Hi everyone. Back with a chapter again and an important one. And want to say one important thing.

My online classes commenced and my internship is going on too, still, I am trying my best to update once a week and a lengthy one too, but why not all 150+ readers are reacting to the chapters. Why? That's the least as well as the biggest thing you could do for me.

I previously said that I don't want to put any targets or so and I even said that the book is coming to the end so vote for the last chapters at least.

Now am changing my stand again. There will be a target in this chapter.
Votes-70 and the views for the book must reach 10k.

This is implemented so that I can get my time as well if it's not achieved. But at the same time even if we achieve the target soon it will take some time.

Hope you will understand my plea.

Happy Reading. No more interruptions.

Rohan Sarthak's POV:

"Welcome to our shop. What would you like to see?" asked the shopkeeper as soon as Ajay and I entered a gift shop.

"We would like to see gift articles for a birthday," said Ajay as I observed the store. This is one of the famous gift shops in our area. Wondering why we are here? We are here because it's Tanvi's birthday in a day.

One month and a few days have passed since we have become friends and her birthday came soon too, or I felt it did. The past month has been the best days I ever spent in my life. I won't say I talked to her non-stop and roamed with her and bunked my classes. It's just that one greeting in the morning when we see each other, a smile at lunch break and goodbye when we leave. That's more than enough for me.

And there were times when we did talk together, walk together in silence, and laughed together for silly things. We even went out few times and enjoyed ourselves to the fullest.

My equation with Jiya improved too. Initially, she eyed me suspiciously most of the time, but later, she became so friendly with me and even started calling me brother. At first, I was afraid that even Tanvi would call me that, and Ajay was also afraid to be called as a brother after being the brother of our batch. We begged her not to call us so, and to our luck, she only called me with that relation as she feels that my appearance resemble her younger brother and I couldn't reject her. From then I was comfortable with her too and more with Tanvi.

I am glad that something did develop between us. I was no longer the gloomy and moody person I was before. Rather, I turned out to be a mad person who smiles to himself even when I am alone or with Ajay or in a class. It feels like all the positivity in the world is within me and around me.

Though, I am not fully free with her. There is still some awkwardness within me, between us. I don't know why, but I feel nervous when I am with her. Am afraid of what might happen in future? Our future? How will she react when she gets to know who I was and am? I know one day or the other I must reveal the truth to her. I can no longer hide my identity, and I don't want to.

That's when the perfect situation came by, her birthday.

I have decided to say her the truth cause of two main reasons-

Firstly, Ajay is threatening me every second. I literally mean every second I either spend with him or with Tanvi, he keeps on glaring at me, poking me and even gave her stupid hints like, 'Tanvi what if that person is close to you and comes before you?' or 'What if that person comes and proposes to you?'

My heart drops to my stomach whenever he asks such ridiculous questions to her. For the initial few times, she got tensed and didn't answer anything. Perhaps she is afraid that even I will know about it and will judge her when in reality, I already know everything.

Secondly, Guilt. My guilt increased tenfold times whenever I hear her answer to Ajay.

A few days before:

That day, she got too much annoyed and replied, "Do you think he will forgive me, Ajay? Do you think if he knows me and sees me, he will come to me? If he had that intention of hurting me or humiliating me, he would have approached me two years ago itself, and that would have been much better than this punishment. Maybe this is the punishment I deserve. I might never get my forgiveness and have to atone like this."

I was behind them, while Ajay, Jiya, and Tanvi sat at a table in canteen. I finished my lab work and was on my way to the canteen as Ajay called me, asking me to come over as both girls were also present there. Sometimes, we eat together when all four of us are free. I was too excited to meet her. It had been three days since I talked to her. I wish I had the courage to call her every day or at least chat with her. Though I didn't ask her number directly yet, Ajay had it and he intimidated me, saying, 'She might recognize your voice and will thrash you so badly that you won't be able to walk for few days.'

Of course, I am not afraid of her beatings or something. Why would I be? I scoffed and reached the canteen. Before I could approach them I heard Ajay asking her the same question again. So, I thought of returning to let go of his wrath, but the reply I heard was much worse than Ajay's rage. I wish I didn't have to hear that. Then, I saw both the girls stood up and left the table one after another.

Ajay noticed me standing behind them. He looked at me with a cold expression. He, too, left the place without saying anything.

Back to the present

That was the time I felt scared. Scared that the most important people in my life would leave me again. I would be alone again. Ajay didn't speak with me for days, neither did I approach Tanvi or Jiya. After much begging, Ajay laid a condition before me and that was, 'Tell her the truth.'

And that's it. I couldn't delay it anymore, I decided to do as he had been ordering me to do.

And we are here to buy her a gift. I just want to say everything simply on her birthday, but Ajay dragged me here to buy a gift. That salesgirl had put out many gift pieces in our display and was waiting for us to choose one. Pity her! She is working damn hard to make us buy at least half of the gifts.

"Look at this," Ajay said and picked a red colour watch.

"She has quite a few. She wears one watch one day," I said boringly and stretched my legs as we had been standing for the past 45 minutes, including on the bus. I have been noticing her from day one and she wears

many colorful and branded watches from the 1st day itself. Why would she want this stupid watch now? I dismissed my thought.

