"They'll be here anytime soon.Stay on your toes."

"Yeah,we are."

"Where is Aabir?Why is he not here yet?"

"He'll get late.He told us to not wait for him and go with the plan."

"Hey,I got a text from Misha.They're here."

"Everyone,get ready."

"Someone switch off the lights."

"Done ."

"Okay,Everything is set.Let's wait for the birthday girl now "

In a minute,the door cracked open and two figures walked into the dark room.

"Why is this cafe so dark?Is this even open?"Simi wondered aloud."Misha,Are you sure Kabeer saw Umang here with a girl?"

"Yes."

"I think you got the wrong name.Call Zara and ask the name of that cafe again."

"There's no need , Simi.We're at the right place."

"But-"

"Happy birthday!"

Simi covered her mouth with her hands as she rapidly blinked her eyes .She was so surprise to see the decorations and her friends in front of her.She was very happy and at the same time ,she became very emotional as well.

With a broad smile on face,Umang walked towards her with a birthday cake in his hand .

"Happy birthday,baby."he wished , smiling fondly at her.

"Is all this for me?"Simi asked in disbelief.

"No,I have another girlfriend.Coincidently today is her birthday too and it's all for her."Umang teased and earned a smack on his arm from her.

"Of course,it's for you baby.Now blow the candles before it gets melt completely."He said to which Simi nodded and made a quick wish before blowing the candles.

Once it was done ,Umang handed the cake to Khusbu and pulled Simi into a comforting hug.

"Thank you for this surprise."Simi said,wrapping her arms around his waist.

It was Umang's idea of organize a surprise birthday party for his girlfriend.Aabir,Zara ,Khusbu,Misha and Kabeer helped him to organize it.

They were making preparation for this day for the last three days.It was hard for them to plan things in Simi's presence without letting her know but they somehow managed to do it.They invited their college friends and a few batchmates and of course,told them to keep this a secret from the birthday girl.

"So all of those was a lie,huh?"Simi demanded to which her friends nodded their heads while grinning.

She fixed her gaze on her boyfriend then"Do you know how upset I was when you didn't wish me the whole day?I thought you forgot my birthday.And then Zara called me and said that he saw you entering in this cafe with a girl .I thought you are cheating on me."

"Do you really think I would cheat on you?"Umang pouted.

"No." Simi shook her head ."But Misha and Zara...they almost made me believe that you've another girl in your life."

"We're so sorry ,Simi.We'd to lie to bring you here."Zara said with a apologetic smile.

"And you guys had to chose the cruelest lie for that, hadn't you?"Simi grumbled.

"It was Misha's idea."Khusbu said and Simi turned her head towards her best friend with a glare.

"What?I didn't find any better excuse to bring you here without making you suspicious about our plan."Misha defended.

"Okay.Now tell me ,did you like the surprise?"Umang asked and Simi looked at him and nodded her head.

"I loved it."Simi said, smiling from ear to ear.

"Give some credit to us,too.We also put a lot of efforts into it."Khusbu said, interrupting the couple's sweet moment.

"Thank you so much,guys."Simi said as she wiped her happy tears while laughing"I can't tell how happy I am."

"Alright,Let's cut the cake."Misha said as she handed Simi the knife.

"But Aabir isn't here yet."Zara spoke up"Should we wait for him?"She suggested in a low voice.

Since Aabir didn't come yet,Zara didn't want this celebration start without him.

"Right!Aabir isn't here."Simi asked as the realization dawned on her."Where is he?"

"Here I am "Aabir said, entering the cafe just then."Sorry I got late."he panted slightly.

He walked towards the birthday girl."Happy birthday!"he wished giving her a birthday present.

"Thanks,Aabir."Simi smiled a wide smile."Why are you so late ,by the way?"she asked.

"Ask your boyfriend."Aabir said,glaring at his friend who'd sent him to a jewelry shop at the last minute to bring a pendent that he has ordered for his girlfriend as a birthday present but forgot to pick it up .

Simi looked at Umang with raised eyesbrows who gave her a nervous smile while scratching the back of his head.

"Baby,Let's talk about this later.Everyone's present here.We should cut the cake now."Umang said,grabbing her arm and dragging her towards the table where the cake was placed.

He sighed in relief, successfully managing to divert her mind.Simi cut the cake,her friends fed her and she fed them in return.

Thus the party started and everyone started enjoying their time.

Since most of the invited people were from 'DIM' college ,Zara and Khusbu weren't familiar with them.

