The Way Of Tears || kthv 📚

CHP 12. Gifts?

(Farheen’s POV)

The morning of my birthday felt like any other, except for the knot of dread that had settled in my stomach. It should have been a happy day, one filled with laughter and well-wishes, but I knew what was coming. Every day, without fail, a bouquet of roses arrived—an unsettling tradition that only reminded me of the one person I wanted to forget.

I stood in the doorway of my apartment, staring down at the massive bouquet now sitting at my feet. Blood-red roses, their sweet fragrance filling the hallway, felt like a violation. I didn’t have to open the card to know who it was from. My so-called "admirer." My stalker.

It wasn’t just the flowers this time, though. Beside the bouquet was a neatly wrapped box, expensive and elegant, adorned with a black satin bow. My hands shook as I picked up the card, the words on it sharp as the thorns on the roses.

"Happy Birthday, my little muse. I’ve been watching you. Always."

I crumpled the card in my fist, my heart pounding in my chest. My fingers twitched, wanting to tear into the box just to see what was inside, but I resisted. Instead, I shoved it aside with the roses, disgusted. I had no idea who this person was, or how they knew so much about me, but I was done playing their game. Enough was enough.

Frustration surged through me as I stormed out of my apartment and to the elevator, after reaching down the lobby, I walked out, my eyes landing on the trash bin. Without another thought, I grabbed the roses and the box, dumping both inside. The gifts, the cards—everything. It all went straight to the trash. I couldn’t take it anymore, this constant reminder that someone was lurking in the shadows, controlling every part of my life without me even knowing who they were.

                               - - -

At work, I tried to focus on the normalcy of the day. Kafiya had been sweet, as always, with her bubbly birthday greeting. We had ridden to the office together, and she’d done her best to lift my spirits, but my mind kept drifting back to the roses. Who had left them? How did they know where I lived?

Stepping into the office was like stepping into a completely different world. The hum of conversation, the clatter of keyboards, the soft scent of fresh coffee—it was almost enough to make me forget the morning’s events. My colleagues greeted me with warm smiles and birthday wishes, each one a little reminder that maybe, just maybe, I wasn’t as alone as I felt.

"Happy birthday, Farheen!" Mira grinned as she placed a small cupcake on my desk, its single candle flickering in the soft office light. “You deserve a great day.”

I smiled, grateful for her kindness. “Thanks, Mira.”

As more people gathered around my desk to wish me well, I began to feel the tension slowly lifting from my shoulders. It was nice, being surrounded by people who cared, even if just for a moment. But then, Jeremy appeared, holding a box that immediately sent my stomach into knots.

Jeremy was always kind, a bit too eager sometimes, but harmless. Or so I thought. He approached with a confident smile, his eyes lighting up as he handed me the elegantly wrapped gift.

"Happy Birthday, Farheen!" he said, far too excited for my liking. "I got you something special. You’ll love it, trust me."

I froze, glancing down at the box in his hands. "Jeremy, you didn’t have to—"

He waved his hand dismissively. "It’s just a small gift. Nothing to worry about."

My heart sank as I reluctantly took the box. I already felt overwhelmed by the unwanted gifts at home, and now this? Still, I didn’t want to offend him in front of everyone. "Jeremy, really, this is too much. I don’t know if I can accept it."