Riddhima saw Arnav's car in the driveway. "Arnav's still here?"

"I guess he must have stayed." Riddhima could tell Armaan was hiding something based on the way he looked away instantly. She laughed as she got down. He asked, "What?" She shook her head. She was smart. She knew exactly what was going on. But, so as to not have them disappointed that their plan failed, she decided to act along - let them believe they had her fooled and surprised.

Entering, they saw Arnav and Khushi on the same couch, watching TV. That confirmed Riddhima's suspicion. There was no way Arnav and Khushi could act civilized around each other and be sitting on the same couch if something wasn't cooking.

Riddhima was in the kitchen. As she cooked, she blushed - remembering her confession. Hugging him, she had told him. "Tu mera Armaan hai." The feelings were something she couldn't deny accepting nor could she continue to ignore it.

After eating, she laid down on the couch and closed her eyes, feeling a bit relieved, and let exhaustion take over. The whole day reading his journal, then the beach, coming home and cooking and lastly, cleaning up had drained her energy. She just hoped tomorrow would be an easier day. She had roughly seven hours before she'd have to force her eyes to open again and get ready.

Ten minutes before it was to be midnight, Khushi poked Armaan. "Did she really fall asleep?" She had thought Riddhima only closed her eyes to rest them, but was still listening to the sounds of the movie. But, she didn't see Riddhima move after that.

Armaan shrugged. "I think so."

Both looked at Arnav. He was the only one who could see her face. He nodded at them. "Yup, sleeping like a baby." He confirmed, popping his 'p' in yup.

"Well, someone's gotta wake her up." Khushi replied.

Armaan grinned. "I got an idea."

Khushi eyed him, "Don't do anything to piss her off on her birthday."

"Oh please, I don't play pranks all the time. I'm not an idiot." He responded being sarcastic. Riddhima would naturally disagree for she called him an idiot all the time, but for the time being, she was asleep and he got away with claiming otherwise.

He went in the room and came back after a few minutes. Kripa silently followed. Khushi was about to question when Armaan silenced her. "Shh." Kripa had been told by Armaan about his plan. She knew what to do. She gently sat down next to sleeping Riddhima so as to not awaken her.

When there was a minute left before midnight, Kripa shook Riddhima. She didn't awake at first, but when she did open her eyes, she smiled seeing Kripa in front of her and shut them again. She thought it was a dream. "Riddhima..." Kripa called and she reopened her eyes.

A second later, she looked around to see Armaan, Arnav and Khushi there as well. Then she realized it wasn't a dream. She sat up and pulled back. As if afraid, she slowly proceeded her index finger towards Kripa to poke her. Realizing that it indeed was her, she screamed and laughed. "Kripa!"

She took her in a hug. There were cheers and laughter around as they all wished her "happy birthday."

"I can't believe you're here!" Riddhima replied with enthusiasm.

Kripa chuckled some more. "Happy birthday hun!"

"Thank you!" Riddhima hugged her again, much to Khushi's jealousy. Ofcourse, not actually jealous. Just for pretension.

"Ahem-ahem," She fake coughed.

Kripa and Riddhima laughed as they pulled apart. "Happy birthday!" Riddhima was instantly attacked by a hug from Khushi.

Riddhima would have fell back, had it not been for Armaan right behind her. "Easy there, Doll." He warned her.

"Sholly." She cutely apologized to Riddhima.

Riddhima laughed and pulled her cheeks. "Thank you so much!"

Arnav felt awkward being there, but he finally did wish her. "Happy birthday Riddhima." Riddhima smiled and stood up on her knees. Realizing how he felt, she hugged him. Pulling apart, she told him. "I am Khushi's best friend, but we're friends too, Arnav. Don't forget that."

Arnav smiled. It wasn't a fake one. They had been friends at one point. The first birthday in Australia when he had wished her and passed on Armaan's gift 'chocolates' had been a memorable one. Simply because things weren't well between him and Khushi didn't mean things had to take a turn between the two of them as well.

"I'll get the cake." Khushi excused herself with a quick mumble.

Armaan watched Riddhima laughing and a smile on her face was all that he needed. It didn't matter to him that he did not get to be the first one to wish her. It meant nothing compared to seeing her happy. At the end, in case of counting, he was the first one to give her a gift. Not only had he given her an 'advance gift' in the form of that bracelet in Goa, but Kripa's surprise was also a part of his gift. It had been his plan to fly her over.

