Birthday, Happy?

Prachi woke up, when she heard her alarm going off, it was just half past five in the morning. A small smile crept up her lips. It was her Birthday. Her first ever birthday with her whole family, first ever birthday with her father. Technically second, on her last birthday she was with her family, but she didn't knew it. And the horrible incident didn't let it stay happy, to be counted. She shuddered slightly at the memory. Nope, she is going to count this as the first with her family. She got up and walked to the balcony of her room, feeling the cold, soft breeze on her face. She smiled as rays of sunshine kissed her face. She closed her eyes letting her body and mind soak the positive aura. THIS, This was the reason why she always urged Shahana to wake up early.

'It gives a natural glow to your face' she had said to her once, trying to bribe her into waking up early.

'But My glow comes from completing my beauty sleep.' the lazy bones had countered. At which she had just shook her head and decided to leave the topic be.

Remembering the happy memory, a soft chuckle left her mouth. Happy memory. Something she was neither having, nor making, lately in her life. She still had her eyes closed, feeling the beautiful nature that was clearly visible in from her room's balcony. Remembering her moments with her mother, her father, Shahana, her Ranbir.

Prachi still had her eyes closed, reliving her and Ranbir's moments together. The various moments they had spent looking at the love for one another that was clearly visible in each other's eyes. The various moments he had been her support, various moments he had prevented her from getting hurt, physically and emotionally. The numerous moments she had felt boundlessly loved and safe in his warm embrace. His strong arms wrapped securely around her, where she had thought that the world could turn to rumble and she wouldn't even notice. His soft voice calling her name, and she felt as her name was the best word in the whole universe, only to be topped by his name.

"Prachi" she heard her name, called by a melody like voice and she fell for her own name.

"Prachi" she heard his voice again. God, she love him so much that she can really hear him. She had reached that stage in her love that she had only heard Shahana talking about, the one she watches in the romantic movies or novels that she is hooked on.

Woah! you love him to the extend that most people only wish for and some fantasize for. her heart beamed.

But it is gonna be difficult for her to live without him now. her brain said logically.

Her heart was just thinking about something tactful when she felt water droplets on her left side of her face.

Look you said about living without him and the sky is crying.... Sobbed her heart.

Rain? wasn't it just sunny? her mind mused.

She slowly opened her eyes and looked up to see the sky clear. She frowned and then looked sideways only to see the objective of her thoughts standing with a small smile.

"Hi, Good Morning" he said softly.

"Good Morning" she replied in a small voice, her voice not betraying any emotion.

"Happy...." he started in a whisper like tone.

"Huh?" she asked not hearing.

"Happy Birthday. Prachi" he finally said.

"Thanks." she answered looking down.

"May you get who your heart truly loves." he said and she looked up. Ebony met brown and the whole world disappeared. Caught by surprise by his sudden words, she just couldn't get time to pull her walls up. The questions roaming in his mind were answered by just one look at the love in her eyes. Suddenly some birds' chirruping brought them out of their love bubble. Prachi just looked down and hurriedly left to go inside her room. Ranbir just smiled to himself. I know you love me Prachi. Now more than ever.

"Shahana wake up" Prachi said standing near her sleeping figure. "Shahana" she tried again, but to no avail. She pulled the cover only to find her side of the bed completely.

'Where did she go this early?' She thought to herself and went out to search for her. She came downstairs and heard some noises from the kitchen. She went in the direction only to find Rhea there. She looked up at her.

"Good morning Rhea." Prachi said in an icy tone.

"Good morning." Rhea replied. Prachi was about to turn around and go from there when Rhea called her.

"Yes. " she acknowledge in same cold tone.

"Happy Birthday." Rhea finally said.

"Thanks, Happy Birthday to you too" Prachi replied.

Their exchange was not quite friendly though. If some stranger would have listened to them, they would have thought that they were two first graders forced to converse, instead of two twins.

They made their way towards the living room and as soon they entered they almost shouted in fear as they heard everyone scream together. 

It took them a moment to understand that they had screamed 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' then another to take in the Decoration and then one more moment to reply with a 'Thank You'. Rhea immediately jumped and hugged everyone while Prachi stood at the side, smiling and side-hugging Shahana.

