Cold winds had begun to blow around the country bringing in the cold wave from northern Himalyas. The fog that hung over city covered the human vision with an impenetrable misty layer. Bonfires around the street corners with crowds of people huddled around it, tea stalls filled with chattering and shivering citizens enjoying cups of steaming hot tea had turned into a usual sight.

The chill though had not dampened Aarushi's excitement. Birthdays were something she had always looked forward to and this year, her birthday held an even more important meaning. Her smile reached her eyes as she fixed the sailor hat over her let down hair, waved slightly from middle to enhance their mien. Quickly putting on her knee length black overcoat over her high neck sweater and body hugging leather pants she rushed out of the dormitory.

Harshita and Anjali had mysteriously gone missing since early morning, not even showing up to wish Aarushi on her birthday. Initially Aarushi had been a bit sulky about their sudden absence on her birthday morning, but her sulkiness had soon been resolved as birthday wishes from relatives and friends started coming in. Starting her day with a long video call with her parents she had been busy addressing all the incoming messages and preparing for her afternoon scheduled non official date.

'Did he gel his hair', Aarushi wondered as she effortlessly spotted Ajay looking astounding and modish as ever. With hair combed in a coiffure and thick woolen scarf wrapped aesthetically, it won't be a surprise if someone mistakes him for an undercover celebrity blessed with knock out looks.

'Hi', she breathed as woody scent once again muddled her thinking capabilities. This time the effect was enhanced by his current extraordinarily outlandish appearance.

'I don't want to freeze myself in this icy weather much longer so we better pick out the stuff before nightfall', he retorted rather too ingenuously. Aarushi scowled.

'Ok, he had always been straightforward, but it doesn't mean he'll not even bother returning a simple greeting. Sorry girl, your hopes for a birthday wish from this little blockhead is way too high', her mind sighed.

'I'll lead the way', she replied curtly pacing ahead of him. Sides were lined with rows of shops with variegated display. Toys, stationary, clothes... you name it and you'll find it. Apparently it was the most resourceful array of shopping markets one could find. The frost in air had little to no effect on hoards of bargaining customers and shrilly shopkeepers cluttered across the cramped street.

Aarushi stepped in a fairly spacious store with books, newspapers, magazines piled up in shelves and corners. Other than them, there were just two more people flipping and searching through material inside store. Aarushi crossed over the shelf labeled medical theories halting in front of section shelving books for current affairs and foreign politics. She quickly skimmed through the names of author and after careful consideration picked out a book.

'Did medical council decided to teach general affairs to make you people walking dead for real?', Ajay interjected with a half amazed half bemused grin.

'Not really', Aarushi replied scanning the pages of book. 'Then why can't I see you foraging through medical section that way', he said pointing towards the other end of shop.

'Oh, I have enough material for medicine studies to last for whole year; I don't need any more of that traumatic stuff for time being', Aarushi said with a little laugh. 'If that's the case, then are you dreaming of getting a degree in arts field as well?'

'Not exactly, but I am thinking of landing a high end job in arts field', Aarushi said enjoying his confounded expression. 'Mind elaborating?', Ajay asked.

'Well, someone told me that my dream never changed and I deserve to shine brighter like a North Star, so I am just following his advice', Aarushi replied dramatically, flashing a genuine smile. Ajay dimpled her favorite dimple smile shaking his head. 'So you decided to fight UPSC finally?', he said.

'Correction; I decided to fight for my aspiration, after all some regrets are too large to be healed with time', Aarushi replied quoting his former words. 'It's good to hear that you finally got your brain back, let me be your aid in your way to become an IAS then', he said laughing.

'Ok assistant, get me that book from shelf up there', Aarushi playfully ordered pointing towards the case out of her reach. 'At your command madam', Ajay played along fetching the book in single move. Aarushi gave him a pretentious look of appreciation making him burst into laughter.

After roving through compact passages for another two or three hours and going in and out through multiple complexes for what felt like a hundred times, they had finally managed to find all the required materials at fairly reasonable prices. Aarushi's eyes caught glimpse of what appeared to be a trinket store as she waited for Ajay to return back from finalizing some PCB and processor for smart watch.

