Vivaan meets Sahil after his shooting ends. The two move to the actor's restroom, and find themselves alone together after the pack-up of the last shot. Despite the world saying there is a lot of competition between them, they are friends. And it's because they attended school together. Vivaan thinks it is more than a coincidence that he, Sahil, and Ruhana are working in the same industry and carry the same passion to bring mesmerizing stories to life on the big screen.

"Sahil, tu Ruhana ko kyu ched raha tha?" It's the look that Ruhana threw at him. Vivaan remembers the moment behind his clear eyes. With a bit of lingering guilt, he joins Sahil on the plush sofa.

Above them, the artificial lights gleam softly through the floor-to-ceiling windows on the other end, giving a distant view of the Mumbai city below from the 20th floor.

"Sahil, sach mein..." Vivaan returns his eyes to Sahil who confines himself to sipping his post-shoot lemonade. "Tujhe pata hai na aaj uska birthday hai. Mujhe pata hain tu nahin bola hai. To fir kyon chhed raha tha? Band kar de yaar yeh sab. Ab tum donon bade ho gaye ho. You must act professionally. Think of the scandal the newspapers will create agar unko is baat ki khabar lag gayi."

"Yep. She dressed extra nicely. Agar yaad bhi na tha. Toh yaad ajata." The chill dude he is, Sahil says and takes another sip. "Aur relax. Koi scandal nahi hoga."

Vivaan heaves a sigh. "Sahil, stop being shrewd. And so lopsided. Agar tujhe yaad hai ki uska birthday hai to wish kyon nahin kia?"

"Wish? Wish karta to maza kaise aata?" Sahil responds with a smirk. "Use chhede bagair sara maza kharab ho jata. Uske aane se pehle yahan sab kitna boring tha. Aur ab dekho every day is so exciting! And it is because I get to tease her relentlessly."

"Sahil. Looks like you know you are relentless. It might be a stress buster for you lekin please don't create stress for my friend. Ruhana is my bestie. Please don't make an enemy out of me okay?"

Sahil throws Vivaan a wary glance. Vivaan Jain. Aka VJ is capable of pulling any feat. Having him as an enemy is scary but not to Sahil.

Sahil shrugs and chuckles more loudly than before. Vivaan sighs. I hope you realise she's important to you, he thinks inwardly and shuts his mouth. Ab main kya bataun? I'm contradicting myself. Ek taraf I want you two to be together and dusri taraf my heart will break if it comes true. Should I... try to win Ruhana's heart? No.. no. Wo sahi nahi hoga. I just hope you two realise and things become meaningful for you. Yes, that's all I should wish for as your mutual friend.

Sahil throws him a questioning look. Vivaan snaps out of his trance and enjoys the lemonade his friend then offers.

***

Ruhana was agitated after witnessing the pilot shot of Sahil's new movie. It was a pretty small scene but Sahil was joking around so much (which everybody was enjoying) and it took three hours to wrap.

The muhurat pooja was fine though. But the new girl Neha, Sahil's heroine was fawning over him... Ruhana still has goosebumps on her arms, born out of utter disgust. This movie with Sahil isn't gonna be an easy feat. She tells herself as she exits the studio — the agitation she feels is because she detests Sahil alone, not Neha's closeness with him.

After a cab ride, she arrives home to her flat and finds it cloaked in darkness. Stepping into the living room feels like a chore. The switches won't work?

"Kya mere ghar mein koi ghusa hai? Nahi Billo Rani hai toh kaun aasakta? Meri choti packet bada dhamaka uski haddi chabadeti na... Wait, kahi usko bhi kuch?"

Ruhana silences her pessimistic thoughts and proceeds into the house leaving bags and footwear near the main door. It's eerily quiet. She's worried, but only for a moment. The lights then turn on revealing the living room decorated with roses and balloons of pink and blue colour.

There are chairs and smaller tables nearby, the large centre table arranged in the middle is laden with all kinds of treats — gulab jamun, muffins, macrons, lemonade and soft drinks, but the special attraction is the huge three-story cake shaped like a Barbie.

"Ohh, this is..." Ruhana wonders out loud. A smile graces her lips.

