Sakshi bit her lip while stealing glances at Aditi who was sitting in the next row. She had her birthday next day which meant like every year, she must be expecting them to wish her and celebrate it at twelve.

But seeing the idiot beside her, sighing and staring at Miss Khanna, she shook her head. She again elbowed him, gritting her teeth.

"I am telling you, this is not fair. We need to do it. She will come back to us," she told him while Aarush ignored her again.

Looking away, Sakshi grunted angrily. This whole morning, she tried to talk to Aditi but she kept on ditching by doing daily errands. Now, the only option to patch this up was making Aarush apologize to her.

The bell rang as Miss Khanna smiled at the class before leaving, making all the boys sigh. Aarush lazily stretched while smiling dreamily.

"Ah, early morning lecture from her. I feel like I haven't woke up yet. I am still dreaming. Was that beautiful thing for real?" He exaggerated to irritate Sakshi who glared at him, making him laugh loudly.

"Oh! Come on. Here, you are talking about seeing a sour face and then there is my Miss Khanna. A Beautiful Dream unlike that nightmarish professor fiance of yours," he taunted slowly. "No way, I am going to listen to your idiotic. . ."

"Then, don't."

Sakshi slammed her book angrily on the table and breathed slowly while looking in the front. She gasped at seeing Mr. Nair who had entered just now and was staring at her along with the whole class. Everyone slowly moved their gazes off her but Sakshi could observe how he was still staring.

He kept a blank face as their eyes met for a whole minute, until he looked away to put his books on the table. Sakshi smirked slightly, adjusting herself in the seat as she sat comfortably. Her eyes slowly darted towards right as she felt a continuous gaze on her.

A smirk formed again on her face when she saw Aarush glancing at her and the professor in shock. "The arrogant, cocky professor didn't pick on you today." He glanced back at her and whispered, "What the hell am I seeing?"

Sakshi smiled cheekily.

"Dream."

Aarush raised his eyebrow as he saw how depressed the professor looked. There wasn't any usual arrogance left on his face. He clearly looked as if his girlfriend had broke up with him.

"Is this because of yesterday? What the hell did you do?" He muttered, still watching him in shock.

The professor started writing the topic on the board while Sakshi sighed, putting her chin on her knuckles.

"I had whispered Rathore in his ear."

Aarush's mouth opened in disbelief as he watched her chuckling to herself while flipping the pages to the topic from where the professor was getting started. The whole lecture he kept thinking about what could really happen between them last day that had removed the cockiness in him.

Not that he had ever seen Sakshi's anger but he knew that she was capable of giving threats and warnings to people who disturb her. Just like she had done to Ronnie last year. Still, Aarush felt like she had said or done something more than just a warning.

________

Raghav loosened his tie while entering the room, smiled softly at the sight of his son running towards him. Despite feeling exhausted, he couldn't stop picking him up in his arms and laughing along with him.

"Well, what is my champ doing this day?"

Riaan pouted while pointing at the building he made through blocks. Beside which was standing his action heroes in line. Raghav sniggered at the scene. "Aww, my baby conquering the city, yeah?"

Riaan grinned while nodding absent-mindedly as even when his attention was partly at his creation. Giving a kiss on his cheek, Raghav put him down and watched him walking back near the couch, continuing playing with the blocks on the carpet.

The door opened and Pihu barged inside with food plates in her hands. She carefully put them on the table where Riaan was playing and picked him up away from the toys. "Enough, now. Its sleeping time."

Raghav made a face at her. "Don't be so mama to him. Let my baby play."

Pihu glanced at him. "No."

Riaan pouted at his father who nodded at him. " Oh mama, please." Raghav said while removing his shirt.

Pihu tried to control her smile as Riaan started mimicking his father. Raghav intertwined his fingers and made a puppy face. "Please."

Riaan copied him while grinning at Pihu. "Mommy, please." He cupped her cheeks with his little chubby hands and pouted. "Please."

Raghav started laughing as his wife was melted within seconds at seeing such adorable actions of their son. Pihu shook her head while kissing Riaan's nose. "You make mommy so helpless." She glanced at his father, "Just like your Daddy."

