Kaira's POV:

Well, shit.

My brother throws a glance at my best friends, finding the same reaction as his, he snapped me to attention with his gaze.

"What. Happened. To. You. Kaira?" He pressed every word "Where did you hit your head?"

"I um.. bhai... that... you see—" I tried to explain stuttering.

They walk in building some more tension and Shreya closes the door behind her.

"What bunny? You stay home and then also find ways to get hurt?" Milkshake scolded.

I don't look up at them as I twiddle my thumbs nervously. I winced as I felt my brother's gaze intensing at my bandages.

It's not like I don't want to tell them. I would have if Sidharth hadn't told me the situation was under control.

"Do you have bandages at your wrists, cheeky? What the hell happened!? Why are you so quiet?" Arav bhai asks softer than before.

I couldn't answer him. My throat had gone completely dry.

"Gladly convey my regards?" Sidharth mocked beside me and I immediately elbow him.

"Why don't you tell them then? Their glares are too intense for me." I whispered and he just gave me a hidden smirk before turning to my family.

"She is hurt more than its visible." Sidharth declares and I flinch inwardly at his words.

Here goes nothing. Why so harsh Sidharth!?

All eyes snap to him as I keep my head low, nervousness pulling me in.

"What do you mean? Explain." Bhai ordered strictly.

"She didn't get hurt staying at home, Abhi." Sidharth tells him as he continues "Kaira had gone for Arav's work, I thought it was normal until I heard for whom."

I peeked a look up in the tense climate and watch Sidharth making an eye contact with my brother "Vikram Chatterjee is not right man to send your sister to. He has his ways to get the people he wants. I've known his interest in Kaira from long that's why I've been warning her as well as trying in my ways to not let her be his pawn. I can't believe you did exactly as he wanted!"

"Can you just come to the fucking point!? What happened to her? Did he do anything!?" My brother hissed angrily. Everyone listening intently.

"Anything? He had his brother to kidnap her! Holding her hostage in his warehouse with goons around to keep watch until he made his fucking entry." Sidharth snapped frustrated.

All eyes were back on me as Sidharth explains graphically what all had happened. I noticed he skipped the parts of his cousin though and I couldn't be any more glad.

Arav bhai doesn't know a thing about Aditya, milkshake and I have worked hard to keep it from him and if Sidharth would have told it aloud, we would be in bigger problem than now.

I peek another nervous glance up at my brother and his angry eyes make me interested in my nails even more.

As Sidharth finished his flashback storytelling, there was pin drop silence. My brother sighed angrily, this time his anger was not towards me.

Or at least I hoped.

"You don't have to worry about him anymore, though, I have it under control." Sidharth finally declared making me sigh in relief "He will be locked up for years."

Arav bhai crossed his arms and looked at him coolly "How would that be?"

I was taken back by Sidharth's smirk as his said "I have a few stuff against him and that would be more than enough."

"Are you going to say anything now, Kiri?" Ritz asks when bhai doesn't say anything.

"Um— can I get that cake now?" I mumble nervously.

A snort of laughter came from behind the wall my brother built with my best friends. Pushing Arav bhai out of way, Shreya came forward thrusting the cute chocolate cupcake in my hands.

"Did you take your painkillers then, cheeky?" Arav bhai asked as I bite into the sweet texture. I nodded assuringly and he sighs, running a frustrated hand through his hair.

"Sidharth, join me outside, we need to discuss something." Arav bhai ordered, I see him nodding and following my brother out, Ritz quickly followed behind them.

I felt a touch on my head and look up to see Shreya's worried eyes "Are you okay now, sweetie?"

I smiled gulping down the cake "I'll be good soon, Shreya. It feels just little more than fights with Arav bhai, he hits too damn hard."

She chuckled "You don't have to lie to me, Kaira. Take rest, I'll make you soup in the morning."

I bite my lip as she makes her way out giving me a reassuring smile. I finished my cake in 2 mins and look up at the only person standing in my room, without a word. Milkshake.

He looks at me, his eyes dark as he asks "There was someone else also involved in this, bunny, wasn't it?"