"Surprise!" Priyanka answers, appearing in the other girl's view, in her hands is Billo munching on yet another treat. A hand wraps around Priyanka's shoulder and a masculine voice says, "Surprise! Happy Birthday Ruhana."

The new guy who came up is Dushyant. Her and Priyanka's longtime friend. Though he shares a special relationship with the latter, the three of them have been besties for all of their lives.

"Oh, you guys wished me in the morning. Mujh laga busy honge sham ko," Ruhana says.

"Arey wo bas wishes hai. aur ye surprise," Priyanka says to which Dushyant agrees.

"And apno ke liye time banana padta hai na," he says with a smile. "Busy toh rehte hi hai! Anyway apna ye mini party shuru karte hai."

Dushyant hugs Priyanka once and then gives Ruhana a bear hug. Then as they share a group hug, the latter is nearly moved to tears by the surprise but forces herself to laugh, amused by the Barbie cake.

"Honestly Barbie? Tum logo ko lagta abhi bhi main choti si bachi hoon?"

Priyanka shrugs. "But you still carry that heart and the spirit. Besides, the cake was the cutest mujhe laga you'd like it. It suits you, Ruu."

"Yes." Dushyant agrees. "And you're as radiant as Barbie today. Aren't you?"

"Dadh. Don't exaggerate. Apna flattery apni girlfriend ke saamne karna." Ruhana tells him.

He shrugs. "Woh kaam na karti kabhi toh dost ke yahan hi."

"Hawww!" Priyanka screeches, still holding onto Billo. "Ruu, he's admitting iska praise flattery hai. Matlab isne aaj tak humari sache dil se praise na ki!"

"Bap re!" Dushyant's eyes widen and he fidgets as both the ladies in his life glare at him. He runs but the two catch up and give him a good beating. Of course not too hard. The ladies are always considerate.

"Hah! Kya yar meri baaton ka ye matlab nikala..." Dushyant is on his knees and completely shifts to a sitting position as his attackers spare him. "Huh. Birthday tumhari aur birthday bumps mujhe mile!"

Priyanka tries consoling him by fixing his hair.

Ruhana bursts out laughing at her friend's antics and laughs harder at her dog who leaps at her. "Aha! Isliye you were quiet. You know Dushyant and Priyanka spare key se andar aye. Lekin they are friends toh tumne unko kuch nahi kaha. koi aur ata toh uski shamat ati nahi, meri nanhi packet?"

Ruhana cuddles with her dog for a bit. then gesturing to Priyanka and Dushyant, she goes into her room to freshen up.

Priyanka keeps Billo occupied. Dushyant too has fun with the duo. Ruhana arrives wearing another of her best outfits, a new, pink and orange sundress.

Dushyant praises the look and calls her beautiful. Ruhana jokingly tells him line na maro. Priyanka chuckles at the friendly teasing, then she too praises her dear friend. "You really are beautiful. Koi ladka dekhe line hi maare tumne. Sahil bhi. She adds with a wink."

Ruhana pulls a face. "Don't. Please, uski baat mat karo, Pri!"

Ruhana groans. Priyanka is aware of the feelings Ruhana holds for the lad but she can't think they are forever right? That is an age-old crush. Don't bring it up please, Pri. No matter how attractive that idiot is. How vexing yet alluring — ugh, bas karo Ruhana! Mat soch aise!

"Mujhe bhook lagi hai." Priyanka says innocently.

Ruhana welcomes the change of topic. "Mujhe bhi. Chalo cake kaatein!"

Dushyant stops the girls and says, "ek aur surprise guest ana baki hai. Priyanka, bhul gayi?"

He sends Priyanka a funny look to which she flashes her tongue at him. A few minutes later a fairly tall young man shows up in the living room, walking through the entrance. Making his way straight towards Ruhana, he hugs her.

Naman Ahuja. Ruhana is thrilled to meet her college mate who presents her with yet another bouquet and a journal for writing.

Ruhana thanks him for the thoughtful gift then they all begin the mini-party.

***

That night, Ruhana ends the video call with her parents and cousins who again wish her on her birthday. She thinks every year this is her best birthday and then they all make the next one even better.

She smiles, stretching on her bed. At 11.30 pm, as she begins to get ready for bed, the alarm at the front door picks up activity. Then her doorbell rings. someone is at her door.