Raghav swallowed his cheeks goofily while searching for his clothes in the cupboard. Riaan continued playing as Pihu sat him up on the bed, putting the box beside him. She went towards the cupboard and picked out the vest that was neatly folded right in Raghav gaze but couldn't see it.

"Here," she handed him while crossing her arms as she found his eyes all tired. Her face softened slightly. "Busy day?"

Raghav sighed. "Yeah. But something else is bothering me."

"Tell me," she said softly.

He put on the vest hurriedly and pulled her closer to him lazily, snaking his arms around her waist. "Sakshi's uncle called me, today. Asking about how the guy is that mom was looking for."

Pihu gasped, "What did you say?"

Raghav sighed tiredly. "What could I make up? I told him the truth how Sakshi is not ready. He sounded disappointed and was irked up. Totally."

She palmed his chest, thinking deeply. "Will he do any trouble?"

Raghav made a duck face. "Don't know. But this is all not leaving my mind. He asked for Sakshi's number then. I kinda skipped that, changing the subject. But they have the numbers you know. Sakshi has her links with her cousins from mother's sides. They will give him."

Pihu nodded while he stared at the wall in thought. "If he gets to talk to her, he might convince her. Which is not right because she respects him and would give in easily. . ."

"She won't." Pihu bit her tongue as she smiled nervously at him. "Come on, she respects herself too. She won't give in easily. If she can answer mummy over this, than her uncles are no threats for us."

Raghav nodded in agreement. He suddenly remembered as he looked at her. "One more thing came up. Meera called me to tell something important. It's Malhotras."

Pihu raised her eyebrows. "What about them?"

Raghav sighed. "They need help."

Pihu opened her mouth in shock. "Did they call you?"

Raghav shook his head. "No. Actually, Meera has observed their company's upcoming downfall. She predicted that they will be losing ties with one of their business partners, Khan brothers. You know, I had also discussed it with Nakul days ago."

Pihu stood quietly, listening to him talking seriously. "It just all pitiful. You know, Malhotra's hospital bills. Then, that rapist. . ." She stiffened.

Raghav shook his head. "He offered too much money to his friend whose wife is now blaming him."

Pihu stared at him in disbelief. "So, that is the reason?"

Raghav held her shoulders. "Pihu, there can be many reasons. Either that Shrey was too arrogant. Was being too merciful. Was being too careless. Or maybe, he just was planning about buying his wife. Spoilt brats with no limits can think like that. Now, the couple won't leave him. . ."

Pihu's lips parted as her heart drowned in worry. All that ran in her mind was the fact that Sakshi was unaware of this.

". . . Now, the case is big. It's about such a big amount and big crime. Lawyer's fees is high and if there are other crimes like any offence he did, then more fine. Moreover, Rishabh, that dickhead has invested money which won't work in such rough environment. He has taken money from his Future father-in-law. An NRI."

Pihu shut her eyes, covering her forehead, thinking how Rishabh was her best friend once. How she still couldn't see him in such trouble? In such crisis, people break. They lose hope.

"All troubles at once," she whispered. She looked up at Raghav. "What is Meera suggesting?"

He nodded. "We can help them by approaching the hospital. We have a panel on that one. The cleaning products were supplied there. Dad did that, years ago. So, they give concession to our employees. I think I can go and appeal the chairman for reduction in money."

Pihu smiled. "Will you?"

Raghav looked at her blankly. "I don't know. I can't go leave you and Riaan here when it's your Annual function. You will be busy and unable to handle it all. But to give an insight to Khan brothers that Malhotras are trustable in business, I will have to go there."

Pihu gasped. "Why don't you send Nakul then?"

Raghav stared at her, lowering his eyes when he realized that it was a good idea. "Yeah, why didn't I think about that? But. . . "

Pihu cut him off by suddenly saying, "Well, then don't think about it anymore. Nakul will take care of it while," she smiled while wrapping her arms around his neck, "I will prepare dinner for you. You must be really hungry."

Raghav stared at her in amusement while holding her waist tight. "Too much that I can eat you," he murmured while moving his face closer to hers, making Pihu's eyes wide.

