Happy Birthday Aradhna
--------------------------------------------------------------------
His lips were on her neck. Her eyes were closed. Suddenly
his lips curled to reveal the bright set of fangs hidden underneath.
Two gasps were heard and another girl reached over and hit
the stop key.
"Seriously you two are acting like you've never seen it
before." Rubina exclaimed.
Bhavna and Aradhna both turned to glare at Rubina who held
the remote in her hand. "Just because we've seen it, doesn't mean we can't
relive our emotions." Aradhna said in a frank tone.
Meera yawned loudly and glanced down at her watch. "This is
boring." She exchanged a grin with Rubina who obviously agreed with her
emotions.
Bhavna shook her head at Meera while Aradhna muttered
something under her breath.
"What was that?" Rubina leaned over closer on the sofa where
she was sitting with Aradhna.
Aradhna glanced up and glared at her. "I will deal with you
later."
Rubina gasped and whimpered. "I'm so scared Radz. Mee come protect
me." Then she grinned and rolled her eyes.
Meera let out a laugh and then bit her lip when Aradhna looked
at her. "I didn't say anything."
Aradhna groaned before reaching over for her coffee on the
table. She raised it to her mouth and took a sip, making a face as she put the
tumbler down. "It's cold."
"Let's go on a coffee run!" Bhavna clapped.
Rubina gave her a look before grinning. "I want a frap!"
Meera rolled her eyes. "Such a surprise Rubi really,"
Rubina stuck her tongue out at Meera and turned to Aradhna.
"You driving?"
Aradhna grabbed the keys from the table before Meera could
reach for them. "Of course."
Meera rolled her eyes. "I don't wanna come."
Bhavna frowned. "Why not?"
"It's cold outside." Meera crossed her arms in an attempt to
prove her point.
"You're such a baby." Rubina shook her head.
Aradhna and Bhavna both burst out laughing. "So damn true."
Meera rolled her eyes before taking the empty glasses and
walking into the kitchen.
The other three girls looked at each other. "Is she mad?"
"When isn't she?"
"Or she could just be hurt."
Another voice added into the mix. "OR she could be listening
to your every word."
"Mee! Didn't anyone tell you not to eavesdrop?" Rubina
frowned, annoyed at it.
"It's my apartment. I can listen."
"That's sucky reasoning." Meera rolled her eyes.
Bhavna nodded. "So sad, now let's go! I need coffee."
She grabbed the other two girls and dragged them out the
door while Meera watched the door close behind them. Three seconds later her
phone began vibrating and she grabbed it. "Hello?"
"What do you want?" Rubina asked.
"What?" Meera frowned.
Rubina sighed loudly. "From Starbucks Mee. What would you
like us to bring you?"
"Shouldn't you know by now?" Meera said in an icy tone.
Rubina moved away from the girls. "What is your problem?"
she asked in a loud whisper. "You've been acting bitchy all evening."
"I have reasons."
"Uh huh, I'm sure you do." Rubina said with a scowl.
"Whatever I don't need to deal with this. Do you want hot or cold?"
"You know which one I get for both?" Meera asked.
"After about 5 years of being your best friend, yeah I'd say
I know."
Bhavna and Aradhna watched Rubina talk quietly but angrily
into the phone as she walked away from the car. "What's up with them?" Bhavna
asked Aradhna.
"I figured you'd know." Aradhna said toying with the keys.
Bhavna shrugged. "With those two do we ever know?"
A laugh came from Rubina's direction and both girls glanced
at her. "Obviously not." Aradhna grinned. "Whatever as long as they're okay. I
need coffeeeee!" She whistled at Rubina and gestured to the car. She whistled
at Rubina and gestured to the car.
Rubina rolled her eyes before coming to the car, sliding her phone into her
pocket. "Could you be more addicted?"
Aradhna simply stared at her while Bhavna answered.
"Are you seriously asking her that?"
Rubina shook her head before sitting down in the car. The
other two quickly followed suit and they were on their way.
Before Aradhna pulled into the nearest Starbucks, only five
minutes away Rubina coughed. "Either of you know what hot drink she
gets?"
"You don't know?!" Bhavna yelped. "And she
hasn't chewed you out yet?"
"First of all B, who says that?" Aradhna stared at
her.
"What?" Bhavna frowned.
Aradhna shook her head. "You don't know her
order?"
"I'm sorry but you do? Its so frickin long! Mine's so
much easier. Grande caramel frap and we're done." Rubina glared at the two
girls. "With her it's like a little of that, non-something else. How do
you even keep track?!"
Her phone buzzed and she sighed.
Aradhna glanced at Bhavna who sat in the passenger seat next
to her. "Come to think of it, I don't know Mee's order either."
Bhavna grimaced. "Something mocha related."