I don't know how he catches the missing but I admire it nonetheless.

I nodded slowly. He curses.

"His cousin?" He asks and I nod again.

"I swear, he needs more dose—" Milkshake starts cursing.

I decided to interrupt "Hey, I gave him quite well punches that he couldn't cover them with makeup alright? I kicked him enough that he'll feel them for days. But Sidharth has beaten him so much that I wonder how long will he be in hospital if anyone cares to admit him."

Milkshake narrowed eyes at that before sighing "But what about when he comes back bunny? Are you forgetting he is family member of—"

"Then he is getting kicked out from my family, Abhi. We have no place for people like him." Sidharth answered from the doorway, walking in "I haven't told anyone about his antics yet. If he is going to be a dickhead again coming back, I ain't going to tolerate his nonsense."

My traitor heart fluttered in my ribcage.

Milkshake and Sidharth have a silent eye conversation for a while. Ending it finally, milkshake rests his hand of Sidharth's shoulder and tells him "With you, just give me a chance to kick his ass once though."

Sidharth just chuckled lightly. Giving me a last look and asking me to take care, milkshake takes his leave, closing the door behind him.

It was only us once again. I looked up to lock my eyes with his. He just stood there not taking a chance to leave our eye contact.

I asked finally "You are staying?"

Slowly he shakes his head coming towards me "I wish, your brother has warned me to leave you alone to rest. I came to say goodbye."

"Ouch. Goodbyes hurt, goodnights sounds good." I said and he chuckled.

Standing at the end of my bed he leaned down to peck my forehead as he whispers "Happy birthday Kaira."

I couldn't help but blush slightly as I thank him. He flashed me a cute smile "Take rest, I'll leave now. Good night. See you soon."

"Good night, drive safe." I whisper as he makes his way towards the window.

Within mins I was alone in my room. Getting up I switch off the lights and slide under the covers being careful enough to sleep on stomach.

Sidharth's smile never leaving my mind, I rewind back an hour, when he came. Slipping into sleep with a silly smile stuck to my face, Sidharth's words ring in my ears like a reminder.

I love you.

●●●●

Ting tong!

My excitement touched the ceiling as I heard the bell. Shreya and I were in the backyard planting trees, okay okay, she was planting mine too as I sat in the chair drinking coffee.

I swear since morning they have not let me do a single thing on my own! Even during shower, Shreya came in to help me with it, though I'm glad she did, I didn't want to admit it! Arav bhai warned mom seriously to spare me for a few days.

If I didn't know any better I would have thought they were doing all this to make me feel special on this day. My birthday.

But no! They were doing all this because I— everyone knows it already. Don't make me think of it again, it really hurts! My stupidity.

The sun was setting now and bhai took milkshake with him to bring my gift an hour ago. I don't know what it is but I'm excited. Now that someone had come I was hoping it would be them.

I couldn't help but jump out of my chair and jog towards the front side of my house. Just as I reached it, milkshake stopped me.

"Uh uh bunny. Slow down, you can't be running around like mother hen all the time, you have to be careful." He smirked.

"Shut up. Where is bhai?" I asked excited to see what my brother got me.

"Okay, calm down. I'll take you there." He said covering my eyes with his large paws.

"This is ridiculous milkshake!" I keep complaining as he asks me to walk straight in front.

2 mins of grumbling later, he whispers "Ready?"

"Yes!"

Slowly he pulled off his hands from my face and I took my time to adjust to the light. The moment I see what stood beside my brother, my eyes widen and jaw drops open.

The beautiful coffee brown, the round shining eyes that stole my heart when I first looked at it, was standing before me. Cautiously I take steps towards it.

"Oh my God, bhai, it's so beautiful." I say touching it softly.

"You like it?" His voice full of amusement.

"I love it!" I jump in happiness "TVS Jupiter classic, coffee brown. It's just released bhai! Wow!"

"Its yours." He announced merrily.

