6th April 2024

"Yuku yarr bata bhi akhir kya chal raha hai?" I shouted out of frustration. "Ama yarr, pehle tum betho aur pani wani piyo thoda." She replied casually sitting back on the sofa. "Yukti Sharma tell me already or else I'll- I'll-" "Jo krna hai karle par aaram se beth ja pehle."

(Yuku tell me what is going on?
You just sit and have some water.
Do whatever you want to but first sit down.)

"Why does no one take me seriously in this household?" I cried. "Few days back you all were saying that you will make my birthday special and now you guys don't even have time for me?" I ranted and sat on the floor with my arms crossed.

"But Aaru di, we are not disagreeing that we will not celebrate your birthday we are just saying that we will make it but just with your friends." Choti stated.

"But I don't want to celebrate it with my friends only. What about you guys? Mumma, papa?" I cried more. "Oh dear, you know the workload well. I have to visit Mumbai for a routine check up and dad also has an important surgery tomorrow please understand." Mumma said from the kitchen.

"Aunty sahi he toh keh rahi hain. Iss baar sirf humare saath birthday mana legi toh kya ho jayega?" Yukti supported.

(Aunty is right. What will happen if you'll celebrate your day with you friends only?)

"But-" "No buts, it's final that tomorrow you will celebrate your birthday at your favorite café and you will get all the arrangements done according to the theme." Mumma got me up from the floor and side hugged me.

"You guys are not doing right with me." I huffed going back to my room and heard the 3 chuckle. What are they even laughing at? Huhh.

"Hey buddy!" I opened the door welcoming a happy Manav. "Hi hello baad mein pehle andar toh aane de." He said walking in and sitting on the sofa beside Mumma. "Mera bachha aa gaya. Itne dino baad meri yaad aayi tujhe?" Maa said, patting his back.

(Greet me later, first let me in.

Oh my son. You came after so long)

While the 2 were having their mother-son conversation obviously forgetting about my existence I just sighed and went back to my room. 10 minutes passed by and still my step-brother (as mumma calls him 'son') has not finished his gossip session with maa so I went to the living room again.

"Meri koi izzat hai?" I said, grasping their attention. "Nahi." Both of them said in unison. "I- Maa am I adopted?" I asked, looking at mumma with puppy eyes (yes yes, I can do this as well at least mum k samne.)

[Shi: Aarohi k samne aap yeh kar chuke hain, hehe.
Akshit: *silence* ok- coming back to the story.]

"Aunty, you told him? Oh no, Akshit I swear aunty still loves you the same even if she found you at the temple's stairs." Manav stated and high-fived mumma while laughing.

"Sorry sorry. Now don't be jealous, it's just aunty wanted a happy, fun and crazy kid like me but she got a boring, unfunny and nerdy kid like you. So I just get that part of love." Manav again said and this time they laughed even more.

"Ok then be happy with your 'son' I'm leaving." When I was about to go mumma called me and said "Babu, hum mazak kar rahe thee aaja." She then hugged me and told Manav and I to go to my room while she will prepare some snacks for us.

"So, what do you think?" Manav questioned as soon as I closed the door of my room. "About what?" I asked again, confused. "About Aarohi?" He asked, sitting on my bed. "Aarohi? She is our friend and yes." I replied, confused.

"That's it?" He inquired, receiving a nod from me. "C'mon Akshit you can not just lie to me. I can clearly sense that there is something that you feel for her which is much more than just being friends." He replied, no, affirmed.

I clearly hesitated and got nervous. After receiving no response from me he again stated, "Bhai, do you remember days before the holi fest? During those few days, you didn't use to pay attention in the class properly, you skipped your meals while waiting for her at the canteen with just a hope that when she would arrive we'd eat together." He paused.

"You even asked a few volunteers to complete their work early to help Aarohi because you couldn't as our great teachers didn't allowed us to volunteer on school days. And now you are saying that she is just a 'friend'. And what about the day before the fest? You got sick worried when Aarohi fainted." He summarized in one go.

I sat down as I was at a loss of words because not a single word coming from his mouth was false. And I was taken aback at how I didn't even notice that I was so inclined towards Ms. Govind. "Think about it calmly, bhai. She is not just a friend to you." He said putting a hand on my shoulder.

"But how can I have feelings for her? Just look at how different we are. She is like a butterfly full of happiness, grace and lively attitude while I'm just a rock who is boring and quiet with a monotonous life. She will never wish to be with me when she can visit pretty flowers who can provide her with the nectar she deserves." I uttered, facing Manav with a helpless face.

"That's not it Akshit! Tu toh sidhe conclusion pe aa gaya yaar, pehle confess toh kar mere bhai." He advised. "Kya fayeda confession ka, when I already know that Ms. Govind will reject me." I stated. He just looked at me blankly, maybe thinking about something which he is doubtful to mention as he sighed but didn't said.

"The main question is do you have any feelings for her, if yes then what is it?" He asked to get this conversation to a conclusion. "I- I do have feelings for her. It's just I don't know what is it clearly." I concluded. "Then let's get it clear." He said resulting me to be more confused than I already was. He sat a little far from me getting a pen and paper from my study table and asked me to response whatever he is going to ask with either a 'yes' or 'no' only.

