Reshu,

''What, a party without me? Not done. '' Shikha pouted as I told her about throwing a surprise birthday party for Yash. But there was a catch, I just wanted it to alone with him, and the girl who had been dying to throw me in his arms had suddenly turned a bone. ''I can't miss a cake you know'

Shikha gave me her best puppy look. Folding my arms to chest I glared at her with a raised brow. She smiled mischievously at me, ''Okay, I understand. I would have anyways left you two alone but not before I get my piece of cake. No,Half of the cake. I deserve that much for being uninvited. I jumped on her hugging tightly, ''You are invited, but you need to lock yourself in the room right after we are done with cake.''

''No way!! I am staying under the same roof with a couple screaming in heat. '' My eyes went wide at the choice of her words. She jumped out my arms running around as I chased her , warning to take those shameful words back. She suddenly pulled me in her arms halting our chase, ''I am so happy you realised your feelings. He is the one for you Resh.''

I smiled pulling back, ''I don't know what to call it Shikha, but I want to give all of myself to him. If that keeps him here.''

''You are an idiot. '' Shikha said emphasising on each word. ''if you think he here to mark you or brand you . You ought to be crazy. That man is working in night and stay up in the day so that he could have his best friend back. Who does that? Not even best of lovers have the patience he has Reshu. He doesn't care you reject him, all he cares for is to bring back the old Resh he met all those years back in his college. And here you are, associating the best part of your life to mere lust.''

I chose not to answer that. But the mere emotion love scared the shit out of me. I don't want any emotional attachment with anyone around. Not even Yash. Emotions, make you feeble and I have burnt myself once. I am not falling for it again. Yash is an awesome guy, but then all men are till they reach the goal. Being a girl friend and wife are two different things. I don't want to be a wife for sure, I just can't throw away my freedom and go back being same Reshu.

I know , people might call me stupid for such thoughts. I don't mind. But some scar run deep, and one rejection is too hard to let go, even after the wound had healed. I am never going back to be same old Reshu. This is a test for him. I want to see how much he would endure from me.

''Resh, you will repent if you lose him.''

''He is my friends and come what may, we are going to be that for life.'' Smiling I made my way to the kitchen when her words halted my steps, ''even the best of a person runs out of patience. Don't treat him the way you were being treated in past. He deserves much better.'' Again, I was speechless. I made my way to kitchen with Shikha in tow. We quietly did the arrangements for the evening surprise. I tried initiating a conversation, but her monologue made me shut up after few futile attempts.

***

By evening we were done with decorating the main hall and the centre table. Yash had been out whole day to meet his friend , who had travelled from US for a vacation. ''He will love it, won't he?'' I asked expectantly looking at my friend.

''yes, shams are so beautiful that people tend to fall for it. It's the reality that sucks and cuts deep.'' She said without glancing me a single look. She left me standing in the middle of the hall shutting the bedroom door hard. After 15 min she walked all dressed, ''Where are you going?''

''I am having a sleepover at my friends place.'' Shikha said adjusting the strap of the bag over her shoulder.

''But what about the party?'' I was shocked , I really didn't expect her to leave that way. She took a deep breath. ''I love you Resh, but I have no qualms about admitting that you are being a fool . I am sorry I can't be a part of something I don't approve. And Yash is a amazing guy, he considers me his friend. I just can't stand here , watch you making a fool of his emotions.''

''I haven't confessed on anything as of yet. Then How am I fooling him. ''

She smiled boring her dark eyes into my soul, ''Knowing of someone hopes and playing along acting blind to it is also a treachery Resh, and you know of it. Have a nice evening and think of what I said.'' She left without paying heed to my words. I looked around at the decorated room, I didn't expect to feel this alone.

***

"Happy Birthday Yash. '' I squealed in joy as Yash looked around startled, and then he smiled. ''I actually thought you forgot, when you didn't wish me in the night.''

I threw my arms around his neck hugging him tight. He reciprocated but not the way I wanted him to. He had a single arm around my waist softly, when I expected him to crush my body to his. ''Where is Shikha?''

''She is having a sleep over at friends place. She left you her gift.'' He just nodded. Silence stretched between us and proved to be more deafening than any other noise. Shaking my head I quickly wrapped my arm around his dragging him to the table. ''I made you pine apple cake.''

