Heart's Desire

Expect the unexpected - life said.

"Yeah, baby! I'm in the mall... okay, I'll buy everything and come home," Anika walked into the mall while talking to Ansh. They were secretly planning Nisha's birthday party—Anika's attempt to lift Ansh out of his depressed state, though she still hadn't figured out the reason behind it. Her efforts were well-meaning, but little did she know, only his dad could make him truly feel better. She went straight to the stationery section.

"Pencil carving tools," she asked one of the store assistants.

"On the third row," he replied. She smiled slightly and walked toward the aisle, picking up a 9B pencil and carving tools.

"What else did he ask for? Glitters or thermal balls?" Anika asked herself, confused, and decided to call him.

"Baby! Thermals or glitters?" Anika asked as soon as Ansh answered the call.

"Glitters will stick to the bottle, Mom. Thermal balls are better—get the small ones," Ansh replied.

"Okay, baby!... Can I ask you something? Why can't we just order these things? Only three days left until her birthday," Anika asked Ansh through the phone.

"Maa, it's her birthday! I want to gift her something I worked hard on. It will be the best gift. Even if it's not perfect, she won't complain when she sees the effort I put in," Ansh smirked over the phone.

"Okay, baba... and the cake? Chocolate truffle?" Anika asked.

"No, Mom, red velvet," Ansh said.

"I thought you'd only order red velvet for me," Anika teased, raising her eyebrows.

"Oh... is Mumma jealous?" Ansh teased, sensing her playful tone.

"Maa, red velvet is for the person closest to my heart. You both are very close. If you're Mercury, she's Earth," he explained through a science metaphor.

"So, the Venus position is vacant?" Anika asked.

Dad already took that place, Ansh thought but didn't say.

"Okay, baby... I'll be home soon," Anika said and ended the call.

While walking through the supermarket, Anika noticed a three-year-old girl jumping, trying her best to reach the chocolates, but failing. Amused, Anika approached her with a smile. "What flavor?"

"Cadbury Marvelous Creations," the little girl replied in a cute voice. Anika chuckled.

"Small one or big one?" Anika asked.

"Bigger one," the girl replied.

Anika grabbed the big one and handed it to her, kneeling down to be at her level.

"Thanks, aunty," the little girl said with a sweet smile.

"Only thanks? No kiss for helping you? How rude!" Anika exclaimed playfully.

"But Mumma said I shouldn't talk to strangers," the little girl frowned, making Anika adore her even more. She gently pinched her cheeks.

"Tinu, there you are!" a woman, presumably the girl's mother, called out. Anika turned around, and both women froze in shock.

"Ishana," Anika whispered, recognizing her old college mate, who had once been Omkara's girlfriend. Anika had assumed Ishana and Omkara got married and that Tinu was their child.

"Mummah! This aunty helped me get chocolates!" Tinu introduced Anika to her mother. Ishana forced a faint smile.

"Hi... Ish," Anika greeted her, awkwardness filling the space between them.