Check if you have read earlier chapter.

As promised, I've updated the chapter after 200 reads.

I am going to end this book soon. So do vote to show your appreciation and comments to show how you feel.

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Sana was famished as she hadn't eaten anything since morning. She went to the kitchen and opened the fridge door to drink some juice as she didn't feel like eating anything.

There was a cake in the fridge. "Happy Birthday Akka" was written on it. It wasn't a professionally baked cake because it was baked by her little sister. It was Sana's 33rd birthday in another 2 hours. She sat down on the floor infront of the fridge and cried.

"Where did I go wrong? 10 days back, when I called an unknown number, I realized that the person was committing suicide. I lied to him to save him from dying. I didn't know then that I will fall in love with him. I thought I will help him overcome his sorrows and make him stronger to survive in this world. But I wasn't aware that I would lose everything in this gamble. I lost my heart, my mind, my soul, my everything to that stranger. And the final nail in the coffin was when my little sister also left me alone. Was I wrong trying to save him and still trying to save him. No, I wasn't. Not after I met Sachin today. I don't want Sid to do anything like Sachin."

She cried until she fell asleep on the floor. She was woken up by the doorbell. She got up and looked at her mobile, it was 12:00a.m.

"Sid..", she ran to the door and opened it.

"Surprise!!! Happy birthday to you.. happy birthday to you.. happy birthday to dear Buguri.. happy birthday to you!"

She looked at her friends - Priyanka, Manasa, Bharat, Arjun and Kumar with a faded smile. They were holding a cake with 3 candles on it and they sung as they went inside her house one by one. She looked outside if there was anyone else. The one who she wanted to see, Sid.

Manasa: What are you looking at Sahana? We all are here.

Sana: Hmmm.. (nods)

She locked the door behind and walked inside.

Arjun: Blow the 3 candles, Buguri. 1 candle is equal to 11 because if we had to put 33 candles, the cost of candles would have been more than the cake itself.

Everyone laughs except Sana. Her face showed sad expression.

Bharat: What happened Sahana? Why are you sad? Where is Nandu and where is your boyfriend?

Manasa, Arjun, Priyanka and Kumar: (in unison, in shock) Yenu? Boyfriendaa? {What? Boyfriend?}

They all look at her. Sana starts sobbing. Manasa hugs her and soon everyone group hugs her even without knowing the reason. She cries her heart out before telling them the entire story.

Kumar: Sahana, I think you should tell him the truth. If his feelings are true, he will accept you.

Priyanka: Kumar, her concern isn't about him accepting her. She is worried if he tries to harm himself again after feeling betrayed.

Arjun: But without telling him how can she go on assuming his actions?

Priyanka: She can because he had already attempted it earlier.

Bharat: But why would he feel betrayed since Sahana had always said that she is acting? She didn't give him any hope. Her lie was to save him. He should be thankful to her for saving his life.

Manasa: Machas first thing first. The question should be where is he? He hasn't returned since morning. I hope he didn't take any extreme decision after Sahana's rude comment in the morning.

They all look at Sana whose eyes were wide open imagining her words. Her tensions doubled.

Sana: No, I need to find him.

Arjun: Sahana, don't listen to this Manasa guggu (idiot). He can't be so foolish to take such extreme step on silly thing.

Manasa: (scratches her head as everyone glares at her) Sorry!!

Sana: But I still need to find him.

Bharath: Find him? Where? Why are you so much worried for him? If he has to come he will come else stop worrying. May be he moved on after your morning's warning.

Sana: Bharath please. Don't act like my boyfriend. Remember, I came out of that zone 8 years back itself. You are married.

Bharath: Yes, I married someone because you denied to continue after your parents died. What was my fault? You wanted to make your sister's career and settle her life so you just backed off from the relationship. You took the decision alone for our relationship without asking me. Yet, I waited for 5 years but you never reciprocated. Finally, I gave to my parent's wish and got married.

Sana: Yeah, finally you too moved on Bharath and now you are married since 3 years so you should stop taunting me.

Bharath: Taunting? Sahana the fact that you are finally considering to start a relationship with someone else is hurting me. We could have been together if you had considered it earlier.

Sana: Bharath please! I had my priorities then. I didn't fall in love cautiously now. It just happened naturally. And whatever was between us was just an infatuation in the college. I can't call it love. Now that I know what exactly is love.

All the others looked at them in disbelief.

Kumar: Guys please! Your chapter is long over. Bharath, you have a wife and it's high time you stop playing your same old record. Sahana has all the rights to move on in life and we should be happy for her.

Sana and Bharath both frown and look away from each other.

Manasa: Happy? For what? She is entangled into her own web of lies. She has to come out of it to be happy.

Arjun: This isn't taking us anywhere. I think we will have to just wait. Sahana, relax and stop worrying, let him return to take any decision.

Everyone nods.

Bharath: Guess the birthday is over. I need to go home. My loving wife is waiting for me. (Sarcastically looking at Sana)

Sana: Hogappa.. madalu tolgu illinda.. {Yes, Leave.. please get lost} (She said folding her hands)

Bharat slams the door behind as he leaves. Sana grits her jaws.

