Hiding Behind Smiles

19| His Gift

Ridhhant's POV

5th October, 11:56 pm

The clock read and I stroked Naina's hair, the moment the clock hit 12 I woke her up.
"Naina! Happy birthday!!" I shouted near her ears and she jolted up and our heads hit again. "Oww! You motherfu-Ridh?"

"Happy birthday!" I said again rubbing my forehead. As realisation hit her she smiled lazily.

"Thank you.." She said in a sleepy voice and I hugged her. "Sleep," I muttered and we both slept again.

~•~•~

Naina's POV

Reaching the office we headed to work. I was working on summarizing the information of a folder till I saw two pair of feet approach me.

"Do you have an appointment?" I asked and then looking up I saw Maya and Atharva and I smiled.

"Oh Sorry Maya and Atharva," I said getting up.

"Hello Naina! Happy birthday" Atharva said with a smile and I got up to hug Maya.

"Thank you but how do you know?"

"Ridhhant called us." Maya answered. I nodded and led them in.

"Miss Naina you may leave." Ridh said and I frowned. I thought we'd be celebrating my birthday.

"Yes sir." I left the office.

-

"Ridh can we go to my place, I wanna celebrate it with my parents first." I said in the car and he nodded.

He pulled the car on break before our house and I led him in with me. I knocked three times till Maa opened it.

She gasped, "Happy birthday! We were planning on coming to Ridhhant's apartment." She said hugging me while I hugged her back. Papa walked to the door from inside and grinned seeing me. "My Sweety! Happy birthday beta (Kid, here)" he said kissing my forehead.

He turned to Ridh, "Namaste Pa-Uncle." I smiled while he said touching his feet. And doing the same with Maa we walked inside.

"So Maa Papa what gift you'd be giving me?" I asked surprised sitting between Maa and Papa. I glanced at Ridh and he was watching us with a small smile.

"Aren't we enough?" Papa said feigning hurt and I let out a laugh rolling my eyes playfully.

"Sorry Ridhhant beta, its her birthday so were too busy to ask you, what do you want to have? Tea, coffee of juice? Collect energy for the par-" Maa asked him.

"Uhmm water will work Aunty." He said quickly cutting her off and further said something under his breath and I furrowed my eyes, I glanced at Papa he had his eyes widened while Maa had a terrified face.

I'm so confused. What's happening?

She came back with water and biscuits. Could have brought tea Maa. Who serves water and biscuits. You shouldn't listen to Ridh, he doesn't eve remember putting salt to noodles.

"Why don't we go out and celebrate a bit after eating the snacks? Maa asked and Papa nodded while Ridh muttered a 'Ji Aunty' ('Ji' is a word to show respect) and my heart fluttered.

We ate snacks as Maa talked of how a student pulled prank on her in the college by putting toothpaste in Oreo cookies and Dad talked of how a six year old kid would call him 'bhaiya' at his shop and we all laughed our head off at that.

"Naina I've kept your clothes in your room go get ready. I'm going to get ready too and you come with me," Maa said pointing to Papa at the end as they walked to their room.