UA.

Mid January

I was ready. I knew I was. But why was Pavel acting so weird ever since I told him that? 

Almost like he didn't want that.

So 3 days ago , our conversation went something like this-

We were kissing (rather passionately , I must add) and he was shirtless and I placed his hands on the zipper of my blue uniform and he froze. 

In answer to his shocked and bewildered expression I said ," I'm ready , Pasha."

He stuttered and said something in Russian , took a deep breath and said , " I haff to go. Talk to you later. Uh , um.... Emergency on ze bridge!" 

He almost ran into the door and then outside leaving me alone and confused and upset.

I was recounting my sad tale to Bones( who was acting like he wasn't paying attention and couldn't care less) and Jasmine , one of the nurses who'd been one of my firm friends ever since she arrived a month ago.

"Maybe he just panicked?" Jas offered.

"Maybe. But it doesn't explain why he's been hiding from and avoiding me for 3 days!"

"He might have been planning  to break up with you and when you told him you were ready , kid decided he couldn't do break up with you , having taken your...how do young girls say it .....ah, flower." Bones said.

"How helpful , that doesn't bother me at all!"

"You're welcome , dahling." And then ducked as I threw a hypo at him.

3rd person POV (in the bridge)

"Zen she said she was ready!" Pavel groaned.

"And that's bad...how again?" Sulu asked.

"I already told you! I am not ready!!!"

Sulu stared at him, his jaw hanging open. He composed himself and said,"My dear Chekov, you are not  a virgin. What do you mean by the fact that you are not ready?"

He mumbled ," Cannot explain eet properly in English."

Sulu proceeded to bang his head on the console.

2 days later (January 20)

"Sanya?"

"Captain? Do you need something?"

"The guest list for your party.."

"My birthday party is in 5 hrs and you're asking me to review the guest list now? Have you completely lost common sense!?"

He glared at me, looking not at all like the playful , easy going captain who greeted me all those months ago. "We may be friends , Reza but I am still the Captain. You are not to talk to me like that."

My shoulders slumped," I'm sorry , Captain. I'm just so stressed. Work is more difficult than ever and my brother is sick and Pavel...."

"Never mind about that now. What I needed to ask you was if Pavel is still invited to the party."

"Uh...he may be avoiding me and I'm almost sure he's gonna break up with me but yes , he's invited. He is still my friend , after all."

"Ookay. Gotta go! Don't let too many red shirts die!" 

Half an hour before the party~

I got dressed in a perfectly gorgeous dress. 

Then I put my hair in a braid and put it into a bun with a few strands falling and framing my face. I applied light silver eye shadow and pinkish red lipstick. I learnt how to do all the above online.

I picked up the necklace Pav had given to me on our one month anniversary.

I debated whether or not to wear it and finally decided on yes.

The party~

They  - Uhura , Deep , Jas , Bones , Kirk , Scotty , Sulu , Spock and .....Pavel - sang happy birthday.

He looked so....him in his dark wash jeans and blue tee with a dark suit jacket. He wasn't carrying anything with him. Maybe he wasn't even going to give me anything. Just show up , sing and leave. 

Then the presents. In spite of my not so bright mood , I loved them all.

Sulu - Deathly Hallows earrings. A fellow Potterhead. I'll remember that.

Scotty - A plate of biryani which he'd learnt how to cook from my mother. I inhaled the food. I'd missed it so much!

Kirk - Heels. He gave me heels. Stiletto heels. If I fall while wearing them , I was going to use the shoes to gouge his eyes out.

Deep - A Gryffindor tee and a leather jacket. 

Jasmine - 'Make up for Dummies' and a make up kit. I hugged her after I punched her.

Uhura and Spock - A video message from my parents. And a really old book 'And then there were none' by Agatha Christie. 

Bones - "A History Of Magic" by J.K. Rowling , published 2024. (I beg you , Mrs. Rowling. The Potterheads need this!)The only Harry Potter book I didn't have . I nearly crushed him with my hug.

Then Pavel stepped forward. "Erm , my gift should be arriving in zree minutes. I told Keenser to bring it as soon as ze party started but..."

"Pavel , can we talk in private while Keenser comes?" 

He hesitated but nodded. 

"Are you going to break up with me?" Were the first words out of my mouth.

"Vhat!? Nyet, nyet... I would newver. I lowve you."

"Then why have you been avoiding me since I told you I wanted to have sex with you?" I whisper yelled.

"Later. Keenser iz here." 

I looked over to where he was pointing. Keenser had arrived , carrying a .....box?

"Happy Birzday , Моя милая звезда." 

I looked into that box to see the most adorable thing I have ever seen. A white Labrador puppy. 

I gazed at Pavel out of my brown eyes , who was smiling softly ," You remembered. I had always wanted a dog."

"Of course I remembered. How could I not? Vhat are you going to name her?"

"Tulip or Lily. You choose."

"Tulip."

"Tulip  it is , then. Hi , শোনা." I told her as I picked her up. She whimpered and licked my face.

"Sanya...er , I haff anozer surprise. But it can wait till after ze party."

"It's 12 , I have a dog and  Bones and Kirk are slow dancing . The party is over."

"Come wiz me , zen. Sulu will take care of Tulip for today."

A faint "I never agreed to that!" Came from the back.

"Okay." 

He led me to his room , which I hadn't entered since he'd left me.

My breath caught in my throat when I saw it.

A faint purple light lit up the room. Candles everywhere and tulip petals on the bed. 

"My favourite flower."

"I ran out on you zat night because I was scared. I wasn't ready vhich is stupid since I've done zat zo many times. Vhich is not relevant. Uhm , I wanted our first time to be perfect. I'm not scared anymore. I vant to be yours and you mine in all wayz possible. I lowve you , звезда."

"I love you too , Pasha. And I completely understand."

"Zo...are you sure you vant to do zis wiz me?"

"Yes."

So , we did.

Translation

Моя милая звезда - My Darling star.

শোনা- Gold or golden. Used as a term of endearment.