Ritik's POV:

Next day,

"Let's go." Viraj said once he was done talking to Sakshi.

"Is it really necessary?" I asked causing him to glare at him.

"It is. We have exams approaching, I need proper notes." He said and forcefully took me with him. Sakshi was  going to come late that means I have to sit with Viraj, who will be so attentive to the teacher and I will have nothing to do rather than getting bored.

"Did you apologize to Kiara?" He asked. Finally he remembered!

"She didn't let me. I kept calling her, she didn't recieve and then in the end, she deleted my number." As soon as I said those words, he started laughing so hard.

"Did she? How did you felt after you saw that she deleted your number?" He asked as he continued laughing at me.

"I don't know but I really wished to apologize."

"Do you know what? Like Sakshi says, Kiara is the only girl who can crush your ego." He said and started laughing again.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Has any girl deleted your number before? I don't think so and Kiara, she deleted your number just when you were dying to talk with her."

"If you don't stop laughing, I swear I'm going to kill you now." I said and went inside the classroom.

"Hi Ri." A friend of mine greeted.

"Hey." I said and wait to sit on the extreme end of the class. I didn't thought about ego before Viraj said but now, my ego is surely hurt. How can she delete my number? What does she thinks of herself?

Viraj came and sat next to me but I was not in mood to talk with him, so I kept using my phone. Slowly the seats were getting filled however there was no sign of teacher. After sometime there was immense silence in class as if the teacher came however she was not here. I looked towards the door to see what made every silent but didn't got to see anyone so I continued using my phone, until I heard a voice.

"You are in the wrong class, miss." A classmate said.

"I'm certainly in the very right class." Kiara replied and entered inside our classroom. She looked like she was searching for someone, her eyes roamed on every bench and when they landed on me, I swear she skipped my whole row.

"Searching for me, aren't you?" Abhay, my classmate and vice-president of the Rotaract club asked as he stood on his feet.

"Indeed. Come out, I need to talk." Kiara stated. I don't know what was wrong with everyone but all were silently looking at them both.

"You are not going to ask me out, are you?" He asked and this time I heard the whole class cheered.

"Keep dreaming. I got better choices. Come fast." She said and went of the class.

"I'm hurt." Abhay said to his friends and went out of the class.

"What must be they talking?" Viraj asked.

"I don't care and if you do, go and ask her directly." I replied and went away from there as I was definitely not in mood to attend any lecture.

"Ri, wait." Viraj called but it was too late, I was out of the classroom already.

"I have a birthday party to attend today, I can't." I heard Kiara telling to Abhay.

"Ok, then even I'm not doing it." He replied.

"Ok fine. I will do it." She stated.

"Great. You are too cute." He said pulling her cheeks and then went inside the class.

"Are you not going to attend your Aunt's birthday party?" Anika asked as she was also with Kiara.

"I don't know." She replied and went away from there. Lucky enough she was not facing me or else she must have thought that I came to beg her. But is she really not going to attend mom's birthday party? No doubt I will be the happiest if she don't but I can't say the same about Mom.

"Did you came out to see what she was talking about?" Viraj asked.

"Never in million years." I replied and walked out.

"Hi angry young man, where are you going?" Sakshi asked blocking my way.

"I don't know but let's go from here." I said and took her out with me which directly forced Viraj to come out as well. We went and sat inside the canteen. I don't like the food here but because Sakshi dragged me here, I had to come.

"Did you apologize to Kiara?" She asked.

"No and you know what? I don't even want to do that now." I replied.

"Why?"

"Because she deleted his number." Viraj replied and then narrated the whole incident. He was sitting next to her whereas I was sitting in front of them and I regret doing that because now they were one team and were teasing the hell out of me.

"Someone's ego got crushed." Sakshi teased.

"Stop it. A girl like her can never crush my ego. I don't even care about her, it was my mistake to say those words and so I wished to apologize but she doesn't deserve it. Let her keep her attitude to herself and you know...." I said.

"Ritik." Sakshi called. I looked at her and then at Viraj, he was in a normal mood but once he looked something behind me, his expression changed. I immediately turned around and saw it was Kiara sitting on the table behind me and now she was looking at me as if I was the most disgust creature.