Ruhana makes her way from the bedroom through the living room in the dark. (She turned off the lights earlier). A masked man is at the door? She tries to look clearly, but he's all but a visage after ringing the bell. Nobody's there. The peephole or the monitor attached doesn't show anybody.

Unafraid, Ruhana opens the door out of curiosity, and shrieks when the masked man jumps in front of her. She holds her arm out but he pushes his way through her into the living room

She's in utter shock and disbelief that she couldn't stop this intruder at the door. Dumbo! She chides herself.

Agitated and on impulse, she reaches for the broom in the corner and leaps at the masked man who's dressed in fine clothing.

"Kaun ho tum?" The lights flicker on with a swipe of her broom and then she points it at the masked man again. "Neeche se toh model ki kapde pehne ho. aur uper ye mask lutero wali!"

Ruhana doesn't wait for the man's response and hits him with the broom. Billo is asleep. She calls for the dog multiple times after which it comes trotting into the living room.

Seeing Billo the man pulls off the mask.

"Arey, main hun..." he says, revealing himself to be the superstar Sahil. "Ugh main yaha aaya tere liye. Jhadu se swagat karoge mera? Superstar ko jhadu mara! Ab ye paltu kutta bhi agaya?"

Whining and cursing, and wiping his hands which have received the blows of the jhadu, he plops down on the sofa.

Ruhana is shocked at the sight of him. Dropping the jhadu to the ground she is looking at him in shock. Meanwhile the swag returns to him. He casts aside the scarf wrapped around his neck, loosens the buttons of his long trench coat, and crosses his legs in an alluring way. With a hand under chin, he scrutinizes his surroundings.

"Hey, nice home. Mujhe laga you'd have weird tastes but this is good enough. Waise shame abi tak mera yaha tak ana na hua. waise it's good. aaj special day hai. Tumhara birthday. You're lucky tumhare birthday per superstar Sahil tumhare ghar aya."

"I don't need you reviewing my home, thanks. And it's not my lucky day when you come near me. Now get out!" Ruhana picks up the jhadu again and glares at him. Billo meanwhile is quietly observing. Why doesn't she attack? Is she in shock?

Ruhana too is still in shock. Sahil has come donning the thug avatar. She sighs when he doesn't move.

"Sahil, kya hai yeh?"

Sahil strides towards her. Ruhana is suddenly aware they are alone in her home. Sahil won't try anything funny, right? Well, Billo is watching him warily now. That's a good sign and it's a relief.

Sahil suddenly pulls out a medium-sized bouquet from the inside pocket of his large overcoat. A bouquet of beautiful blue roses and orchids. Ruhana melts at the sight.

"For you," Sahil says "happy birthday."

Ruhana can't believe what's happening. As she reaches for the bouquet, Sahil goes on one knee. He's showing off. The superstar allure. Making her heart pound. There's no need for him to do all this. He's only showing off. She tells her racing heart but the sweet look in his eyes... ugh, stop overanalyzing, Ruhana.

"Sahil, why?"

Sahil smiles still knelt on the floor. "Because we're frenemies. Because mujhe kuch der pehle yaad aya it's your birthday. The girl I want to annoy twenty-four-seven. Aaj uska birthday hain!"

Ruhana chuckles. "Haha. Really?"

And you'd do something sweet for her? She murmurs under her breath and then raises her voice.

"But maine kabhi tumhare birthday par..." she trails off noticing something is off about the flowers.

"Artificial flowers?" she frowns at the guy. For a second she was moved, but this is...

Sahil is up on his feet and giggling to himself. "Hahaha... tumhe kya laga? tumhare liye asli gulab le aaunga. andar dekho chota cactus hai. wahi meri asli gift."

Rage boils in her veins. Throwing the gift aside, Ruhana picks up her broom again. "Sahil, you..."

She chases him with the broom and hits him when possible.

"Sahil! I don't use swear words but... ugh! you, you..."

"Main, main kya? Number one chaalbaaz?"

"Nope, idiot number one!"

"Hahaha! Thank you!"

The chase continues until she's exhausted. She didn't hit him badly of course and landed most blows on his back. Of course, she doesn't want to cause injury to his pompous face no matter how much she dislikes it.