For a full one min I jumped around making sure my brother wasn't joking then stopped. Clearing my throat I look at him "But bhai, you know I—"

"There. From 5 yrs you are going on about how you want to buy one for yourself but come on cheeky, you are going to leave us this month, you can't be using our bikes now. So I bought you this." He explained swinging his arm around my shoulder carefully.

I thought about it for a while then grinned "Okay! Can I ride it?"

"Now? Nope. Once you get fit and fine, ride it how much ever you want!"

I scowled.

"Aw don't be sad like that, Kiri. Look what I got for you!" Ritz exclaimed jogging towards us.

My eyes lit up looking at the big brown packet in his hand that he hands over immediately. I thrust the packet in his arms back after I pull out one item.

It is a hoodie! Oh my.

Checking the packet once again I find 2 more hoodies! Wow.

"Hehe. Thanks Ritz! Now I have my own hoodies! Yay!" I exclaimed happily.

"Yes, now you don't have to steal ours." Milkshake laughed ruffling my hair.

I couldn't be any more happy, with my cute little family. Shreya interrupts our laughing session as she calls for us from the doorway.

She told me to get ready as my friends would be coming in half an hour now. Yes, this year they invited my friends as well.

Usually every year, I spend the day with them and in the evening I'm with my family but this year bhai suggested to invite them all today as it would be my last birthday in this house.

I swear these people are going to leave me emotional by the end of the day!

Dad was in house for once in years and I couldn't help but feel like a silly young girl. Mom was being less bossy today though, maybe bhai said something more?

Once I was ready in the new hoodie that Ritz gifted me and the new jeans I bought last month, I make my way out when I realise something.

Ouch. Okay, I need to wear some loose pants.

"Kaira! Are you done? Do you need my help?" Shreya asks from the door.

"Geez, I know it's bad but nothing is fractured, I can do things on my own Shreya." I roll my eyes at her as I open the door.

She scans me from top to bottom and shrugs "Alright then. Let's go, someone is waiting for you."

"Who?"

"Kaira! Happy birthday!" A squealing Preeti runs over to us as soon as we descend the stairs. She gives me a big smile and quite literally jumps on me to hug me but gets interrupted.

"Preet!" Her brother scolds. My heart fluttered at the voice but I can't see the person because this time she gives me a short and careful hug.

Did he really tell them!? Shit!

"I don't know what happened to him since yesterday. He has been acting really weird, you know? Talk to him, please." She whispers as she slings her arms behind my neck.

I chuckled patting her back. We walk over to the where her parents sat. I thank them as they wish me. Mom calls me to sit beside her and she gifts me a box, a jewellery set.

Oh my. Should I really accept it?

"Here! I got you something too!" Preeti gives me a black pouch with a cute little blue ribbon. For a moment I wondered if she is giving me a small makeup kit but then I opened it and saw all types and sizes of paint brushes in it.

"Wow, Preeti, thanks." I grin at her.

She returned my grin instantly as she said "Its good that you liked it, now you can paint more paintings for me and my room. Don't ask me but Sid bro stole many from our corridor for himself."

We all laughed as Sidharth blushed in his place. My eyes never left him after that, no matter who I was talking to, I kept a eye on him from the corner of my eyes.

A few mins later, the door bell rang again letting in my friends, Sree, Niki, and Sam. Behind them Kabir and Karthik were also following. Sam and Niki looked so excited to squeeze me to pulp today.

Shit, I'm dead today. Goodbye everyone. Remember I love you.

Just as they saw me and were almost sprinting towards me, milkshake stepped in at right moment and they clashed against him.

He grinned mischievously "Thanks for the hugs girls!"

We laughed as Niki and Sam were rubbing their foreheads glaring at my best friend. Sidharth's parents leave us alone and chat with my parents as my friends find their way to me and wish me a big birthday. Oh and the gifts were awesome too.

I never got so many gifts by the way. Though I'd say I don't like fancy gifts but birthday presents are something else.

Even cute little Tanmay gave me a kiss on my cheek.

Sidharth hasn't said a word to me though, he just looks at me and smiles whenever I look at him. So I decided to talk to him.

