjhaao naa! Sam, seedhe seedhe bolo na kya kehna hai?” Priyanka is annoyed with the teasing that she’s facing.

“Sam, why are you wasting time? Maine jo kaha tha wo yaad rakhna!” Dushyant says it while looking at Samarth, who just smiles.

“Huh! Tum log decide kar lo, tab tak I’ll have some cake. Pareshan kardiya hain sabne! Aur Sam ne bhi! Isko 2 din se puch rahi hun kya hua, janab ko time nahi hai batane ka! Ishu, tum hi puchlo.” Priyanka makes a face and turns to leave when Samarth holds her wrist, taking her by surprise.

“Ab mujhe tumse kuch kehna hai naa. Suno toh!” He says softly.

“You have 5 minutes, Mr Samarth! Jaldi bolo! Mere birthday pe mujhe hi intezaar karva rahe ho tum log!” Priyanka says it annoyingly.

“Tumne kaha tha na ki, you’ve to come to my rescue always. So, why don’t you do that for the rest of your lives? Of course, we’re gonna work together in the coming years.” Samarth says astonishing Priyanka.

“You’re hearing it, right, Pri. I annoy you, tease you, or I make you work more, but in the end, that’s how show my love for you. I’ve realised that you’re the right choice for me. So, will you please bear with me?” He says.

Priyanka watches him as he goes down on one knee and thrusts a ring towards her. It’s a platinum ring that she’s always loved, and she wanted to own one. He’s there professing his love and she can’t believe it. She again hears him saying that he loves her.

In the next instant, she forwards her hand and he slides the ring in her finger. She says nothing but makes him stand and embraces him in her arms.

“I love you, too, Sam! That’s what I’ve been feeling for you, lately. This is the best gift ever.” She says, her eyes are watery but she wipes them off.

Their friends are cheering from behind as they all embrace each other in a group hug. Ishika’s grinning widely for her mission has been accomplished.

“Mission propose khatm hogaya, it’s time for mission Food!” She says grinning cheekily causing the others to laugh.

“I knew it! It must be your plan! Lekin tumko ye ideas aate kidhar se hain?” Priyanka asks as she hugs Ishika.

“Naman ne idea diya!” Ishika points at Naman who’s shocked at the moment.

“Pyar ke 2 panchchi ek sath hi achche lagenge na Pri! I just asked for party, han! Sab khurafat ye Ishu hi karti hain. Don’t blame me.” Naman replies playfully.

“Han toh karni hi padegi jab mere dost kuch nahi bolenge toh! Lekin shikayat bhi mujhse karenge.” Ishika makes a face causing the others to laugh.

In the meantime, Priyanka announces that she’s hungry and she’s pulled towards the dinner table by Samarth. That’s how these beautiful souls celebrate love.

Priyanka is truly elated for the birthday gift that she’s got and it’s for a lifetime.

****THE END****

Preetx❤️❤️I hope you Like It. Love yaa❤️💋💋😘😘😘

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