𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 ( 𝐘𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐯𝐢 𝐉𝐚𝐢𝐬𝐰𝐚𝐥 )

24

Jemimah Rodrigues could feel the warmth radiating from Yashasvi as he led her through the hotel, his hands gently covering her eyes. The soft murmur of voices and laughter reached her ears, filling her with a sense of curiosity and excitement. She had no idea where they were headed, but the playful banter between them lingered in the air, making her heart race with anticipation.

"Where are we going, Jaiswal?" she asked, trying to peer around his hands, but he tightened his grip just enough to keep her eyes covered.

"Patience, Rodrigues," he replied, a teasing lilt in his voice. "If you keep guessing, I might have to blindfold you, too."

She huffed in mock annoyance, her playful spirit kicking in. "I swear, if you're taking me somewhere boring, I'm never speaking to you again."

Yashasvi hummed lightly, the sound brightening the atmosphere around them. "Oh, I promise it's not boring. In fact, I think you're going to love it."

As they approached what felt like an elevator, Jemimah could hear the faint sound of music playing, and the scent of fresh flowers wafted through the air. What was going on?

The elevator doors opened, and he guided her inside, pressing the button for the rooftop. With every passing second, her heart raced faster, the anticipation growing stronger. Yashasvi's presence felt electric, and despite her efforts to remain cool and composed, she could feel her pulse quicken at the thought of what awaited her.

Once they reached the terrace, Yashasvi led her out, and she could feel the warmth of the sun against her skin, mixed with the light breeze rustling her hair.

"Okay, you can look now," he said, removing his hands from her eyes.

Jemimah blinked a few times, adjusting to the lights and brightness before her gaze landed on the scene before her.

She was overwhelmed by the vibrant display in front of her. The terrace was draped in soft fairy lights, balloons swayed gently in the breeze, and a long table was filled with her favorite pastries and snacks. A beautiful cake sat at the center, adorned with delicate frosting and the words "Happy Birthday, Jemimah" written in elegant script.

But what really tugged at her heartstrings were her friends—Smriti, Shafali, Richa, and a few others from the team—grinning widely at her, each wearing matching T-shirts that read, "Happy Birthday, Jemimah!" Their excitement was infectious, and before she could process it, they rushed toward her, enveloping her in a giant group hug.

She laughed, her heart full. "You guys! I had no idea," she said, her voice muffled as she was passed from one hug to the next.

"Well, you can thank Yashasvi for that," Smriti teased, nudging her in the ribs with a playful grin. "He's the one who kept you out of the hotel all afternoon."

Jemimah turned to Yashasvi, who was standing a few feet behind her, hands casually in his pockets, watching her reaction with a faint, amused smile. She raised an eyebrow at him. "So, you were in on this the whole time?"

Yashasvi shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "It wasn't that hard to keep you distracted."

Jemimah narrowed her eyes. "I knew something was up," she muttered, but her words lacked any real bite. Despite the banter, she couldn't help but feel grateful. The effort everyone had gone through to make this day special for her was touching. For just one day, they'd made her forget all of that.

The party was in full swing soon after. Laughter filled the air as they dug into the cake, and the table was surrounded by friends, sharing stories and memories.

As the evening progressed, a familiar melody filled the terrace, a slow, romantic song playing through the speakers. Instantly, the mood shifted.

"Time for a slow dance!" Shafali announced mischievously, clapping her hands together.