*Aman Pov*

“Come on Aman. Don’t sulk like that.” Rajeev said looking at me. I looked at my two other friends and saw that they are also asking the same thing with their eyes.

“You shouldn’t have blackmailed me Dinesh.” I said glaring at him.

“I know, I know! He shouldn’t have but now you are here right. So let’s just enjoy.” Sushant our all time calm friend said smiling.

“But I wanted to be with my family and get their wishes first at 12. Like all these years except the last year which was again your fault Dinesh.” I said closing my eyes.

“Well you should have learned your lesson last year itself that you can’t beat me in car race in play station. If you have thought about that yesterday before accepting my bet then you would have been with your family.” Dinesh said shrugging.

“Guys! This is such a waste of time discussing all these. He did that because we all celebrate our birthdays together except yours. So like last year he made you do the same this year too.” Rajeev said.

“That’s so childish.” I said rolling my eyes and at the same time it strike 12.

They pulled me near the cake and started singing “Happy birthday” in their high pitches which is very funny to hear.

I laughed and cut the cake. They took the pieces and applied those on my face instead of eating them. We took some selfies and then started the cake fight. We started dancing to the music coming from the stereo.

Sushant parents are out of the town most of the time so it is totally fine to make as much as noise we can.

I am enjoying celebrating my birthday with my best friends the same way I enjoyed last year. But I also wanted to celebrate with my family and Uncle’s family.

Well I can do that throughout the remaining day. After Deciding that I continued to dance with them with our own weird steps.

After our small party is over, I reached my home at 2am. Entering inside using my key I saw that everyone are sleeping as there is no light coming from any room.

I shook my head sighing and scolding myself to even expect them to be awake at this time when it is actually my mistake to reach here so late.

I went inside my room and switched on the light. I turned towards the window to see that the blinds are open. Looks like they wished Pia as usual.

Then I saw a small cake box on my bed along with few gifts. I smiled and immediately opened the box to see a small vanilla cake which is actually my favorite flavor.

I cut a piece and ate it. Thinking to open the gifts tomorrow I placed them beside my bed and laid down to get drifted off into sleep.

Next day when I woke up Mom, Dad and Arthi wished me coming inside my room at 7 and left immediately to start their day. I decided to get ready and stay at home the whole day.

But that plan got cancelled as in the next minute Dinesh called me and said that he needs to talk to us as there is some problem again regarding his girlfriend which is being dragged for the past one month.

I searched for my shirt but I couldn’t find it so I entered the kitchen asking Mom. There I saw Pia and Arthi. Pia wished me and gave me a gift which is beautifully wrapped.

I wished her back and ate the delicious Kheer made by her which I know why. It became common for the past four years.

Arthi asked the same question as usual and I gave the same reply. I am not going to change my answer which is good for both of us.

When Arthi said that Pia wants to become a house wife, I don’t know why but I got angry. Some girls like Dinesh girlfriend wants to become something but like her family they don’t support.

And here when she has all the support she wants to become a house wife. So I kind of stepped out of line which I know I shouldn’t have.

Leaving the kitchen I went inside my room and saw the message Pia wrote on her gift.

‘Wish you many more happy returns of the day

?? Hope you will create some more magic with the help of these – Pia’

Interesting! I thought and opened the gift to see the different shades of oil paintings. Then another thought struck me that I didn’t gave her any gift this time.

Well in emergencies I always have only one solution and I have the perfect idea to gift her. I took the small canvas and started to paint using the paints she gifted me.

When it is finished I left it to dry and went inside the washroom to get ready. After getting ready I saw that the painting too got dried. So I went downstairs and rolled it using a good gift cover.

“Mom! Where is Pia?” I asked her when I couldn’t find her.

“She left for her college. Why?” She asked looking at me.

I showed her the gift in my hand. She understood and said “We too didn’t give her the gifts which we placed in Arthi’s room. Place yours there and she will give them to Pia.”

I nodded and did the same. After that I left the home and reached our friends spot where those three are already waiting for me.

“Sorry guys! Got struck in some important work.” I said sitting beside them.

“I am seeing the paint marks on your hands. So is painting your important work?” Dinesh asked raising an eyebrow.

“I didn’t bought the gift for Pia this time. So I painted something for her in rush before coming here.” I replied.

When I saw those three started to saying something I added “No! Don’t say anything.”

“So start saying whatever you want to say Dinesh.” Sushant said saving me.

“I don’t know what to do guys. She was very sad for the past one month about her parents not wanting to let her complete her dream right. I never asked her aim thinking that it must be something totally related to studies. But today morning when I got there and talked to her parents, do you know what they said?” He asked looking at us.

“What?” I asked him curiously.

“That she actually wants to become a model which they don’t want to because of the bad news spreading around regarding that profession.” He replied holding his head.

“Wow! I didn’t expect that and I actually kind of snapped at Pia unnecessarily.” I said feeling guilty.

“About what?” Rajeev asked.

“She actually wanted to become you know house wife then I remembered your girlfriend problem. So I kind of snapped at her saying that it is very wrong thing to do.” I replied.

“You know what? You shouldn’t feel guilty about this. You should feel guilty about the main thing.” Sushant said looking serious.

“What are you trying to say?” I asked him confused.

“You know that she likes you Aman. But you don’t which you told us. Why don’t you say that to her and stop her from getting hurt?” He asked.

“Look I know I should do that but she never talked about it to me. I understood her feelings as per her behavior with me. She doesn’t even know that I know about that. If I say that I don’t like her then I am sure we both will be awkward with each other.” I replied.

“So what do you want to do?” Rajeev asked.

“She will understand it on her own by the way I am acting differently than before and also get over the crush on me very soon.” I replied and turned towards Dinesh making them stop from asking anything else.

“And as for your question Dinesh it is her dream so let her do it. I am sure her parents will accept it very soon and as for the bad news they are present in each profession. All they need is the support to fight them.” I said smiling.

“You are right.” He said understanding immediately.

We went to some old movie and had lunch in a small restaurant which is actually my favorite place. In the evening I went home thinking to spend the time with my whole family.

But then Mom said that Arthi went to Pia’s home to spend the night there. Great! So as she is not here I spent the time with my parents.

When they both left to their room to sleep, I too went inside my room. Looking at the paint bottles I carelessly threw on my bed, I remember the gift I gave to Pia.

Did she like it? Every year after checking the gifts she always tells me that she loved the gift coming near the blinds.

So I stood there to see that her blinds are closed. I was about to move away but then I saw her opening them and immediately closing them after looking at the moon for one second.

She and her love for moon always make her special to all of us. Mom even said many times that she used to stop crying when she was child whenever they showed her the moon.

The special things like these happen very rarely. I wish she forget me very soon and be happy without getting hurt.

I smiled and closed the blinds to let the sleep consume me.

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