A smiling old man in his late sixties greeted her as she entered the shop. The walls were covered with colorful tapestries and wall hangings, tableside showpieces and decorative objects had been laid down in a haphazard yet skilful sequence. She stopped in front of a little sealed glass jar with a miniature white flower popping through the layer of artificial snow under it.

'You have a good eye', she heard the old shopkeeper's voice behind her. 'Galanthus nivalis or more commonly snowdrop flower; arises during late winter when snow still covers the ground. Some ancient British folklores view it as a harbinger of ill fortune and misery, but in world of flowers and emotions, it holds a significant meaning. Candlemas bells are symbolic of hope, new beginnings and ability to overcome challenges. Its arousal awakens the dead winter valleys and opens the doors of aspirations and hope', the man continued giving the art piece a long sad stare.

'Your knowledge is really astonishing sir', Aarushi said amazed and impressed. 'I opened this store in memory of my dear wife; all the artifacts here were designed by her when she was still alive. She believed that art is the purest form of love and kindness one could offer world without being boastful. Even on her death bed, her last wish was to let the world enjoy her lifetime's art. This snowdrop flower was what she had made to symbolize our never ending love, filled only with glow of hope and rebirth; after she passed away, I wanted to pass on this blessing of sanguine love, just like she would've wished to do. The customers who came in my shop, never really paid heed to this little bottle blinded away against other contents, you are the first one to notice it', the old man said with a laugh.

Something in his words, told Aarushi they were as true as they sounded. She smiled at the man gazing at the glass jar in her hand.

'I wish to buy it sir', she said. 'Is it for someone special dear?', the old man asked with a warm smile. Aarushi gave the jar a long wishful stare before giving a nod. 'It's supposed to be a surprise birthday gift for him', she answered with a smile. The old man gave an appreciative laugh.

'I won't charge you for this'; he said when Aarushi reached for a fresh note inside her purse. She stared back confoundedly. 'I put a price tag on things here because that's what my wife wished for, spread kindness without letting the other person realize. But how can I measure pure love in mounts of gold and silver, so I never really placed a price on it', he said with a smile. Aarushi couldn't fight the smile that appeared at his words.

She spotted an elegant yet cute keychain behind the counter. Its work reminded her of Sarthak. The carvings on wooden piece were elegant and curves around the edges were soft and warm, just like her friend's sunshine personality. 'Sir, what's the price of that keychain?', she asked, intending to buy it as a small surprise present.

'Here you are, I thought you got carried away to some bookstore again', Ajay's half annoyed half sarcastic voice flew in. 'What are you doing here?', he said curiously eyeing the keychain.

'Nothing, just selecting some personalized gift for a friend', Aarushi replied nonchalantly, quickly shoving the snowdrop jar out of his sight. 'Do you want to inscribe a name on it dear?', old man asked.

'Yeah, you can write Sarthak', she answered. 'No wait', Ajay suddenly interrupted. Aarushi gave him a questioning look.

'Is Sarthak's birthday around the corner?', he asked.

'No', she said.

'Has he made some great achievements recently?'

'No'

'Is he going abroad or something?'

'No'

'Then why is he getting a gift?!', Ajay finally said ceasing his rapid fire. 'Which constitution says that gifts are only made for some special occasion? And apparently, my everyday is special when I am with my friends so I don't need any special occasion to surprise them', Aarushi retorted in her matter of fact tone. Sarthak was just a good friend of hers and an even good person; she could still not understand what wrong he had done to Ajay! Ajay scoffed unbelievably.

'Tell me, do you have a crush on Sarthak or what? Why do you love to prioritize him so much?', he said, clearly vexed by now. Aarushi's mouth dropped open. Is this guy crazy? How can someone's head be so full of unlikely imaginations? 'Yeah I do have a crush, but it's not Sarthak, you idiot', she thought.

'I am not liable of answering your every question, so I opt not to answer; but Sarthak is a good friend of mine and your unruly imaginations have no connections with him', she said rolling her eyes at him. Ajay scoffed at her words clearly annoyed.

'Here you go dear', the old man's voice came as a rescue. Aarushi smiled at him as she made the payment and collected the packet containing keychain. Ajay shot a vengeful glare at paper bag in her hands before storming out of the shop.

