Nitya sat at her desk, tapping her fingers on the smooth wooden surface, the silence of her home wrapping around her like a cold blanket. It was her birthday, but the day felt anything but celebratory. Kabir, her husband of four years, was out of town for work—again. A fashion designer with a packed schedule, Kabir often traveled for fashion shows and client meetings. But this time, his absence cut deeper. He hadn’t even called her.

Nitya glanced at her phone, half-expecting it to buzz with a message from him. But unfortunately it didn't. The last time they’d spoken was the night before he left, and even then, it was brief—too brief. She had tried to hide her disappointment, but Kabir had been preoccupied with his work. Today, though, his silence was like a weight pressing down on her.

With a sigh, Nitya got up and made her way to her studio. Her work as an interior designer had always been her escape. She loved bringing spaces to life, adding touches of warmth and creativity to places that felt empty. But today, even her work couldn’t fully distract her.

She tried to lose herself in the project at hand—rearranging the layout of a client’s living room, picking out color schemes, and sketching designs—but every so often, her mind wandered back to Kabir. They had always made time for each other, no matter how busy life got. That was what made their love marriage special. They’d fought against the odds, standing up to families who didn’t initially approve, and built a life full of laughter and understanding. But lately, it felt like something was shifting, a distance growing between them that she couldn’t ignore.

The day dragged on, the ticking of the clock on her wall an incessant reminder of how much time had passed without a single word from him. Nitya clenched her jaw, telling herself she didn’t need to depend on a birthday phone call to feel loved. Yet, deep down, the ache was real.

By late afternoon, Nitya was deep into her work, adjusting the fabrics and finishes on her mood board, when her phone rang. Her heart skipped a beat, and she grabbed it eagerly, only to see her best friend’s name flashing on the screen. She forced a smile and answered.

“Happy birthday!” her friend chimed on the other end.

“Thanks,” Nitya replied, trying to sound cheerful.

“You okay? You sound off,” her friend, Aaradhya asked.

“I’m fine. Just a little busy.” Nitya replied, not wanting to blurt out things.

“Busy on your birthday? What’s Kabir doing for you?” Aaradhya questions, a little excited.

Nitya hesitated. “He’s out of town… hasn’t even called.” She disclosed, and let out a deep breath.

There was a brief silence before Aaradhya spoke again. “That’s rough. Maybe he’s planning a surprise?”

Nitya smiled weakly at the suggestion, but the idea seemed far-fetched. Kabir was thoughtful, yes, but he wasn’t the surprise-planning type.

“Aaru, he's not like that. Tumhe pata hai na surprise dena uski fitrat mei nahi hai, usse sab kuch bata ke karna hota hai.” Nitya says, her brows furrows again thinking about Kabir.

“Nitu, jaruri thodi hai banda hamesha waise hi rahe change bhi toh ho sakta hai na!? Aur mujhe toh lagta hai Kabir kuch plan hi kar raha hoga, warna wo tumhara birthday bhool jaaye aisa ho hi nahi sakta!” Aaradhya spoke, her tone assuring.

“Wo bhoola nahi busy hoga!!” Nitya reasoned but Aaradhya stayed firm at her point, at a moment even Nitya felt it might happen. Well, why can't he plan a surprise for her? He loves her, likes to express his love whenever he gets the opportunity, so why can't he surprise a birthday plan? He surely can! But then, he's not in the town. Had he returned, the driver would have had to receive him but he was there, in his quarter. So, it's clear he's not around and no surprise is being planned.

Nitya shook her head, brushing the thought aside. After chatting with her friend for a few more minutes, she hung up, feeling even more deflated than before.

…..

The evening rolled in, casting golden hues across her apartment as the sun dipped below the horizon. Nitya stepped outside onto the balcony, the cool breeze brushing against her skin. She wrapped her arms around herself, watching the city hum below. The lights flickered on in distant buildings, the world carrying on as usual while her heart felt stuck in place.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

Startled, Nitya turned and made her way to the door, wondering who it could be at this hour. She opened it, and her breath caught in her throat.

Standing there was Kabir, holding a bouquet of her favorite flowers—white lilies and soft pink roses, a small grin playing on his lips.

“Kabir!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with disbelief.

He stepped inside, placing the bouquet in her hands and pulling her into a tight embrace. “Happy birthday, Baby.”

Tears welled in her eyes, a mix of relief, joy, and frustration. “You didn’t call,” she whispered against his chest.

Kabir pulled back slightly, cupping her face in his hands. “I know, and I’m sorry. I wanted to surprise you. I’ve been planning this all week.”

She blinked up at him, still processing. “You… what?”

He chuckled softly. “I had to make you think I forgot. I booked an earlier flight and raced here as fast as I could. I didn’t want to miss today.”

Her heart melted at his words, the disappointment of the day dissolving in an instant. “You could have at least sent a message,” she teased, though her tone was soft.

“I wanted it to be perfect,” he said, his voice low as he leaned in, brushing his lips against hers. “You’re worth the wait.”

Nitya smiled through her tears, kissing him back, her heart full once again. Kabir had a way of making up for everything with just a few words and gestures, reminding her why she fell in love with him in the first place.

“Come on,” he said, taking her hand. “I’ve got planned something, and then I want to hear all about how you spent your birthday.”

Nitya squeezed his hand, feeling lighter than she had all day. Maybe Kabir wasn’t perfect, but in moments like this, he was perfect for her.

…..

As Kabir led Nitya out of their apartment, her mind still buzzed with the joy of seeing him. He hadn’t just shown up at her doorstep; there was something more to this, and she could feel it in the way he smiled, like he was hiding a secret.

“Where are we going?” she asked, her curiosity growing.

“You’ll see,” Kabir replied, his grin widening as they walked hand-in-hand toward the car. He opened the passenger door for her with a flourish, and she chuckled, settling in.

