Chapter 18

On the day of my birthday, Mom woke me up early and wished me, "Happy birthday, Siya." I hugged her tightly thanking her. I got off the bed, walked into the bathroom, and took a shower. Mom got a purple knee-length dress for me which I put on and did light makeup. I wore sandals and looked in the mirror. I was happy that I had improved a lot in appearance, all thanks to Nia.

Mom prepared my favorite breakfast and dad got me a gift. He also gave me some money to take my friends out for lunch. I thanked them and finished my breakfast. I soon got to college and saw Vihaan waiting for me at the entrance. I was about to walk toward him when Aarav called out to me from behind. He hugged me tightly as he reached me, "Happy Birthday, little sister."

"Thanks." I smiled as I pulled away. Aarav handed me my gift and asked me to open it when I returned home.

"Fine," I said as I put it in my backpack. We walked together to the entrance where Vihaan looked at me and spoke, "You look pretty. Is something special?"

I was about to answer him when Aarav spoke, "It's her birthday today." He looked surprised as he didn't know. "Happy birthday, Siya." He wished me.

"At least you should've informed me before. I would've got a gift for her," he said to Aarav

"Sorry, I forgot it." Aarav replied.

We walked inside and found Annie. The moment she saw me, She pulled me into a bone-crushing hug, "Happy birthday, bestie!" She yelled gaining the attention of people.

She pulled away as she spun me, "You look beautiful today. It suits you." She handed me my gift and I thanked her, placing it in my bag. I informed them about our lunch plan and walked into the class.

Later, we all met at lunch hour. I searched for Vihaan as he had yet to come. I asked Aarav about him to which he replied, "He left after the class."

Where did he go? Did something happen?

We all went for lunch at the restaurant. I texted Vihaan to come directly to the restaurant after finishing his work. I asked others to order and Aarav teased me, "Do you have enough money to pay the bill?"

I glared at him, "Dad gave me extra money."

Sanjay also didn't know that it was my birthday so he apologized for not getting a gift, "I'll get a gift tomorrow."

I brushed him off, "No formalities between us."

Our food came and we started eating. I was looking at the entrance for him as I was missing him. Half an hour passed when he came and sat beside me.

"Where did you go without informing?" I asked him worriedly and others stared at us for a moment.

He told that he remembered some important work which he had to do, so he left. I nodded understanding the urgency in his voice. He was panting as he rushed. I gave him water to drink and ordered his favorite food for him.

During all this, I forgot about the others so when I looked at them, I found Aarav looking at me suspiciously. I frowned in confusion when Annie leaned and whispered in my ear, "It sounded like you care for him." I understood and got back to eating, ignoring his gaze.

Later, everyone finished the food. I paid the bill and we returned to the college. Others dispersed to their respective classes. I was about to go to mine when Vihaan stopped me by holding my hand and took me aside. He opened my palm and placed a gift in my hand.

"So, you went to get a gift for me," I asked him and he nodded, asking me to open it.

I excitedly opened it and found a pretty bracelet. It was a silver bracelet with stones embedded in it.

"It looks expensive," I said looking at him.

"Don't worry about the cost. It will look beautiful on you." He said taking it from the box and putting it on me. It was truly beautiful. I smiled and thanked him for the gift.

Vihaan asked me to go out with him in the evening to celebrate my birthday together. I nodded happily and walked toward my class. I saw Aarav standing outside the classroom looking for us. I think he noticed the bracelet on my hand and the smile on my face.

"Where were you?" he asked me as I reached him.

I lied that I went to pick up the mom's call and rushed into the class without looking back at him. I am hopeless about not covering it well. He surely has suspicions. I took my seat as Annie looked at my bracelet and asked me, "Did he gift it to you?" I nodded with a smile. "It's pretty." She said. Soon the professor walked into the class and the lecture started.

In the evening, we went to the café nearby. Vihaan brought a small cake to celebrate my birthday. We held hands as we both blew the candles on the cake, making a wish. We cut the cake and fed each other. I asked him what he wished for. "I wish for you to be always by my side and celebrate every birthday of yours together," he said and kissed my hand.

I blushed, "I wish for the same," I said squeezing his hand. We spent some time together and later, he walked me home.

After walking into the home, I found Mom in the living room. "Have you enjoyed lunch with friends?" She asked.

"Yes, mom," I replied with a smile.

After dinner, I went into my room and changed into my nightwear. Laying on my bed, I chatted with him about our plans for the next day until we got asleep.