Surprise 🎉🎊🎆
---

"Ehan, can you find me some notes in these topics" Ira forwarded her notebook, in which she has listed a few topics.

"Sure" Ehan said, grabbing the note from her. She silently observed him as he surfed the internet to find some content on the topics she has listed. Her mind was still occupied by Lily's words.

That introvert guy, who didn't ask YOU out yet, went on a date with that ginger head? Hilarious!

To make you jealous, ofcourse.

It took him good few minutes and then, he forwarded her his mobile. She smiled inwardly as she took it from him and pretended to take notes. When he busied himself with the work he was doing earlier, she quickly checked his messages. There were some from Lily, some from a person named 'lawyer Smith' and most from herself; Ira.

There wasn't a single message from Amber. There was no way he would have deleted it when the messages she sent him months ago were still there. It made her look up at him with a murderous look. He still was very much occupied and hence, he didn't noticed her furious look on her face.

Don't tell Ehan that you know about his lies. Instead, try figuring out why he's doing so.

She recalled Lily's words and decided to keep quiet until she herself comes to a conclusion before confronting Ehan.

She sighed, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction wash over her heart. She smiled in relief. Whatever the reason may be behind Ehan's lies, she was happy that they were lies. She would have been more hurt if it was true.

---

Jumping and giggling to herself, Ira made her way out of the restroom, the next day. Her mood was fresh after practicing early that morning and freshening up followed by that. She slept peacefully the previous night, without any burden of thoughts over her mind that Amber is gonna steal Ehan from her. She had a hearty conversation with Hunny bunny after a long time. There was a part when she stopped and think for few minutes as Lily said but she figured out nothing. Her emotions were still a puzzle, she herself couldn't solve yet. She decided to take some time and not push herself.

"Hey, Ira" she stopped when she heard someone call from behind. She turned around and spotted Hamlet waving at her from distance, walking at her direction. She stood, waiting for him to reach her.

"Hi" he said, standing infront of her with a wide smile on his face, which grew wider as she smiled back.

"Someone's in a good mood today" he commented, adoring her smile.

"You said you know many things about Ehan. Tell me something" she asked, glancing behind to make sure Ehan hasn't arrived yet. Hamlet's smile disappeared at her demand. He thought they would talk randomly but no, there was no other thing for Ira to talk on rather than Ehan.

"Errr... I do wish to let know something very important about him but.. but I don't know how to put it in words" he said, turning slightly to walk ahead.

Ira's curiousity raised and she walked next him, "Anyhow you feel like. I won't mind"

"Actually, He's.. he's not normal" he said, his facial expressions quiet disturbed.

You're not doing it right, Hamlet. His inner self told him.

"What do you mean?" Ira asked aloud, narrowing her eyes.

"What I mean to say is, I..." He hesitated to talk about the thing he kept hidden since years.

"Come on, stop creating suspense" she urged him, holding his arm. He looked down into her pleading eyes and something within him stopped him disclosing the truth.

It'll disturb her. Don't do this. He's subconscious warned.

He sighed, shutting his eyes.

"I'm sorry, Ira. I can't tell you. He'll tell you himself whenever he feel like sharing" he said. Her hold on his arm tightened and she pulled him in frustration, gritting her teeth.

"Listen, Helmet. Stop playing these games with me. You just couldn't start telling something and stop abruptly even before disclosing anything. I want to know" she pleaded at the end, shaking his arms. They heard the bell ring and she let go his hand with a huff.

Why isn't Ehan here yet. She wondered, her eyes searching for him. Hamlet was about to leave when she held his hand again, "Don't think that it's over. You have to tell me"

"Fine, Ma'am. But some other time, okay?" He bowed dramatically and walked away. Ira made her way towards her classroom, calling Ehan on the way. He disconnected her call and it gave her a hint that he might have reached his class when she was talking to Hamlet.

---

Ehan watched Mr Kim write on the board, explaining something but he couldn't hear. His mind kept playing the picture of Ira holding Hamlet's hand. She looked like she was pleading him for something. But what?