"Ho gaya?" Sahil says coming to her side, and taking the broom from her hands and putting it in a corner. By now Billo must have figured Sahil isn't a threat; she's on the sofa.

Sahil brushes some of Ruhana's bangs off her face and smiles at her gently. What? Ugh, the kind of ones he shows his heroines?

Ruhana is irritated.

"Sahil, you..." she's almost mesmerized looking into his eyes, but comes to her senses and pushes him back. When did he come so close to me? "Dur raho. Badmash!"

Sahil grins, but pulls away in a gentlemanly fashion. "Ha, badmash? I take that as a compliment."

"Jerk!"

"Oh come on! Arey, I came to wish you!"

"Badtameez! Subah nahi karskte? Ya fir message karte hamesha ki tarah!"

Ever since she returned to his side and as they are both part of the entertainment industry, they both made it a courtesy to wish each other. That's it. Just ek message. But abhi...

"Arey is sal special hai na! Socha kuch special karun. And you're still here. Jodhpur mei nahi!"

Ruhana huffs. "Han toh? You call this special? Wo mask kya tha? huh. Wish karne aaye ho ki chori karne? Aur ye bhi wish hai?"

"Huh, chori... Arey hum lakhon ladkiyon ke dil chori kar chuke. Aap haan kar dein toh aapki bhi kardei?"

"Huh?" Ruhana pulls a face, shakes her head and faces away from Sahil. "Dramebaaz! Chalo acha hain, permission maang rahe ho. Warna Billo se katwadeti."

Sahil throws Billo a dubious look. The dog is snoozing peacefully now on the sofa. "Yeh kaat-ti bhi hai?"

"Han! Noch noch ke!"

"Oops! Haha. Anyway, main wish karne aaya. Kardia. Aur mask isliye kyuki tumhe thoda tang karna tha. Aur well taki mujhe koi pehchane nahin."

"Really? Neeche security kaise par ki?

Sahil smirks. "Usko maine apna chehra dikhaya. banda behosh hogya. Abhi bhi utha nahi hoga."

"Bichara." Ruhana faces Sahil with a mock smile. "Ab kitne saal coma mein hoga tera ye badsurat chehra dekh kar!"

Sahil meets her eyes, his brows furrowed. "Excuse me. Woh behosh isliye hua kyuki... usey uski ankhon par vishwas nahi ho raha tha usne Superstar Sahil ko dekha!"

"Realllyyyy?"

"Han! Hey! Tumne mujhe badsurat kaha? world-class looks hain mere!"

"Shut up."

The argument dies after that. In a brief moment, a yawn escapes from the depths of Ruhana's tired soul. I must sleep. Lekin pehle isko bahar dhakelu...

"Ooh cake..." Sahil spots a package left on the living room coffee table.

"Hey, that's not for you." Ruhana takes it before he can. She chases him out just as the clock is about to strike 12

"Out! Get out!"

Sahil doesn't protest much and is quickly out of the door. His parting words ring in the air around her. "Ruhana, dhyan rakho aur kisi ko andar mat aane dena!"

She leans against the closed door, sighing. And not much later receives a message from Sahil.

"Hey, Ruu, happy birthday. I hope you like the cake I got for you. the one you're holding in your hands, haha."

Ruhana looks around and realizes the box in her hands is indeed from Sahil. as it's clearly not from Naman or anyone. Besides, they are all cleaned up and leftovers are in the fridge.

Her phone beeps again. Check outside of your door. Will you?

"Sahil ka ek aur mazak! Cactus ka bouquet rakha hoga—" murmuring to herself, she opens the door. But to her surprise, there's a huge bouquet that's at least five feet tall, adorned with lush leaves, roses, orchids and chrysanthemums arranged for her. Their fragrance tickles her nose as she takes a deep breath, stunned by the sight.

So?

Sahil texts her a series of smirking emojis and then the short sentence: Once again happy birthday, Ruu.

Sahil! Ruhana involuntarily screams his name. Clutching the railing hard she looks down at the pavement and the streets in the distance but what greets her is passing traffic and blinking LEDs, the illumination of streetlights and the buzz.

"What does this mean?" She turns back to the beautiful extravagant bouquet. "I must agree. Aaj tak itna bada aur khubsurat bouquet mujhe kisi ne gift nahi dia."

