Anika can't be in anymore confused situation. It was Dr. Douchebro's Birthday tomorrow and she still wan't able to finalize what to gift him. Right now she was on a mission with Omkara and Gauri  to get a gift for Dr. Douchebro. Sahil was off to visit his friend for some group studies. They were in a recently opened shopping complex searching for a perfect gift for the perfect Dr. Douchebro!

She can't give him a good wine because he doesn't drink. She can't give him a good book since he have nearly all  the  latest one in his collection. She can't give him any confectionery/eatables since he is such a good cook. He is perfect in everything and Anika hates it even more now!!

"I so wished I had  clicked that picture instead of Rudy than I wouldn't have to bother so much about  Shivaay's gift and he would have loved it for sure. Lucky Rudy all he did was to get the picture framed!" murmured Om as he looked around the shop to find something suitable for Dr. Douchebro.

"Picture? Which picture?" asked Anika and Om looked frightened while Gauri glared him. Something is definitely cooking that she doesn't no. Now she was really tempted to see Rudra's gift. But for now she had to worry about hers.

"This one will be perfect for Shivaay." Om declared as he took out a pack of Bryan and Candy New York Ultimate luxury Lemon Thyme and and Spearmint Men's grooming Kit. Anika shook her head commenting "I don't think he would like to have this, not everyone is as fussy about hairs as you are Om".

"You don't have any idea how fussy Shivaay is for his hairs. Just touch it once his third eye will be open in second" said Om and Anika nodded in disbelief. She never knew he was this fussy about anything. Looks like Dr. Douchebro is possessive about his hair.

"But I guess he won't mind if you spoil his hair!" commented Om as his eyes held mischievousness while lips had a smirk."Just like I don't mind when Gauri spoil my hair!" continued Om while Gauri coughed hard. Anika was confused "Why won't he mind me spoiling his hair and why would I even spoil his hair?" 

"O  god girl you are way too innocent to deal with this man." said Gauri chuckling as she side hugged Anika. Anika looked dumbfound seeing them back at shopping without telling her what Om meant. The couple was confusing her with their code language and Anika can't help but frown. Can someone tell her what does all this meant?

Shaking her thought she focused on the main thing that was to get a gift for Dr. Douchebro. Tired of not finding something much relevant she got a Wildhorn Blue Men's Wallet Gift Combo. She got it packet with a Revogue AR Blue Dial Men's watch. Although she wan't satisfied with the gift she was okay with gifting him something related to Time and Money!

"So what are you going to wear tomorrow Anika?" asked Gauri as they were shopping some grocery. Anika breath hitched, not again really. She had enough of Gauri and her dressing up game. This thing always scared her like hell nowadays.

"Look Gauri we are already very late. Sahil will be waiting and also I am running out of budget now!" Anika tried the best of excuse she could and Gauri looked at her for a minute than sarcastically replied "Wow Lt. Col Anika Roy is running out of budget that to on the fourth day after arrival of monthly salary!" 

"I knew you would make excuses that's why I had already got something for you. It's  at home." gave in Gauri smiling cheekily while Anika eyes went wide. "You can't just spend Om's money on me like this Gauri. I can't accept it." said Anika honestly to which Om interrupted "Madam didn't spend my money for a change she got it from her salary. I couldn't believe it when she used her money!" Gauri hit his arm while Anika shook her head than before commenting "Gauri please I can't accept that!"

"You don't love me right?"

And here goes Anika's all effort of argument. Gauri's emotional blackmail and she is definitely as good in it as she is in teaching. "Why do you always do this Gauri?" complained Anika as she paid for the grocery before Om to which he frowned.

"Because I Love you Princess!"

Gauri said smiling widely while Anika couldn't help but smile back. Om fake coughed feeling left out while the girls laughed at him before passing him the bags to hold on. Complaining about being a porter Om moved after them toward the car.

_________

It was Sunday and Dr. Douchebro's birthday as well. Anika wished it was some other day so she could have wish him early morning but luck wasn't in her favor. She battled thousand times to call him and wish but couldn't gather the courage. The man intimidates her badly. Fidling with the phone for nearly an hour she managed to send him a whatsapp message wishing happy birthday.

In evening Gauri dragged Anika to her apartment to get her ready while Om was pushed to Anika's apartment to help Sahil with the clothes. "Wow Girl finally you got something decent and of my choice" commented Anika looking at the long side slit black dress with a blue jegging.  

