I woke up feeling the lap of luxury, wrapped in the comforting embrace of my pillow. Everything felt so perfect that even the thought of leaving it for the real world seemed unnecessary. However, reality hit hard when my alarm rudely interrupted, forcing me to leap out of bed faster than a mouse coming out of a cheese trap.

Thirty minutes later, I managed to shake off my sleepy haze and stumbled my way to the hallway. There, I found my dad sitting on a plastic chair, idly swinging his legs back and forth. When he noticed me, he greeted me with a casual "Hey!"

"Morning, Dad," I blurted out, trying to sound as if I hadn't just wrestled with a pillow for at least half an hour.

"Good morning! You look different today."

I rolled my eyes playfully. "Thank you, Dad! I will take that as a compliment. Today, I have got an invitation to a birthday bash."

In a flash, Dad slipped into the bedroom and emerged with a cash surprise. "Here, champ, snag your buddy a cool gift," he said, sneakily tucking the money into my shirt pocket, all the while sporting a smile that could charm even the grumpiest cat.

As I stuffed the money into my pocket, I couldn't help but tease, "Thanks for the stealthy cash drop. You are the best!"

He winked, "Now don't pick something that requires a manual thicker than a novel."

"Haha okay, Dad! Thank you again."

In an attempt to create a special moment for Ritu on the next day's Valentine's Event, I found myself weaving a tale to my father about a birthday party. I made my way up to our terrace, carrying with me the visiting card that Divya had handed over. I dialed her number, giving her the call.

"Hello, am I speaking with Doctor Divya?"

"Yes, this is Divya. May I ask who's calling?"

"It's Jaikar." After a moment of hesitation, I added, "I hope you remember me..."

She acknowledged, "Yes, how could I forget! How are you doing now?"

"I'm doing fairly well, thank you."

Her gentle voice resonated in my ear, "Any doubts regarding the treatment?"

"I have just one concern... Why did you disclose information about me to Ritu?"

"I assure you, I didn't," she clarified. "Ritu got your name from the visitor's form."

"Oh, I should've signed in the name of God."

She chuckled softly, a hint of warmth in her voice. "I'm relieved she knew about you."

"Maybe next time," I joked, lightening the mood. "But I appreciate your discretion."

"Thank you, I'll keep that in mind." There was a soft giggle on the other end. "So, did anything happen between you two?"

"We transitioned from friends to lovers."

"Thank God!" She sucked in her breath quickly and then let it escape in a relieved sigh. "Invite me to a party then."

"I'm clueless about a special spot for the Valentine's Eve. Can you suggest me?"

"I think Music Hall is the perfect choice. Ideal time would be around 7 PM."

"Noted, thank you for coming to my rescue once more," I said, smiling warmly.

"Discuss about the party with Ritu."

"Of course! But I don't have her number."

"You still haven't asked her?" She reflected, "This reminds me of the kind of love my grandparents shared in those days."

I chuckled along with her, finding her comparison both endearing and slightly embarrassing. "I will ask her today... Do you happen to have her number?"

"Yes, I do. Let me find it for you." After a brief pause she conveyed the number as I recorded it on my phone obediently.

"Thanks, Doctor. I'll text her right away," I said, grateful for her kind nature.

"Good luck! See you at the Music Hall."

"Okay, see you tomorrow!" I hung up the phone with a lofty smile on my face.

With a heart filled with joy, I texted Ritu for the very first time. Would she recognize me on the other end? Hoping that she wasn't preoccupied at the moment, I brushed aside my negative thoughts and texted her.

                    "Hello, Ritu 😊"

                   "Hey 👀 Who's this?"

                  "Take a wild guess 👻"

                 "Rahul 🤩 New number?"

Her words left me stunned. Who is Rahul? A wave of fear gripped my heart, threatening an instantaneous panic attack.

                  "Yup, it's me! What's up?"

                  "Having breakfast 😋"

                      "What is it 🤔"

                   "Poori and halwa."
                    "As sweet as you."
                  
Sweet? Why would she call me sweet if she thinks I'm Rahul? This is getting crazy!

              "😇 Any plans for today?"

             "Nope! Last hike was great."

She was definitely mistaking me. I hate to pretend like someone. But what's he to her?

             "Yes 😅 It was a fun day."

     "We watched the sunset together."

       "Absolutely! It was like a dream."

     "It was. So lucky to be with you ☺"

          "Me too! Okay, text you later."

                  "Goodbye, Rahul 👋"

Confusion and despair washed over me. What was his role in her life? It seemed like all the efforts I had put in were suddenly insignificant, overshadowing my very being. I couldn't shake off the thought that Rahul could be her present boyfriend.

The uncertainty of the situation weighed heavily on my heart, and I found myself grappling with emotional turmoil. Should I confront Ritu, seeking clarification and closure, or should I retreat and nurse the wounds in solitude? The path forward remained unclear, and the unanswered questions echoed in that renewed silence.

The overwhelming urge to reach out to Kiran and find solace from the growing pain became irresistible. With a sense of urgency, I tapped the buttons on my phone, starting the call. "Hello there, Kiran!"

"Hello, I had my interview yesterday. The results should be out soon," he replied, his voice tinged with frustration.

"That's great news! Waiting for the results can be tough, but I'm sure you did great."