"Do you feel different when Aarohi is around you?" He asked his first question and wrote it down. "Yes but-" "Just say yes or no." he interrupted and proceed further after receiving a nod.

"Do you feel bad when she is upset?" This question reminded me of the time when she was exhausted and upset because of the workload given by Ritu ma'am and how it made me sad. "Yes." I replied.

"Does it hurt you when something bad happens with her?" "Yes" I remembered the day she fainted.

"Are you comfortable around her?" "Yes."

"Have you ever felt the same with any other girl?" "Never, no."

"Do you think about her often?"
"I mean..maybe yes. Like when I play piano, the soothing sensation from the melodious notes makes me remind of her."

The questions answer session lasted longer than thought but it really cleared my confusion about my feelings for Ms. Govind when Manav said, "Congratulations my friend, you officially like Aarohi." "I do?"

"I do. I really really like Ms. Govind." I smiled at the thought of her when Manav jumped and took me in a embrace. "Hayyee, finally mere bhai ko ladki pasand aa gayi." He said letting me go and doing a happy dance.

(Finally you liked a girl.)

"Aur kon hai woh saubhagyawati?" My mother asked crossing her arms and a teasing look on her face. "Aunty, humari dost Aa-" "Koi nahi hai mumma, yeh bakwas kar raha hai." I replied to mum, covering Manav's mouth.

(And who's that lucky one?

No one mumma, he's just speaking rubbish.)

"Han han bada aya 'koi nahi hai mumma' itne dino se main bhi dekh rahi hun sab. Yeh wahi bracelet wali ladki hai na?" Mumma said coming inside and taking chair out of my study table. "Bracelet wali ladki?" Manav asked.

(Keep lying to yourself, not me. Is it the bracelet girl?)

Mumma told everything to him. Also mentioning the changes she's been marking in me the past month. "Chal abb sidhe sidhe bata de, kon hai woh ladki?" She asked. "Umm- Abhinav uncle's daughter." The moment I replied I saw my mother jump from her seat in happiness as if she was longing to hear it from me and danced along with Manav.

(Now tell me who she is already.)

'Itna khush toh main annuals mein full marks score karke bhi nahi hota.' I sighed looking at them celebrating.

Deep inside I knew Ms. Govind made me feel something different from others, the aura she holds can make anyone feel blossomed even in their dreadful days, she is really like a ray of sunlight to my aphotic. 'You really are something special Ms. Govind.'

7th April 2024 (midnight)

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Aarohi, happy birthday to you~" I heard my family sing as maa and papa hugged me and Ayushi squished my face, calling me old and later kissing my cheeks. "Thank you guys." I replied with teary ears. "Oh we are not done yet!" Ayushi said. Then I saw Yuku bringing a cake and singing 'happy birthday' to me.

"Yukuuu, hayee thank you jaaneman." I said, hugging her as she placed the cake on my study table.

"Waise yeh idea choti ka tha kyunki hum toh kal nahi honge tumhari party mein so yeh humari choti si party." Maa said, which made me a little sad as I recalled that I won't be able to enjoy my day with my family. "Don't be sad bachha." Paa hugged me and I was feeling a little better to be honest.

(It was Ayushi's idea because tomorrow we won't be there at your party right so think of it as a small party with us.)

I cut the cake and fed it to papa then mumma and then Choti and Yuku. My family then left the room not before giving me a cake makeup.

I then heard a 'ting' indicating a text had been delivered to me. I opened my phone to see who it was.

Choudhary ji
+91 xxxxxxxxxx

Choudhary ji
Happy Birthday Ms. Govind. May your Radha Rani bless you with happiness, love, and health. And may you achieve your goals and be successful in life. Keep smiling and enjoy your day. Once again happy birthday 🤍

'OMG RADHA RANI I LOVE UHHHH!!! AKSHIT KA WISH WITH A HEART YAAYYYYYY~' I was about to scream when I saw my family were yet to leave my room. I calmed myself down and saw Yukti side-eye me as she closed the door because today she is staying with me.

"What happened-" "Akshit ne mujhe Birthday wish kiya aur woh bhi 1 heart k saath!!!! Main toh pagal he ho jaungi yarrrr!!!" I semi-screamed jumping on my bed as I watched Yukti's face turn happy. She too joined me in my celebration but stopped and asked me to reply first.

Me
Thank you so much Akshit 💗❤️|

'Itna desperate bhi nahi hona Aarohi.'

Me
Thank you so much Akshit 😁

Choudhary ji
You're most welcome.

Then my phone went off with numerous 'happy birthday' texts from our school friends group. Yup that one 'Friends forever' wala group. I also received a call from Manav on Yuku's phone obviously.

Time skips to 6pm.

"Come quickly didi!" Ayushi called me as she was already sitting in the tuk-tuk along with Yukti. I locked the gate and sat inside the vehicle. We reached the café and went to its rooftop where the party was going to be held.