The drive felt like a dream. Nitya stole glances at Kabir as he drove, her heart warmed by his presence after the long, lonely day. She could tell he had put thought into this—more than she had expected after a week of silence. The road felt familiar, but Nitya couldn’t place where they were heading until Kabir pulled into a secluded driveway.

“Wait, is this...?” she began, recognizing the venue as one of their favorite spots—a rooftop lounge with sweeping views of the city.

Kabir parked the car and took her hand again. “Just wait,” he said, leading her to the elevator. As they stepped out onto the rooftop, Nitya’s eyes widened.

The entire space had been transformed. Soft, warm lights twinkle from above, casting a golden glow across the intimate setting. A long table was set with candles and flowers, and familiar faces were scattered around the room—her closest friends, family members, and even a few colleagues.

“SURPRISE!” they all shouted in unison, and Nitya stood frozen, her eyes brimming with disbelief and happiness.

Kabir chuckled softly beside her. “Happy birthday, love.”

Nitya turned to him, her hand covering her mouth as the tears of joy finally spilled over. “You did all this?”

“Of course,” he said, pulling her into a gentle hug. “I couldn’t let your birthday pass by without doing something special. I know I haven’t been around much lately, but I wanted tonight to make up for that.”

Nitya laughed through her tears, hugging him back tightly. “You always know how to surprise me.”

As they walked further into the room, her friends and family surrounded her with hugs, gifts, and heartfelt wishes. Nitya felt overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, but it was Kabir’s presence—his thoughtfulness in planning this—that meant the most to her.

After a delicious dinner, Kabir stood up and tapped his glass, catching everyone’s attention.

“Everyone,” he began, smiling down at Nitya, “thank you all for coming tonight to celebrate the most important person in my life. Nitya, I may not say it enough, but you’re the heart and soul of everything I do. You make me want to be better, every day. And even though work took me away this week, I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else but here tonight—with you.”

The room erupted into applause as Kabir sat down, leaning in to kiss Nitya on the cheek. She was beaming, her heart overflowing with gratitude and love.

The night continued with laughter, music, and dancing, and Nitya couldn’t help but marvel at how Kabir had managed to pull this off without her suspecting a thing.

As the evening wound down and the guests began to leave, Kabir and Nitya stood on the edge of the rooftop, overlooking the twinkling city lights below.

“Thank you, Kabir,” Nitya said softly, leaning against his shoulder. “This has been the best birthday I could’ve asked for.”

He smiled, wrapping his arm around her waist. “Anything for you.”

And in that moment, as the night breeze whispered around them and the city shimmered below, Nitya realized just how lucky she was to have Kabir—flaws, imperfections, and all. Because in his own way, he always made her feel like she was the center of his world.

……

As the last of their guests departed and the rooftop grew quiet, Nitya and Kabir remained under the soft glow of the lights. The night had been perfect, a symbol of love and celebration that Nitya hadn’t expected, but now, as they stood alone, a different kind of warmth began to build between them.

Kabir turned to face her, his eyes holding the kind of intensity that made her heart race. He gently brushed a strand of hair away from her face, his fingers lingering on her skin.

“I have something else for you — a gift!” he whispered, his voice low and filled with meaning.

Nitya’s breath hitched as she met his gaze, feeling the magnetic pull between them. Without another word, Kabir took her hand, leading her toward the private suite he had booked for the night. As they entered, the room was bathed in soft candlelight, the bed covered in rose petals—a romantic touch that took Nitya’s breath away once more.

Kabir closed the door behind them, and the world outside seemed to disappear. He turned to her, his hands sliding gently around her waist, pulling her closer. His lips found hers in a slow, tender kiss, and Nitya melted into him, her fingers threading through his hair. The kiss deepened, their bodies pressing against each other as the tension that had been building all night finally began to fade.

He lifted her in his arms with ease, carrying her to the bed as their kisses grew more urgent. Laying her down gently, Kabir hovered over her, his lips tracing a path from her neck to her collarbone, each touch sending shivers down her spine. Nitya’s hands roamed his body, feeling the strength of his muscles beneath his shirt, and she tugged at the fabric, silently asking for more.

Kabir smiled against her skin, reading her thoughts without words. He pulled his shirt off, then helped Nitya out of her dress, their eyes never breaking contact. The air between them was electric, charged with the passion they shared. Slowly, they let go of everything else—their work, the distance that had been between them, the outside world—until it was just the two of them, wrapped in each other.

As Kabir moved over her, their bodies aligned perfectly, and Nitya let out a soft sigh, surrendering to the moment. Every touch, every kiss was filled with the love and tenderness that defined their relationship, and yet there was an urgency, a deep need to reconnect after being apart.

Their movements became more fluid, as they lost themselves in each other, the night wrapping them in its quiet intimacy. Kabir’s hands were everywhere—on her waist, her back, her thighs—bringing her closer to him with every passing moment. Nitya clung to him, her breath ragged as they moved together, soft cries echoing in the room.

When they finally reached that shared pleasure, the world seemed to fall away, leaving only the two of them, bathed in the soft glow of the candles, their hearts beating in unison. Kabir held her close, their bodies still entwined, as the afterglow of their lovemaking enveloped them like a warm embrace.

Nitya rested her head on Kabir’s chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. She felt at peace, more connected to him than she had in a long time.

“This,” she whispered, pressing a kiss to his chest, “was the best birthday gift you could’ve given me.”

Kabir smiled, his hand gently caressing her hair. “You’re the best part of my life, Nitya. I’ll always make sure you know that.”

In the quiet of the night, they held each other, their love reaffirmed in the most intimate way, knowing that no matter the distance or the time apart, they would always find their way back to each other.

The end… .