"Thank you," he said, his tone softening. "So, what did you need to talk about?"

"Hey, we can chat later if you're busy."

"No, it's fine! I could use the distraction. I'm just a bundle of nerves right now."

"Okay, I -I think Ritu has a boyfriend."

"What! Did you directly ask her about it?"

"No, but when I finally got her number and texted her, she mistook me for some guy named Rahul -apparently, he is sweet!"

"I thought I was finally getting rid of you," he sighed. "There's a chance he's her boyfriend. But hold off on conclusions."

"I'm trying to stay calm, but my heart is screaming after what happened yesterday."

"What happened yesterday? Fill me in!"

"We confessed our feelings, it was heartwarming," I said with a short smile.

"Fantastic! I'm proud of you, Jai. Maybe Rahul is just her friend. Don't overthink!"

"I'll talk to her soon. Wish me luck!" I admitted, fidgeting with my phone.

"All the best! Don't stress too much," he said, giving me a friendly warning.

"Sure, thanks man! If all goes well, let's catch up at the Music Hall tomorrow, at 7PM. You are invited," I replied, trying to inject some cheer into my words.

"Music Hall? I could give a live singing performance if you're up for it."

"Have some mercy! I'm still recovering from the surgery," I chuckled softly.

"Watch out, my singing can either cure you or make you pray for a faster recovery."

"True, I think I saw you once on telly." I said, sounding as clear as possible.

"Wow, what's the channel name?" he asked, creating a loud crunching sound as he devoured chips. My stomach grumbled in response, but I opted to ignore it.

I burst into laughter even before uttering a word. "The channel is Animal Planet!"

"Argh... Jaikar!" He probably dropped all the chips from his mouth. "Darn it! I thought I was the next pop sensation."

"Practice bird calls for your next performance," I suggested, stifling a laugh.

"Quite the career twist," he grinned aloud.

"The audience are in for a treat," I quipped, joining in the laughter. We continued to joke for a few more moments before the conversation naturally came to an end. With a final exchange of good wishes, we ended the phone call on an upbeat note.

After a brief lunch, I succumbed to a post-meal drowsiness and dozed off, only to wake up in the evening, feeling disoriented. Remembering my meeting with Ritu, I hurried outside. There she was, standing in her usual jogging spot, patiently waiting.

A smile graced her face, illuminating her features. Her beauty was subtle yet striking, as if she remained blissfully unaware of her own charm. I quickened my pace, eager to join her and begin our evening together. As I approached, her smile widened, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of warmth in her presence.

"Hello, Ritu," I greeted her with excitement.

"Hi, Grasshopper!" she greeted, a blush spreading across her cheeks as she shyly dug the mud with her left shoe.

"Is everything okay with your boyfriend?"

"I like to think so!" She cheerfully intertwined her fingers with mine.

My fingers traced the delicate curves of her cheek, starting with a gentle caress of my index finger. Slowly, they sought the solace of her smooth skin, embracing its tender warmth. As our connection deepened, I pressed a soft kiss on her forehead, a gesture that sent ripples of pure happiness through her delicate form. She gently rested her head against my shoulder.

Her smile adorned her as she whispered softly in my ear, "I love you, Jaiku."

"Thank you!" A smile played on my lips.

In a fleeting moment, the enchanting being swept her hands over her eyes, smoothing a stray lock of hair that had unraveled. With a sweet, even-toned voice, she expressed, "Ouch! Thank you? But seriously, you're my whole universe."

"And you are mine! I was starting to think that I was here for my charming wit."

"Wit? I thought we were discussing about you. My mistake!" she smirked playfully.

"Easy to get confused when you're in the glory of my multifaceted greatness."

"Multifaceted! Is that a fancy term for being a mess?" She chuckled, unable to contain her laughter any longer.

"No-no! It means I'm like the diamond in the rough," I clarified, grinning.

"In that case, I must be 'the rough' looking for my diamond," she stated adorably.

I laughed, "Oh no, should I be worried about my sparkle getting stolen?"

She chuckled, pulling me into a hug. "You're the spark that ignites my world."

"You're the flame that keeps it burning bright. I love you too, Expensive!"

"Aww, that's so sweet," she cooed, giving me a gentle squeeze. "Tomorrow is the grand Valentine's Day. Did you make any plans?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention! I want you to be there at Music Hall around 7 PM, tomorrow. Guess what, my friend, Kiran and Doctor Divya will be joining us too."

"Perfect! Just don't bring your library along," she teased, playfully jeering at me.

"I'll make an exception for this special occasion. And my books will understand."

She reached out and gently touched my cheek, feeling the roughness of my stubble under her fingertips. "Just make sure you're on the right page tomorrow. Good luck! I have to go now." She waved her hand in a graceful arc, turning to leave.

Like a hesitant bird perched on the edge of a cliff, I faltered at the thought of mentioning Rahul, uncertain of the depths below. How can I unravel the intricacies of their connection without disturbing the delicate balance of our relationship?

She leaned towards me slightly, her presence like a gentle breeze on a summer evening. Her lips brushed against my cheek, like a flower caught in a fleeting breeze. After exchanging our goodbyes, she strolled away. With a final smile cast over her shoulder, she reached the end of the street, leaving behind a trail of sweetness.