Being surrounded by people they weren't familiar with or those they weren't comfortable with ,put both girls in a tight spot.

Misha and Simi were aware of this fact,So they introduced Zara and Khusbu with their college friends ,so that they could get comfortable here.

Zara and Khusbu tried to engage in small talks with others but their social battery drained out in less than 30 minutes.

Because they didn't know how to start a conversation or how to keep it going on ,when they had nothing common to talk about or didn't share the same interest(talks about boys,dating and all) to discuss about.

So they found themselves a corner on a couch and settled on it.

"My social battery is completely drained."Zara scoffed.

"Yeah,I feel you.I feel the same way too."Khusbu said,heaving a deep sigh.

"Should we go back to the hostel now?"Zara asked , desperately.

"I wish we could.But it's too early to take a leave.Simi and others won't like it."Khusbu said and Zara pouted while nodding in understanding.

"Then let's just sit here for a while and recharge our energy."Zara suggested to which Khusbu nodded her head.

And then this two bestfriends engrossed themselves in the conversation about their college life, assignments to keep themselves busy .

They were chattering for half an hour when Khusbu heard her phone ringing.When she fished out her phone from her purse and saw the caller name on the screen,her face brightened up just like her mood.

"I'm getting a call from home.There's a lot of noise here.I'll go out and answer the call ."Khusbu said,getting up from the couch.

"Okay."Zara nodded."Give my regards to Uncle and Aunt."

Khusbu nodded smilingly and quickly made her way out of the cafe.

After Khusbu left,Zara was silently observing people,watching her friends spending busy time with others when she suddenly heard a familiar husky voice saying 'Hi',closer to her ear,almost in a whispered tone.

She turned her head to see Aabir ,with a dazzling smile on his face,sitting beside her.

She didn't know when he'd come and sat beside her.

Her heart beat faster and she felt her cheeks burning, knowing his face just two inches apart from hers.

Gulping down her nervousness,Zara turned her face away from him,creating a little distance between them.

A smirk played across Aabir's lips, seeing her getting affected by their proximity.

From the corner of her eyes Zara noticed a plate on his hand ,a piece of cake on it.

Everyone ate their cake ages ago.What is he still doing with the cake?

She wondered but didn't voice it out.

"I said Hi.You should say hi/hello in reply, shouldn't you?"Aabir said with a pout.

"Oh,Sorry!my bad."Zara made a fake apologetic face.

"Hi ,Aabir."She said,faking a smile."Now Bye,Aabir."she waved at him.

Aabir shook his head and laughed at her sarcastic remark.She's always been like this to him and he's getting used to it now.

Aabir's laugh only irked her more.She scoffed and turned her face away.

"For you."He said then, placing the plate on table in front of her.

"Thanks but I already had mine."She said ,flat and uninterested.

"I know.This one is mine and I saved this for you."He said and she furrowed at him.

"Why do you give me yours?"She furrowed

" I actually don't like sweets and since I know you like cake and pastries,I thought to give it to you."

She tilted her head in confusion"How do you know I like cakes and pastries?"

"Well...when we all hang out together ,you often order cake or pastries to eat.So, it's pretty easy to know it."He said as a matter of fact."Besides I am sure everyone in our group knows that you've a sweet teeth."He added with a chuckle.

"Oh."she shortly said.

"Not just that.I know your other food preferences as well such as you like  spicy foods, Pani puri with sweet chutney,prefer cold coffee over hot coffee, mostly eat chocolates that contain peanuts-"

"Okay,I get it ."She interrupted him,rolling her eyes"I didn't know you're very observant."She was surprised that he noticed all that about her.

"I am not observant of everything around me.I only observe you."He breathily said with a tone she wasn't familiar with.

Zara cleared her throat,looking away from his gaze as she tried to compose her racing heart.

"Now,eat."He said as he pushed the plate to her.

"I don't want to ."She said ,pushing the plate back to him.

"Why?"He asked.He couldn't believe she said 'No ' to cake when she has a strong liking for sweet foods.

"I've already eaten a lot of snacks and I am full now."She answered.

"Alright ."He shrugged his shoulder and leaned his back on the couch."Since you don't want to eat and I'm not eating it either,let it waste."

Zara looked at the cake and pouted.She felt as if the cake was asking her to devour it.

"What a pity!No one wants to eat this delicious piece of cake."Aabir said dramatically, enjoying every bit of this.

