invisible string ✓

twenty two

• ADVIKA •

FOUR DAYS LATER…

I wondered whether God was a hopeless romantic and an extremely hopeless relationship virgin who had finally got into a relationship of his own, because I was already on cloud nine when I got up.

And, it wasn't a birthday excitement.

Since it was a Sunday, I woke up later than usual— five minutes to noon— when I noticed a sheet next to where I was tossing in the bed. It was empty from top, hence I twirled it and saw a flood of words in black.

Hey, bitch!

Are you still expecting some “You're such a sweetheart and a pookie. You're a diamond and I'll love you” and stuff?

No. Fucking. Way.

Because, you already know that you're a gem (and also flaunting it like an arrogant bitch). I don't know whether it was your luck to be mine or mine to be yours, but I believe that it all happened for a reason. The universe is finally universing, and who could be a classic example than your boyfriend?

To be honest, I was quite jealous that you got The Ishaan Ahuja as your boyfriend (could you please ask God to give Christian Harper as mine? Even his mail ID is more than enough, I'll take care of the rest). But then, I knew that you got it, because who's worth it if not you? The universe is telling, “You got it because you're special.” Listen to that carefully.

Guess what? Universe gifted you your book boyfriend as a gift for your birthday. So, you rather fucking take care of it and work accordingly, or else… (you know what I would say, but here we go!) I'll be forced to get a new daughter for your parents. This birthday, walk like a queen even when nobody's watching. Kill ‘em with kindness, bitch! (finally, a Selena reference, haha!)

With lots and lots of hopes to christen your babies,
Aarvi Khanna…

P.S.: Don't search for me at home. I'll be out for the entire day. Enjoy! (though I know you'll be all, “I won't be enjoying without you,” here we go!)

Though I was wholly impressed with her occasionally extraordinary writing skills, I found myself glaring at the postscript as though Aarvi could see me through the A4 sheet.

Proud with winning the battle against my infectious laziness, I got off the bed and strolled to the living room and saw nobody there.

Until I saw the heavenly figure stepping out the kitchen, adorned in a faded, white, low-neck vest, chameleon green shorts, and hot sweat, making this desperate birthday girl drool and swallow hard at my boyfriend with Ishaan's reply to my iconic “Let's take stuff slow” dialogue playing in the back of my mind.

“I know, it takes time to trust people. And, I'm not ready to force you. Let's take this one at a time. Baby steps. Okay?”

I wondered if six feet is how long baby steps are, as he caught me relishing the morning dose of hotness and shot a wide smile, coming close to me.

“Good morning, Mia Anima,” he greeted while making a mental note to tell him not to call me with the nickname as if to add fuel to the fire of my fiery feelings. I didn't want to be a slut who gets turned on within ten minutes of her day. “Happy Birthday!” He extended his hand for a handshake while I gripped and shook them.

Boys from real life need to know how to turn on a woman just by a handshake.

As we broke it, unfortunately, he walked to the couch and took a large paper bag that was resting on it. Giving them to me, he said, “Wear it. You'll love it.”