| 𝔉𝔢𝔞𝔱𝔲𝔯𝔢𝔡 x 2 |
Book 1 in the FORTRESS series
Spirits. Ghosts. Apparitions.
Rudra Sharma doesn't believe in any of it.
He has always been a Science buff. Majoring in Physics, hoping to become an IAS officer one day and solve the practical p...
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"Happy birthday!"
The numerous screeches and screams fell on his ears along with the raucous popping of a confetti popper. A chuckle escaped his throat when he saw his favorite people crowding the dining table of his home. Nidhi had effectively kept him out until midnight, asking to be taken to CP for a milkshake and burger while giving their parents and his friends ample time to decorate the home and prepare for the party. Of course, he comprehended the common ruse. It was the same every year. Nidhi vehemently and obstinately demanding a milkshake and a burger. Avinash coaxing him into taking the girl out for the evening. Shweta fussing over him because of how lean he had gotten over the past year and how he should savor fast food once in a while. And bam! He would enter the house when the clock struck twelve, and a flurry of wishes would encompass him.
The only difference this year was the neighbor girl's presence that elated him instead of putting him off, and he again thanked his stars that he befriended her instead of deftly evading her.
Much to his amusement, Rishabh was present at the get-together too, wishing him a great year ahead, grinning ear to ear, and behaving as courteously as he had in Bhangarh. Ranvir, Ayush, and Aman scooped him into a bear hug, crushing him and wishing him by shouting in his ears. Surbhi was the next one to greet him with an affectionate embrace, but Rudra's face fell when he turned to his side. He was half hoping to see Siya with her vibrant smile intact on her face.
It took him a couple of moments to overcome the sudden bout of reverie and melancholy before he accepted the blessings of his family and Ishita's parents. Nidhi tugged at his hair and stuck her tongue out at him instead of formally wishing while another surprise for him was the presence of Sudha amongst the partygoers.
A wise smile was etched on her features. She caressed his hair. "Happy birthday, Rudra."
A jumbled morass of questions crammed his brain upon catching sight of her, but he pushed those to the back of his mind. Beaming nonetheless, he said, "Thanks! And thanks for coming."
"Your Mom invited me." She cast a glance at the discomfited Shweta behind her. "I couldn't decline the lucrative offer."
He went ahead to embrace Shweta. "Thanks a lot, Mom," he whispered in her ears. "You are the best."
She chuckled and patted his back. "I know that. I am a super Mom."
***
After the cake was cut and dinner was served, Shweta went around to attend to her guests in the most meticulous way possible. She insisted that Sudha take another helping of the paneer kebab that Rishika had brought to the party while feeding Ranvir the birthday cake with her hands.
Rudra found himself standing next to his biological mother as he sipped from his can of coke and observed the chaos around him.
"Mrs. Sharma is a wonderful host, and Mrs. Verma's cooking is to die for," Sudha said, eyeing Rishika with a lot of curiosity.