Zara looked at the cake again and heaved a sigh of defeat.

"Fine.I am gonna eat it."Zara took the plate "That's only because I don't like to waste food ."

She took a spoonful of cake into her mouth and moaned in delight .Her inside immediately grumbled for more.

She kept enjoying every bite of her cake while unaware of the fact that how her every reaction causing havoc in the young man's heart.

"Let me know,If you need anything else to eat or drink.I'll get it for you."He said.

"I've well functioning legs and hands.I can get what I want by myself."She said,taking the last spoonful into her mouth.

Aabir only shook his head and laughed.

On the other hand,Khusbu who just finished talking to her parents and coming back to her friend, halted on her steps when she saw Aabir with her.

Khusbu didn't want to be a third wheel between them.So ,to give them some privacy ,she changed her path and made a way towards Misha and Simi.

Just for a couple of minute has passed and Aabir already felt the awkwardness creeping between them.So he decided to break the silence.

"Enjoying the party?"He asked her.

"Hmm."Zara simply nodded,not bothering to take a look at him.

"Well...It doesn't seem so."He said "You look bored."he could see it written all over her face.

Of course she was bored but she didn't want to say it loud,so she stayed quiet.

"Umm .....I understand.You two don't know anyone here except us and we're also not able to keep you company."He said,feeling guilty.

"Ah,It's fine.It's not like we're the only friends here.They're also your friends and they deserve the attention."Zara said being considerate.

"Yeah..but-"Before Aabir could talk more , his friends called him out to join them.

"Your friends are calling you."She pointed out.

"But I want to stay here and keep you company."He said.

"No...no need ,You go and have fun with your friends."She quickly said.

"That hurts!The way you're chasing me away ,It seems you really hate my company!"His voice sounded so offended and when she glanced at him again , his sad face made her feel guilty.

She bit her lips"I don't hate your company."

"So you like my company."

"Yes...I mean No.I mean I like but not the way you think..I mean .....Uggh...You just go."She scoffed .

"Alright,I'll get going."He said as he got up from his seat.

"But...If someone disturb you, makes you uncomfortable or flirt with you,you need to tell me,okay?"He said, turning his voice into a serious tone.

She raised her brows"And what would you do then?"

"I'll make sure he never dare to look at you again."He said and Zara's face flushed with heat at his statement.

Aabir chuckled , finding her reaction cute to watch.

He gave her a smile and then headed to his friends.

"As for now,He's the one who's flirting with me."Zara muttered under her breathe.

She decided to ignore this guy for the rest of the event for her own sanity.But Aabir was persistence to make her feel his presence around her all evening.

Smiling at her everytime their eyes met,bringing her snacks and soft drink every now and then , even rescuing her from flirtious boys.
All those small gestures fluttered her heart and made her blush countless times throughout this evening.

............

Zara, Khusbu,Misha and Simi were sitting on a couch and chattering when Zara suddenly realized that she hadn't see Aabir around her for a while.

She gazed around in wonder and it wasn't hard to find him.Across the room she saw him with the campus beauty, Sam.

Anger flared in her when she saw Sam playfully hitting on his arm while talking and laughing.

What's she doing? Can't she keep her hands in control?

The scenerio was very annoying and the more she looked,her expression turned sour.

Zara could see that Sam's action causing Aabir discomfort.He was fidgeting,looking uneasy .

Why doesn't he go away from her if he's uncomfortable?

Why is he talking to her in the first place?

Zara scoffed in visible annoyance that caught her friends attention.

"What's wrong?"Khusbu asked, narrowing her eyes at her best friend who was looking mad for some unknown reason.

Misha and Simi were also staring at her in bewilderment as they didn't get what made her pissed off all of a sudden in the middle of a fun conversation.

"Nothing."Zara replied,cutly.

The three of them exchanged glances between them as they could feel that she was lying .It was clearly visible she was annoyed or frustrated by something but ....since she didn't tell them,they chose to not push her . Because knowing her nature,She won't tell them anyway even if they ask again.

They eventually went back to their conversation.

When Zara felt her friends weren't looking at her anymore,she spared a glance at that direction once again and saw them still together.

"He can talk to whoever he wants for all I care."She whispered underneath her breathe while shooting daggers at them.

If a glare could kill a person,Sam would've dead by now.

'It's good for me actually.He won't get time to pester me.'She thought to herself, smiling bitterly.

Making herself believing the same,Zara tucked away the strange feelings and forcefully engaged herself in the conversation with her friends again.