She plucks a single rose from the topmost arrangement and sighs, inhaling the fragrance. "Well, I don't blame them. Har koi Sahil ki tarah rich nahi ho sakta. And they put forward their own special gestures but Sahil kyun aisa kar raha hai?"

She eyes the bouquet again and touches some flowers and leaves. The moisture and softness are real. This isn't an artificial bouquet like before. A card is attached to the ribbon wrapped around the bouquet, holding the flowers in place. She plucks and reads its contents.

She sighs again as she recognizes Sahil's own handwriting.

She recognizes it from their childhood as the handwriting of the pompous jerk who wouldn't lend her his notes for more than ten minutes. The jerk who'd demand she write his homework in return for the impeccable math notes he takes in class. The extra literature essays he's written. And she was dumb enough to engage him. The card in her hands now reads:

"Ruhana, happy birthday. it's been 4 years since we met here again. I'm finally able to wish you... properly. I wish you the best... -Sahil"

Ruhana collapses on the ground, overwhelmed. Through the open door she can see the artifical bouquet she discarded on the floor, and the toy cactus lying next to it. She returns her eyes to the beautiful real bouquet next. "Sahil, tumne yeh khud likha? Khud khareede bhi kya? Kyun?"

Her question disappears into the mist of the night air, unanswered.

it's true. Now that as Sahil mentioned. Over the past four years, Sahil was never in the country during her birthday. He'd be overseas, in various filming locations.

"And so, as he's here this year... he paid me a visit?"

Ruhana murmurs and sighs again. "Ugh, kabhi kabhi, main samajh nahi pati hun tumhe, Sahil. Aakhir rishta kya hai humara? We may be frenemies as you say. But mujhe lag raha hai, maybe there's more. But kya... I hope I can answer this question one day."

***

Sahil runs across the empty sidewalks and gets into his car. Quickly before people or the press can spot him. He recalls his conversation with Vivaan and sighs. In the back of his mind pops an image of Ruhana holding the jhadu.

A chuckle escapes his lips as he buckles in and pulls off the ornate butterfly mask hiding his face. "This is such a beautiful mask. But tumhe choron ka mask laga? Well maybe foreign chor bola hoga na?"

As more memories of the moments he had with her - like their elevator talk pop into his head, his smile widens. He doesnt start his car. Just grips the steering, leans back in his seat, smile widening.

"Ha, I love our cat and mouse games but I care about you, my chudail."

He murmurs aloud and chuckles. All these endless years of fun and games. It was fun. Ruhana was his target. Not his easy target though. She gave him back the sass and he thought she enjoyed their back and forth too. Of course, they weren't in touch for seven years, after his high school days and until he became a star.

"Why did I..." He now sighs, returning to his senses. The smile drops from his face. He recalls buying the beautiful bouquet. How he'd preordered it this morning, paid extra cash so it can be readied before midnight. How he personally picked it up and wrote the message on that card. And all the text messages he sent her.

"I shouldn't have given into my true desires and wished you. it's Vivaan's fault."

He seals his mouth shut, but his thoughts continue in his head. We should continue our games ... or maybe I should completely turn into the pompous jerk you call me and ignore you. so the only girl I care about remains safe and doesn't become their target...

Par main pura tumse dur nahi reh sakta... this is only the way... haha...but still. as usual tumhe ched ke maza aya. ek tum hi ho jise mai chidana chahta hun. ek tum hi ho jisse main...

He sighs at his misfortune and cuts that particular train of thought. If only I could be honest... maybe I could tell you all this.

***

Inside her apartment, Ruhana can't hear a soul, not even Sahil talking to himself. She has no way of knowing. She cuddles with Billo on her bed. Alone in the darkness, she struggles to sleep for a while before emptying her mind and finally drifting off. What a strange but sweet birthday she had this year... 

***

There! Finally!

RuVineet I hope you liked this part! Sahil ko jhadu bhi pada! haha... xoxo thanks for some of the cute blends. I hope it was worthwhile. Sahil and Ruhana are childish but I enjoyed writing on them. There's more... Hopefully I can give this story a good end and the rest will come in my original story💖 lots of love

Everyone who read, thank you. Please vote and comment! <3