In the time Khushi got the cake back to the living room, Kripa told Riddhima it was Armaan's plan. He'd thought of it and made it all happen. Riddhima looked at him and through her eyes, thanked him. It almost erased the tragic memories related to her birthday all those years ago. "Thank you." She mouthed to him.

As a response, he passed her a smile. Khushi came in just then. Arnav pulled up the mini table for Khushi to place the cake plate on. Her fingers slightly brushed the front of his fingers as he held the table and she had slipped the plate on it and was retreating her hand back.

"Come on, make a wish." Kripa urged Riddhima, forcing her to blink away from the silent encounter between Arnav and Khushi, and focus on the cake.

Riddhima shook her head. "I have all of you here. All of us. Together. There's nothing else I need." Ofcourse, there were little things like asking her parents to remain safe, completing her studies, becoming a doctor, etc. But for what it mattered to Riddhima, there was nothing else she wanted. The mark of her 21st birthday had been nothing short of perfection so far.

All five of them had circled around the table. When it came to blowing the candles, everyone except Arnav leaned their faces in. Seeing him confused, Riddhima explained. "Whenever it's any of our birthdays, we all blow the candles together."

"Why?" The question came out even though he hadn't intended it to.

She shrugged. "I don't know. I just remember it started with Khushi's 5th birthday. We'd gotten her a huge cake, but she couldn't blow out the candles. I remember the cute pout she'd put on and Armaan and I just couldn't stop ourselves from helping her. It became sort of like a tradition after that."

Whenever it was one of theirs birthday, it wasn't just their birthday. It was also the other two's birthday. It's how they felt. All three of them, connected.

"Go on then, before the candles start to melt." He told them.

Riddhima urged him, "You're a part of us too. Come on."

Arnav wasn't sure if he should. "Are we going to blow this or should I just start eating the cake already?" Khushi questioned, agitated.

Riddhima pleaded Arnav with his eyes. That was all it took to get Arnav to give in. Alas, the candles were blown out. Riddhima didn't meant to speak out loud, but she did. "One birthday was a curse. I hope this one fixes everything."

Silence talks passed between Armaan, Riddhima and Khushi. Armaan squeezed their hands, giving them a final convincing touch. He truly believed the time was near for everything to heal. They'd been apart for long now. The only thing that time would now have to bring was happiness. It was a challenge he'd silently made with God.

===

Since they were up past midnight, and it had taken Riddhima longer than the rest to fall asleep, thanks to her complicated insomnia, she had woken up late. Khushi had to drag her out of the bed, saying it was her birthday so she was trying to be nice but Riddhima was making it hard to be nice by being difficult and not getting up.

Eventually, she didn't have the strength. She'd yelled for Armaan, who had picked her up without a thought and dumped her in the glassed shower cubicle. Feeling the freezing water on her head, she'd gasped and her eyes had flown open.

"What the fuck, Armaan?!"

He had the nerve to give her a cheeky grin. "Happy birthday, basket."

She'd grabbed a bottle of shampoo in response and threw it at him. He caught it was ease, leaving the bathroom with it. Riddhima muttered colorful words before stepping out, drenched, and locking the door.

The whole drive to college, she had been sneezing. Neither Armaan nor Khushi gave her sympathies. Khushi had gone on to offer, "It's what you get for making us all late."

"Worst best friend ever."

"You still love me."

===

Riddhima clutched the blanket to her chest at the sudden invasion the next morning with her dearest best friend barging in, panicking. "Ridzzi? Armaa..." She trailed off seeing the scene in front of her and then the floral pathway she'd seen outside while coming in flashed back to her.

"Oh my!" She exclaimed with wide eyes and turned to face the doorway with her hands covering her eyes. "Lock the door if you're going to do... that."

Riddhima glanced at Armaan who'd woken up too and both laughed. Atleast one embarrassing moment they could give to Khushi. Armaan was proud of that. What brother wouldn't want to embarrass his sister, after all?

Riddhima answered, "No one but two of us live here." Meanwhile, she nudged Armaan and he grabbed the first piece of cloth his hand could snag - his shirt. She figured it was a safer bet than the gown she'd worn last night to entice Armaan.

Khushi scoffed in response, "My wedding today and my brother and best friend decide to have their honeymoon. How sweet of them."

Ignoring her whims, Armaan questioned pulling the blanket a bit so he could reach for his pants. "What are you freaking out over?"

