One Last Time

Birthday! ♥

I stared at the telly patiently. AajTak was on because I wanted the exact time. As soon as the clock struck 12, I called her up.

"Hello!" I heard Trisha say. It was obvious she was wide awake.

"The snow glows white on the mountain tonight, not a footprint to be seen!" I started singing. I knew she loved this song. For those of you who don't know, its "Let it go" from Frozen and I hold no rights over it.

"Its a kingdom of isolation.." She continued.

"And it looks like you're the Queen! Happy birthday idiot!" I screamed into the phone.

"Pranaaaav! First to wish as always."

"Yes. And I'm sure I'm about an inch away from becoming a girl with all the little Disney princess singing, so I shall go sleep."

"Sexist." She teased.

"You know I'm not." I retorted.

"Yes. Seeya in 6 hours!" She said, laughing.

"Seeya." I said and fell asleep.

I woke up and stared at the clock. 7:10 A.M. Crap! I ran around my room getting ready for school and shot out of my house waving my parents goodbye, a piece of bread dangling from my mouth.

I reached the stop just in time and jumped into the bus to see Trisha opening a present from Jahnvi. "Ahh!" She screamed as she pulled out a locket. I smiled and sat down about 2 seats away from them with Saloni.

As the bus started to move, I saw Arnav running after the bus. I had to personally get up and tell the driver to stop but not before we had come quite a distance. *wink*

He climbed into the bus and wished Trisha and gave her his present. I didn't see what it was and I wasn't even a tiny bit interested.

The first few periods flew away in a blink. Eventually, in the recess, I went to Trisha and said, "Come to the Cove at 6. Okay?"

"Okay!" She said, beaming.

Jahnvi tapped on my shoulder and whispered, "Everything's ready?" And I nodded in reply. I couldn't wait till evening.
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I looked at Jahnvi and Pranav whispering about something. I'm sure its about my surprise party!

Just then, Arnav came to my seat. "We're going out today at 6."

"Can't. I just promised Pranav I would go with him!"

"So its Pranav over your boyfriend huh?"

"I'm sorry Arnav.. But.."

"I'll wait for you at home. Come if you want to. Your choice entirely."

I looked at his retreating silhoutte and let out a sigh. I got up and followed him. "Arnav wait!"

"What?" He said, turning around.

"Can we meet at the Cove? 6?"

He smiled. "Okay sweetheart." And he came and hugged me. My mind was in a tornado of emotions. What the hell did I just do? Pranav and Arnav together are like the stones that cavemen used to light fire!

I've got to talk to Pranav! I, again, walked back into class and Pranav ran towards me, "I'm so excited for today! Don't you dare be late!"

"Me too." I blurted out, smiling.

Calm down. Its not as bad as it seems. You're going to a party (maybe) with Pranav and Arnav is coming too. They both will meet, sparks will fly, this is a nightmare.

Okay, time to panic.
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I checked my watch. Its 6. I checked all the arrangements and saw her walking towards the Cove. I signalled to my friends standing on the room.

She finally reached the clearing in front of the Cove and looked at me, confused. I clapped my hands together and parachutes started to descend. I saw her eyes widen as her mouth fell open.

The LEDs shimmered inside the parachutes as they slowly descended. (Low budget!) She looked at me as the lights reflected in her eyes.

"Pranav..."

"Wait." I said as the parachutes reached the ground. She looked into one and saw one of her favlurite chocolates with a wish from one of our friends.

The, aforementioned, friends came running down screaming the birthday song. Trisha smiled graciously until they had finished and went on to check the other parachutes.

She bend down the one I had set up and picked up the pendant inside it. She looked at the silver-looking netted pattern and ran her fingers over it. "It's beautiful." She said over the screams of our party animal friends.

I smiled and went inside to help Jahnvi get out the cake. When I came out I saw Arnav standing with Trisha. They were talking about something and he didn't seem happy.

I walked towards them and heard him say, "We're leaving." And he tugged on her arm.

"I want to stay." She said, wrenching her arm out of his grip.

"I said we're leaving!" He said, raising her voice.

"But she said she wants to stay." I said. He turned around. I didn't know what came over me but I just couldn't keep quiet.

"Why are you always around?"

"Funny how I was about to ask you that myself." I said.

"This is between my girlfriend and me. You can, please, stay out." He said, with an unnecessary emphasis on 'please'.

"She was my best friend first buddy. It's her birthday, its her day." I said, calmly.

"You can stay if you want to, I'm leaving." He said to Trisha and walked away. I looked at Trisha and I could see the pain in her eyes.

"Arnav, I'm sorry, okay? Don't be such a party pooper. Come have some fun dude!" I said.

He turned towards me and asked, "Why should I?"

I could literally feel my anger rising and I realized that everything had suddenly become silent. Everyone was looking at us. "Because its your girlfriend's birthday." I said, every word felt heavier than the last.

"I'll stay. I'll stay for Trisha." He said and smiled at her.

Stay for whoever-the-hell you want to. If it wasn't for Trisha, I wouldn't be stopping you either.

Trisha smiled as he held her hand and they cut the cake, together. I flipped out my phone and captured every moment.

I couldn't help but notice that she was smiling in every picture.

After the party, I called Trisha when I reached home. "Hey!" She said.

"Happy birthday."

"Aww. Thanks. That party was awesome! I am so sorry I ruined it" she said.

"Hey, it wasn't ruined. We all had fun right?"

"Yes we did. This was the best birthday ever!" She said.

"All thanks to me."

"Yes. All thanks to you."

"Maybe."

"Maybe?" She asked, laughing.

"Maybe." I said as I joined her.