"Listen.." I tried to explain but she ignored it.

"Are you free now?" She asked as she turned to her friend, Rajveer.

"Always for you."

"Great, drop me home." She said and got up to leave.

"You are not going to pay for it, are you?" He asked and I heard Anika laughing at it.

"I wish, I never took that ride." She said loud enough for me to hear it and went away from there.

"You are an idiot, Ri. How many times will you hurt her?" Anika asked.

"I didn't mean too, I'm sorry."

"I know you didn't mean too but you did." She said and went away from there.

"What should I do now?" I asked looking at Sakshi and Viraj.

"Now I believe why you said that you both are better, far away from eachother." Sakshi replied.

"Me too." Viraj replied. Did I even ask them what they believe and what they don't?

"Team Nia from now onwards." Sakshi stated. I swear if she was not a girl, I would have probably slapped her by now!

"Chill man, I'm joking." She said with a little laugh.

"I would suggest, just go and tell her sorry for whatever you did and after that, stay away from her as much as you can." She suggested. Yeah, that's what I'm going to do now. But for telling her sorry she should talk to me but I don't think she is going too and as what I heard, it's a doubt whether she will attend mom's birthday party or not! I really hope she does, so that I can end this topic here and forever!

Few hours later,

Ruan uncle and his family was already here but still there is no sign of Abhi uncle. I know they will come but I was not sure about Kiara, I really wish she comes today.

"Ri, how are this balloons looking here?" Nia asked. I looked at her and then back at the balloons which she was sticking to the wall. She is here since afternoon and has been doing every preparation as if it's her mom's birthday and not mine. How can I not I feelings for her? Maybe I should try to think about it.

"Too good. Your choice is always so good." I complimented mentally telling myself to remind Aashika to gift her something for everything that she did today.

"Why are you looking at me like this?" Nia asked maybe because she caught me looking at her.

"I'm happy to see everything that you are doing for my mom's happiness." I replied and saw a smile formed on her lips.

"Come on, she is my aunt as well, I'm enjoying this." She said playing with the balloon in her hand. Cute.

I turned to look at the door and saw Abhi uncle's car entering inside the gate. Finally! Soon, they went out of the car and started approaching towards the gate. Kiara didn't came! I guess whatever Abhay said was more important than mom's birthday party.

Leave it, I don't care about saying sorry. Whatever happened, happened!

I got myself busy by talking with everyone however I was still not able to take out the fact that Kiara was not going to attend Mom's birthday party. Mom treats her like she treats Aashika and here this girl was not concerned about it.

"Ritik, go and home the door." Mom said. Oh, I guess I was too busy to notice it.

The moment I opened the door, I was Kiara busy typing something on her phone. She came?

This girl has mastered the art of proving me wrong.

I genuinely thought that she won't come here and even if she does she will be very late but here she was standing here, in front of me looking all happy and excited.

"Hi." I said out of sudden. She glanced at me as if I said something horrible.

"Kiara." Mom called. I turned to look at her and saw a very bright smile on her face.

"I thought you would not come." Mom stated.

"My god, how can you even think that? I would never ever miss your birthday." She said and went inside without even replying me anything.

"Happy Birthday to the prettiest and the loveliest person I know." She said and hugged mom.

"Thank you so much." Mom replied and started talking with her, whereas I went back and sat next to Aashika.

I looked back at Kiara and found her talking with everyone. Because Aashika doesn't talk with her whenever we have family gathering, Kiara keeps herself busy by either talking to our parents, chatting with friends or working in kitchen. Anyway, now that she is here, I should say sorry and end everything between us.

"When is Aananya aunty going to come?" Nia asked. She was here yesterday but now she went for shopping with her husband and has not returned yet.

"Tell Aashika to call and ask her, I will go and get ready." I said and I got up leave.

"No no, birthday girl should rest. I will go and make it." Kiara said holding mom's hand and made her sit down.

"You enjoy, I will handle everything." She said and started to move towards the kitchen, once she saw me, she again averted her gaze and walked away as if I was not there at all. Enough of insult!

