A/ N : The urge to just go ahead and write down that kissing scene implanted in my mind is so strong lmao, but then I keep telling myself it's slow burn, and it ain't happening yet. Also, Belated Happy Friendship Day!!

08/09/22

Dear Diary,

I had the best birthday ever!

I'm way too happy,

When you've got everything and everyone you need on your birthday, it cannot get even better!

But it did.

" Thank you so much Jugnu! This is such a thoughtful gift!"

" This isn't my gift." Jugnu shook his head.
" This is Kunwar's. My gift will arrive in three....two....one and here we go!" He pointed towards the door as someone knocked his bedroom's door.

" I'll go get it—" Abhishek moved forward but Jugnu held him back.

" No no no! It's best if Shubi himself goes and gets it."

Shubman arched a brow at him but nonetheless walked towards the door, twisted the knob and opened the door.

To his utmost delight, Sara stood there with a soft glimmer etched wide across her lips, a birthday cake in hand and Shubman was quick to take the cake and put it away and engulf her for an embrace.

Burying his face into the crook of her neck, he clung onto her.
" This HAS to be the BEST birthday gift and the BEST birthday!" He said as she chuckled.

" Also...you smell good." His voice came out muffled and she giggled, her cheeks heating up.

" Stop! Your friends are around."

Shubman groaned.
" Tum log aakhein band kar lo."

" Prince ka hukum aur hum naa maanein? Impossible! Your wish is our command Your Highness." Jugnu remarked dramatically.

" Won't you even see my gift?"

" Tum khud aagayi, isse bada gift kya ho sakta hai?"

Her cheeks heated up as she blushed furiously and tried pulling away, but in vain, for Shubman held onto her tighter.

" Stop moving." He murmured.
" I've not seen you for seven days."

" We met on 1st."

" We barely were together, given our busy schedules. And it's my birthday today, you wouldn't want to upset me today."

" Shub..."

" What? I missed you! And um...I wanted to apologise."

Unnoticed by them, everyone quietly left the room, letting them have their time together.

" For?" Sara asked, her brows furrowing.

" I...I kissed you without your consent. I regret doing that. Not the kiss! I regret not asking you for your consent!"

Sara chuckled.
" You're adorable."

" Huh?" His eyes widened at the sudden remark.

" You're adorable." She repeated and his cheeks coloured a crimson red as he blushed furiously.

" You cannot go saying things like that!"

" Oh why not? You're allowed to say things to me like that but I'm not? Unfair Mr.Gill, very unfair."

Shubman sighed fondly.
" I wish we stay like this forever. Just you and me, alone."

" I do too Shub, I do too. Alone tells me that we're indeed alone, let me call them—"

" No no no! I wanted some time with you alone, they were smart enough to understand that. You're not calling them in again."

" Shub, it's your birthday."

" And?"

" And Jugnu arranged all of this. You owe him a thank you."

Shubman sighed.
" But Sara....I don't have you like this, in my arms, on my birthday every year do I? I'm not letting go!"

" Shubman." She pulled away slightly, shooting him a stern look.

" Fine. Fine I'll call them okay?"

" Yes that'd be better."

" After a while." He mumbled, pulling her back into his arms.

" I missed you." She admitted.

" You did?" He asked happily and she hummed.

" I did! I missed you a lot!"

" How much?"

" I can't say that in words! But if I could freeze time to stay like this, I would."

" I would too." He said softly.

They stayed in each other's arms for a while, in a tranquil hush.

Until the door burst open and Jugnu, Ishan, Abhishek, Samrat, Kunwar, Agni and Seb fell right before them with Shahneel eyeing them incredulously.

" It's not our fault she pushed us!"
They began in an accord and she shook her head at them.

" All I asked was what were you trying to, by plastering yourselves to the door like a lizard and you flinched, and the door wasn't locked so you fell in."

" Guys...seriously?" Shubman sighed.

" What? You....the two of you were awfully quiet so...." Rubbing their arms they groaned as Shubman shook his head and turned towards Sara.

Much to his amusement, a soft hue of red was spread on her cheeks and he chuckled.

" You look adorable." He murmured, leaning down to meet her eyes and she blushed harder

" Shut up!" She whined, playfully whacking him.

" Pehle cake kaate? Romance baadmein karna." Abhishek asked as everyone apart from Seb and Ishan nodded.

" Shaanti se do pal ka chain bhi lene nahi dete. Kutte!"

" I'll go call Mumma and Papa wait!" Shahneel said rushing out of the room.

Keart and Lakhwinder were pleasantly surprised and delighted to see Sara there.

" When did you come?"

" A..a while ago!"

" That's excellent! I'm so glad you came! Why didn't you tell us you're coming? I'd have made arrangements beforehand!"

" It was a last minute plan Aunty. Jugnu came up with it."

" Wait....you're here for Shubi's birthday?" Lakhwinder asked in realisation as Keart smacked her forehead.

" Lo! You're realising this now? Also, Sara, are you sure about this?"

" I don't understand what you mean Aunty."

" Giving him a chance? Dating him? Dekh lo, bada mushkil hai handle karne—" she began playfully

" Mummy! Kamse kam mere birthday pe toh baksh do!" Shubman whined as everyone chuckled.

" I'm sure about it." Sara nodded with a chuckle.

" Arey par—" Shahneel began and he pulled Sara away from her.

" Chup hoja! Don't you dare try to talk her into changing her mind! I've gotten this chance with great difficulty, I'm not letting go of it!"

" If you do, I will hit you." His mother nodded.

" Don't worry, you won't get a chance to. Now let's cut the cake?"

Everyone nodded.

As soon as the cake cutting was over, Shubman kicked everyone out of his room.

" Jao jao! Mummy Papa Aapko Sona nahi hai? Jaa Shahneel tu bhi soja. Jugnu, tujhe kisi bandhi ko call karna tha na? Kunwar, you should give him company. Ishan, didn't you have to call Aditi? Abhay, I saw a missed call from Tanvi—"

Before Shubman could finish, Abhay was out of the room.

Chuckling, everyone left.

" Mai bhi jau?" Sara asked playfully and he shook his head.

" Jaane hi nahi dunga!" He said, trapping her in his arms as she giggled.

Her gaze flickered out of the window as the rain came pouring down and her eyes lit up.

" Rain!" She squealed with childlike delight.

" I want to go out!" She expressed.

" You'll fall sick love."

" Please."

" It's too harsh, I don't want you to fall sick."

" Please." She murmured softly, her eyes widening innocently and he sighed.

" Don't do that. It makes me feel bad for saying no."

" Then let me go!"

" But..."

" C'mon! Please!"

Sighing, he nodded and she rushed into the garden.

Twirling on her feet, she giggled and a wide smile spread across his lips.

Pushing the glass door open, he himself walked out.

Extending a hand towards her, he slightly bowed.
" May I have this dance Miss Tendulkar?" He asked as she giggled again.

" Of-course Mr.Gill." She murmured as she placed her hand on his.

And as they slow danced, with their eyes boring into each other's, with wide smiles spread across their cheeks, they knew this night was going to be one of the most memorable ones for them.