Sana: God himself saved me from this monster.

Priyanka: Relax Sahana. Do you want me or Manasa to stay back with you tonight?

Sana: I am fine. I have the habit of staying alone since two years after Nandu's marriage. Sorry, I spoilt everyone's plan, mood and sleep.

Kumar playfully hits her on her head for her apology as they say bye and walk out of the door one by one.

She closes the door and looks at the cake they left. The wax had melted 75% but it was still burning. She went on to put them off when she heard a knock on the door.

She went near the door and peeped from the little door hole. It was dark outside and she couldn't see anything.

Sana: Yaaru? {Who?}

"Sana!!"

The voice gave her goosebumps and she immediately opened the door with her shakey hands without any further delay.

"Happy Birth..."

She hugged him tightly as if her life depends on that hug.

"..day.. sweetheart"

He hugged her back. She was weeping like a little child.

Sana: Where were you Sid? (Still hugging)

He picked her up while she was still hugging him and went inside the house and placed her down.

Sid: You are doing as if you are seeing me after ages Sana. I am here, with you sweetheart. Stop crying now as it's your birthday.

She left his embrace and he wiped her tears. He looked at the cake.

Sid: Happy birthday Buguri. Wow!! That's lattoo, I mean top. That's what your friends call you right? (She nods) Am I late for the celebration? Where are they?

Sana: I didn't celebrate as you were not there. They all left 5 minutes back.

Sid: I am sorry. No worries. Do you want to call them now? We can celebrate it now.

Sana: No, they stay quite far so it's not good to ask them to come now.

Sid: Hmm.. but I stay here with you. Isn't it? So let's celebrate. I'll close the door, you go and call Nandu.

He closes the door and turns to find her sobbing again.

Sid: What happened now? Why are you crying again?

Sana: Nandu went back to her home.

Sid: Okay okay. What's there to cry? Can't she go to her home? She is just your paying guest and has her family as well. (Kneels near the cake) Come here now. Blow the candles before it goes off. I am famished.

Sana goes and kneels near him. She blows the candles and he sings while clapping. She cuts a piece of the cake but takes a pause and gets up.

Sid: What happened?

Sana: One minute.

She goes to the kitchen and gets the cake baked by Nandini from the fridge. She puts it infront on the little table beside the other cake and takes a picture of the cake on her phone. She then takes a selfie of them both along with the cake.

Sid: Wow!! Is it baked by Nandini?

Sana nods as she cuts the cake and picks up the piece from it and holds it infront of his mouth to feed him. He turns it around to make her eat first and then takes the bite from it. She smiles.

Sid: That was the best cake I've ever eaten. Partly because it was baked by Nandini for her akka with love and partly because you had kissed it with your lips.

Sana was now blushing.

Sana: Where is my gift? ( Forwards her hand infront of him with a big smile)

He looked at her with a bright smile, held her hand and pulled her close. He cupped her face and kissed her lips. She was shocked at first but later reciprocated to his kiss. She was lost in the moment. He pulled back and looked at her face while still cupping her face. Her eyes glanced at him and immediately lowered due to shyness.

Sid: I love you, Sana.

Sana: I love..

She looked up into his eyes and her mouth froze as she realised that if she completes the sentence then it will make it difficult for her to say anything about the lie she had been presenting infront of him since few days. She didn't wanted the beautiful moment to end so soon and abruptly.

Sana: ..Nandu's cake but I think we should eat the other cake too afterall my friends have also put effort in buying it. (She said avoiding eye contact)

Sid: (lifted her face by pushing her jaw up) You didn't reply to my 3 letter word.

She nervously picked up the piece of cake she cut earlier and stuffed it into his mouth. She then licked the cream from her fingers.

Sana: Ummm.. this is so yum.

She cut another piece in hurry before he finished the one in his mouth.

Sana: Do you want?

She takes it towards him but he holds her hand and she drops the cake on her dress.

Sana: Oh my God! My white dress. It's chocolate. I need to wash it before it spoils.

She gets up and races towards the bathroom. She locks the door, turns on the tap and sulks.

It could have been the best day of my life but I've made it painful for myself. And now if I say the truth, it will be painful for him as well. For him, I will be dead in another 6 or 7 days. He is ready for the separation from my death but not from my betrayal. I can't make him feel betrayed.

She haphazardly cleans her cloth lost in her thoughts and washes her face before stepping out of the bathroom only to be locked into his arms from behind. He kisses her ear sending a shiver down her spine and nuzzles on her neck sensuously. Her heart was pounding very loudly against her ribcage. She gains enough courage to hold his locked hands to try and release his grip.

Sid: Sana, please don't stop me. I want to give you the love you deserve and would have ever dreamt of with your husband. You may consider me just an acting boyfriend but I consider you as my wedded wife.

Her hand freezes as she stops her attempt to release herself from his embrace. He places open mouth kisses on her neck making her moan and picks her up to the bedroom before makeing love to her. He hugs her and goes to sleep peacefully in her embrace while Sana couldn't sleep at all.

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To be continued.. ❤️❤️