"This!" She exclaimed, "What you two already seem to have done. Thanks for ditching early yesterday, by the way."

Riddhima stepped out of bed rushing with her buttons. Hearing her voice nearing, Khushi uncovered her eyes and opened them. "Your welcome, girlfriend. Now, why are you freaking out over that? You're past your issue, aren't you?"

"Well yeah, but still! It's my wedding night and I just don't feel ready. I mean, it's me! I don't know what to do!" Khushi expressed her dilemma and then quickly pointed out, "You missed a button."

Riddhima fumbled to fix it while trying to not glance at Armaan. Not that last night was embarrassing but both of them were thinking it. Neither of them knew either. She cleared her throat, dragging her eyes back to Khushi. "Uh... you know, don't worry about it. Just... flow with it."

Khushi placed her hand on her hip and answered in total judgement, "Flow with it? That's the best advice you can give? C'mon, come up with something better!"

Riddhima sighed and taking her hand, brought Khushi to the bed while instructing Armaan who was still sitting there, "Armaan, get out."

His jaw dropped, "I beg your pardon? How can you say that to me after last night?"

"Bro! Not helping," Khushi scolded him and even Riddhima glared at him to convey now was not the time for jokes.

"Ugh, alright." He muttered stand up, "Have your girl talk. I'll get us some breakfast."

Khushi informed, "None for me. I have to fast as one of the rituals, apparently."

"Sucks for you," he answered without sympathy and stopped before Riddhima to lightly graze her elbow and give her a soft good morning kiss.

She smiled back at him and once he left them be, she was able to give her undivided attention to Khushi and found her pulling the bed sheets away so she wasn't sitting on it. "What are you doing?" When she returned an obvious look, Riddhima let her be and made space for herself to sit. "Okay, tell me. Do you feel ready for tonight?"

"I guess?" At the brief answer, Riddhima waited for her to elaborate. Khushi dropped her guard, "Well, okay. This is Arnav, right? He's not going to push me out of my comfort zone and at the same time, for the longest now, none of his advances have scared me."

"That's good then. I don't understand your nervousness then."

"See, whenever we're together, he's always thinking about me. I know he always holds back and probably thinks 10 times before touching me somewhere he wouldn't have before. It's like he takes it one step at a time, you know?" Riddhima nodded and she continued, "And I do appreciate that gesture, really. It's just... I want to let him know that but I don't know how."

Riddhima questioned to confirm her understanding, "You want to do something for him?"

Khushi nodded.

Riddhima offered a soft smile to her friend and draped an arm over her shoulder for comfort, "Khushi, I understand your mind frame right now and it's good that your thinking about it but if you're not ready, then you're just not. Don't push yourself for it and Arnav will understand. Don't worry about it. The boy loves you so much. Once you're comfortable with your body, you won't have to be nervous about anything else. It comes naturally, trust me. So, tonight, just be yourself and think about the fact that after living life at its lowest for years, something wonderful is happening. Think about marrying the Arnav you love and nothing else matters, okay?"

Khushi nodded thinking she could do that. Focus on tying a sacred bond with the one she loves.

Riddhima squeezed her shoulder, "And when you're ready, you'll be having the conversation with him. You won't have to come to me in a frenzy and find the two of us naked in bed."

Khushi laughed at the reminder and ran her hands over her face, "God, I'm not going to be able to erase that image from my head."

Riddhima laughed along, "Your welcome."

"This stuff should have happened in college, you know? When we all lived together."

"Ah, it's cool. You can always come over if you want any more uncomfortable memories."

Khushi turned the conversation, "So, how was it?"

Riddhima raised a brow, "Do you really want to know these details involving your brother?"

She tried to not cringe, "Not necessarily, but you are my best friend and your first time so I suppose I'll put up with one-second-awkwardness for you."

Riddhima gave her another change to back out, "Sure-sure?"

Khushi negotiated, "On second thought, skip the intimate details."

Riddhima grinned and fell back in bed to lay down, "Amazing. Mind blowing. Romantic. In..."

Khushi laid back as well holding her head in her palm and interrupted, "Feel like describing in more than one words?"

Riddhima warned, "Then I'll start speaking like Kripa without a filter and I don't think you want that today."

Khushi considered it and didn't push Riddhima. She didn't think she could deal without a filter having heard some explicit things from their common friend, Kripa. "You're right. Let's save the rest of this conversation for after I'm married."

Riddhima chuckled sitting up. She knew her friend well. "Go keep Armaan company. I'm going to take a quick shower."

