The night air was cool as I sat by my window, gazing out at the starlit sky. Surya hadn't replied to my message yet, and the suspense was gnawing at me. I understood that I had to be honest about my feelings, but I also couldn't shake the sense of unease that had settled in.

Finally, a notification chimed on my phone. I picked it up, my heart pounding in my chest. Surya's name illuminated the screen, and I hastily opened the message.

"I'm sorry, I didn't know you had someone and I know I said it too soon. Thank you for being honest. I value our friendship too. Let's continue being friends, no matter what. Your happiness matters to me, even if it's not with me. I'm glad to have you in my life, and I want to make the most of our time together. Friends forever, right?"

Reading his response, a wave of relief washed over me. Surya's maturity and understanding shone through his words, reaffirming the connection we had built. With a soft smile, I typed out my reply:

"Surya, thank you for being cool about this. Friends forever, indeed. You're amazing. 😊"

With our friendship intact, I felt like I had dealt with this in the right away. My relationship with Tyler remained strong and unchanged but my bond with Surya continued to deepen in a different way, adding a unique dimension to my life.

Days turned into weeks, and life in the village flowed smoothly. I juggled my time between spending time with my family, exploring the village, and hanging out Surya and Varun. We often met near the lake or went into the lush fields that surrounded the village, sharing stories and exploring the place.

One sunny afternoon, as we sat under the shade of a sprawling palm tree, Surya shared tales of his dreams and aspirations. His eyes sparkled with ambition as he spoke about his love for agriculture and his desire to bring organic farming practices in the village. It was evident that he harbored a deep connection with his roots and was determined to overcome the societal constraints he faced.

Listening to his dreams, I couldn't help but admire his resilience and passion. Surya's commitment to his goals was inspiring, and I found myself drawn to his unwavering spirit. However, a nagging thought lingered in the back of my mind, a question I hadn't dared to voice: What would happen to our friendship when my time in the village came to an end?

As if sensing my thoughts, Surya turned to me and said, "Veena, I've been thinking about something. I know you will leave after a few months. But while you're still here, let's make the most of every moment, create memories that will last a lifetime?"

I nodded, grateful for his understanding. "Surya, I was just thinking about it. I will miss you when I go back home. And like you said, we have to cherish the time we have, and who knows what the future holds?"

"Umm... Veena, do you know what tomorrow is?"

"What?"

"My birthday!"

"Damn! I keep forgetting birthdays. I'm so sorry Surya. I totally forgot"

"That's okay. I just have one request"

"Anything for you, tell me. We'll make your birthday super special and grand. Where shall we go?"

"I don't want a grand birthday. I just want to spend my time with you.", he asked in hesitation.

"Just me?", I thought for a moment and agreed. "Okay, done."

"You don't need to plan anything. I want to keep it really simple. I usually go to this special place on my birthday and I want to take you there."

"Okay, we'll go", I agreed.

"And...", he hesitated to speak. "As a gift for me, I want you to wear this saree", he takes a cover from behind him and he surprised me with a beautiful plain dark pink saree adorned with a delicate border. Its simplicity exuded elegance.

I was excited when he asked me and I readily agreed. The anticipation of what he had planned for his birthday surprise intrigued me.

The following day, I carefully draped the saree, using YouTube tutorials as my guide. After getting ready, I informed Grandma that I was heading to the temple to perform a special pooja for Surya's birthday. She knew of our friendship and allowed me to go after I had finished breakfast.

We met as planned at the temple, and after a simple pooja, Surya walked out quietly.

"Happy Birthday, Surya," I greeted him with a warm smile.

"Thank you! You look beautiful. Thank you for wearing this saree," he said, his eyes filled with appreciation.

"Anything for you," I replied, returning his smile. "So, where are we going?"

"Don't be in such a hurry. Keep patience, dear," he said mischievously.

"Alright," I said, taking his hand as he folded mine into his. We then hopped onto his moped and headed towards the fields, eventually stopping at the very pond where we had first met.

"Do you remember this place?" Surya asked, a hint of nostalgia in his voice.

"How could I forget it, silly? It hasn't been that long," I replied, recalling our initial encounter.

"I know. I was just testing you to see how much you remember. You didn't seem to remember my birthday yesterday" he smirked.

"Ouch. As if you remember everything?" I teased.

"I remember everything, more than you know," he said with a playful wink.

"Really?" I prodded, poking him gently.

"Really. But wait, I want to take you to my special place I love to go when I'm alone. There's a small shrine there too, but not many people go there."

"That sounds exciting. Where is it?"

Surya grinned and pointed to a hill just across the pond. "Oh god, have some patience. It's not very far. But we have to walk up that hill."

"Let's go!" I exclaimed, filled with anticipation and joy.