"This is a really amazing surprise." Rhea exclaimed.

"My Fuggi planed it. Of course it's gonna be amazing." Abhi smiled wide.

"But guess Prachi didn't liked it, as she is standing still." Aryan said as he moved forward and wished her while giving hug, and wishing her.

"It's nothing like that. Just because I'm not jumping up and down doesn't mean I don't like it." She said and hugged Abhigya and then returned to her place beside Shahana, and smiled.

"Well we have another surprise, especially for you. And I can bet you too will be jumping up and down as well as running around too." Pragya said with a large smile.

Prachi was about to ask about the another surprise when Rhea asked "How come she gets two surprises while I get only one."

Pragya was about to reply when Prachi said "Yeah give that surprise to her. It's nice to see her reaction."

"Arey! She don't even know---" Abhi tried to explain but was cut off by a loud startled scream.

Prachi was looking at his father, as he explained how this surprise was just for her, when she felt two strong arms around her waist and her feet left the floor. She heard a startled scream and it took her a moment to register that she herself was screaming. She could feel the chest of the person rumbling with laughter as he was spinning her around with himself. Making them both rotate rapidly. She could hear some of her family members laughing while some chuckling on them. It was when he said 'Pikachu' loudly, that he recognized the voice, the word and the person associated with both.

"Aarav?" She asked, Only for the person to laugh more. "Aarav put me down." She said trying to stop him. But he was too strong for her to even slow down. "Aarav put me down this instant." She threatened. And smiled when her feet met the ground. Her feet swayed due to the loss of equilibrium, and she felt Aarav holding her by putting one arm around her shoulders to steady her. She finally looked up to see that she indeed had guessed right. He was none other than her childhood best friend a.k.a. her only male friend she had before coming to Delhi. He looked absolutely same as she had last seen him. Nothing had changed except for the extra one or two inches he had grown tall. Making her tiny figure to only reach a little over his shoulder.

"Hii!" she said hugging him excitedly and he reciprocated the hug. Picking her up. 

"Do you want to grow as tall as Qutub Minar? Slow those growth hormones down." she commented, pulling back as she had now regained her equilibrium.

"Yeah! I'm delighted to meet you too. Happy Birthday." he said sarcastically. Earning a few chuckles. She looked at her parents and said a 'Thank you' with a large smile. 

"How jumpy can you be Prachi? He just picked you up and you were screaming as if you were engulfed by boiling lava." teased Shahana, happy to see her smiling. "I felt as if my eardrums will burst any moment. It is humanly impossible to scream any loud-- AAAAARRRGGH" A similar scream left her own mouth as what happened to Prachi was repeat telecasted with her own.

After she was put down, she turned back to look who was bold enough to scare her.

"Piyush! You, here? How did you come?" she asked shocked. "I was invited by Sweetheart. I came to know that Aarav Bhai is coming so I just tagged along. By the way, Sweetheart, Somebody better call God, because he is missing an angel." He replied and went to her other side, towards Pragya to give her a hug.

"Why did you invited him Maasi." Shahana pouted.

"Because they need a break," Aarav explained. "And I am the only one in this whole wide world who can effectively shut you up." Piyush said while putting his elbow on Shahana's shoulder.

"Arey, Will someone tell us who they are?" asked Vikram.

"I'll introduce." started Prachi. "Everyone this is Aarav Sharma. My childhood best friend. And that is Piyush, Aarav's brother. We grew up together. A year before when we moved to Delhi two years ago Aarav went to UK for higher studies while Piyush got admission in Mumbai college. And here they are now, I don't know how? They are also Shahana's-" "best friends as well." interrupted Piyush, and shot a glance at Aarav. 

"And as per your question. I completed my degree two weeks ago. Returned India A week ago. I was with beeji this last week and Pragya aunty invited us so here we are." Aarav said with a smile. 

"Oh! Umm Aarav, Piyush. These are Mr. Abhishek Mehra my father, Rhea- the other twin, Aaliya buji, Purab Chucks, Aaryan- their son, my cousin brother, Mitali taiji Dasi, Dida, Pallavi aunty, Vikram uncle, and Ranbir-" "MY fiance" interrupted Rhea.