Half an hour later..

"Everyone,May I have the attention,please?"

All attention was immediately diverted towards the owner of that voice. It was Umang ,standing in the middle the room,holding a mike in his hand.Next to him was Aabir, sitting on a iron stool with a guitar.

Just like everyone,Zara furrowed her eyes as she didn't get what was these two boys upto.

"As you all know today is my girlfriend,Simi's birthday.I want to do something special on her birthday and So I requested my buddy to help me in it."Umang looked at Aabir and gave him a brotherly smile who smiled back at him.

Umang looked at his girlfriend and started again" Simi....Aabir will describe my feelings for you through his song.The voice maybe his but words and feelings are mine."He said , blowing a kiss to his girlfriend and the crowd chuckled at his actions.

Simi was flustered, finding herself in the center of attention.Her face was lighted with red blush.

Umang turned to Aabir ,then gave him a nod.Aabir showed him a thumbs up and started to strum the strings of the guitar and sang with it's melody.

The performance of Aabir finished and everyone gave him a round of applause.

Sneering whistles followed by a series of loud clap and teasing screams echoed throughout the cafe when Umang said 'I love you' to Simi before placing a soft kiss on Simi's forehead and pulling her into a tight hug.

"Now,I'll be playing another song."Aabir announced and it drew everyone's attention back to him" I personally composed this song and this song dedicated to someone special."Aabir looked at Zara's direction and her face turned red in an instant.

"All the lyrics of this song,comes from my heart.I hope it will reach to her heart too."He said and it wasn't a rocket science for his friends to understand who he meant.

Not only Aabir was looking at her right now,so are her friends.They were all smirking and Zara wanted to disappear from here at this very moment .

Fixing his gaze on Zara ,Aabir started voicing out his feelings with his soft melodious voice.

I don't know when and how started it exactly
I don't know if you came into my life or I came into yours

Till yesterday we were strangers
on the path
Today you reside in my breathe and in my eyes

When did you clouded my heart?
When you came so close to my heart?

What magic spell you put on me ?

That I want you
Only you

Zara could only feel her heart fluttering when she knew his lyrics were all directed towards her.The pure emotions and feelings he was putting on the lyrics,it made it more meaningful.

Maybe it's just a coincidence or maybe it's not

I still can't figure out

All I know is that you're the one in my heart

That I want to be with you.

Only with you

The time we spend together,

Those memories are engraved in my heart

Then even if you're far, I feel like we are close.
And I feel alive

What do I tell you about my hearts desires?

From the moment , I realized
You're the one for me

I wanna live every moment only with you
Only with you

The desire which has occupied my heart

Will the same desire occupy your heart too?

Will you look at me the way I look at you
Will your heart call my name the way my heart call yours

Even if it takes time
Just remember

You're in my heart and I will be waiting for you
oh my sweetheart

Zara was lost ,lost in his gaze which was full of love ,lost in his melodious voice,lost in the words of his song.

The loud sounds of claps and whistles reached to her eardrums and that's when Zara came out of her trance and got aware of her surroundings.She realized Aabir has finished his song and everyone cheering for him.

Aabir let go of his guitar and got off the stool but before he could got to where his love of life and his friends were ,he was surrounded by a group of curious souls who were eager to know the identity of that girl who finally captured his heart.

Zara feared Aabir would utter her name and she was gonna be doomed but she breathed in relief when he didn't disclose her name.Aabir ignored everyone's question, saying that he would tell the name of that girl when the right time come.

"Did his feelings reach to your heart?"Khusbu whispered just enough for Zara to hear.

"Huh?"Zara snapped out of her thoughts and immediately turned to her best friend who was smirking at her.

"He sang that song for you,you know.So how do you feel about it?"Khusbu asked with a teasing smile.

"I feel nothing."Zara said, nonchalant.

"Is that so?What's with this blushing face then?"

"I am not blushing."Zara denied strongly.

Khusbu chuckled"Zara,You should look your face in the mirror right now.You look like a-."

"Like a ripened tomato!"Misha jumped in the conversation , wrapping her arm around Zara's arm .

"Ow..Shut up!"Zara clicked her tongue, obviously not liking it when she being teased by her friends.

"I'm going to get something for me to eat."Zara made an excuse and quickly escaped from there .Otherwise she will be teased to death.

She could hear her friends giggling behind her back that made her shut her eyes in embarrassment.

It's all because of you,lover boy!