Hand in hand, we slowly ascended the hill. We sang songs together, not minding our off-key voices, reveling in the knowledge that no one else could hear us. The tranquility and freedom of the place were breathtaking, and I felt truly alive, despite the altitude and the inconvenience caused by my saree.

As we climbed higher, I paused to catch my breath and perched on a nearby rock.

"Ugh, this dress is killing me," I muttered, fanning myself.

Surya gazed at me affectionately. "You look beautiful even when your face does this", he said trying to mimic me.

I blushed at his words, dismissing them as playful banter. "Huh, stop kidding me."

"I'm not kidding. I've never met a girl like you in my life. I feel so lucky," he confessed earnestly.

"Stop trying to flatter me, Mr. Surya. I'm not falling for it," I teased.

"What will you fall for, then?" he asked, his eyes filled with a sheepish longing, as he knelt before me.

Confused, I responded, "What do you mean?"

"You know I like you, and I know you like me too, even if it is as a friend. But have you ever wondered if we could be more? I'm not talking about promises for the future; I'm talking about cherishing the present."

I hesitated, caught off guard by his unexpected confession. "I don't know, Surya. I haven't thought about us like that!"

"I have," he admitted. "In fact, I think about you every day. Even if I could have you as my girlfriend for just one day, I would be the happiest man in the world."

My cheeks flushed as I struggled to comprehend his words. "Will you be mine, just for today? Consider it my birthday present?"

I took a few moments to contemplate his request. All he wanted was a single day to be more than just friends. It wouldn't necessarily change anything between us, but if it made him happy, I thought, why not? I felt pressured to reply soon and i didn't want to break him heart by saying no. Naturally, I nodded slightly, my blush deepening.

Surya's face lit up with delight, and he pulled me into a warm hug. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"Okay," I chuckled, feeling both touched and amused by his enthusiasm.

"Now, stand up," he instructed.

"Why?" I asked, curiosity piqued.

"I said stand up," he asserted.

Obligingly, I stood up, and suddenly, without warning, Surya scooped me up into his arms.

"Whoa! What are you doing?" I exclaimed, caught by surprise.

"You're officially my girlfriend today. This is what I would do," he explained, his eyes twinkling with joy.

He carried me in his arms as we continued our journey up the hill to the small shrine at the mountain's peak. I couldn't help but blush at his romantic gesture; it was unlike anything I had experienced before. Eventually, he gently set me down near the shrine, and we shared a few quiet moments together, taking in the beauty of the surroundings.

As we stood near the small shrine atop the hill, I couldn't help but feel a sense of serenity wash over me. The breathtaking view, the gentle breeze, and the stillness of the moment were simply enchanting. Surya and I shared a wordless connection, cherishing the present and each other's company.

After a while, Surya broke the serene silence. "This place holds a special meaning for me. It's where I come whenever I need some peace. And today, I'm here with you, making it even more special."

A warm smile crossed my face, deeply touched by his words. "I'm honored, Surya. This place looks serene"

He hesitated for a moment before speaking again. "Can I tell you something?"

"Of course," I replied.

"I find you incredibly attractive," he admitted, a hint of shyness in his voice. "Please don't be offended, but you look incredibly stunning in this saree."

His words made me blush. "I'll take that as a compliment."

"You have no idea how beautiful you are. You need to see through my eyes. You stir something inside me, Veena." Surya reached out, gently taking my hand. "Tell me, what do you think of me?"

I pondered his question for a moment. "You're a genuinely good person. Kind, funny, and a wonderful friend."

"No, that's not what I meant," he clarified. "What do you think of me when you look at me?"

"I'm don't understand," I admitted.

"Let me be more direct. Do you have specific preferences when it comes to how guys should look?"

I chuckled at the question. It was clear what he was getting at. Physically, I wasn't particularly attracted to Surya. The only person who had ignited any physical attraction in me was Krish, but that had proven to be emotionally complicated and besides, he was my cousin. Surya was different. He knew me well; he was attuned to my emotions, and was someone I could talk to for hours. If I had to choose between physical attraction and emotional connection, the latter would always win.

"Do you really think I care about looks, Surya? Appearances are fleeting. I value emotions and connections more."

"So, do you have feelings for me?"

I chuckled again. "Maybe not exactly the way you want."

"Come on, at least pretend. Remember, you're my one-day girlfriend."

"Alright, alright," I surrendered, raising my hands playfully. "Tell me what you want to hear."

"Anything that makes me happy", he blushed.

I sighed in exasperation, "I suck at words, Surya. Tell me something else I can do for you."

With that, Surya took my other hand and brought them close together. He shifted to sit directly across from me, closing the gap between us. His face drew near, his lips inching closer to mine. I could feel his warm breath on my face, but I found myself frozen in place.

What do you think of Surya? 

Whose team are you on?

Team Tyler

Team Krish

Team Varun

Team Surya

(I know our MC's got a lot of potential love interests, but your choices will make a lot of difference in how the story is going to go forward.)