"Oh!"  said Aarav with raised eyebrows.

"Prachi, Rhea why don't you two go and freshen up?" Pragya said with a sweet smile.

"Maa--" Prachi started only for the predicted to happen, "Mom did you made cupcakes for me?" Rhea asked with a wide grin. "Yes I did. You go freshen up then I'll give 'em to you."Pragya replied softly. "No I've already brushed my teeth and I want them now." She said trying to get the attention back that had been turned to Prachi by new guests' arrival. Pragya smiled softly and asked Rhea to come with her.

At this Shahana rolled her eyes and Aryan shook his head slightly, but what can they do? Well they can't do anything but the newly arrived, who hasn't missed the small interaction or the foul cheating that had been done in front of everyone, had something else in his mind.

"Pragya aunty," Aarav called her leaving figure. Pragya turned around and looked at him. 

"Pika you were going to say something before Rhea interrupted, what was it?" He asked looking at Prachi who had her eyes wide open. Everyone were looking at her. She blinked twice before saying "I.. I was just asking maa if we are having the Puja, that we have every year on our birthday, this year too?" 

"No, not today. I asked Panditji but he said there is no suitable auspicious time today. But we are having it the day after tomorrow." Pragya replied smiling brightly. And prachi too smiled at this. 

"Pika, here you go." Aarav said, giving her a gift bag. 

"We aren't giving the gifts yet, they'll be given at the party tonight." said Ranbir, trying to keep calm.

"I Know." replied Aarav with a calm voice. "This isn't the birthday gift. It's the punishment."

"Punishment?" everyone Mused. "Punishment for what?" Ranbir said coldly.

"Punishment?" Prachi asked with a frown. Completely unaware that her every move with Aarav was acting as fuel to the fire of jealousy burning within Ranbir. His face was set in stone cold expression and his jaw clenched every time Aarav touched Prachi. His hands clutched in fists. Didn't she told him that she never had a guy friend? Now look at him how he is getting touchy with her, and she isn't even minding. And that Piyush guy was a clear flirt. The same type she utterly used to hate. But didn't seem to mind now.

"Yes Punishment, You found your father without even looking for him. I won the bet." Aarav said with a naughty smile. "And hence you will have to wear my chosen dress for your b'day party."

Prachi just huffed and went towards the staircase to go to her room when Piyush called her. 

"I didn't even got the chance to wish you." He said and went towards her to give her a hug and a box "I know that the gifts will be given in the evening but I'm giving you in advance." 

Prachi smiled softly at her friends and began going up stares when Aarav called her. She half turned to look at him and he just said, "Light green." She looked confused at first but then a knowing look spread across her face and she nodded once before hurriedly leaving followed by Shahana and Rhea.

What light green. How can he speak in code words with my Prachi? And she also understood. whispered Ranbir only to be heard by a sullen Aryan.

"After making sure that Prachi was gone Pragya gathered everyone's attention by saying "I have to truly introduce you all to Aarav. He is not just a friend of Prachi." she said igniting curiocity in everyone.

A/N :- Hey sweethearts. How are ya'll doing. So here is the new chapter and as Promised it is full of drama. Pranbir romance (well kind of) and jealous Ranbir both in same chapter. If you liked the chapter please make sure to vote and comment. You lot's inline comments are always fun to read. Feel free to point out any mistake you come throug in the chapter.

I am sure by now you must've seen the new Kkb promo and my heart broke by the condition in which Abhi is. But OMbG Prachi is married.

# Who do you think she is married to?

I also need your help in deciding who to choose to play Aarav and Piyush. I personally want to say that yesterday I was watching Yeh hai Chahatein and I really liked the guy that play Armaan. I googled and found him to be Altamash Faraz  and I wanted to cast him as Aarav. But I wanted to know who you want to play the new characters. So please comment down on 

# Who do want to see as #Aarav ?

# Who do you want to see as #Piyush ?

I will post the pictures in next chapter as I want everyone to be on same page.

Lots of Love,

Simran