Megha's POV:

Waking up in the arms of the man whom you love beyond your own life and soul, is a blessing in disguise, maybe or maybe not! Well, it is still a beautiful blessing and of all the days, today, it really really mattered, for it is my birthday. In just two days, a lot had happened, even before we could assimilate, the next course of dramatic, unexpected event was thrown at us. I felt like a person who did not know swimming and yet was taken to the beach.  

1. Charan confessing his love.

2. Charan openly admitting it. 

3. Charan's family accepting it.

4. My parents accepting Charan. 

5. Veera and Eeshwar ji finally officiating their relationship

6. Chinmayi's life being decided without her consent.

7. Charan's mother hating me. 

8. Chinmayi's insecurities about future. 

9. Who is Deepak ?

10.  My first kiss with Charan. 

11. My first sleepover in Charan's room. 

12. And amidst all of this, my guy planning for my birthday...

It all felt bitter-sweet and yet so right. Deep down, even amidst all this, I could feel that it's going to be a " and they live happily ever after" kind of story. But before I could really even think of anything, I had to leave Charan's room before any of the grown-ups knock Charan's room. 

OMG!

What was I even thinking? 

I should have been with Chinnu! I am such a terrible friend and a daughter-in-law. No wonder aunty hates me. I cannot do my duties properly. Thinking of Chinnu, tears just pricked my eyes. 

I have to leave this room right now! For this is the right thing to do!

My head was screaming with instructions and thoughts of what would happen if at all, someone, anyone other than the new-gen Sharma's knocked the door. Also, thinking about the fact tht Chinmayi spent the entire bight alone, clouded my thinking and I was just stuck under Charan's heavy hands. 

That pig is sleeping, in such a carefree fashion, as if we are leading our lives in a perfect world. Just look at him!!!

"Charan...", I whispered. 

No response. 

"Charan!", I called him urgently. 

"Hmm..."

"Wake up, I really need to go to Chinnu's room-Before aunty comes..."

"Hmm..."

He just pulls me closer, and comfortably, tries to sleep!

How can he feel cozy at this moment, when I am worried of what's going to happen when someone knocks the door?

We have been covered by Bhai and Bhabhi, but after yesterday, we do know that everyone has their own limitations in front of Ma. I understand her anger is born out of disappointment. But already, too many people have become victim of it. At least, not today!

As he pulled me even more closer, with no vacuum space left between us and slowly, and yet very gently he breathed on my neck. The ticklish sensation somehow made me blush as he slowly rose up to kiss my neck and my hear from behind...

Woah, my heart skipped a beat! What has he done to me?

And that's the moment, when we heard the most dreaded sound!

The door knock!

Oh crap, we are so screwed!

My birthday, is seriously killing me with a string of bitter-sweet moments!

What do we do now?

I glared at Charan as he stood up and walked towards the door!
He just didn't even care to look at me, and walked with such confidence!

A man with a plan?

Dude, I am that girl, with whom you spent the night with. I deserve a glance!

What if it's ma? What if it's Badi-Ma or Choti-Ma?

What am I going to say? Will they break off our marriage?

These were the thoughts that I had , as Charan took those 6 exact steps from our bed to the door!

Our bed, seriously?

I just had no other option but to finally push myself off the bed and somehow fix my hair into a bun and trying to sit at the edge of the bed, to make it look as if I just entered the room, well that's  the best I could think of before he touches the latch of the door...

Well, to my relief, it was the three most awesome people, whom God himself had sent to save us.

Bhai, Bhabhi and Chinnu stood...

As they pushed Charan from their way, they came and sat next to me on the bed.

Bhabhi whispered, "These Sharma men- I know!", and she winked!

God, I blushed.

But that soon disappeared as my eyes met that of my best friend's. Amidst all the sorrow, borne in her heart, she still came to me to save and protect me. Guilt found its seat in my heart, as so did sadness.

Bhabhi slowly raised her hand and I saw she had a tooth brush and paste!