I went to my room and started to get ready. All the while I battling with the thought of saying sorry or not. If I don't, I won't be able to live in peace and if I do, Kiara will show me more of her attitude. After I was done, I went downstairs and saw our families happily chatting with eachother. Nia and Aashika were in Aashika's room and Kiara was no where to be seen. That means, she is still in kitchen, perfect time for me to apologize!

I slowly went downstairs and without anyone's notice, I walked in kitchen. I don't want to embarrass myself infront of them, seeing me in kitchen with Kiara, mom will definitely start having doubts on me.

As I went inside, I saw her mixing something inside a huge bowl. She looked up at me maybe because she got aware of my presence and then again started doing whatever she was doing. I went little ahead and saw that she was making salad. Ok Ritik, this is the time. Go, say sorry and return. It's very simple.

I prepared myself and went more close to her.

"Kiara." I called however she ignored it and turned towards the fridge. She opened it, took some box out of it and then closed the fridge. Why she has to ignore me?

"Kiara, I'm talking to you." I stated and even this time she ignored me. Fine, it was my mistake, I should work hard to get forgiveness from her. Think Ritik think!

"Are you ignore me completely?" I asked and got same silence in return. I swear, I have never seen a girl with attitude as high as her!

"I'm sorry." I said as I went and stood right beside her.

Ok, so she is not going to reply me.

There was a utensil kept on the kitchen, I don't know what was inside it but it's aroma was amazing. Unable to control myself, I lifted my hand to open the lead.

"Stop." Kiara said holding my hand very tightly.

"Are you out....." She was going to say something, probably asking me if I was mad but then she looked at me and stopped immediately.

"The plate is hot, don't touch it." She said and moved my hand away from the plate and left it.

"More than me?" I asked and this time she looked at me with amusement. Now I don't even know why I said that but it just came out all of a sudden. What is wrong with me? She looked at me with raised eyebrow, shook her head and looked down at the floor. I knew she was smiling!

She shook her head again and then looked up.

"Of course, you are not even close." She replied and started doing her work again. did she made fun of me? I guess, I should stop insulting myself as she is very good when it comes to roasting!

"Can we talk?" I asked.

"No" She said and poured some pink juice in a glass.

"What is it?" I asked.

"Poison, want some?" She asked and forced a smile at me.

"Joking. Drink this and let me...."

"I'm sorry." I heard a voice say. I turned towards the door and saw that it was Kriya aunty. Oops, I don't want her think something wrong.

"Why would you even say sorry?" Kiara asked with a little laugh.

"I thought you both were talking and I disturbed." Aunty replied.

"We don't talk." Kiara murmured and went towards Aunty.

"Now that you are here, please taste this and let me know if I should add more sugar to it."

Unlike me, aunty didn't ask her anything. She drank it and suggested to add more sugar.

"Ok." Kiara replied. Aunty came and took water bottle from the fridge, she was obviously thinking what I was doing here alone, when all our family is outside.

"What are you doing here?" She finally asked.

"Came to drink water." I replied and went out with her. Now, I have to wait again!

"Kiara,your phone is ringing." I heard Sanjana aunty say and because I was coming out of the kitchen, she saw me and told me to give Kiara's phone to her. Ok, I got one more chance to say sorry.

I immediately took the mobile and went to kitchen. I looked at the caller id, it had  the name Vihaan, flashing on the screen. By Vihaan, I remembered that he is the same boy she was looking at when I was talking to Anika. Vihaan, is doing his master's and is Kiara's dance partner and her rumoured boyfriend, as what I got to know since yesterday.

"Your phone." I said handling it to her. She looked at the screen and a smile appeared on her face but before she could receive the call, it got disconnected.

"Thank you." She said to me keeping her phone aside.

"I'm sorry." I said something for which I was here.

"I'm not angry Richie. Leave it." She replied.

"Did that means you forgave me?" I asked.

"Maybe." She replied and went out as her phone rang again. What does maybe means? Anyway, I'm happy that atleast, she said that she is not angry.

I came out and saw everyone ready to cut the cake. Everyone looked so happy and pretty. Even Aananya aunty was back and my cousins Samira and Adhvit, were now talking with Kiara. As usual, Aashika and Nia were busy among themselves and Sameer was not here yet.  All the other times, he has attended mom's birthday just because it was celebrated outside our home and now that it is in our home, I don't think he will come.