'This snowdrop is for him right?', the old shop owner asked in an undertone. Aarushi smiled an approving smile as she collected the paper bag. 'I can say that this guy likes you as much as you do; you should just go for it, he appears like a hard catch', he continued with a knowing wink.

'You are right sir, he is definitely a tough catch', Aarushi laughed as she waved him goodbye. Outside the trinket store, Aarushi found Ajay holding a rigid frown with his back towards the store.

'What's with the scowl now?', she asked. Ajay narrowed his eyes at her. 'You still dare to ask this after leaving me alone on the street without any word, all for buying your dear friend a casual present! Did your IQ really drop to negative or you are just pretending not to know?', he sniped as his eyes shot glaciers as sharp and cold as his voice.

'First; I didn't disappear without note, I had just visited a shop next door because you were busy rummaging through processors. Second; I have been planning to thank him for a long time for his genuine help during our term end project papers, so it wasn't exactly a casual gift', Aarushi stated naturally. He scoffed implausibly shaking his head from side to side.

'Alright, I get it. Here, take all these coding stuff and ask Sarthak to code the smart watch for you! I would love to see whether he is as great as you describe him!', he said thrusting the bags in her hand and striding away in a huff. Aarushi looked at bags dumped in her hand letting out a hollow scoff.

'Great! Now he is annoyed! Aarushi Sharma, you don't have any other option but to coax this stubborn kid if you want to save your birthday date', she thought with a sigh running behind him.

'Are you annoyed?', she asked sweetly. 'No, I am very happy, see', he said laughing an evil hollow laugh and rolling his eyes before walking away again. 'Would it be fine if I sorry?', Aarushi said struggling to match his long strides. He looked at her coldly and Aarushi quickly made an irresistibly cute face batting her eyes innocently. She saw his face lines relax slightly.

'Don't do that', Ajay said clearly flustered as he looked away. But Aarushi wasn't planning to back off this easily. 'I shouldn't leave without informing, I'm sorry', she said with a cute pout leaning towards him. Ajay blinked back, blushing a cute shade of red.

'I t-told you d-don't make that face', he stammered, desperately attempting to hide his discomposure. 'I won't if you say you aren't angry', Aarushi replied in an extra honeyed voice.

'I'll forgive you, but, there's a condition', he said doing his best to maintain his annoyed stance. Aarushi tilted her questioningly. 'I also want a present', he finally said. Aarushi laughed, how can someone not give in to this little adorable child?

'Fine, here is your little special present', Aarushi said fetching out a wrapped chocolate from her handbag. Ajay gave it a side eye before taking it from her palm. 'One more', he said chewing at the piece. Aarushi gave him another sweet. 'So did you like these special sweets straight from Aarushi's kitchen?', Aarushi asked with a smile.

'It's made by you?', he asked nonchalantly. 'Yeah, it was specially made by me for new year', she answered. 'Not bad, you are forgiven', Ajay said after a little thought. Aarushi laughed at his childishness.

'Huh... I can't believe you can be won over in just two candies, what are you, a nine year old kid?', Aarushi playfully said. 'At least I don't carry goodies around in my wallet', he retorted. 'I am bound to do it when hanging around with obstinate kids like you, who will be responsible if you ran away? You have no idea how tough my life is', Aarushi retaliated with a dramatic sigh. An incoming text from Anjali cut through Ajay's reply.

'Come over to Quills & Coffee, Jenny invited us for dinner'

Aarushi smiled reading it. 'Would you like to join me for dinner at café? It's Jenny's treat', she asked Ajay, hoping to hear a yes and working out multiple excuses to talk him into agreement in case of refusal. She never really got a chance to implement her ideas though as he agreed to the proposal pretty quickly.

Thirty minutes later they were walking down the street to Quills & Coffee with Aarushi leading the way with a contented smile. Even if he didn't remember her birthday, at least she was finally getting a chance to spend it with him. For someone who had waited whole four years just to catch a single glimpse of him, it was definitely nothing less than a golden fortune.

They would have just been at a distance of few meters from glass door entrance when Aarushi felt a light tap on her shoulder. She turned around facing a rather dubious looking Ajay. Aarushi raised her eyebrow urging him to speak. He looked everywhere except at her, shuffling from one foot to another. Aarushi wondered what could be so unnerving that he didn't even dare to look straight at her.