"That's why you are like this. Observing her watch, earrings and dresses. Cheap," Ajay snorted and placed the watch on the glass table. I looked at a mug on which some birthday quote is written. I picked it up and showed it to him.

"What will she drink? Cool drink or juice?" Ajay asked with a frown. I rolled my eyes and looked at other showpieces. We kept picking up one gift at a time and each of us had a problem with the other's choice.

"What kind of gift you want?" the salesgirl asked us in an annoyed tone. We stopped our banter, and looked at her who is scowling back at us.

It seemed like she would kick us out if we decided to loiter around for some more time. I looked at Ajay, who was staring at the salesgirl with a sheepish smile.

Even I smiled and asked, "Sorry. We don't know much about these gifts and all. Are there any recent gift types or trends?"

The salesgirl sighed and said, "Printing the person's picture is very famous these days. You can have it printed on mug, pillows, books, key chains and on a wooden piece as well. And pictures, a bouquet, bouquet of chocolates etc. "

"And?" questioned Ajay.

"Sir, I guess you don't want anything here so why don't you visit some gold shop and get some golden necklace or diamond pendant or silver anklets," that salesgirl replied savagely. Her response made our jaws drop. It took a minute to compose ourselves.

"Ok. Can you show us how that bouquet of chocolates looks like?" I asked before she kills us with her angry eyes.

"Sure Sir," she said and went in and brought some pictures. It looked pretty good and big in the pictures. They are beautiful. It seemed like we had finally found our gift. And have to mention, it was a bit hefty price.

"Sir, would you like to add any flowers or teddy sir?" the salesgirl asked us. She told to collect our order tomorrow as it will be good with fresh chocolates and flowers if we want to add them.

"Will it cost extra or free?" Ajay asked without a second thought.

"Yes, Sir, it will cost more," said the salesgirl. Thinking of flowers, I remember her favourite flowers. I remember every minute details about her.

"How much will tulips cost with this chocolate bouquet?" I asked her. I have some 200 bucks extra. Hope I can get her favourite flowers with that.

"Sir, depends on how many flowers you want. One tulip flower costs ₹150," she said and my face fell.

I seriously didn't expect that a flower would cost that much. Goodness! A flower? ₹150. I wish I could pluck out some flowers from the garden and give her. Would she know whether I pluck them or buy them? Stop these stupid thoughts, I scolded myself.

"H-How about that toy?" I stammered a bit as my throat became dry.

"You mean the teddy sir?" she asked, and I nodded my head then she continued, "Even that depends on size, Sir?" said the salesgirl.

What is this shit with size, shape, and how many? It's all hella confusing and disgusting. That salesgirl opened her phone and showed us some small size teddies. They looked ok. Maybe girls will like these soft and cute things.

At last, I found one toy within my budget and finalized our gift and walking out of the store without being thrown out. I badly wish one of us had bought some extra money. Then we would have even gotten those flowers. Even my phonepe account's money got over.

Will she like this gift? At least recognize our efforts?

With these thoughts, we finally reached our place and had a light dinner, and slept with many thoughts running in my mind. 'Tomorrow is the day,' was my final thought before I got drowned in my sleep.

****

"Will she like this?" I asked Ajay while holding this chocolate bouquet, with a small teddy in my hands, while Ajay is walking freely beside me.

It looked good. They had decorated it pretty well with chocolates and colorful charts. Fortunately, they decorated it shaped like a basket which I was holding comfortably instead of that normal bouquet. I was very glad that they added some artificial flowers at least. I thanked that shop and that salesgirl.

And on the special occasion, even I made some makeover in my appearance, applying some gel and shoving my hair back before wearing a formal shirt and pant instead of some dull T-shirt. And I must say, I was looking good, and the proof was girls are staring at me on our way as we were walking. Then I got a doubt, 'Are they looking at me or the bouquet?' I am sure many might have already gotten the hint that I was trying for a girl, but thankfully, none interfered with me.

"She will. Relax. But isn't the teddy too small compared to the bouquet," he said looking at it. Even I was a bit disappointed with the teddy. In the photos it looked big, but in reality, it was half in my palm. Wonder how she would take it.

"Rohan?" I heard some girl's voice calling me as we reached our college entrance. I turned back to see a lean girl, wearing a tank top and jeans, and has a big bag slung on her shoulders. She had a shocked expression on her face as though I was some antique piece. I pondered for a moment. Did I know her or not? I don't remember seeing her anywhere.

"Rohan Sarthak?" she asked again with my full name and with the same expression.

"Yes. Do we know each other?" I asked. I don't know why but she seemed like big trouble.

"O.M.G. We finally met. I finally found you," she said as her shocked face got replaced by happiness while my confusion grew even more so did Ajay's.

"You remember Tanvi right? I am Tanvi's friend from K.V. I came here to reveal who you are to her," she dropped the bomb.

And I got doomed listening to her.

So, how's the chapter?

Finally, Sarthak is opening up, but the sudden entry of Sam has put a blocker on his way. What will he do now?

Btw how are his plans for Tanvi's birthday? His Makeover? Gift? (I will gift myself this gift on my birthday as none will give me for now)

Hope you still remember the above mentioned target. I understand it might be like a force or something but I seriously wanna get a good feeling that there are many readers who like my story. It will be a boost for me.

Hope you liked the chapter.

Please Vote, Comment and Share it with your friends too.

Thank you.

Stay Safe.