One week before Yug's birthday.

  The golden sunlight of the afternoon peeked through the dusty windows of the school library.

  The room was all quiet— except for the faint scribbling of Yug's pen.

  He sat in a secluded corner, with the plaster still on his arm and bandages peeking out of his uniform.

  While he was copying all of Rishabh's notes, Rishabh sat on the other end— his eyes were locked on Yug's abandoned phone.

  "You make it too easy, brother."

  Rishabh stretched out, loosening his shoulder, his hands casually brushing the desk.

  His fingers slid around the phone and slipped it in his pocket like it belonged there all along.

  "I'm going to get a book. Will die of boredom if I sit any longer."

  Rishabh got up, suppressing his grin.

  "Fine. Just don't disturb me."

  Yug was so invested that he didn't look up.

  Rishabh quietly moved out of the library and opened Yug's phone in an instant.

  The password? It was set by Rishabh himself.

  "Still didn't change the password. Genius."

  He scrolled through the contacts and a name caught his attention: TARUN SINGH

  Sitting on a bench outside, Rishabh dialled it— he picked it up in an instant.

  "Hello, Tarun. Rish—"

  "Who are you? Why do you have Yug's phone?"

  "Relax. He's alive… mostly."

  "What?! Why did you kidnap my friend?"

  "Don't you know a little lion?"

  A pause. Then, Tarun's voice softened to recognition.

  "…Rishabh?"

  "Bingo! Now listen— Yug's birthday is in a week, and I need you to help me make it a big one."

  "But if we get caught—"

  "Then it's all your fault."

  Silence. Tarun just accepted his fate.

  "So…When do we begin?"

  Rishabh ended the call with a quiet chuckle, then casually slid the phone back in the library, exactly where it had been, making sure Yug wouldn’t notice a thing.

  ——————————————

  Five more days to go…

  Tarun stood across the basketball court, clutching onto a bag like it had national treasure.

  Rishabh, standing beside it, tore it open— confetti burst out, followed by a bright red banner which read 'HAPPY ANNIVERSARY'.

  Rishabh's jaw dropped.

  "Now you're planning to marry him?"

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  "I was on the phone with Yug, alright? I couldn't pay attention."

  Tarun held up both hands like he surrendered.

  "Talking to Yug? While planning his surprise?"

  Rishabh shoved the rest of the decorations in his bag, shaking his head as he walked off.

  "One day I'll strangle you with this banner."

  ——————————————

  Three more days to go…

  In the canteen, Tarun and Rishabh hunched over an old notebook.

  The pages were filled with frantic scribbles— balloon sketches, decoration ideas, crossed-out themes and question mark everywhere.

  Rishabh did all the planning, whereas Tarun devoured on the food on the table.

  "Can we have pineapple pizza in the menu."

  "No damn chance. Only you like it."

  Suddenly, Yug slid onto the seat beside him.

  "Got a spare sheet? Need to write the order."

  Before Rishabh could move, Tarun tossed the whole notebook towards Yug's hands.

  Rishabh's hands shot out— he snatched the notebook just before it touched Yug's fingers.

  "Uh… some important equations."

  Rishabh spoke too fast, then tore a page.

  "Here. These ones are safe."

  Yug's eyes narrowed at Tarun, who whistled at the ceiling like he knew nothing.

  ——————————————

  One more day to go…

  After school, Tarun leaned on the wall, chatting with Yug, while Rishabh followed him like a shadow.

  "Just wait till you see the sur—"

  "Survey!" Rishabh's voice cuts in like a whip.

  He appeared out of nowhere, resting an arm across Yug's shoulder like he was there all along.

  "A big school survey. A really boring one."

  "Yeah… I see."

  Yug smiles faintly, but his eyes said otherwise— suspicious, sharp and suddenly watching them too closely.

  "You— you'd hate it."

  Tarun laughed it off, moving out of the place with Rishabh.

  Yug was now more suspicious than ever.

  ——————————————

  In the present, the roof echoed with laughter, but none was louder and more genuine than Yug's.

  He was on the floor, holding onto his stomach, eyes tearing up as he laughed his heart out.

  On the other hand, Rishabh and Tarun stood in mute disbelief, with their eyes glaring at the cake box like it betrayed them.

  Inside it, there was pineapple pizza— steam lazily rose from the cheesy, golden crust and the pineapple rings mocking them quietly.

  The silent misery came to an end when the door of the roof creaked.

  A female figure stepped in, with a pizza box in her hands.

  Kritika Tyagi.

  She walked in with charming confidence, like she knew the scene she was stepping into.

  Tarun squinted his eyes, with confusion written all over his face.

