Journey to the love and dream

School

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!", screamed my friends when I entered my room after lunch with Juhi.

"Oh my God guys!!! Thank you so much", I was definitely amazed and emotional at having a surprise birthday party.

Today is 4th of July, 2006 and I am turning 18 today. This is my last birthday as a school student, because from next month I'll be joining college.

"So this is why you had such great urge to take me to lunch suddenly", I asked Juhi playfully.

"You know how difficult it is to decorate a whole room beautifully and arrange the food in just one hour"

That's true. My whole room has suddenly turned into a fairytale love story with all the balloons in heart shape on the floor. Some red and some white. Sparkling silver, blue and golden ribbons were hanging from the ceiling. A beautiful chocolate brown cake sat in the middle of the table. Above the cake hung a balloon banner saying 'Happy Birthday.'

I was happy as I already expected this much from them, but I didn't showed it on my face. It will hurt their feeling and beside I loved my friends a lot. My school life was amazing all thanks to my friends. They were my life. Offcourse my family too. Juhi, Ajay, Varun and Sanya my gang.

"Thank you so much guys, I really mean it", I said again which I really was.

"Aww, you really didn't think we'll celebrate your 18th birthday just like that. Lets call uncle and aunty and then we will cut the cake", said Ajay as enthusiastic as he was. Ajay was always enthusiastic, there is NOTHING in the world which can hurt Ajay.

"Yeah sure", I was happy but I still didn't felt like my birthday was complete. There was something missing. Everything was too normal to be my birthday.

"Happy birthday sweetheart we wish you all the happiness in the world", wished my dad.
"I pray all your wishes come true", wished my mom in her sweet voice.

"Thank you mom dad"

I was happy but still that missing thing was bothering me.

"Come on cut the cake", shouted Ajay. He was so annoying sometimes.

"Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you......"

The song started. It is said that, whatever you wish on your birthday will come true. So before blowing out the candles I also wished 'I hope I get the love of my life this year'.

I already knew who is the love of my life. ZISHAN SINGH. He is my crush since 9th grade when he joined the school. But I never had the courage to ask him out. I had a heart of glass I knew if he said no my heart will break in pieces.

I blew out the candles when I heard the bell rang. Who could that be, I guess all my friends are already here. I went to get the door as everybody stopped singing and started complaining that how can I leave in the middle like this.

My heart stopped beating and I think I forgot to breathe when I opened the door. Zishan was standing infront of me and his golden brown eyes were looking at me intently. He was smiling when he saw me and I knew I must have melted.

"Hey Happy Birthday", he said still smiling.

"Mmm hmmm", I said still not believing that the love of my life is standing infront of me smiling his chocolaty smile. I wanted to hug him kiss his soft lips and confess my love to him right this moment. Yes I can do it.

"Would you mind if I come in. Sanya invited me I hope you won't mind", he asked again now laughing at me.
Why is he laughing at me, I don't understand. Oh I never understand anything when he is around.

"Ummm your mouth is open and I can actually hear your heartbeat, please relax and let me in. I guess your neighbors will start making stories about us if you won't let me in."

Oh no!! How can I be so clumsy. That's why he never notices me. Who would notice a clumsy stupid girl.

"Yeah!! Yeah, sure. I am sorry. Please come", I said recovering from my embarrassing stance.

"You are looking beautiful", he said in his milky voice. He was standing so close to me that if I just straighten my fingers in his direction I could touch him. His mouth is at my ear, and I was having goosebumps. My body became attentive. I could feel his breath at my ear. If I just turn my face a little bit I can kiss him.

"Who's it Riya", dad shouted from my room. Zishan suddenly stood straight. Damn dad, what a timing.

"Umm thanks!!", I whispered and I was sure my face would have been more red than a tomato.

"You look cute when you blush".
That's it, this is the moment. I should grab it. I asked for the love of my life and here he is standing right infront of me looking all handsome and hot like hell. He is wearing a tight t-shirt showcasing all his muscles. Paired with some loose jeans which are hanging on his slim waist.

"Zishan I wanted to say..."
"Who's it? Oh! Zishan, Come beta come, we were just about to cut the cake. Perfect timing. Come on Riya, everyone is waiting", came my mom crashing my beautiful dream of getting my man.

"Yes mom..."

I cut the cake. Everyone gave me gifts.
"You didn't think this is all we are going to do", said Varun in a very emotional tone.
I got very confused as he was looking at me like he wanted to say more.
"What do you mean", I asked all confused.

Suddenly the lights went off and a movie starts playing on t.v.

'Humm rahe ya na rahe kal...,
Kal yaad ayenge ye pal.....',
as the song started my eyes got wet with tears. Tears of happiness, tears of sadness, tears of never ending love and fights. It was a small movie of all our school memories. We all fighting with each other, late night slumber parties. Going to a movie after bunking classes. Me and Sanya dancing on the stage in our last grade. Me hitting Varun with affection. All beautiful memories together in 2 minutes. Its like I again lived my whole school life in those 2 minutes.

"Oh my God guys... Thank you.. Thank you so much. This is the best gift you all could have given me. I love you so much", I said crying.

Now my birthday became complete and special. And I saw everyone had tears in their eyes. Even my mom dad. It again reminded us that school was over. The golden days of school were now just be memories. The atmosphere in my room suddenly became so depressing.

I couldn't take it anymore. I was so overwhelmed with all this that I went to my balcony to cry more loudly.

"Hey don't cry we will always be in touch. I really hate to see you cry but I really like your eyes as they are glistening now", he smiled his magical smile. I didn't have to turn to look who he is. Zishan was standing beside me. He put his hand on mine to calm me. He doesn't have any idea what that does to me. And that is what triggered me.

"Zishan I always wanted to say this to you. The moment I saw you for the first time. I think my heart stopped right there. I guess I had what everyone called Love at first sight. I love you Zishan. I am so so in love with you. I love your eyes, your voice, your touch", my voice becoming a whisper as I came to the end.
"Everything about you I just love you"

There I finally poured my heart out. I guess it was all the emotional unbalance and his touch that made me blurt everything out.

He was stunned by my outburst. He was more like shocked than happy and then finally he said.

"Riya I......"