Rent Free

4.Sconce

"On a scale of one to ten," Anish started. "How good do you think this cake is?"

"For the nth time, you did the best job, Ani," Ara interrupted before you could answer. "The cake looks awesome and our focus right now is to make sure the decorations are finished."

"Alright, calm down," he surrendered as he hung the birthday banner across the wall.

You smiled a little at their interaction and focused on your daughter's hair, smoothening it a little.

"That flavor is your most favorite, nah?" You mumbled as she looked around curiously.

As you squished her cheeks softly with your fingers and kissed her head, the doorbell rang.

"That must be our neighbor," you said loudly. "Ani, can you get the door for me?"

"On my way," Anish walked towards the front door, done with the banner.

You heard him say an excited 'hi' as soon as the sound of the door opening stopped.

Would he really be that excited for your sixty year old neighbor?

"Y/n, it's Shubman," he said as the person revealed himself in front of you, the gift in his hand while his sister followed.

"Hey," she greeted you excitedly first, walking forward.

"Hi," you greeted back, thinking about how her excitement was starting to actually fill the place with the feeling of celebration. It's contagious.

"Hope we're on theme and not late," she said before crouching down to your daughter's level.

"Of course," you replied before she lifted baby Shahneel in her arms and you turned towards Shubman.

"Hey," you mumbled with a small smile, hoping you don't get lost at the sight of his dimples. "Thanks for coming."

"Don't thank me," he said as Ara set the cake on the coffee table. "How could I miss Nini's first birthday?"

Not knowing what else to say, you nodded, content with the comfortable silence.

"She seems very excited about the cake," Shubman started this time.

"Honestly, I'm more excited than her," you laughed a little. "My parents ordered it for her. They live in Surat and can't really travel much these days. I'm just thankful that the few people I knew could make it."

"Oh," he was looking at you, blinking as he contemplated if he could ask this. "So... her dad?"

Your smile faded just a little, and you paused for a while before shaking your head as a 'no.'

"Okay," he said nothing more and the doorbell rang again.

"Our last guest," Ara yelled out in victory, knowing it was time to cut the cake.

"The photographer is ready," Anish walked in front of the coffee table with his camera in hand.

"And the birthday baby too," Shahneel said before handing your one year old to you.

As soon as she was in your arms, however, she reached out for Shubman with her hands.

The latter was quick to hold her, a grin on his face because it seems that he's not the only one who misses her all the time.

"There's my special girl," he mumbled, kissing the side of her head with the same smile. "Did you miss me?"

All he received in response was a babble while the candles were being lit.

"Yeah? I missed you too," he added as your daughter placed her tiny hand on his cheek.

Anish clicked not one, but several pictures of Shubman's interaction with her.

For five minutes, everyone was walking around, talking, making sure everything was perfect before Nini cut the cake.

"Are we ready?" Anish asked as he stood in front with his camera.

But even as she was made to stand in front of the coffee table, she didn't let go of her hold on Shubman.

That's how he ended up in most of the pictures with you and your daughter. And that's how you both had to hold her together as you cut the cake.