Rubina grinned. "She knew none of us would know. She
messaged it."
"Well thank-god for that." Aradhna said as the
three of them exited the car.
They walked into the deserted Starbucks and frowned seeing
how empty it was. "It's not even midnight, why is it so dull?" Bhavna muttered as
they walked in.
Aradhna shrugged. "Are we gonna stay here or go?"
Bhavna shrugged as well. "Whatever. I don't really care."
She yawned and she glanced at the lone occupant in the place. "Don't look now
but seriously cute guy all the way in the corner." She muttered to both the
girls. "And eeks he kinda looks like Jensen Ackles."
"No!" Rubina gasped as she casually turned to glance at him.
"Oh B, damn. You could've said he was even hotter."
Aradhna glanced at her friends curiously. "Is that even
possible?"
"You haven't seen him yet." Rubina shook her head and fanned
herself as she stood in line behind Aradhna.
"Crap I forgot my wallet in the car!" Aradhna groaned. "I'll
be right back, you girls order."
"I'll pay," Rubina offered, holding up some cash.
Aradhna waved her off before leaving the Starbucks.
Bhavna unashamedly continued gazing at the mysterious
stranger who seemed rather unfazed by the attention.
"B, you're being kinda obvious." Rubina muttered, pulling
Bhavna towards her.
"Who cares?" She giggled.
"You're drooling."
"Mh—hmm."
"He's watching."
"Uh huh,"
"It's dripping down your chin making a puddle."
"Ew. What?!" Bhavna glanced down at the floor, furiously
dabbing her chin. "You liar."
Rubina smirked. "Love you too,"
Bhavna was too busy getting upset with Rubina who was too
busy laughing at the situation that neither one of them noticed their handsome
stranger disappear out the door into the parking lot.
"Where is that damn thing?" Aradhna was crouched over in the
car trying to look for her wallet, not knowing that the stranger had followed
her outside. "I could swear I grabbed it when we left." She rolled her eyes.
"Unless I was too giddy about getting coffee and I forgot it." she groaned
realizing that meant she also left her license at the house. Any minute now
Meera was going to find it and have a meltdown. She shook her head; backing out
of the car when she got the feeling she was being watched. She turned around
instantly and gasped seeing the stranger from Starbucks leaning against the
brick wall watching her. A slow smirk formed on his face. The shadows made him
look even more mysterious and alluring.
Aradhna who was never one to be swept away in brash
decisions or spontaneous actions, made her way near the door, slowing down near
him.
Sadly he didn't say a word to her and she dejectedly went
towards the door when finally she heard him speak.
"I saw you and your friends inside."
She stopped dead in her tracks and for a moment her eyes
closed, relishing in the sweet moment that he had actually spoken to her and
HAD noticed her.
She turned around slowly. "Talking to me?"
"See anyone else around?" he smirked.
She smiled back, a tad goofily at her obvious question. "Why
are you standing out here?"
He shrugged, his leather jacket shimmering the dim
streetlights. "I had an impulsive urge."
She raised her eyebrow. "Is that so? An urge for what?
Talking to random girls in the middle of the night at a coffee shop?"
He let out a soft chuckle and she grinned at the sound.
"You don't seem very random to me."
"What's your definition of random?" She questioned, surprised
at her forwardness. She cheered in the fact that for a second now he looked
caught off guard.
"I—uhh, well it depends."
"On?" She grinned.
He leaned slightly towards her. Her heartbeat started racing
and her mind was throwing all sorts of warnings at her about strangers but her
heart ignored each one.
"Depends on certain things,"
"Like?" She asked.
He leaned back to the wall and gave her an once-over. "The
way she's dressed."
"Did you just check me out?" She couldn't stop the smile
growing on her face.
"I don't see you objecting." He grinned.
"I have no reason to object," She shrugged.
His smirk became more prominent. "Oh really? And how's
that?"
She shrugged. "You can't keep all the mysteriousness to
yourself na?"
He chuckled softly. "Course not."
"So," she smiled. "Tell me why you're following me?"
"Following you? Is that what I'm doing?"
She leaned back and gestured to the coffee cup in his hand.
"You were inside the Starbucks and I walked out and now you're out here. Any
indication?"
He grinned. "Nice observation."
She nodded. "I know. So answer the question."
"We're being watched." He said cryptically.
She widened her eyes and glanced behind at the huge
Starbucks window. Unsurprised she turned back to him. "I would've been
surprised if they weren't watching."
He laughed. "Won't you introduce me?"
She shook her head. "The one who looks like she'll
faint or worse drool; is Bhavna. The one who looks positively annoyed with B's
behaviour is Rubina, or Rinki. Actually just Rinki, you don't want to call her
Rubina and die. I'm babbling aren't I?" She groaned softly.