Oh God, this family is so awesome.

I mouthed a thank you to her, for every bit of detail is observed and taken care of...

Was me loving Charan such a selfish choice now?

I went to the washroom to brush my teeth and as I saw myself in the mirror, I could see the glow of bitter-sweetness conquering my face. Behind me, I saw another soul standing and now, this loneliness just made the happy ship drown in the ocean of guilt. Chinnu gently smiled.

"Happy Birthday Megha..."

I couldn't take it longer, I just turned around and hugged her and let the bottled emotions pour out...

Puzzled, she asked me if was okay...

I couldn't breathe through the tears...

She slowly pulled me from her arms and took the brush from my hand, and graciously squeezed the paste out of its tube and brought it near my mouth.

I chuckled through my tears and slowly took the brush and she patiently waited until I was done.

As she turned around to leave...I held her hand to stop her.

"Are you okay? I am so sorry that  I wasn't there with you Chinnu... I feel so bad... I mean, the celebrations, and Ma coming and everyone leaving..."

"Hey, are you even listening to yourself Megha? It's your birthday and you deserve the happiness that you experienced yesterday. Do not feel guilty about it. We are good, okay?"

"Chinnu, I've got your back. You know right?"

"You better do, and come on, let's leave this place before the others join us here..."

I smiled, and mouthed a thank you.

As we walked out, Charan, Bhai and Bhabhi looked at us.

Charan's eyes were glued onto me and this was making me breathless, even in this crowd...

"She's yours only Charan, stop openly gaping at her...", teased Bhabhi.

Everyone including Chinnu laughed.

"Go brush your teeth Charan, and let us plan our beautiful Megha's birthday..."

As Charan coily dragged himself away, Bhabhi smiled so brightly at me.

"Your neck Megha- Wear a necklace or a shawl..."

Oh my god! Charan, this guy is embarassing me.

Chinnu looked at my neck and spotted the red mark and shouted, "My eyes."

"You do realise that Charan is my brother and there are certain things that I'd not want to know...."

Bhabhi laughed.

I blushed harder and to make it worse, Charan came from behind, with a gleaming teethy smile.

"What's up? "

" You just proved yourself to be a Sharma, proud of you little bro", said Bhai.

"What?"

Oh, this guy does everything and now I am the one swallowed by waves of embarrassment and him, not understanding is just making it all more... Annoying!

"Get her a chain for her birthday Charan.", teased Bhabhi.

Charan just stood there still clueless.

I turned to look at him and he eye-browed a what at me.

I mouthed, " My neck.."

He just laughed and then looked at Bhabhi, "So where do I shop for one Bhabhi..."

Everyone ooooohed!

I just didn't know what to do except to stare at the floor. The blood gushing to my face might be too dangerous for people to even realise!

As he warmly put an arm around me, Veera came to the room.

"Happy birthday Megha..."

"Thank you Veera, come on in.."

"Good morning Bhai, Diya, Chinnu..."

"Hey, where is my good morning?", asked Charan, fake hurt.

"Good morning Charan!"

"Wuhooo, what's up kiddo?"

"Actually Diya, Ma was looking for you, but before you meet ma... "

"Oh, is it? I better leave now... "

"Oh wait-", Veera slightly felt conscious.

"Yeah, is everything alright?", asked Bhabhi, with concern.

"Actually, Eeshwar ji had called. The Joshi's have arranged for a pooja at their family temple, quite near to their house. Uncle and aunty has requested Chinnu, Bhai and you to join and when Radha ma told that it is Megha's birthday and requested whether Charan and Megha can join as well. They graciously agreed.

I just spoke to ma and Radha ma about it and came here. We are to get ready and leave in an hour."

There was silence...

I had like a hundred obvious and non obvious questions popping. Charan just held me a bit more closer mapping my emotions...

Veera however continued,

"Megha, Radha Ma asked you to first come down for morning prayer..."

***