Night of 25TH

CHAP 54: Whispers Between Lines

Past:

Shubman

The evening descended rapidly, and by 8 o'clock, Ishan and I had completed the room's festive transformation. We had extended invitations to the entire team, and the resonant chime of the bell announced the arrival of everyone.

Glancing downward, I spotted Sammy, cradling a sizable Doraemon cake with assistance from Ritika Bhabhi. Eagerly, I beckoned everyone inside. With enthusiasm in their eyes, the team members entered, ready to celebrate the birthday of the youngest member of the team.

The bell chimed once more, and as I opened the door, there stood Chucky, showcasing her charming dimples. Oh, my dimple darling! I pulled her inside, and her eyes widened with happiness as everyone shouted 'Happy birthday,' with little Sammy running to hug her leg.

"Happy birthday, Anya!" Sammy chirped, displaying her bunny teeth. Anya, slipping into her aunt mode, scooped her up in her arms and showered her with kisses. "Oh, thank you, Sammy."

"Come on now, let's go cut the cake," I urged, playfully pushing her into the room.

As she laid eyes on the cake, a laugh bubbled out of her. "Whose idea was it?" she inquired, and all fingers pointed at me. I straightened my collar, pretending to bask in the glory of my mischievous plan.

Kneeling before the cake, she closed her eyes, making a wish before blowing out the candles. As the cake-feeding concluded, a mischievous glint sparked in our eyes. Swiftly, Ishan secured her arms, prompting a protest. "No, guys, please spare me from the facial," she pleaded, but our mischief knew no bounds.

Ignoring her pleas, we approached, holding the cake in hand. In a last-ditch effort to save herself, she declared, "Guys, I won't be able to see without glasses, please."

"Don't worry; a friend in need is a friend indeed," Virat bhai chimed in, singing as he removed her glasses. Laughter filled the room as we smashed the cake on her face, and she whined, adding to the jovial chaos.

It didn't take long for the tables to turn. Just four days later, there I stood in the same room, my hand held by Ishan, and my feet restrained by Shahneel. Sanket, Rahil, and Chucky took charge, enthusiastically rubbing cake all over my face, leaving me gasping for breath in the sugary onslaught. They seemed determined to make every second count, not giving me a moment's reprieve.

Finally released from their grip, I wasted no time in turning the tables. I grabbed Chucky, rubbing my cake-covered cheeks against hers, leaving her in a state of disbelief.

"Noooooo! Why would you do that?" she pouted angrily, cake remnants still adorning her face.

"Well, that's for aggressively applying cake on my face," I retorted, reaching for tissues to wipe away the sweet revenge smeared on my face.

On a serene night, as the moon cast its gentle glow upon the world, I found myself on the terrace with Chucky, basking in the tranquillity that surrounded us. The air was crisp, and the silence enveloped us like a comforting blanket. We had chosen this moment of quietude, a stolen escape from the hustle and bustle of life, to exchange our birthday gifts.

My parents had gifted me a sophisticated watch, while Shahneel, Sanket, and Rahil had surprised me with a pair of coveted Jordans. Ishan gave me a fancy set of perfumes. He said his being in my life was like a gift from above, so he thought he shouldn't get me anything. But, being the good friend he is, he still went ahead and gave me the perfumes.

Seated beside Chucky under the vast canvas of the night sky, I felt a sense of gratitude for the people who adorned my life. We had chosen this solitary moment, with everyone else asleep, to revel in the exchange of gifts and to cherish the intimacy we shared before the world stirred awake.

As I handed Chucky her birthday present, her eyes lit up with a childlike gleam. In my hands, I held a collection of novels, carefully selected to match her passion for reading. Her excitement was palpable as she hugged the books close, reminiscent of a child embracing a beloved stuffed toy.

"I've noticed how engrossed you get in these novels, especially during our flights," I remarked with a grin, placing an additional set of twelve books on her lap. "Consider it insurance against boredom and a safeguard against annoying me during those long journeys."

Her laughter echoed in the quiet night as she embraced me tightly, causing me to topple backwards. Her genuine joy was the greatest reward, and I couldn't help but join in her infectious laughter.

"This is the best gift, boy! I love it," she exclaimed, already immersing herself in the aroma of new pages, signalling the beginning of countless adventures within the world of literature.

"It's not very expensive, but here's my gift," Chucky declared, presenting a diary with her nickname boldly inscribed in shiny letters.

"I know we share everything, but sometimes there are things we can't express even to our closest friends. So, whenever you feel like that, jot it down in here," she explained, handing the diary to me.

Touched by Chucky's thoughtful gesture, I accepted the diary with gratitude. The cover, adorned with her name in gleaming letters, hinted at the personal touch she had added to the gift. It was a simple yet profound token of our friendship.

"Thanks, Chucky. This means a lot," I expressed, flipping through the crisp pages of the diary. Each page seemed like an invitation to confide in the written word, a private space where unspoken thoughts could find refuge.

"Whenever you feel like there's something you can't say out loud, just pen it down here. I believe sometimes writing things out can be as liberating as sharing them," Chucky added, her eyes reflecting the sincerity of her words.

"Also, one more gift I have, and I don't know if you will wear it or not, but here," she said, her eyes reflecting a mix of excitement and uncertainty. As she delicately pulled out a pendant from a small velvet box, my curiosity heightened.

"Oh, shut up. I will wear it," I responded, my voice softening as I took the pendant from her hand. The silver chain dangled elegantly between my fingers, and my eyes focused on the tiny details of the charm. Chucky and Manny, delicately inscribed on the surface, held a world of meaning.

As I fastened the clasp around my neck, the cool metal made contact with my skin, and I couldn't help but smile. It wasn't merely an accessory; it was a token of the beautiful and sometimes messy tapestry we had woven together. The dimples on our faces mirrored not just joy but profound gratitude for the person standing in front of me, the one who had given me this precious gift—a piece of her heart.

"Thank you," I whispered

We locked eyes, our dimples playing twins on the left side of our cheeks, sharing a moment soaked in pure joy. The vibe was chill like we were wrapped in a bubble of friendship, when suddenly, out of nowhere, a voice laced with malice sliced through the vibe.

"Shubi, happy birthday."

I turned to spot Anika, holding a cake with a smile that didn't match the glint in her eyes. Chucky, the oblivious soul, shot a smile back at Anika, completely unaware of the shade being thrown.

"I should bounce and let you guys vibe," Chucky said, dipping out and patting Anika on the back like it was all good.

Anika shifted her focus back to me, brushing off Chucky with an eye roll. "So, exchanging gifts, huh?" She threw shade at the forgotten novels like they were last season's leftovers.

"Whatever, those gifts you gave her are basic," she added, tossing the novels aside like they were small change.

Cake on the side, she pulled me in closer, a smirk playing on her lips. "But trust my gifts will be on a whole other level," she said, dropping a wink before going in for a kiss that left me standing there like a deer in headlights.

"Guys, I forgot my... Oh, dang, my bad," Chucky's voice rescued me from any more cringe-worthy moments.

I looked up to see her facing the other way, biting her lip, obviously holding back. Anika, annoyed but trying to keep up appearances, turned around and flashed a fake smile. "No biggie. I guess you left your novels behind."

Chucky just nodded, snatched up her novels without even glancing at us, and made a quick exit. For a hot second, I could've sworn I saw a tear sliding down her cheek as she turned the corner, disappearing from view.