"What do you mean? I don't get decent dresses?" frowned Gauri while Anika chuckled. Later Gauri showed her the dress she got for herself which was an ethnic long red suit. Once Anika changed in her dress, Gauri got her hair straightened up, applying some moisturizer and bit of lip gloss she placed a small size Bindi on her forehead. Passing down silver bangles in one hand of Anika, she tied a watch in the other. Anika let her do whatever she wanted because it was useless to fight with Gauri.

"Anika you are wearing your anklets?" Gauri asked and Anika didn't had a reply. She had been wearing it since Dr. Douchebro made her wear it. To her relief Gauri didn't ask anything and gave Anika ear-cups to wear. Giving her a wedge to wear Gauri kissed her hairline side hugging her "Looking beautiful princess!"

Once Gauri was ready they went out and were joined by Om and Sahil who came dressed up in red and black formals as well. Sahil look way older than his age in the formals. "Shall we go?" offered Om to which the girls nodded and all of them left toward the party venue whose addressed was messaged by Rudra. 

The place was beautiful. Located on a hillside, open roof with moon on duty it looked spectacular. Showing the passes given by Rudra they entered the venue and were first greeted by Tej and Jhanvi. Anika saw around to see many familiar and non-familiar faces. Nearly all the Doctors and senior officials were invited. Some of the people of other regiments were also invited. Greeting everyone known there they moved in search of the man of the night: Dr. Douchebro.

 Rudra came running to Om and hugged him and Sahil. "Didi 1 Didi 2 you guys are looking amazing" complimented Rudra while Gauri and Anika chuckled. "Where is Shivaay by the way?" asked Om to which Rudra called Dr. Douchebro who came dressed up in a black tuxedo with a silver brooch carrying his spectral eyes and alluring smile.

"Hey Guys so good to see you here" commented Dr. Douchebro as he hugged Om followed by Sahil. He passed his alluring smile to Anika as everyone wished him. "Om here your favorite Brandy, Ms Roy your Gin and for you Sahil your favorite pepsi!" Dr. Douchebro passed a glass to each one of them.  Anika looked at him amazed as he remembered everyone's liking.

"What would you like to have Gauri? Sorry I didn't knew what you prefer." apologized Dr. Douchebro to which Gauri shook her head before taking a glass of Gin replying "It's been long I took a drink but I trust Anika's choice!' Dr. Douchebro looked amazed before commenting "You drink as well?" 

"See Bhaiya only you are the saint one here!" commented Rudra focusing on the Mixed Fruit Juice in Dr. Douchebro's hand. Many people came and wished Dr. Douchebro as he thanked them. Sahil excused himself as he found some of his classmates there. They were talking when someone called Dr. Douchebro.

"Shivaay!"

Anika looked toward the voice to notice a young girl holding a glass of wine. She was wearing a knee length white off shoulder middy. Her flawless skin and dark black hairs arranged perfectly on her back made her look nothing less than a model straight out of fashion magazine. 

Dr. Douchebro excused himself and went to meet the girl who very cheerfully hugged him which was reciprocated by Dr. Douchebro as well. Anika couldn't hear what they were talking but she was sure of one thing she is definitely not liking the scene of that dolled girl hanging on Dr. Douchebro's arm.

"Who is She?" she heard Om's voice asking Rudra. Rudra groaned before replying "She is Lady baba uff Tia Kapoor. Our Family friend. Her Mother always wanted lady baba and Bhaiya to end up together." Om chuckled before asking "Why do you call her Lady baba? She doesn't look like a saint!" Rudra just said a single sentence "You will get to know it soon."

Anika again looked toward Dr. Douchebro and the dolled girl only to see one more lady joining them. She was dressed up in a silk sari and looked ethnic. Anika's thought were disturbed by Rudra's voice who was asking her about their plan of Nanital Trip. Their discussion was interrupted by the arrival of Dr. Douchebro who was accompanied by the dolled girl name Tia and the other lady.

"Guys meet Tia Kapoor my childhood friend. She is a Ramp Model in Mumbai. This is Mrs Priya Aditya Kapoor, Tia's mom." introduced Dr. Douchebro and everyone greeted them. "And  Aunty, Tia this is Omkara Mehta my best friend and she is his wife Mrs Gauri Omkara Mehta." 

"And She is Lt. Col Anika Roy, the Girl I told you about!"

Anika nearly choked on her drink thinking what did he said now about her. Tia and her mom looked toward her for a minute and Tia smiled before commenting "I take my words back Shivaay. She is far more pretty then I assumed. You are lucky man!" 