''You remembered this too. Amazing. '' I don't know , but his words felt like splash of cold water on my face. I ignored the warning bells, may me Shikha's words are messing with everything around me. Yash, blew off the candles and placed the knife into the cake as I sang along the birthday song. He lifted a piece to my mouth and then quickly ate it before I could take in. In return I smeared the cake all over his face. He chuckled at my childness wiping the cream of his face. ''For you'' extending the beautifully packed parcel to him I expected him to open it and appreciate the effort I took to buy it. Instead he kept the parcel aside, moving he plugged his laptop to the speakers bringing the room alive with music. Yash extended his hand and I took it. Suddenly I felt I knew all those words pouring from the song for every long. It seemed to have been written for me. My eyes never left his as we swayed along the room. Yash wrapped his arms around my waist as mine went around his neck. Flattening my cheek against his shoulder I started absorbing the warmth his body offered. ''Did you like it.''

''I loved it.'' He replied caressing the back of my head. Turning my head I landed my lips on his cheek, staring him through my lashes. He seemed to be little taken aback. ''Resh, don't rush if you don't feel. I don't want you broken tomorrow''

''Yash, no one has seen or known of the future, then why not enjoy what present has to offer.'' I took my lips to the exposed skin of his strong chest. As I placed a peck I felt him shudder

''And what is it offering. '' He asked smiling down at me still moving slowly with me in his arms. I leaned closer hugging him tightly, ''Me you and this silence. What do you want more Yash. '' After a minute, he took a step back staring at me, trying to understand what I said. Then he smiled, ''I would gladly , because its just you I have wanted for years but before that.'' He took a step back and went on his knee, extending his hand. My heart went on a mad rampage, I didn't expect this so soon. I know I won't be able to accept and a no will make him leave. Which I can't afford. ''Resh, will you be mine.''

I felt like being punched in my gut. I am sure he understood what ran in my head. I shut my eyes once to gather all my strength. ''Yash, you know what would I say.''

''Yes, I know. Then what made you try that little seduction on me.'' He said still on his knees. I am sure I looked like beet root right. I had no answer, so I decided to walk past him. He grabbed my arm as I walked past him he grabbed my arm halting my steps. ''let go Yash, I can't face you right now. I don't know what I was thinking.''

He pulled me back and I fell in his arms. Resting my palms on his shoulders I kept staring down too ashamed to look into his eyes. He pecked my forehead softly, ''Look at me.'' I couldn't. He brushed his rough cheek against my soft one and my heart quickened. He started leaving flurry of kisses over my jawline moving down my neck. I crooked it to give him as much as I could. My fingers grabbed his head digging into the depth of his dark hair. Yash moved up again, he peck the corner of lips and stayed there. Our hearts beating mad against each other, ''I want this Resh, as much as you do. But not as a fling. I am going to f**k you until you allow me to make love toy you. I stayed in his arms allowing mine to tighten around his . My eyes started blurring with tears, as a dark memory flashed in. I had given myself to a man in the name of love and he left me for money. Here, I am standing in the arms of the second man , who isn't ready to take me even when I presented myself on a platter. I don't know how a sob escaped my lips. Did this rejection hurt more or the last one. I just couldn't comprehend. Yash pulled back bringing his lips down on mine. I gasped but welcomed the feeling, he kissed me as if I was the most delicate thing he had ever held. ''Resh, I feel your pain even in your silence. But I won't let you ruin yourself because of one arsehole . Commit as many mistakes as you want. I am here, with you besides you to correct them. ''

''I am sorry, I feel so small for trying...'' My words died as he pulled me again into a comforting hug. He cuddled me close as my sobs reduced to hiccups. He cupped my face, ''With me you don't have to be sorry. I actually don't mind anything other than you taking a wrong route. I love you, I am sure of it but before all of this , I am your best friend. You held on to mine shattered pieces then. I will mend yours now. ''

''Yash,I might leave you heart broken again.'' He smiled and then pulled me down beside him on the couch. ''I am fine , if that brings my Resh back. '' I couldn't stop the pooling of my eyes. Straddling him I hugged him close. He laughed at my child like gesture, rubbing my shivering back. ''Its late, lets have dinner and sleep.''

''Can I sleep in your room today. '' I don't know what made me say that, but I just couldn't let the warmth go. He took a deep breath, ''Okay, let me just inform my boss that I will be offline tonight.''

''Are your sure its not a problem.?''

''When I said anything for you, I meant it. Let's go.'' He scooped me up walking into the room. Placing e on the bed he disappeared again to be back with food. We ate from the same plate and then watched India Vs Australia enjoying the shots and mourning the fall of wickets. Somewhere in the middle of the night, I opened my eyes, I had my arm around his waist with head on his chest. He had wrapped his arm around me protectively as his palm still patted my head gently. Leaning closer I pecked his lips. He smiled, ''Sleep Resh.'' Giggling once I pulled myself closer to him losing the battle to a blissful slumber. I felt like being celebrated, as if it was my day not his.

Cover by my lovely @Satz18 and @SvShri .Satz_18 she is my official cover maker once I am a published author. Her covers gave this story a new dimension and I love her for it.

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