"Let's cut the cake." Abhi uncle said.

"Isn't Sameer going to come?" Dad asked.

"I don't think so, we should start with our celebration." Uncle replied.

"He said, he will." Kiara replied and got a glare from both uncle and aunty.

"I think we should not wait, let's start." Uncle announced. Mom said she was willing to wait but uncle didn't allow her to do that, So the cake cutting was done.  After that, Nia and Aashika showed us all a small video they made for Mom which included her journey till now, by the end of the video, mom had tears in her eyes and dad was making more fun of her. Such a cute couple they are!

"Dad, Now, we want to hear about the first birthday you celebrated with mom. The ever so perfect surprise birthday party." Aashika demanded and I saw both Mom and Dad smiling. Even Ruan uncle, Kriya aunty and Abhi uncle were smiling.

"That was literally the best birthday I ever had." Mom said happily. Dad was not willing to tell us but Aashika didn't leave him until he narrated the whole thing.

"Dad, you were very romantic, huh." Aashika teased him. At first everyone looked at her with a shock but soon it turned into a good laughing session.

"What? I didn't say anything wrong. He was very romantic and loving boyfriend. Unlike his son, who doesn't have a girlfriend yet." She said and this time everyone started laughing at me. Stupid Aashika!

"You don't have a girlfriend?" Aananya aunty asked.

"No." I replied.

"Why? You look handsome, I thought by now you must have already got a very good, loving and caring girlfriend."

I have a good, loving and caring person in my life but she isn't my girlfriend, at least not yet!

"Shall we start eating, it's the time for dinner." I said changing the topic.

"Just like your father, even you are so good at dodging questions." She said pulling my right cheek.

"I'm smart, just like him." I said and took her with me to the dining table. Everyone got settled. I was sitting next to Nia and Aashika was sitting opposite to me, I don't know why she did that, considering the fact that she never allows anyone to sit beside me because if someone does that, she is not able to transfer her least favourite vegetables to my plate.

"Did you like the video?" Nia asked.

"Very much." I replied and saw her smile.

"Kiara, come and sit. He won't come." Sanjana aunty said. I looked towards Kiara and saw her calling some one.

"He said he will, so I know, he will come." She replied stubbornly.

"Kiu, I think you should come and start eating." Mom said.

"One last call please." She requested and kept her phone on her ear.

"Leave her, She never have dinner without her brother next to her, so she won't eat until he comes." Abhi uncle said. I looked at Aashika and saw her making a very uninterested face.

"You are done with one call of yours, now come here." Sanjana aunty stated. Kiara turned and slowly started walking towards us.

"Who do you like? Kiara or Nia?" Aananya aunty asked in a whisper.

"Why?" I asked back.

"You have been looking at them both, I'm confused."

"I guess, no one." I replied.

"Ok. I don't know about you, but both of them surely like you." She said, almost making me choke my food.

"What are you even talking about?" I asked. She smiled and was about to reply but we heard her phone ring and so she went to receive it.

"Sit down and start eating." Sanjana aunty said to Kiara.

"Hey, Kiara, will you please pass jug." Samira said.

"Sure." She said and moved towards me as the water jug was kept in front of me. Nia was sitting on the right side of me, Aunty on left followed by Samira.

She came and poured a glass of water and then handed it to Samira and was about to leave when I heard Sameer's voice.

"Am I too late?"

I knew the voice belonged to Sameer but still I was not able to believe that he actually came here. Unable to control myself, I turned to look at the door and found him standing there. I was so shocked to see him that I choked on my food again. As soon as I started coughing, I felt two hands on my back, one from right and one from left. A glass of water in front of me, followed by two questions.

"Can't you eat properly?"

"Are you okay?"

No doubt the sweet one was from Nia and the scolding one was from Kiara.

"Drink this." She said and gave me water to drink. I felt her remove her and now it was only Nia's hand on my back.

"I'm fine." I said as I felt everyone looking at me. I looked at dad, a found a very teasing smile on his face, I then looked at Aananya aunty who just ended her call and I was coming back. Even she was smiling and once our eyes met, she mouthed 'Told you'.

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