Chapter 1

*Pia pov*

I looked at the clock infront of me to see that in few minutes the silence surrounding me is going to be stolen by my favorite people.

So I released the sketches from my hand on the table after closing them with their respective caps and started cracking my knuckles.

The Pop! Pop! Pop! Of each cracked knuckle is so sweetly satisfying to me. After releasing the stress from them I started jiggling my foot up and down. Feeling contended I stood from the chair where I have been sitting for three hours continuously.

Thank god the assignment is over. Now I can enjoy the whole day tomorrow without having anything in my mind to feel pressure.

I took few steps towards the window and open the blinds. My window is kind of a big one with no grills and gives the feeling of a balcony. I leaned a little forward placing my arms on the window to look at the beautiful sky.

Mainly the moon which is actually my favorite thing to gaze at everyday. A smile definitely broke out from my face whenever I look at it. I even love the quotes about the moon, stars and sky.

I read them all the time and I share them with the people close to me. I then lifted my gaze from the moon and looked at the window infront of me. That window belongs to the room where the person I like lives.

In few minutes those blinds are also going to open. I looked behind to see the clock strike 12. Then I looked at the door to see it opening slowly with two ‘Shush’ sounds making me laugh a little.

“Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday to you.” I heard my Mom and Dad singing while entering along with a small cake in my Dad hands.

They smiled brightly after singing and came near me. I hugged both of them taking the wishes.

My Dad Suhas Godse and my Mom Divya Godse are the most sweetest and loving people. I can’t ask for better parents. I am the single child and as usual got lot of pampering.

We heard the blinds opening so we turned to see the two people who give a tough competition to my parents in the sweet and loving category.

They are none other than Harish Jaykar and Shruthi Jaykar. These four are actually the best friends at the college time and continued their friendship making it strong by each passing day.

Uncle is actually the CEO of Jaykar group of industries. My Dad works as a managing director to it. Uncle offered partnership but my Dad didn’t take the offer saying he wants to retire whenever he want and spend with his family.

Unlike my parents they actually have two children. Arthi Jaykar who is one year younger than me and Aman Jaykar who is two years older than me.

My Aman! I thought sighing. He is the person whom I like with my whole heart. The more interesting news is even though we both have two years age gap we both born on the same date.

“Happy birthday Pia!” I heard three voices shouting from their house. Yeah! There is compound between these two houses but it never put the distance between these both families.

“Thank you!” I said and let my eyes search for that person for whom I am actually waiting.

“Where is Aman?” Dad asked and I thanked him in my head.

“He actually wanted to celebrate his birthday with his friends as usual like last year.” Aunty said sighing.

Immediately my face fell but it’s ok. I mean at this age it is common to wish like that. I looked at Arthi to see she is giving me the knowing look.

It is actually a tradition for our both families. On birthdays we wish everyone at 12am standing near this window. After we all born they started this and mainly as mine and Aman’s birthday falls on the same day.

We cannot blame him for this, I mean he is 21years old and a graduate. And I think he can do what he wishes like totally.

We exchanged ‘Good nights’ and closed the blinds. My parents left my room after wishing again.

I went near the study table to arrange the designs I completed for the assignment. I am doing fashion designing course and in two years I will get the degree in my hand.

I lay on my bed and drifted off into deep sleep. And to see some beautiful dreams which are waiting for me.

“Good morning Mom!” I said entering the kitchen.

“Good morning! So do you want to prepare kheer like every year?” She asked turning towards me.

“Yup! And I want to take it to….” I started to reply but she cut me off saying “I know, I know! You want to take it to Aunty’s house.”

“You know me too well Mom.” I said pinching her cheeks.

“What new in that? You are doing the same thing for the past four years on your birthday.” She said turning around towards the stove to prepare the breakfast.

Well why would I not prepare my Crush’s favorite sweet dish on his birthday? Yeah! Aman is my crush for the past four years.

I prepared Kheer immediately in which I became pro. After getting ready I went to the Jaykar’s house without knocking which became the habit for me and they too do the same.

“Aunty!” I called going towards the kitchen.

“So birthday girl as usual brought the Kheer.” I heard Arthi saying coming down the stairs.

“Are you complaining?” I asked raising an eyebrow.

She raised her hands surrendering and replied “Why would I when I get to eat the delicious dish.”

