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SURPRISES
Kunj watched as his wife bustled around the kitchen. She had shoo-ed Nikki Bhabhi and Bebe away, telling them she would cook today. He could not help the smile that tugged at his lips, knowing the reason for her desire to cook for the whole family. Anand Bhaiya and Manohar were out, so he could not even tell anyone that it was Twinkle's birthday, and Kunj had no desire to let her know that he knew. He would not be able to watch her like this if she knew. He leaned against the door frame, just watching the enigma that was his wife. She was making all their favorites, just like he knew she would. She was glowing, he did not think he had ever seen her this happy. And he could tell that it was because after so long, she was spending her birthday with people she could consider her own, people she did consider her own, and people who considered her their own.
He slipped away quietly before she could see him. He had some work to do himself. With one last lingering look at the woman who held his heart (and did not even know it), he made his way to his room, a spring in his steps.
Twinkle hummed as she set the table. She was so happy today. She did not care if no one knew that it was her birthday, she knew if they did they would have thrown her a party. Rather, this family dinner, with the people she loved most around her, was what she wanted. It had been so long since she had had reason to celebrate her birthday. And this was the first birthday she was celebrating as a daughter-in-law, and a wife, and it was her first birthday as Kunj's wife. She wanted everything to be perfect.
She aligned the plates again, biting her lower lip. She hoped everyone would enjoy the meal. She had made something for everyone. But something was missing. She rushed off to get the flowers she had picked in the morning, and carefully placed them in a vase in the middle of the table. Now it was perfect.
"Wah, Twinkle beta, kya khana tha," Bebe praised her younger bahu. "Sabki man pasand bana di tumne. Kyu, koi khaas baat?" She smiled at her knowingly. Twinkle blushed.
Nikki looked at her and realised that Twinkle had not told anybody. "Twinkle, I'll come with you to get the dessert."
The two of them walked off, and Usha, Surjeet and Cherry questioned Bebe as to her words. Both Bebe and Kunj did not say anything, though Kunj observed bebe's eyes flitting towards the kitchen often. Ishaan just sat there with a small smile on his face, enjoying being with family. Bebe had known that Twinkle would not announce it being her birthday. But still, now everyone knew. And she was pretty sure Kunj had something up his sleeve, because he had been too quiet throughout the meal, occasionally just looking at Twinkle, his spoon missing his mouth.
Yes, today was going to be special for her Bahu, she thought to herself as Twinkle and Nikki brought the halwa to the table, and Kunj automatically looked at his wife, his eyes never leaving her face. Her husband would make sure of that.
Twinkle was in heaven. She had never imagined that she would ever be this happy on her birthday after whatever that had happened in her life recently. She had never thought that she would have anyone other than Leela in her life. But her family had showered so much love and blessings on her, and that was before they had known that today was her birthday. After Bebe had told them everyone had wished her warmly. She frowned. Everyone but Kunj. Only she had noticed though, because he had made lots of noise, teasing everyone, but he had not once wished her.
With a small sigh, she entered her room. It had hurt more than she had expected. Kunj had come to be the most important person in her life, and if she allowed herself to admit it, he was no longer just her best friend. He was so much more.
Her eyes widened as she took in the room. It was a mess. What had Kunj done? Annoyed, she started to pick clothes up off the floor and bed, grumbling to herself. She did not see Kunj stop at the doorway, a smirk on his lips.
Kunj could not help it, he loved riling her up, and today, it had just seemed right. He watched as she muttered darkly to herself as to what she thought of him and folded the clothes. He wondered briefly how she kept herself from ripping his clothes apart. He watched her pause as she came across the first envelope. She furrowed her eyebrows, and he wished he had a camera. She was just so cute.
Kunj stood behind her as she read the note. But before she could turn around, having felt his presence, he had disappeared out of the room.
Twinkle reread the note. 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. And when the beholder is in love, beauty is all he sees. Would you like to see what he loves, what he sees every day, every minute? Take three steps to your right and you shall see the most beautiful creature he has ever known.'
But, she saw, three steps to her right was the dresser. Still, curiosity won, and she made her way to the dresser, where she saw another envelope tucked into the mirror.
'And what a beauty she is,' the note read, and Twinkle startled, as she realised that the writer of the notes meant her. 'This beholder is smitten, slain, to be given one smile. He lays at your feet, hoping to catch a glimpse of those eyes, those lips.' Twinkle blushed. 'The cheeks stained rosy pink. Is this love? Perhaps, this night could tell us.'
Kunj watched his wife as she followed the instructions on the second envelope. She had reached the rose bush in the back garden, and had found the third envelope. He knew what this said, of course. He grinned as he saw her make her way to the terrace, her eyes alight with curiosity. She was gorgeous. And tonight, he would finally tell her how he felt.
Twinkle gasped in surprise as she stepped onto the terrace. The place was lit by candle-light, rose petals covering the floor. It was as if she had stepped into a fairy-tale, and she was the princess. And her prince, he stood in the shadows. She could see his silhouette. She cautiously made her way over. She knew who it was, she had known since she had come across the first envelope. She had recognised Kunj's chicken scrawl, but his words had struck deep within her, and she had wanted to know what else he would say. What else he thought of her. As she reached him, he smiled gently at her, and handed her another envelope.
"It's the second-to-last one," he told her. She opened it slowly, and pulled the card out. Red rose petals fell out as well. 'And so the prince finally meets his princess. Will she dance with him?'
She looked up at him shyly and nodded. She could not bring herself to speak, and break this magical moment. As if on cue, as she put her hand in his, music began to play and Kunj drew her close, both swaying to the music.
Kunj pulled away from Twinkle, reluctantly, but he knew he had to. The night was not over yet. He kissed her hand, and gestured towards the table he had set up at the side where a silver tray rested, covered. He watched as Twinkle made her way over to it, and he prepared himself for what would be the most important moment in his life. He observed her remove the cover, and pick up the final envelope. With trepidation, he watched her slit open the envelope and take out the card.
He stood behind her as she deliberated over opening the card. Both of them held their breaths as she read the words. Three simple words, which held everything.
'I Love You.'
Twinkle read the words over and over again, beaming from ear-to-ear. She was overwhelmed. She was overjoyed. She turned to look at Kunj, who was observing her nervously. His nerves relaxed as he took in her smile, and the twinkle in her eyes. He stepped closer to her, and wrapped his arms around her waist. She closed her eyes in bliss as she hugged him back, her face burrowed into the crook of his neck. They fit together, so perfectly.
He whispered in her ear, "Happy Birthday, jaan."
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