'Well... I should've said it earlier, but, Happy Birthday', after a few more seconds of ambivalence he finally decided to speak. 'Thank you... if I may I ask, why did you make it seem like you were proposing to your crush? It was just a simple birthday wish', Aarushi laughed an amused chuckle.

'Yeah yeah, you can laugh all you want. After all you don't have to wish someone with moods more unpredictable than earthquakes at Ring of Fire, who knows I may get chastise instead of thank you after I wish you', he said satirically. Aarushi giggled at his words.

'Take it', he said forwarding a rectangular package towards her. Aarushi looked at the wrapped object and then at Ajay, was she dreaming or did he really get a present for her? 'No need for that surprised expression; our birthdays are just five days apart, it's hard not to remember it when you have been my classmate for solid eight years. So I randomly picked out a gift as a courtesy greeting for my project partner', he said wearing that ever existing airy expression. Aarushi on the other hand was beside oneself with happiness.

She tore the covering, unable to contain her elation. It was a book covered under a glossy cover with title spelled out in classic gold.

'Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and it's the new limited special edition; how did you know I wanted this?!', Aarushi squealed embracing the book like a lost old friend. 'I said I picked it out randomly, glad that you liked it', he replied nonchalantly.

'Liked it? I loved it! Although I am familiar with the story but still it is especially satisfying when you have a complete set of series and this was the only one which kept me from admiring my complete Harry Potter collection! You don't know for how many years I had been trying to get this specific edition, I still can't believe I own one now!', Aarushi gushed. Ajay smiled a crooked smile at her excitement.

She skipped her way into the café, preoccupied by the thoughts of her newly found treasure and failing to notice the unusually empty interiors of place.

'Happy Birthday!!', Anjali's voice suddenly boomed around the place jerking Aarushi back to real world. Before she could process anything, Aarushi was pulled into a series of wishes and hearty hugs from Anjali, Harshita, Suhani, Anusha and Jenny respectively. 'You all?', she let a surprised exclaim looking around at other occupants huddled around the nearby table.

'How can we miss out our adorable leader's birthday', Viraj said in a silky voice stooping down dramatically. Aarushi giggled at his pretense. Greetings from Garvit, Hardik and Sarthak were followed by a more theatrical wish from Viraj.

'I never expected you to remember the day', Aarushi gave Anjali an approving nod. 'We didn't become doctors for nothing lady, after memorizing all the drugs and diseases, birthdays are a child's play', Anjali winked at her.

'Though we still need to thank Ajay for successful implementation of our surprise', Harshita said passing a grateful smile at Ajay. 'What do you mean?', Aarushi asked.

'We were anxious that you'll probably end up turning your special day mundane with studies and work and at the end bail out on us, just like you did last year. We never got a chance to celebrate. Thanks to him, you were out all day instead of cuddling with your course books', Anjali said. 'You made it sound like I am as tedious as a twice told tale', Aarushi retorted slightly offended.

'No, you are not only tedious; you are a tedious penny pincher', Anjali said, making others howl with laughter. 'Yeah, that's why we planned this surprise party. I was afraid you'll settle us with some chocolates like you did last year', Harshita added with a teasing grin.

'You mean, I have to pay for all this?!', Aarushi gasped. 'What else do you think?'

Aarushi's eyes widened tensely as her mind raced calculating figures and heaps of gold she would be shaken off from. 'Stop it now guys, I don't think you want this worry-rat to ruin her own day calculating accounts. Don't worry sis, party's on me, besides Jenny promised a hearty discount for her favorite employee, so I won't go bankrupt, don't worry', Anusha said putting an arm Aarushi.

'I don't know what good I did to get a sister like you', Aarushi said, immensely grateful and relieved. After spending money on books and other objects, she was bound to become poor if she had to pay the bills. 'Let's cut the cake before birthday girl pours down another bucket of butter on me', Anusha said making an alarmed face at her words. Aarushi chuckled slicing a big piece from mouthwatering chocolate cake before her, enjoying every moment of her very special day.

A/N:

Sorry for slower updates than usual, with exams around the corner, I can hardly spare out time to update. Thanks for bearing with me. 

I'll try to update more regularly, till then Happy Reading!!