Does it even matter? He asked himself.

Ira, just talking to Hamlet was enough to make Ehan insecure and here she was holding his hand, looking in his eyes. He didn't failed to notice how Hamlet was looking back at her.

Enough of this rubbish. I should directly ask Ira why was she pleading Hamlet. For what? And just why? He's still not a very familiar person for her to talk the way she was doing.

He thought and nodded to himself. He tried to concentrate on what Mr Kim was explaining and he somehow did. When the bell rang, he started shoving his notebooks back in the bag when someone tapped on his shoulder, from behind.

He tilt his head to the side to find Amber, giving him a tight lipped smile. He stood up and turned to face her. She stood up as well, holding her bag.

"Listen, Amber. I'm sorry about that lunch..."

"It's ok. I know you're just trying to make her jealous" she said cutting him off and to say he was shocked would be an understatement. He just looked at her, stunned.

"I know everything. So please don't bother explaining or apologizing" she gave him a sad smile.

"I'm sorry" he managed to say, not meeting her eyes. He had no idea of dragging her in this but it just happened.

"It's ok. I understand" her smiled seemed genuine and he felt relieved.

"Thank you" he smiled a bit and moved to leave when she spoke, "Actually, I need your help"

He hesitated for a second, then said, "sure"

She smiled widely and quickly pulled out a notebook from her bag. "Actually, I missed this step. Mr Kim is pretty fast and I couldn't catch his speed"

She looked up at Ehan who was thinking if she wished him to explain her or she wanted to copy from his notebook.

"Would you lend me your notes? I'll return it as soon as..."

"Sure" he pulled the notebook he just shoved in his bag and handed her.

"Thank you" she said gladly and he nodded, making his way out of the classroom.

"I know I couldn't force you to reciprocate my feelings, Ehan. But I'll wait for you to understand that in no way that Ira could be a perfect girlfriend for you. I will be the first one who'll come to your mind that day. It may take time but it'll worth it" Amber thought looking at Ehan's retreating back.

---

"Hey Ira, waiting for Ehan?" Hamlet asked, standing by Ira who stood at a distance from the staircase.

"Ofcourse" she answered, looking back for Ehan.

"He may get late today" Hamlet said, making Ira turn to face him.

"Why?"

"He was busy with his new friend; Amber" he shrugged as Ira just watched him with an unreadable expression.

"I saw them exchanging notes" he added almost instantly.

Ira's eyes narrowed for a second then lowered, as she felt her heart heavy again. The same uneasiness occupying her chest. What was more frustrating than the piece of information she just heard was the fact that she have no idea why she feels so disturbed everytime she finds Amber near Ehan.

She took in a deep breathe and spoke, "So what? They're classmates"

"It was strange as Ehan never shares his notes with anyone. Anyway, changes do occur. He never used to talk to anyone before you arrived but now, he do. May be some more changes are occurring due to Amber" Hamlet said, looking everywhere but her.

Ira clenched and unclenched her fists. Hamlet's words were affecting her in a way she couldn't stop.

He spotted Ehan walking down the stairs, his furious eyes glued to them.

"Err.. I think I should leave now. See you later, bye".

Ira didn't noticed when he disappeared and Ehan came to stand infront of her.

"What were you two discussing?" He came straight to the point, not finding enough patience to beat around the bushes.

She looked up at him, blinking. She gulped as if controlling her urges to burst out.

"Nothing serious. We were just talking" she replied after a complete minute, looking in his eyes which were glaring at back hers.

"Really?" He asked, giving her another chance to explain. He wanted to force her to tell him, but with which rights? They were just friends and he didn't found himself that close to her that he would impose his rights on her.

"Yes. We are friends now. Just like you and Amber" she snapped, giving him an equally challenging look. He frowned, not understating what she meant.

"She's not my frie..."

"Thank you, Ehan. I copied those points" Amber appeared out of nowhere, forwarding him his notebook. Ira mentally let out a bitter laugh and looked elsewhere. He looked between her and Amber, before sighing and taking the note from her.

"Bye" Amber waved at him and left, not before sparing Ira a glance.