"Riaan's here," she muttered while removing his hands from around waist, shying away from him when he sighed longingly.

________

Sakshi got up quietly just as her phone vibrated. She sighed in relief and climbed off the bed, walking barefoot out of the room. Glancing at Aditi's door, she breathed out at seeing that it wasn't bolted.

She hurriedly tip-toed towards the main door, slowly unlocking it. Very quietly, she opened the door and gasped when saw a demon face lit in the darkness. Her eyes narrowed and she even chuckled in amusement when found the demon wearing a wig.

Getting away from the door, she let it enter and shut the door after her, locking it. Just as she turned around, she again gasped when the demon's face was two inches away from hers.

"What the hell, Aarush? You want her to wake up?" She pulled out his wig and mask, making him chuckle quietly.

He pointed at her, still grinning. "Your face."

Sakshi shook her head. "Where's the cake?"

He nodded at the table, the box lying on it. Sakshi sighed and clapped her hands quietly. "Let's do it," she muttered excitedly.

After moments of quietly decorating the drawing room with gifts and balloons, Aarush finally sighed. "Ah, finally! Is she even going to like all of this?"

Sakshi smiled lazily. "For sure. Now, come on."

Both tip-toed towards Aditi's room, watching her sleeping peacefully. Aarush smiled cheekily. "She doesn't look that innocent when she looks at me."

Sakshi shushed him, and tip-toed ahead, leaving the threads of all the balloons for them to fly all around. Aarush hid behind the curtain of her room's window and nodded excitedly. His eyes widened when the candle started blowing off. "Hey! Hurry," he whisper-yelled.

Sakshi snickered while finally walking towards Aditi. She shook her shoulder, whispering slowly, "Aditi. Aditi. Hey! Wake up."

The girl stirred slowly, groaning and humming in sleep. Sakshi twitched her lips and shook her shoulders hard this time. "Wake up, Aditi. Please," she whimpered.

Hearing her worried face, Aditi jolted up awake, yawning forcefully. "What? What happened?" She looked at her in surprise.

Sakshi widened her eyes and caught her hand. "Someone is standing there," she whispered fearfully.

Aditi looked at her with half-opened eyes. "Are you serious? There's no one-" she screamed out loud, as the curtain blew away.

A demon-faced man with horns was dancing with a cake in his hands. Sakshi screamed herself to scare her more and clicked more of the pics, bursting out in a heartfelt laughter.

Aditi opened her mouth in shock when the candle light showed her the faint outlines of balloons lying in her room, all over the floor and the bed. She looked wide-eyed at Sakshi who had sat on the floor holding her stomach while she was still clicking pics of her.

She screamed again when she was startled by the demon who was now dancing right in front of her, a step away. He removed his mask immediately, smiling widely at her.

"Happy birthday, babe."

Sakshi whistled while clicking more of their pics. Aditi sat frozen at seeing Aarush in the middle of the night, grinning at her. Both him and Sakshi calmed down when Aditi didn't move for a minute.

Aarush nudged the cake in front of her. "Come on. Are you still angry for that little argument?" He winced when Sakshi stomped on his foot. "For ignoring you. You know I wasn't. How can I ever survive without you in this world? Come on."

Aditi gulped, observing both of them. Her eyes moved on Sakshi who blinked slowly, telling her to give Aarush a chance. She looked back at the boy who was staring at her strangely.

The candle light between them glowed both of their faces, making her see the genuineness in his eyes. "I am sorry. Okay? I am sorry." He whispered.

Aditi's eyes filled with tears as Sakshi too got up from the floor and walked towards her. "I am sorry too." She hugged her. "For not understanding you the right way. All this bad phase was going on and I never thought it could affect you. I am sorry. I promise, it won't happen again. It began with us three and it should remain just like that."

Aditi smiled when Aarush wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Come on, now. Blow the candle."

Sakshi clapped excitedly when Aditi opened her mouth in shock as she read the cake, "Happy birthday to the third wheel."

Aarush snickered wildly, watching her face. He dodged Sakshi's tight slap on the forearm who wasn't aware of the same. "He did this," she pointed immediately.