We both laughed and she hugged me wishing me again. Taking the box from me she went inside the kitchen and I followed her.

Aunty after seeing me hugged me and talked while I helped her in chopping the vegetables against her protest. Arthi started serving the Kheer into the bowls placing them on the table.

“Mom! I can’t find my shirt.” We heard Aman saying entering the kitchen and I immediately have that big smile on my face.

“I will go and search for it.” Aunty said leaving the kitchen.

I quietly got up from the chair and started going near him taking few deep breaths. When I stood near him I cleared my throat and said “Happy birthday.”

“Oh thank you Pia.” He said smiling which is let me tell you the big flattering one.

“Here!” I said giving him my gift. He took it calmly and said nothing.

“Happy birthday Pia.” He said after few seconds and again smiled.

“Thanks.” I said and gave him the Kheer bowl which Arthi placed on my hand.

“Oh Kheer! Do you know it is my favorite?” He said and started eating it after sitting on the chair.

Arthi slapped on my shoulder and signaled towards him. I glared at her and didn’t open my mouth.

Which turned out to be a big mistake like everytime. Because she opened her mouth and asked the general question which she do every time.

“Bhai! How is she looking?” Arthi asked.

Aman looked at me for few seconds and said “Why are you asking me this again?”

“Tell me Bhai is she looking beautiful?” Arthi asked after rolling her eyes.

“Nope!” he replied finishing the Kheer.

Aunty entered the kitchen at the same time and said “Aman! I placed your dress on the bed. And Pia Thank you so much for helping me with chopping the vegetables.”

“Aunty! It’s nothing.” I said smiling.

“Yes Mom! You know right she actually want to become a house wife.” Arthi said teasing me.

Out of nowhere Aman snorted making us look at him raising our eyebrows.

“What? That is such a stupid thing to do. Everyone must have some aim in their life and achieve it and not settle in this useless thing.” He said shaking his head.

“Well I want to take care of my house and family in future and enjoy that life. Everyone need not have the same thinking and they can be different too.” I said defending my wish.

“That is your wish.” He said and left the kitchen without saying another word.

Aunty got engrossed in her cooking so I pulled Arthi with me towards the entrance door.

“What the hell was that Arthi?” I asked glaring at her.

“I already told you Pia. Until you tell him that you like him I will ask him this question every year on your birthday on which we even promised to each other. But he is so stupid to say you are not beautiful.” She replied.

“What’s new in that? He is saying the same reply from the past two years. Maybe he is actually right.” I said frowning.

“Don’t you dare say that! Now come on we both are getting late for the college.” She said taking her bag from the living room.

“Are you going to rag anyone today too?” I asked her as we both are walking towards the bus stop.

“We have only ten days then fresher’s party will be conducted. So I will enjoy until then and you know right how much I got ragged last year.” She replied shaking her head.

“Thank god I am not studying in your college. That college has like more ragging rate than the remaining colleges.” I said smiling.

“We know ok. You are “NIFD” girl.” she said double quoting my college name.

“You used my college name more than me.” I said slapping on her shoulder.

“Whatever! Look my bus has arrived. We will celebrate your birthday after reaching home ok.” She said hugging me and got inside the bus without hearing my reply.

After few minutes my bus too arrived and I got inside to only get “Happy birthday” screams at the very moment the bus started moving.

“Thank you guys. Party in the canteen today.” I said laughing. This bus only has third year students as each year have different timings.

They all shouted ‘Yes’ and I went near my best friend ‘Nikhila’. She hugged me before I can take my seat and said “I want special party.”

“I will think about it.” I said rubbing my chin.

She glared at me and we both laughed. After settling down I told her about what happened today with Aman.

“What an Idiot!” She said angrily which is directed towards him.

“Leave it yaar. Maybe he just didn’t want to say it infront of his sister.” I said giving him benefit of doubt which I always give.

“It is waste of time to even say anything to you.” She said and changed the topic.

As promised I gave everyone small party at lunch and in the evening I returned home tagging Nikki along with me.

After reaching home, we both along with Arthi had a small party gossiping and also had a movie marathon. They both crashed here in my room itself.

We actually keep few clothes of us in each home so that they will be useful in emergencies.

I enjoyed my birthday mostly except the common incident which happened today with Aman like always. I wish one day he likes me back and I can confess him my feelings.

With this wish I let sleep consume me not before watching my favorite moon once.