He waved to both the girls. "It's cute,"
Aradhna grinned at him. "You're a bit strange, thought you
oughta know."
He smirked. "Tell me something I don't know."
She raised an eyebrow. "How about you tell me something I
don't know. Like your name perhaps?"
He smiled. "Knowing each others' names would imply you want
this meeting to be continued. Are you sure that's what you want?"
She grinned. "I'll take my chances."
He shook his head. "We need to keep the element of surprise
alive."
"And how do you suggest we do that?"
"Keeping our identities a secret." He whispered in a low
voice.
She involuntarily blushed and he lightly brushed his finger
across her cheek.
"Give me your phone." He said softly.
She quickly surrendered her phone to him and watched as he
pressed a few buttons before it beeped. He handed it back to her and smiled.
"I'm under mystery b and you're saved in mine as mystery g."
She laughed at the names as she scrolled through her contacts.
"This is crazy. You're crazy."
"Well would you like to go out with this crazy guy?"
She bit her lip, contemplating her answer. "I'd love to."
Her eyes darted towards her still-watching friends. "I
should go back inside."
He leaned down and lightly kissed her cheek. "Happy
Birthday."
His kiss left her skin feeling tingly as she walked back
into the Starbucks.
Bhavna and Rubina watched as Aradhna made her way to their
little table. They both raised their drinks and took sips while she sat down,
her phone and wallet clutched in her hands.
"So..." Rubina began.
Bhavna put her cup down. "So...you gonna tell us who he
was?"
Aradhna grinned. "I wish I knew B."
Bhavna and Rubina exchanged a look. "You don't know who he
was?"
Rubina groaned. "You were with some stranger at night for
nearly 10 minutes and you don't know him? Meera's going to freak."
"Forget her," Bhavna frowned. "I'm freaking out! What the
hell Aradhna? I know he was cute—"
"He was wasn't he?" Aradhna interrupted.
Bhavna leaned towards Rubina. "I never thought I'd see her
this way."
"All giddy?" Rubina shook her head. "It's pitiful."
That seemed to snap Aradhna out of whatever world she was
in. "Oh shut up, as if you don't get that way around Farid and you B, you're
always like that." Rubina and Bhavna glared at Aradhna and stood up promptly.
"Where are the two of you going?"
"We're going to wait in the car for you to take us home."
Bhavna said. "Or better yet," she grabbed the keys sitting on the table. "I'm
driving us home. Let's go."
Aradhna groaned as she grabbed her coffee and followed her
apparently annoyed friends to the car. As she slid into the backseat, a thought
crossed her mind. She quickly pulled out her iPhone and messaged a certain
someone.
How'd you know it was my birthday?
He had wished her a happy birthday when he didn't even know
her name and that baffled her. She anxiously awaited his reply, trying to
distract herself criticizing the way Bhavna drove.
"Careful B! You're gonna hit the tree."
"There. Is. No. One. On. The. Road!" Bhavna muttered.
Her phone pinged then and she completely became oblivious to
the looks exchanged between Bhavna and Rubina.
Wild guess :p
They arrived home before she had a chance to reply and so
she figured it was best for her to reply later when she was all alone.
They three of them opened the door and Meera all but pounced
on them. "Where's my coffee?"
The three girls eyes went wide and they glanced at one
another hoping that one of them had at least remembered.
Meera seemed to realize this quickly. "You didn't remember
did you? None of you." She nodded. "It's okay. It's cool." She turned away and
walked into the living room, snuggling up with the fleecy blanket. The other
three quickly followed her and sat down near her.
"It's because of Radz." B said.
"What?" Aradhna frowned. "How?"
Rubina shrugged. "She met this guy and we totally got
distracted and annoyed with her."
Meera frowned. "Let me get this straight, you forgot my
coffee because of some guy?"
The three of her friends shrugged. "Oops?"
Meera rolled her eyes. "Oh shut up! Tell me what he was
like!" Bhavna and Rubina quickly started dishing out details of the mysterious
stranger while Aradhna quickly pulled out her phone and saw a new message
waiting for her.
I saw a text when I was saving my number that said Happy
Birthday. Figured I should wish you even though I'm your mysterious
stranger.
She grinned at his message. Her birthday wish came true
without her even trying to fulfill it. She wanted something unusual to happen and
it did. She met a mysterious stranger. A stranger who was obviously very
intriguing but she also spent the day with her friends. Friends that made
everything a bit more amusing than it actually was. She smiled at her three
friends sitting closely together on the couch and without a word she sat down
next to them and they sat together watching some pointless show on tv, all the
while making fun of whatever it was. This was friendship and this was one of
the birthday's she'd remember a long time coming. Her stranger made sure of
that.
ily <3
comment:
p_commentcount