No more words were discussed between them, as they both made their way to the cafeteria, drowning in their own ocean of frustrating negative thoughts.

---

Kicking the chair of his study table, Ehan groan in frustration. More he was trying to control things, more easily they are slipping out of his hands. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he held his head with both the hands.

Why don't you understand that your every action affects me, Ira? He whispered, falling back on bed.

Your behaviour is confusing. So damn confusing. One moment, you act like you're hell jealous of Amber, just because she tries to grab my attention. But the very next moment, you yourself make me feel the same, may be worse.

He sat up straight, his eyes wondering around as he thought of something.

Should I myself make a move and let her know what I feel for her?

---

"...And he has even started sharing his notes with her" Ira completed with a sigh and looked at Hunny bunny, who sat on the bed hearing her.

"Can you believe it, Hunny bunny?" She asked, taking the toy in her arms. She hugged it tight, as she whispered, "He's changing and I'm not liking it a bit. I don't wanna lose him"

---

Next day, Ehan sat in his class, staring at the birthday invite he held. One of his fellow classmate invited the whole class for his birthday party that night. There was a condition mentioned in the card, which states that you must bring your partner.

"Ehan, please. I really wanna attend this party. I don't know any guy properly here. So..." Amber said, looking at him with her pleading green eyes.

After thinking for a minute, Ehan nodded as okay which made Amber stood up from where she sat and let out a delighted laugh.

"Thank you so mu..."

"You know right, why I'm doing this?" Ehan asked, which cut her off. Her smile disappeared and she nodded as yes.

"Thank you" Ehan whispered, grabbing his bag and leaving.

"I very well know why you're doing this but that dumb Ira won't understand a thing" Amber smirked.

---

"No. You're lying" Ira refused to believe what Hamlet informed her.

"Believe it or not, I heard them talk. Ehan himself promised Amber that he'll accompanying her to the party tonight" Hamlet explained with a shrug at the end.

Ira gulped the lump formed in her throat. She and Ehan didn't exchanged a single word since yesterday. Wasn't it enough disturbing that now Hamlet broke the news of Ehan accompanying Amber to a party.

Ira fiddled with her fingers. Her heart refused to believe his words and her mind alerted that there's a possibility that the information might true, asking her to be prepared.

Sucking a sharp breathe, Ira opened her mouth to speak, "Whatever. As if I care"

"Really?"

"Yes, really. Any doubt?" She folded her hands across her chest and asked confidently.

"No. Not at all. All I wanted to ask is, would you like to accompany me, to the same party?" Hamlet's lips curled up into a smile as he looked at her, expecting a positive reply.

Ira's eyebrows furrowed as she took sometime to think. Her eyes shifted to someone nearing them behind Hamlet. She forced a smile and said, "Gladly"

"Superb. I'll pick you up at 7. Give me your addres..." Hamlet excitedly said, but his voice died down his throat as Ehan stood beside him.

"Sure. Pick me up from Ehan's place. I'm sure you know his address" Ira smile, glancing at Ehan's hard face.

"Yeah!" Hamlet answered in a whisper, nodding.

Ira waved at him and left, as if Ehan doesn't exist. As Hamlet was about to leave, Ehan spoke, "Don't think that I'm unaware of the game you're playing. Mark my words, you're digging your own grave"

Hamlet let out a mocking laugh, "Watch your words, Ehan. I might get angry and... You know? She'll run away once she'll see your real face"

Ehan chuckled bitterly, "In that case, I'm not at all worried. Go ahead and let her know my secret. I assure you, she won't run away"

He took up his hand to pat on his back but stopped, reminiscing something. They looked at eachother, exchanging hard glares before turning to walk on opposite directions.

---

Assalamualaikum everyone,

How was the chapter?

What do you think about the secret of Ehan, which Hamlet is keeping from everyone?

Is it something about Ehan's parents and they abandoning him?

Leave loads of comments and don't forget to hit the star. InshaAllah, will update the next chapter ASAP (which I'm done writing, Alhamdulillah 😄)