Gauri's steps slowed as she descended the staircase, her eyes widening at the sight before her. The entire hall glittered with pink and white balloons, streamers draped like soft waves, and in the center, glowing letters spelled out Happy Birthday Gauri.
Her throat tightened. For a moment, she forgot how to breathe. The Kothari family stood below, faces lit with smiles, their voices rising together in a chorus—
"Happy birthday to you…"
Her eyes instantly found Vihaan among them. He wasn't smiling like the others. His gaze was steady, soft, carrying a quiet sincerity that made her heart ache.
Yug bounded forward, grinning ear to ear. "Do you like the surprise, Gauri bhabhi? Bhaiya arranged everything!"
Gauri stepped down, her saree brushing against the stairs, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. "Vihaan… how did you know?"
Before Vihaan could speak, Charvi ran to her, throwing her arms around her sister. "Last night, I told Bhaiya," she whispered.
---
Flashback
The corridor lay in quiet shadows. Charvi had stopped Vihaan as he walked by, nervously twisting her dupatta in her hands.
"Tomorrow is sister's birthday. Every year, we celebrate it by visiting the orphanage where we stayed as kids."
Vihaan paused, surprised. "It's Gauri's birthday?"
Charvi shook her head. "Not really. We don't even know the dates we were born… so when we were little, we chose a random day to celebrate. It became our tradition." Her eyes lowered. "This year, I wanted to make it special for her."
Vihaan's stern face softened. "You don't need to stress yourself. Now that both of you are here… you're not alone anymore." His voice held quiet resolve. "I promise—I'll make this birthday one she'll never forget."
End of flashback
---
Gauri's tears spilled over as she turned to Vihaan, who stood silently, his hands clasped behind him as if restraining his emotions. "You…" she whispered, her lips trembling.
But before she could finish, Vihaan stepped aside. "There's one more surprise."
The main doors swung open. A cheerful clamor of voices filled the hall as children from the orphanage ran inside, their small arms carrying flowers, cards, and little gifts. Raani entered with them, smiling proudly.
"Happy birthday, Gauri didi!" the children chorused, their laughter echoing through the mansion.
Gauri gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. One by one, the children surrounded her, hugging her tightly, pulling at her saree pallu, pressing flowers into her palms. She bent down, her eyes shining, whispering their names as if each one was a piece of her lost childhood returning.
She held them close, accepting their wishes with trembling hands, her heart overwhelmed with love, gratitude, and an ache so sweet it nearly broke her.
Gayatri stepped forward, her eyes already misting. She cupped Gauri's face with trembling hands and pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Forgive me, my child… for never being there to celebrate your birthdays," she whispered, her voice breaking.
Gauri's lashes fluttered, tears spilling freely. She took her mother's hands in hers and pressed them to her heart. "Let bygones be bygones, Ma," she said softly. Her voice steadied, flowing into gentle verses that seemed to rise from the depths of her soul:
The past may have shadows,
but I will not let them bind.
Today I hold your blessing,
and leave yesterday behind.
Gayatri wept silently, pulling her daughter into a tight embrace, while Charvi clung to both of them, completing the circle of love they had always craved.
From behind, Dadi stepped forward with Sharda and Urvashi. One by one, they placed their hands over Gauri's head, murmuring blessings of strength, happiness, and protection. Gauri bowed low, her eyes brimming with gratitude.
Just then, Yug came bounding in with a wide grin, holding a cake aloft. "Here it is—the grand masterpiece! Specially made by Bhaiya and me."
Gasps and chuckles rippled through the family. Gauri's eyes widened as she looked from the cake to Vihaan. "You… made a cake? For me?" Her voice trembled with disbelief.
Vihaan stood a little apart, his hands behind his back, refusing to meet her eyes. A faint smile curved his lips, betraying the softness he tried so hard to hide.
"Happy birthday to you…" the family began again, their voices rising in joy as Gauri stood before the cake. The children clapped in rhythm, filling the hall with laughter.
Gauri cut the cake with trembling hands, her heart swelling with emotion. One by one, she fed a piece to each family member, to the children, to her sister, to her mother. Their laughter, their blessings, their smiles—everything felt like a dream.
Finally, the last piece remained in her hand. She turned, and her gaze found Vihaan. Their eyes locked across the small distance, speaking unspoken words.
With a soft breath, Gauri stepped closer and raised her hand. Vihaan bent slightly, his eyes never leaving hers, and took the piece of cake from her fingers.
Their gaze lingered—an unsaid promise, a fragile tenderness—until the rest of the family's cheerful applause pulled them back to the moment.
But for those few seconds, it felt like only the two of them existed in the room.
The children giggled as they tied the cloth around Gauri's eyes, spinning her gently until she laughed, her bangles jingling like music. Blindfolded, she stretched her hands out, chasing after the little ones who darted around her with squeals of delight. Her laughter rang through the hall, sweet and carefree, the kind that lightened even the heaviest heart.
Vihaan stood a little apart, his arms folded at first, watching silently. But as Gauri stumbled, almost catching one child before another slipped past her, a smile tugged at his lips. He didn't even realize when his hand rose to his hair, ruffling it in a nervous, boyish gesture. His stern eyes softened, glowing with an affection he had never felt before.
Yug, noticing his Bhaiya's expression, grinned mischievously. He sidled closer, stepping directly into Vihaan's line of sight. "No need to stare so hard, Bhaiya," he teased under his breath, stretching his arms to block the view.
But Vihaan, lost in the spell of Gauri's laughter, barely registered his brother's antics. Without even glancing, he placed a hand on Yug's head and slowly pushed his face aside, as if clearing an obstacle in his path.
Yug staggered back, mock-offended, rubbing his cheek dramatically. "Arre, Bhaiya!"
But Vihaan didn't respond. His eyes were fixed only on the girl in the pink saree, blindfolded, laughing with children as though she were born to spread light in dark places. And in that quiet, unspoken moment, it became clear—Vihaan Kothari, the stern ACP, was falling hopelessly, irreversibly in love.