  "Who's she?" He asked, nudging Rishabh.

  "She's from that movie— the one with action and the bad soundtrack. Everyone knows her."

  Kritika walked in, placing the box with an apologetic smile on her face.

  "There seems to be a mix-up." She began to explain gently.

  "The pizza place next to the cake shop apparently swapped orders. My pineapple pizza ended up in your cake box, and the same happened for you too."

  Tarun blinked. But then, a wide grin took over his face. His voice was filled with delight and surprise.

  "You said you like pineapple pizza!?"

  Before Kritika could answer, Tarun grabbed her hand and shook it enthusiastically, like he cracked a business deal.

  "Finally, someone who understands me!"

  Kritika laughed softly, and started to leave with 'her' pineapple pizza in hand.

  "Wait. Why don't you join us?"

  Rishabh stepped forward, his voice inviting.

  Kritika stopped, a small smirk curled up, like she wanted exactly this. She looked at the group— Yug was still chuckling at the mess, while the other two stood relieved.

  With a nod, she slowly stepped into the circle.

  The cake was brought out, with a candle buried deep in it— only the top was visible.

  Everyone gathered around with Yug at the center. Yug's smile softened as the first notes of 'Happy Birthday' filled the air.

  Yug stood frozen, shimmering with something he had never experienced— hope.

  The warm, flickering candlelight danced in his eyes, showing him that the future was a little less uncertain now.

  He looked around— Rishabh, Tarun, Kritika— all smiling and celebrating him.

  A lump rose in his throat as he let out a small, precious smile.

  He took a slow breath, steadying himself and whispered, "Thank you for everything."

  No words held the weight of that moment.

  The cake was cut, and plates were circulated.

  Chatter and laughter covered the room like a warm blanket of togetherness.

  Everything seemed perfect— just a simple and genuine birthday. Until—

  When the others had drifted away, Rishabh pulled Kritika aside, to a corner where no one really paid attention.

  He looked at her carefully, searching for signs of any expression.

  "You planned all of this, didn't you?"

  Kritika slowly revealed a sly, knowing smile.

  She didn't say yes.

  She didn't have to.

  —————————————

  For the past week, Kritika moved like a calm, composed observant.

  Her sharp and calculating eyes caught every single detail around her.

  Near the basketball court, she witnessed Rishabh and Tarun fighting over a red banner.

  Her lips switched into a partial smile.

  Later, in the corridor, she overheard Tarun saying "sur—", before Rishabh's sharp intervention cut him off.

  But the event a few days before caught her eyes.

  She saw how Rishabh saved Tarun from serving the plans on a silver platter in the canteen.

  And also— the pineapple pizza.

  She was no exception for the disgust of this— but it was the only way she could break the ice.

  Behind every action and slip-up, Kritika was weaving her own plan.

  And as she saw the pieces coming together, she executed the whole exchange-strategy.

  —————————————

  But there was someone smarter than her— Rishabh— who had exposed her in the present.

  "Yeah. Maybe I did."

  Kritika said without a flinch, folding her arms.

  "Someone had to keep an eye."

  Rishabh raised an eyebrow, curiosity and caution made a deadly combination in his head.

  "Keep an eye? On whom?"

  Kritika glanced an eye on Yug, who was still catching his breath from laughing.

  "You saw all of it, right?"

  It all made sense for Rishabh now.

  Kritika's face grew more and more serious.

  "There is more than you realise. Yug is… a monster—"

  "Don't you dare call him that. He is my friend— and I'll hold responsibility for each time he goes out of control."

  Rishabh stepped forward and closer, his voice growing louder with each step.

  "Alright, I get it. But we need to understand what this awakening really is."

  Both of them stood clueless as the clouds of unanswered questions hung heavy in the air.

  Suddenly, Tarun jumped in with a slice of pineapple pizza in his hand, walking excitedly towards Kritika.

  "Here's the last slice. Can't miss this delicacy!"

  Kritika's lips tightened, showing her dislike— but the sad part was that she couldn't show it.

  "Tarun, I have something even better."

  Kritika pulled out and envelope from her small handbag and laid it carefully in front of everyone.

  Five tickets peeked out of it— for the upcoming music festival— that promised a bright experience.

  "Tickets for a music festival in two weeks," she said in a steady voice, "One for each of us."

  She stopped for a while, then added, "There is one more… for no one."

  The eyes of the roof darted between tickets and each other. Everyone exchanged glances— but no one knew the answer.

  Until, all of a sudden, Rishabh's eyes lit up and his face had a certain grin.

  All the eyes turned towards Rishabh.

  "I know who it is…"