"Happy 25th birthday, Jaan."

"Thank you, Kabir."

Leaning against the hood of his car, Kaashni hugged him tight, the familiar scent of Kabir's cologne engulfing her. She had never liked perfumes or colognes, or even deodorants for that matter, but his fragrance was oddly comforting.

Kabir took out a red coloured velvet box from his pocket and handed it to her. Kabir was hesitant. He was afraid Kaashni wouldn't like his choice. She had always been a choosy little brat.

"What is this?" she asked.

"Open it, idiot."

Glaring at him, Kaashni proceeded to open the box. She gasped, looking at the two plain yet beautiful platinum bands gleaming suavely against the dark velvet.

Hers was smaller and had his name engraved on it. His band had her name along with an infinity sign beside it.

Being best friends for almost thirteen years, he knew that she would like it simple.

Noticing the awe in her eyes, Kabir knew he had done well.

"This, my darling, is the replacement for that ugly makeshift ring that you're wearing," he drawled, amused.

Kaashni rolled her eyes as he removed her beloved metal ring that they had bought from the street market the day their parents had finalised their marriage. It was a silver coloured band with a cute little doughnut on the top. She had fallen in love with it at first sight.

Kabir put on the platinum ring on her finger, looking straight into her eyes. They both stood still, in a trance. When he was done, she realised that the doughnut ring had been shifted to the index finger of her other hand.

He knew the ring was special to her. He knew Kaashni loved it too much to let it go.

"You know that this isn't my birthday gift, right?" she smirked mischievously, wiggling her eyebrows as Kabir laughed.

"I know, Kaashni Rakyan. I knew you wouldn't settle for just an engagement ring. You're a certified gold digger," he snorted.

Kaashni hit him on the head, which was quite high, literally and figuratively. At 5'4 it was pretty difficult to reach his six feet stance.

Kabir was beautiful; with his flawless chiseled features and 5 o clock shadow, with his slightly crooked nose and lean muscular build, with his self obsession and tantrums and with his love and care. Kaashni could trust him with anything and everything. He knew about her dreams, and her list of comfort food when she was PMSing and, her weird obsession with knitting. Everybody thought that the two were in love, even their families.

Their folks had been close since Kaashni was eight. Fed up with the stubborn pair, they took matters in their own hands. A slight push by their parents and, Kaashni and Kabir got engaged a month back.

Kabir got hold of a folder from the backseat of the car.

"Here is your official birthday gift!" he smiled with a twinkle in his eyes. Super elated, Kaashni opened the folder and took out the papers. She squealed and hugged him again. Kabir chuckled, kissing her forehead.

"Now that you're 25, you can finally put that feather in your cap, yeah?"

"I love you, Kabir", she said unable to hold back the lone tear.

"I love you too, Kaashni. I'll do anything for you. You know that, don't you? I promised you we'll make it happen and you're just one step away now, love," he replied, wiping the tear from her rosy cheek.

He then kissed her cheek softly, tenderly.

The folder enclosed a letter from the Humboldt-Universität zu, Berlin, congratulating her for securing admission in PhD-Psychology, and two air tickets to Berlin.

Nobody but Kabir and Kaashni knew that the letter was fake.

GLOSSARY

1) Jaan: a  term of endearment, means life in Urdu/Hindi.

A/N

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