Crossing the Bridge from Friends to Lovers

birthday

Today is Raghav's birthday, but no one wishes him—not even his best friend. Raghav feels sad because he doesn't have high expectations from his family; his friends mean everything to him. It's not that Raghav doesn't love his family, but he has always been quiet and reserved since childhood. He was very shy. Now, after passing the 12th grade, all his school friends have moved to different cities for their studies.

Kavya calls Raghav on the phone.

Raghav: Hello, yes! Tell me, why did you call?

Kavya: What's wrong? Are you angry? What happened?

Raghav: What do you mean? Just tell me why you called.

Kavya: Oh, really, you look so cute when you're angry! I feel like hugging you, but what can I do? I'm so far away. So, cutie, tell me, how are you? How's your NDA preparation going?

Raghav: Everything's fine. Did you call just to say all this? Aren't you forgetting something? Is there something special today that you're missing?

Kavya's tone made it clear that she was deliberately teasing Raghav.

Irritated, Raghav hangs up!

Ten minutes later, Samar calls Raghav and says:

Samar: Hey, man, where are you busy? What are you doing?

Raghav: Why did you call, man? Do you need something?

Samar: What are you saying? Do friends call only when they need something? I just called to ask how you are and what's going on in your life.

Raghav: Are you sure you just called for that? Are you sure you're not forgetting something special?

From Raghav's words, it seemed like he was talking about his birthday, but he didn't want to say it directly.

Samar: Yeah, man, I just called for that. Nothing special.

Raghav hangs up on Samar too and thinks, "How could they forget my birthday? They never used to forget. Since moving to different cities, everything has changed. Maybe they've made new friends and don't remember their old ones anymore."

A stranger approaches Raghav and says, "You are Raghav, right? This bouquet is for you."

Raghav: For me? Who sent it?

Stranger: I don't know; I was just told to deliver it to you.

Raghav: Okay, thanks! Who could have sent this bouquet to the library?

A message arrives from an unknown number: "Open it, what are you waiting for?"

Raghav is surprised. "Who is this? Let's see."

Raghav looks at the bouquet and finds a note inside that says, "Hey man, what are you looking at? Are you thinking some girl gave it to you? Right? Come quickly to the given address before the cake gets spoiled."

Raghav goes to the given address and sees Kavya and Samar waiting for him.

Raghav: When did you both get here? And Samara didn't come?

Samar: Of course, we came. It's your birthday today, so how could we not come?

Raghav: I thought you guys had forgotten.

Samar: (grabbing Raghav's collar) How could you think we would forget your birthday? You're part of my soul, my brother, my childhood friend.