The Classy Thirteen

Sara's Birthday

Vivaan's POV

The cool breeze on the hotel terrace brushed against my skin, but all I could focus on was Prerna in my arms. The noise of the city below felt so far away. Up here, it was just us, and for the first time that day, I felt calm.

Aakarsh's harsh words still echoed in my mind, making my chest tighten. But then there was Prerna. Even with her injured leg, she ran to me earlier, her face full of worry, just to see if I was okay. That moment made me forget all the pain I felt. She cared, and that was enough to make me feel like the luckiest guy in the world.

I held her a little closer and whispered. "Prerna."

She looked up at me, her eyes soft but curious. Without thinking, I leaned down and kissed her forehead. It wasn't planned-it just felt right.

When I pulled back, her eyes met mine, and I could see her surprise. But she didn't move away, and that gave me the courage to speak.

"What should I think now?" I asked her, my voice low and unsure. I was scared of her answer, but I had to know.

She held my gaze, her expression calm yet serious.

"Vivaan," she said gently, "I won't say that I feel the same way about you yet."

Her words stung a little, but I stayed quiet. I didn't want to lose this moment with her.

"But..." she added, and her lips curved into a small smile, "I want to give you a chance. I want to see where this goes."

Her words hit me like a wave, washing away all my doubts. A chance. She was giving me a chance. That was all I needed.

"Thank you," I whispered, my voice full of gratitude. I held her tighter, as if holding onto this new hope she had given me.

In that moment, standing on the terrace under the London sky, I felt something I hadn't felt in a long time-hope for something real, something beautiful. And I wasn't going to let it slip away.

~

Sara's POV

I couldn't sleep. My eyes were fixed on the hotel ceiling, tracing invisible patterns on its blank surface. London. I was actually here. The thought alone was enough to send a shiver of excitement through me, but my mind kept circling back to Rajveer. His smile, his voice-they were impossible to push away. I sighed, turning onto my side, trying to shut it all out, but it was useless.

The room was silent except for the soft hum of the city outside. And then, the door creaked open.

I froze. Was I imagining things?

But no-light from the hallway spilled in as the door swung open, and suddenly, the room was filled with laughter and voices.

"Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Sara, happy birthday to you!"

My friends-Ayra, Shayar, Reyan, Sahil, Sarthak, Samyra, Prerna, Vivaan, and Mayank-poured in, their smiles brighter than the city lights. Ayra led the way, holding a stunning white cake in her hands, decorated with delicate red roses and candles.

I blinked in disbelief, feeling tears sting my eyes.

"You guys...what?" was all I managed to say before Ayra placed the cake on the bedside couch and pulled me into a warm hug.

"Happy birthday, love," she whispered, kissing my forehead.

That was it-my composure crumbled. Tears blurred my vision as I held her tightly. How could I have gotten so lucky?