𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧: 𝐀𝐤𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢 (𝟏𝟖+) ✅

35

Akshat

I stood in my kitchen, apron tied tight around my waist, staring at the array of ingredients before me. Blueberry muffins. They were her favourite. She never could resist the tangy sweetness of those little bursts of blue in every bite. I chuckled softly, remembering how she used to complain as a kid, asking why blueberries weren't pink. Even then, she had a way of turning the ordinary into something magical.

With a sigh, I turned to my laptop, fingers tapping out a series of questions into the search bar. "Can you make pink blueberry muffins?" I typed, half hoping for a miracle. "What is the difference between a muffin and a cupcake? Difference between an oven and a microwave? What all food items are pink?" Each query was a breadcrumb, leading me down a path toward a perfectly pink creation.

After scouring the internet for answers, I set to work, determined to recreate her childhood dream in muffin form. A few clicks later, fresh blueberries were on their way to my doorstep, and I was off to the nearest grocery store in search of the rest of my supplies.

Back in my kitchen, armed with flour, sugar, and a whole lot of determination, I began the painstaking process of mixing and measuring. But as the minutes turned into hours, frustration began to bubble up inside me. Twenty-seven failed attempts later, and my kitchen was a battlefield of flour and frustration.

"I never realized the cost of a muffin was my damn mental health," I muttered to myself, wiping sweat from my brow. But even as exhaustion threatened to consume me, I refused to give up. Each failed batch brought me one step closer to perfection.

And then, finally, it happened. The mixture in my bowl looked more like muffin batter than rice balls, and I couldn't help but let out a triumphant laugh. They weren't perfect, but they were mine. And as they baked in the oven, filling my kitchen with the warm, comforting scent of home, I knew that somehow, everything would be okay.

On second thoughts, I should have kidnapped that chef and made him teach me how to make it.

With everything meticulously set in place, I embarked on my mission to prepare for the surprise. First on the agenda was acquiring the essential items: the card and the cake. Check. Stepping out into the bustling streets, I felt a surge of excitement mingled with a hint of nervous anticipation.

I headed to the nearby florist to complete my ensemble of surprises. There, amidst a myriad of colourful blooms, I found what I was looking for—lilies, her favourite flowers. Carefully selecting the freshest blooms, I envisioned the joy they would bring to her face.

With the bouquet in hand, I felt a sense of satisfaction wash over me. Everything was falling into place, just as I had envisioned. But before leaving, I paused for a moment, a tender smile playing on my lips. Opening my locket, I gazed at the cherished photograph.

"Please don't let your adult version intimidate me when I arrive at her doorstep," I murmured softly to the image captured within the locket. "You were such a sweetheart, but she... she's a tigress now."

With a silent chuckle, I closed the locket and tucked it safely back around my neck, the warmth of the memory lingering in my heart. Gathering my belongings, I made my way to the awaiting car, the anticipation building with each step.

As I slid into the driver's seat and ignited the engine, a surge of determination propelled me forward. With a confident grip on the steering wheel, I set off towards her dormitory, the faint scent of lilies filling the air around me. Today was going to be unforgettable.

I swung the car door open swiftly, striding purposefully towards her room. With my left hand, I concealed everything behind me, while clutching the flowers tightly in my right. My smile, tinged with blush, faded instantly as her door swung open, revealing a shirtless Kunal with unruly hair.