The Mourning Moon

Chapter 14

Today was Ansh's birthday. Ananya and Devansh were decorating the house for the party. Ishita was helping them together with Somya. Anshika was blowing the balloons while Vivaan was tying them up and hanging them on the wall. Shreshth was baking the birthday cake.

Ansh, on the other hand, was in the college, going through classes with his best friend and his love being absent today. Today, of all days. He knew why Ishita might be absent. She might be planning surprise birthday party for him which was not so surprising for him anymore. But why was Shreshth absent? Even Somya and Vivaan were absent. Ansh sighed, listening to the boring lectures. He can't wait for these lectures to be over and go to his home to sulk.

Once the college was over, Ansh walked to the bus stand and got on the bus and went home. Once he opened the front door, a chorus of 'Surprise' rang out. It was his family and Ishita. Ansh gave a disheartened smile before going to his room. He missed how everyone gave a conspiratory smile to each other. Ansh opened the door to his room, ready to sulk when another chorus of 'Surprise' rang out. This time Ansh was really surprised. Standing in front of him were Vivaan, Somya and Shreshth. His Shreshth. He can't believe his eyes.

"Is this real?", he whispered before pinching himself. "Ow." It was real.

"What are you doing, Ansh?," asked Shreshth.

"You are really here," was Ansh's reply.

"Of course we are. It is your birthday after all," Vivaan said. "Now, let's go and celebrate your birthday."

Soon they were all singing Happy Birthday as Ansh happily as well as reluctantly cut the cake made by Shreshth. They all enjoyed the party till 7 p.m. Soon it was time to leave. Ishita was first to leave with Somya and Vivaan. Shreshth soon followed but not before giving Ansh his birthday gift. Once everyone retired for the night, Ansh opened his birthday gift given by Shreshth. It was a Tanzanite crystal flower. It had eight small and eight big petals with two leaves on each side. It was beautiful. There was a letter in the box too.

'Dear Ansh,

Happy birthday. I wanted to thank you for giving me such a thoughtful gift. I wanted to do something similar for you too. I hope you liked the gift.

With love,
Shreshth.'

Ansh blushed. Tanzanite crystal was not just any crystal. No, such rare crystal was actually his favorite crystal. So no. He did not just like the gift, he loved it. It gave him a sense of security and safety just like the Citrine flower. He gently placed it in his desk drawer and closed it.

It was night time. The crickets were chirping in the silence of the night. A gentle breeze was blowing through the forest. The leaves of the trees were shining silver. There he stood in the middle of the forest, his long platinum hair was dancing with the breeze. He was staring down at something in his hand. It was a picture of his long dead lover. But who was he and who was this lover of his? He looked towards the moon with his silver eyes. It felt as if the moon was mourning with him too. He extended his hand with his palm upturned and suddenly a snowflake made of tanzanite crystal appeared in his hand.