Dr. Douchebro smiled while Anika wondered what's all going on. Tia hugged her much to her surprise but keeping the awkwardness at a side she reciprocated the hug. Following Tia it was her Mom who hugged Anika smiling and then blessing her to stay happy moved to meet Jhanvi leaving Tia with all of them. All the while Anika couldn't get what the hell was going on?

"O, Bhaiya let's get on the dance floor. First three of us!" proposed Rudra to which Om nodded in negative "No Rudy, I am really bad at dancing." "Don't worry even I am bad at dancing, Just follow Bhaiya he is really good in it." commented Rudra and Anika frowned.  He is good in dancing also, is their anything he is not perfect at?

The boys performed on the Bollywood track 'First Class' soon joined by Sahil as well. Anika, Gauri and Tia were sitting together enjoying the dance when Anika couldn't help but ask to Tia "What did Dr. Oberoi told about me?"

Tia smiled at her before replying "As much as I want to tell you this I can't. This is for Shivaay to tell you. I wish all the happiness for both of you from the universe." Anika frowned at the confusion. Why everyone have to leave her hanging? and what's with this universe?

She focused on the dance only to frown more at his perfection in dance. God this man and his perfection!!!

Once done Rudra called the three of them on the floor as well and all joined in the dance pulling others  dancing on the tunes of mixture of various tracks. After which they moved to cut the cake and to everyone's surprise there was written HAPPY BIRTHDAY DOCTOR UNCLE!!

Everyone chuckled as Dr. Douchebro frowned at Rudra who giggled before passing him a knife to cut the cake. Dr. Douchebro looked around and finally saw his Grandmother coming with his father. It was then Anika noticed that the Old lady wasn't in the party from beginning. She still looked annoyed with the idea of coming here.

Dr. Douchebro sliced the cake and passed the first bite to his Grandmother who refused saying she doesn't like cake and although it could have been a valid reason Anika didn't missed the sadness in his spectral eyes.

He passed to Tej Uncle who made him eat as well then to Jhanvi. Before he could take another piece Rudra took a bigger one and smashed it on his face and everyone burst out laughing while Dr. Douchebro groaned in disgust "What the hell is this Rudra?" 

"Bhaiya it's birthday cake it's for applying on face!" commented Rudra and the next moment it was on his face but from Om who  faced it's consequences soon. The fight would have continued if not for Tej who interrupted and asked them to clean their faces. Once they were done everyone passed their gifts and Anika so wanted to take a look of Rudra's gift but to her disappointment it was packed.

The party went on as the workers took the cake and brought refreshers for everyone while Rudra dragged Om to meet some of his friends. Dr. Douchebro took elders and his parents blessings by touching their feet. He bend to touch his Grandmother's feet but she left saying that she is not feeling well. Although he smiled nodding positive,  Anika didn't missed how fake his smile was. All this while his alluring smile has been memorized in her brain as an everlasting memory. Slight change is noticed by her!

He excused himself and left from the backdoor toward the balcony. She looked toward Gauri who was indulged in a discussion with Tia. Battling thousand times she finally decided to follow him. 

She saw him standing slightly bend on the railings of the balcony looking toward the moon and taking a sip of the juice. Except for his stressed muscles no one could assume that he was disturbed. Taking a deep breadth she called him "Dr.Oberoi!!"

He looked toward her for a minute surprised than maybe getting what she is thinking he again looked toward the moon as Anika went and stood beside him. She heard him speaking "She hates me. She doesn't love me at all!"

Anika heard him taking a deep painful breath. She could relate it very well. She had seen the indifference all her life from her grandparents but this was not in case of Dr. Douchebro's grandmother. Anika was sure of it.  Anika kept her hand on his shoulder as he looked toward her, she spoke in a soft voice.

"I don't think she hates you. I don't know what's the reason but I am sure she doesn't hate you. Maybe she herself doesn't know it. She knew when Rudra was coming but then also she decided to come one week just before your birthday only!"

Dr. Douchebro's eyes widened in realization. His Grandmother could have came a week before if she wanted to visit Rudra but she wanted to be a part of his happiness. Although this didn't sort out everything it gave a sense of relief and hope. Hope that one day she would admit she love him!

Then much to Anika's surprise, passing his hand around her shoulder he hugged her tightly. He hugged her keeping his head on her shoulder as she felt tingles from his breath on her neck. She didn't knew when her hands wrapped around his back reciprocating the hug. Under the moon in the open breeze being in his arm felt prodigious and stellar. It was just too hypnotic to comment on.

She heard him whispering near her ears still wrapping his arms around her.

"This is the best gift of my birthday! Thank you!"