11:45 PM…At Anamika’s house…
Aditya’s car pulled into the driveway. He parked it, and both he and Ruhi stepped out. As they were heading toward Anamika’s door, they noticed another car pulling in, making them stop in their tracks—curious to know who else could be arriving at Anamika’s house at this hour.
From the car stepped out Aniket.
Ruhi looked startled and asked Aditya, “Aniket sir…?! Did you call him?”
Aditya had no idea either. “No! I didn’t call him.”
Aniket walked up to them, raising an eyebrow. “What’s with the dramatic stares? You both look like you saw a ghost. I mean—unless I am the ghost.”
Aditya asked, “Did Saaniya call you too? But don’t you have a flight at 3 AM?”
Aniket, looking a little confused, replied, “Well obviously she had to call me! How else is anything going to work without me?”
“What work? What do you mean? Saaniya told me Anamika wasn’t feeling well and asked me to come take care of her! She called you for the same reason?”
Aditya’s expressions clearly showed that he was clueless—but more than that, there was also a subtle hint of jealousy.
Because somewhere deep down, he was annoyed.
Saaniya had also called Aniket to look after Anamika?
Was that even fair?!
Well… that’s exactly what Saaniya had done.
She had given the same excuse to both of them, but Aniket had a slight idea why he was really called. After all, he was the one who had half-jokingly mentioned wanting a surprise party for his birthday. What he couldn’t understand was—why hadn’t Aditya been told anything?
Lost in thought, Aniket was pulled back to reality by Ruhi’s voice, “What are you thinking, sir?”
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He took a deep breath and replied, “Nothing. Let’s go ask that witch ourselves.”
“Witch? Who’s the witch?” Ruhi asked curiously.
Aniket glanced at Aditya, and Aditya answered with a smirk, “Saaniya. She’s his favorite witch.”
Aniket, already annoyed, snapped, “She’s a witch, yes—but definitely not my favorite. Let’s just go in.”
With that, he headed toward the gate, followed by Aditya and Ruhi.
As they walked, Aniket thought to himself, “It’s my birthday… The party is for me… Then why is he the one being surprised? Why wasn’t he told anything?
Whatever… whether he widens his eyes in shock or I do, in the end it’s the same surprise.”
Aditya rang the doorbell. No answer.
All three waited. He rang it again. Still, no sound. No one opened the door.
Aditya knocked, and suddenly, the door slowly creaked open on its own.
It was pitch dark inside. Not a sound. Not a sliver of light.
Pulling out his phone, Aditya muttered, “Where are these people?”
Aniket grabbed the phone from him and said, “Don’t think too much—just go in!”
Aditya tried to grab it back. “How are we supposed to walk in the dark?! Let me at least turn on the flashlight!”
Aniket stuffed the phone in his pocket. “What, are you scared? Coward!”
Aditya rolled his eyes and stepped in.
“I’m not scared of anything.”
Aniket grinned like a cartoon villain. He followed Aditya inside, Ruhi walking beside him.
“Ruhi… walk carefully,” Aditya said gently.
As soon as they all entered, the door shut behind them by itself. And even the faint light of the moon from outside… disappeared.
“Everyone stop,” Aditya whispered, reaching out in the darkness.
“Ruhi… hold my hand, okay? Don’t fall! Aniket… you too, be careful.”
Both Ruhi and Aniket responded at once, “Yeah yeah!”
Suddenly, someone held Aditya’s hand.
The hand was soft—gentle and warm.
Aditya thought it was Ruhi… but in truth, it wasn’t her.
At the same time, someone also held Aniket’s hand. The hand that held his was soft too—though slightly larger than the one that held Aditya’s.
Feeling the touch, Aniket thought, “Why did Ruhi grab my hand instead of Adi’s? Probably confused in the dark. No worries… I’ll roll with it.”
The hand that held Ruhi’s was firm—yet gentle. It felt masculine, but not the kind of hand that had ever done hard labor.
Ruhi smiled to herself, “Aditya sir’s hand is so big… Mine feels like a child’s hand in his.”
The three of them were led into a room—then stopped.
Aditya and Ruhi were guided a little further, while Aniket was placed right in the center.
At exactly midnight, a glowing clock lit up and began chiming.
Even in the dark, its sparkle was so bright, it looked like it came from a K-drama.
It shone brightly, making it clearly visible to Aditya, Aniket, and Ruhi.
Right on cue, a sweet flute melody began to play… followed by two voices singing the birthday song—Anamika and Rudra.
Aditya and Ruhi now realized what was going on.
A cake rolled in, candles lit, glowing like a scene straight out of Pinterest.
And carrying it… was Anamika, her face glowing with a radiant smile—not because of the candlelight, but because of how happy she was.
As the song ended—POOF! Lights came on, party poppers burst around the room.
Everyone shouted in unison: “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANIKET!!”
Aniket was smiling wide—though he also wore a slightly fake expression of surprise.
He looked around the room, beautifully decorated with flowers and balloons.
Then, his eyes landed on Saaniya, standing quietly in a corner with a flute in her hand.
She looked at him for a moment… and then looked away.
Meanwhile, Rudra was still standing next to Ruhi… unconsciously still holding her hand.
As soon as Ruhi noticed, she quickly pulled her hand away.
Rudra’s attention snapped to her.
Ruhi gave him a sharp look—just for two seconds—then turned away and stepped aside.
Seeing that, Rudra was reminded of his first meeting with Saaniya.
The expression she had in her eyes when meeting a stranger… was now exactly what he saw in Ruhi’s.
Looking into Ruhi’s eyes, Rudra thought— “Who is she…?”
To be continued...
