Layers of Us

Chapter 108: The Midnight Surprise

2 weeks later —

The clock on the wall blinked 11:50 PM.

Ram was still glued to his laptop, voice hoarse from hours of back-to-back calls.

The glow of the screen reflected in his tired eyes as he finalized the last few details with the UK delegates.

“Alright, Mr. Jones, the presentation deck will be mailed by morning IST,” he said, stretching as the call ended. His spine popped, followed by his neck. “God, I’m getting old,” he muttered, chuckling to himself.

Then his phone buzzed.

Caller ID: Amma

He frowned.

“Amma?” he whispered, glancing at the clock again. 11:55 PM? She was never up this late.

He answered. “Amma?”

Silence.

“Hello? Amma, can you hear me?”

Still no sound — just faint static.

Ram’s heart started to pound. Unease crawled into his chest. Without wasting a second, he bolted downstairs, and jogged across the five houses toward the Nagrajan house.

The front door was ajar.

Every instinct in him flared.

He entered in slowly. The entire place was dark.

“Amma?” he called out, voice echoing.

“Siya?”

Nothing.

He stepped in, tension gripping his every move. He was about to rush upstairs when —

The lights burst on.
“SURPRISE!!!”

Confetti exploded mid-air. Laughter. Shouts. Music.

Ram froze. His jaw dropped.

Standing in front of him were everyone.
Amma, Siya — squealing with laughter. Bhoomi, Merwin and Ireen, grinning like kids. His parents, his dadi, Rishabh and Ankita, and of course, the ever-chaotic duo — Neha and Vikram — with their three kids running wild with balloons.

Everyone shouted together:
“Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Raaaam! Happy Birthday to youuu!”

Colorful glittery papers floated down like confetti rain.

Ram blinked in shock, his mouth still half-open. He looked around, still processing the sight.

Neha jumped forward first, wrapping him in a tight hug. “Fatty! It’s your birthday! Show a little happiness, at least!”

He blinked again, half-laughing, half-emotional. “You guys… when did you all—”

Vikram smirked. “When you were too busy being the workaholic tycoon, obviously.”

Neha crossed her arms. “See, Vikram? He doesn’t even look happy. Surprise fail!”

Ram shook his head, voice low and full of awe. “No, no… I’m just—overwhelmed. Truly.”

One by one, everyone came forward — warm hugs, soft “Happy birthdays,” the kind of laughter that fills a room until it feels alive.

Then Bhoomi and Merwin stepped up.