"Such a lovely decoration yarr. Thank you so much my cuties." I said hugging Choti and Yuku as this was all planned by them.

The clock ticked quitely but could be heard as it was already 20 minutes and none of my friends showed up. I tried calling them but few phones were busy and few were switched off. But then my face glowed when I saw him enter the venue.

"Happy Birthday Ms. Govind." He said smiling heartily while handing me the gift bag. "Thank you once again Choudhary ji." I replied in the same manner. We waited again and had a small convo here and there yet none of my friends showed up.

"Main washroom se aayi." Choti said and went downstairs followed by Yukti who received a call from home as she was unable to find a network. It was just me, Akshit and this beautiful decoration. Now, I really don't mind that nobody was here.

The awkward silence was soon converted to a peaceful and comfortable one as the wind blew slowly making Ms. Govind's hair glide with the flow of it. And suddenly I felt as if the time had stopped. She was standing with arms wide open feeling the wind to her skin while I just stood there admiring her.

I was out of my trance when I received a text from Manav saying 'Time for your part now!'. And then, "Akshit, do you know I'm missing my family so much." She said looking all sad. "Umm why not you face time them then?" It slipped out of my tongue as I couldn't see her upset.

"No no wait, first let Ayushi and Yukti come and then we'll do that." I said which redraws her attention that the girls had still not come back and it has already been 15-20 minutes. "Wait, where are they and what is taking them so long?" She questioned while I just shrugged.

Lemme reveal to you all that my task was to keep Ms. Govind distracted while Yukti and Ayushi go back to Govind's house for another important task, but as you can guess I was failing miserably.

[Play the song here]

"Ms. Govind do you mind if I sing a song for you?" I tried getting her attention off of the girls. "For me? Oh- ok why not-" She sttutered a little. I then reached the piano which was set at the music corner. Don't ask me how come the piano was already there? I was planning to sing a song to her today anyways. (Now stop before I hide my face from blushing.)

I got a chair for myself not before offering one to her obviously. And played the tune of 'Main agar kahoon'. The wind played the best supporting character throughout.

Tumko Paya Hai To Jaise Khoya Hoon
Kehna Chahoon Bhi To Tumse Kya Kahon
Tumko Paya Hai To Jaise Khoya Hoon
Kehna Chahoon Bhi To Tumse Kya Kahon

I know the choice of song was a little sudden but this song fit perfectly well to my situation.

Kisi Zabaon Mein Bhi Woh Labaz Hi Nahi
Ki Jeene Mein Tum Ho Kya Tumhein Mein Bata Sakun

I heard Ms. Govind chuckle and call me a simp or whatever but that's the sweetest chuckle that I've heard till date.

Main Agar Kahoon Tumsa Haseen
Kaynaat Mein Nai Hai Kahin
Tareef Yeh Bhi To Sach Hai Kuch Bhi Nahi
Tumko Paya Hai To Jaise Khoya Hoon..

[Imagine this part of the lyrics is played like the dream scenario]

I continued singing while receiving supportive responses from her.

Tum Hue Meherbaan
To Hai Yeh Dastan
Hoo Tum Hue Meherbaan
To Hai Yeh Dastan
Abb Tumhara Mera Ek Hai Karwaan
Tum Jahan Mein Wahan

The beautiful song came to an end a while after. "You sing so well, not gonna lie but I'm a fan of your singing from today onwards." She praised me while I stood a little flustered. "Why this song though?" She inquired.

"Bas aise he, yehi dhyaan mein aya sabse pehle and we learnt this just yesterday so yes." I replied hiding the fact that I had been practicing to sing this to her on a special day for days now.

(Just normally, this was the first sing that came to my mind and...)

Then I again received a text from Manav saying 'All done.' which was my sign to take Ms. Govind back to her house. "Did you notice that it's almost been an hour and nobody has arrived yet?" I stated receiving a nod from her. She then dialed Yukti's no. which directly went to voicemail. Same with Ayushi. But she then saw a note on a balloon that said

'we went back home.'
-Ayu and Yuku.

I then advised her to go back home, she accepted being worried now as both the ladies went missing. We found a tuk-tuk and headed towards her house.

"What is this nonsense! Yukti, Ayushi kahan ho tum dono?" She shouted heading inside while I paid the fare and went behind her. We heard Yukti and Ayushi call her from the terrace. She headed through the stairs while I followed her quietly. And then,

"SURPRISE!" Ms. Govind's family, her friends, mine, Manav's and Yukti's parents all said in unison.

♡

Sushi's note: Hey readers, hope you liked and enjoyed this chapter! We've completed 3k+ reads and 300+ votes.

Ji han finally Akshit ko apni feelings samajh aa he gayi. Abb what will happen when Akshit will come to his lover boy self?

Also, Happy Birthday Aarohi ♡ The next will also be birthday based as we couldn't fit so many things in one chapter.

Do let us know if you guys prefer long long or mid chapter.

Keep on voting and commenting. And don't forget to take care of yourself and drink loads of water. Stay protected from this hot hot garmi.

With love
《Radhe Radhe》