A 'Happy Birthday'!

At 5:00 p.m. Varun came down from his office and started waiting for 'Miss Hooligan'. He was wearing a gray shirt and black pants today. He left his coat in the office because he doesn't want to arouse suspicion by wearing an expensive suit.

At 5:05 p.m 'Miss Hooligan' arrived. She was wearing a beautiful yellow flowery knee-length dress with her white sneakers. Her waist-length hair was open and hanging down from her shoulders. She has her usual no-makeup face. Only her eyes have kajal*, and her lips glow cherry lip balm.

(kajal : carbon black ungeunt used for eyes, like surma )

Varun had never seen her clearly with her hairs open, and when today he did, he can't help but think that this troublemaker is getting more and more beautiful day by day.

Somya cheekily smiled at him and said, "Let's go!"

"Where?"

"To the cafe."

"..."

Varun didn't move, just stared at her face.

Somya saw him staring weirdly at her as if 'IDIOT' was written all over her face.

"Is there something wrong with my face?" she asked while holding her face with her hands.

"...No"

"Then why are you giving me that look? As if there is something weird with my face."

"It's not your face it's your mind which is weird. You asked me to be here because you have something important to share, and now you are taking me to the cafe," Varun said while frowning. Before he didn't think about anything else, but now when she asked him for going to a cafe, he can't help but think 'Isn't this the same scene when...No! Forget it!'

"Oh! So you are worried about me kidnapping you. Well, it's a bit complicated, and we don't have much time together, so I will explain it to you while walking."

During their 5 min walk, Varun gets to know that they were going to attend a child, Aarth's birthday. He is the child of the owner of the cafe.

"I can't do anything much for him. So I just asked all of my friends to visit this cafe. We are here today for the same," said Somya while looking at the menu.

"Here, order a little more today, please. As it will help in Aarth's treatment," she said while placing the menu in front of him. "....and of course it won't be my treat. You will be paying for yours, and I will be paying mine." with that, she gave him her signature cheeky smile.

Varun got to know from her that the 10-year-old birthday boy has a heart disorder and is going through treatment, which costs a lot. So she wants to help him a bit.

Varun didn't accept the menu. He said, "Order for me. Whatever you like."

Somya stared at his face for two seconds to check any signs of joking, but when she didn't get any, she happily accepted the work and started ordering "Bhaiya* one plate pav bhaji, one plate chowmein, one plate spicy fried momos for me. As for him, one plate Masala Dosa, One plate Veg Biryani, and...are they enough Varun?"

"Yeap."

"Alright," the waiter went away.

(Bhaiya: brother )

"Hey, do you know how to sing?"

"Why?"

"Because I need a partner in crime."

"No"

"sigh....as expected."

At the same time, the artist who was playing guitar on the stage announced that any of the customers could use the platform as they like. They can perform anything here as today is the birthday of their Little Master.

"You already knew it?" Varun asked Somya.

"It was my idea. I asked them to pull out this play as the birthday boy deserves some entertainment."

Varun didn't say anything but raised his eyes questionably. Usually, not any little place can dare to do this unless they have very enthusiastic customers. Otherwise, they will look ridiculous later when nobody would participate in their play.

Somya read his thoughts and uttered, "Don't worry, even if no one performs, I am there to save them some face." and with that, she got up and started moving towards the stage.

"Hey Mister, I wish happy birthday to your Little Master." she pretended to sound like a lady from 90s Britain.

"Thank you. Young lady, what will you be performing here?" the artist on the stage played along.

"I will be signing, and you need to play guitar while supporting me. I would like to borrow your microphone for some time."

"Ya, sure."

Somya started-

~Yes there must be some reasons

That I am finding happiness in my life

What's there in the wind

That I feel slightly intoxicated

Don't ask me what will I get

After coming in your arms

Love just by listening and imagining

Shows us heaven~

Somya was dancing along while singing. She wasn't feeling shy at all because she has confidence in her singing and dancing.

~I broke all the relationships of this world

But I won't break my promise

You are half the part of my heart's story

And I am the other half, My love

Look what has happened to me

Being lost in your memories

Don't ask me what happened

After living in your talks~

Varun thought this girl is sure brave when needed to be. He doesn't want to admit it, but he can't lie to himself that her voice was so sweet to hear and her style of dancing is quite beautiful as well.

While he was thinking, he felt someone's head leaning on his shoulder from his back. He slightly turned to see Somya was smiling cheekily while resting her head on his left shoulder and singing -

~My beloved, you must have met millions like me

But I only found you

My beloved, you're the smile on my lips

And you are the complaint as well

Look what has happened to me

By bringing you in my dreams

Don't ask me what happened

After believing in your talks~

Varun got lost in her song. Somya started picking young girls and aunties from here and there to dance with her. Soon, the whole stage was filled, with couples dancing in each other's arms. Somya dragged the ladies, and the ladies pulled their partners with them in dancing.

After that, many people volunteered by singing and dancing in many songs. Varun searched for her and found her dancing with a small boy in a corner. She was on her knees swaying in the music with her hands holding the little boy's arms.

~The heart knows

When the search is over~