"Alright, hurry up. If I don't get back soon, Arnav might send a search party."

Riddhima gaped, "You didn't tell anyone where you were going?"

Khushi sheepishly admitted, "I was too freaked out. Didn't get the chance."

"Just text him then," Riddhima suggested while walking to Armaan's closet where a lot of her clothes had sneaked in to find a spot.

"Left my phone."

Riddhima shook her head at her carelessness, "Use mine. Just let him know before he starts thinking you ran off on your wedding day."

She rolls her eyes, "Please, why would I do that?"

Riddhima rhetorically commented, "Why wouldn't you? You're known to be crazy." Before Khushi could retort, she disappeared in the washroom. Khushi did, however, mumble incoherent curses and grabbed Riddhima's phone.

First thing she unfortunately read was Armaan's message which was already waiting. She yelled out getting off the bed and proceeding to walk out of the room, "Amy, stop sexting your girlfriend! Mom has taught you better."

Armaan grabbed the phone out of her hand with a glare, "And she's also taught you better than going through other people's phones."

Khushi snatched it back, "I wasn't going through it. I was just trying to text Arnav to let him know I'm here. Not my fault your message was already there, unread."

Armaan muttered letting her have the phone and walked back to the kitchen, "First, she barges in first thing in the morning and ruins my 'morning after' plans. Then, she makes my girlfriend kick me out of my room. Now, she yells at me for se..."

He was cut off with an apple being forced in his mouth.

Khushi scolded, "Stop cribbing. It's not a good look on you."

He glared at her and taking a bite, pulled it out. "Some considerate sister I have."

She squinted right back at him, "Well, if someone had bothered to inform me what they were doing the previous night and said morning, I wouldn't have ruined your 'plans'."

He laughed without humor, "Wow, nice. Now I have to inform my sister before having sex with my girlfriend."

Khushi shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly, "Should have thought about it before falling for my best friend."

He mocked her.

She laughed and ruffled his hair kissing his cheek in compensation, "Sorry, bro. But, get used to such interruptions. It's part of us girls' life. You boyfriends unfortunately just become a byproduct of it and have to suffer whenever we need to have a girl talk. And if you didn't know already, let me kindly remind you. We need such girl talks at any given time of the day."

"Why am I just getting familiar with this rule?"

"It's not your fault. You boys are known to be short sighted."

He gave her a grim look for offending him and his entire gender, "You're lucky its your wedding today." Then, his eyes widened. "Holy shit. You're getting married today!"

"Welcome to the program, bro. Where have you been this past month?"

He rolled his eyes and stopped moving about to prepare breakfast. Dropping all their snipping comments just for the fun of it, he pulled her in a hug. "My little sister is getting married!"

She chuckled while he smothered the life out of her, "Save some of that for later."

"Hah, as if. I'm not going to be like those cliché TV dramas with everyone bawling at bidaai."

"Right, can't have people see you crying." She teased him back and tilted her head up to his welling eyes. "Go ahead. Let them out now so they're all dry tonight."

He inhaled sharply to not get emotional and wiped his lashes away, "Nah, no crying. Why should I? You're marrying the one you love and who loves you back. Someone is going to treasure you like I have so far. You're going to live such a happy life. I have no reason to cry."

Khushi pinched his cheek, "Aww, I love you too. And hey, don't worry. No one's going to pamper me the way you do."

He chuckled and commented with a wink, "You aren't my doll for no reason, after all." Then he kissed her forehead. "Arnav is lucky to have you."

She shook her head, her heart filled up with warmth, "I'm lucky to have all of you as my family. A brother who adores me and take on the world for me. A best friend who's there for me always no matter what's going on in her life."

He added, "And a lover who accepts you for who you are, flaws and regrets, and never once judged you for anything."

"And that." Khushi did consider herself lucky to have such amazing souls in her life who've saved her at each turn and helped her heal from everything life threw at her. She hugged him once more before informing, "Alright, I'll get out of your hair. Carry on with your 'morning after'."

===

authors note:

Such a sweet update filled with these three? I was smiling the whole time I read it so I hope it brought a smile on your face as well! Happy Valentines Day! My childhood best friend's birthday comes on Valentines day and I'm in major missing mode today... Feb 14th has always been birthday first, valentines second :'( 

Anywho, what's your favt memory of this day? Something a special someone did? Or something you wish will happen in future. Vote, comment and share!