"So, aren't you going to talk to me today? That wasn't what I meant with meet me once." I said reaching his small group. Looking around everyone was busy with each other.

Kabir and Karthik laughed beside him. Wishing me on my birthday they took their leave.

Sidharth just chuckled, his dark eyes glinting in amusement "I know but today is your day, all your favourite people are here. Talk to them, I'm always here."

I frowned "You are my favorite person too and I don't like that you aren't talking to me."

His smile reached his eyes this time which was so contagious I was smiling too. We stood side by side, drinking from our paper cups coke and Sprite as I clearly banned milkshake from getting beers.

I elbowed Sidharth in the side urging him to look at Milkshake who was standing alone staring at Sree who kept her eyes on Niki who went on talking like no tomorrow.

"Look at him, I don't get why doesn't he just man up and talk to her once. It's not like she is going to slap him, okay maybe she will if he directly flirts but they know each other from so long." I whisper only to him and he says nothing.

"What?" I ponder him to answer. Finishing his drink he hands the empty cup to me "I'll go and talk to him. Okay?"

I grinned giving him a thumbs up. Quickly finishing my Sprite as well, I throw the cups away walking over towards my girls' gang when milkshake left after Sidharth said something to him. 

Halfway towards them I stop dead as suddenly it's pitch black. Voices all around panicking.

What the hell! How can lights go off now?

"No body move! I'll go and check what happened!" I hear my brother's voice cutting off everyone.

Damn I don't even have my phone.

Blinking around in darkness I see a torch flickered on my right, a mobile torch. Immediately another flickered on my left. First I see the person throwing light on the ceiling then they land on me, blinding me for the moment yet again.

I was ready to curse the 2 idiots but when I opened my eyes, my heart stopped and jaw dropped open.

Sidharth—

Sidharth was in front of me. On his knee. A small box in hand. A ring? His eyes lit up as they met mine. His smile so radiant.

What the....?

Is this what I think it is?! Oh my GOD.

My eyes were glued to his as more mobile torches were on us, people cheering.

Sidharth flashed me another smooth smile before parting his lips to speak "Kaira, I know we are anyway getting married by the end of this month but I always dreamt of this."

His voice soft and so loving my heart almost had an attack with its fast beating. The hooting around us stopped brutally as everyone paused to listen to him.

Just like me.

"I never believed in love at first sight until I saw you, I couldn't forget you for weeks. Then we met and I couldn't be more happier. I wasn't lying when I said 'you or no one' I just couldn't think of anybody but you. We kept meeting, talking and travelling, and you kept stealing my heart with everything you'd say and do, I was falling in love with you more and more each day. You always kept being clumsy and I always scolded you to be careful, that's very wrong you should listen to me."

I was smiling little more with every word of his, it felt like we were all alone here, nobody else mattered in that moment.

He continued "Yet, with every little silly thing, you settled in my heart permanently. I want to grow old with you and cherish us forever. Our marriage was arranged but I want to change it to love. I love you, Kaira Shetty. Will you marry me?"

I can't say no this time, can I?

'Not a chance! Look at your heart melting like wax for this guy!' My conscience drooled.

"Yes" I whispered "I'll marry you."

He grinned, plucking out the ring and forwarded his hand asking for mine. Without a single thought I slipped it in his.

Everyone around us cheered as Sidharth slides this beautiful ring in my finger. Before leaving my hand, he pulls it to his lips and pecks my knuckles making my cheeks glow pink.

The moment he gets up, we share a hug. Hiding my warm face in this neck I didn't want to let go. He kept his tight hold on my waist, keeping me close.

"Why did you do it?" I whispered softly.

I could feel the smile in his voice as he said "Because I love you and didn't want to wait any longer now."

I say nothing but my body replies with holding onto him for my dear life as my ears warm up.

Lights are back instantly. Of course, it was Sidharth's plan all along.

Slowly we let go and were connected with a smile stuck to our faces. Shreya was calling everyone towards the mini table where no doubt was a chocolate cake.

I sprinted towards it faster than anyone and everyone laughs behind me. I was grinning at the beautiful cake in front of