Aarush covered his mouth, now smiling shyly. "Just a joke, you idiot."

Aditi gave him a stern look and he sighed. "Okay. Sorry, again. Please, forgive me." He joined his hands, putting his forehead on her feet almost when Aditi smiled satisfyingly.

"Whatever."

Sakshi bit her lip and started clapping her hands as Aditi blew the candles and cut the cake, taking the bite to Aarush's face who already had his mouth wide-opened. He too cut a piece and pushed it directly on her face making her groan in disgust.

Sakshi too got up after clicking some selfies with them and feed her the cake, half of it spreading on Aditi's face who squeezed her eyes, giggling like a little girl.

"The cake's delicious. Chocolate chip. It's irresistible," said Aditi while licking her finger, and looking at Sakshi.

Aarush smiled while observing her as Sakshi replied, "This idiot brought it for you. I will make one for you myself tomorrow and won't share with this third wheeler," she rolled her eyes while side-hugging her who chuckled softly.

Just as Sakshi pulled away from the hug, Aditi's eyes fell on Aarush. They kept staring until Sakshi cleared her throat. Aarush gulped and with a last look at Sakshi who nodded encouragingly, he said, "I was confused. I still am now. Tina," he swallowed, looking in her eyes. "I mean, I have gotten over her but I don't want to take it fast. You know, how much you mean to me nonetheless."

Sakshi smiled as he further explained, "Right now, Sakshi has her problems going on and I felt like as friends we must be there for her instead of fighting with each other. But I know, this much ignorance to you was wrong too."

"I swear, I didn't mean to hurt you. I just don't like when friends fight for no reason," he glanced at her, observing her flaring her nostrils. "Even though there was a reason for you here. Now, just let's just hug it out."

Sakshi opened her mouth, smiling widely and squealed when Aditi opened her arms again, only for Aarush to hug her tightly. He breathed slowly on her shoulder, murmuring, "But I still won't deny that you should have confessed it to me rather than going frustrated all these days."

Aditi pulled back. "Confessing what?"

Aarush narrowed her eyes. "That you love me?"

Sakshi covered her mouth, snickering as Aditi blinked rapidly. "Um, I. . . No. . . But Tina was still. . ."

Aarush sighed. "Bleh. Bleh. Bleh. You could have just spit it out. It's not like I would have dumped you. I mean, come on. I will kill for having a girlfriend with those boobs-" He groaned hard while rubbing his stomach where Aditi had just elbowed.

"I am going to kill you if you talk about my. . ."

"Your cute boobies?"

"Aarush!" Aditi leaned ahead to get a hold of Aarush's hand who was staggering away.

Sakshi smiled to herself, watching them blabbering each other's complaints. She shook her head, and got up from the bed. Taking a piece of cake, she announced, "Okay, guys. I am going to sleep while you guys. . . Eww. . ."

She made a face at Aarush who licked Aditi's cheek, making her flush. Sakshi gulped in disbelief. "Yeah. While you guys lick the cake off each other."

Aditi smiled at Sakshi, giving her a warm look that showed how thankful she was for the little efforts. Her eyebrows raised when she turned her head at reaching the door. She pointed at Aarush.

"You are sleeping on the couch outside," she said sternly. "Like always."

Aarush frowned. "Wait. Why? Let me gift the birthday girl, tonight.

Sakshi gasped while Aditi chuckled. "It's okay. I won't let him stay here. Not when he is commenting on my boobs," she told her and looked at Aarush, "About the gift, I wonder if you have even bought one for me."

Sakshi shut the door but not before catching Aarush rolling his eyes at Aditi. She yawned while loosening her hair. Just as she reached her bedroom door, her eyes fell on the little scented candle on the glass table in the drawing room.

A smile lifted the corner of her lips as she walked towards it. She stared at and thought about how that professor had surprised her with the little gift. But if it impressed her? She didn't know yet. It was just a gift to make it up for all those things he did.

But it didn't that she couldn't pick up the candle, put it on her window-side little table and appreciate the sweet gesture.

_________

"What do you think?"

Please vote and comment.