Return With Skills

I've booked a private slot at La Dolcee Vaita, the restaurant Ratika's been talking about, for next Saturday. It's a perfect place to celebrate and make it special.

"I've started decorating the place as we speak. Meanwhile, you should go to her place to bring her here."

"Make sure she doesn't suspect anything, and be charming as always. She'll love it when she sees the effort you've put in."

"Remember, this is your night to shine, Abhi. Show her how much she means to you. And don't worry, I've got everything covered here. Just go and make her feel special." I told Abhi.

As he nodded and left for Ratika's home, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself. In my past life, I often dreamed of organizing parties and events like this, but they always remained out of reach. Now, it's all so different. With the success of the contract and the lottery win, the world seems to be bending to our will. I stand from the table, the warmth of the room enveloping me as I reflect on the past. "This time, it's different," I murmur, a knowing smile playing on my lips.

The door closes behind Abhi, and the room falls silent once more. I take a deep breath, feeling a strange mix of excitement and nostalgia. "Life sure has a way of turning things around," I muse.

With everything in place, I turn my attention back to the living room. The decorations are almost done, a few streamers and balloons still to be tied. I imagine Ratika's face when she walks in.

As I finish up, my thoughts drift to the dinner. I hope Abhi is okay. He's come a long way, but this is a big step for him. I believe in him, though. After all, he's always got the heart of a lion. And with that thought, I can't help but feel a swell of pride for my little brother. Tonight, we're going to celebrate not just Ratika's birthday, but the growth and love that has blossomed between them.

As Ratika steps into the apartment, her eyes widen in amazement. The room is adorned with fairy lights, balloons in her favorite colors, and a banner that reads "Happy Birthday Ratika." She gasps, turning to me with a smile so bright it could light up the entire city. "Happy Birthday," I say, my voice filled with warmth.

"Thank you, Big brother," she says, her eyes sparkling as she throws her arms around me. "This is...this is so much more than I ever dreamed."

Abhi, standing behind her, beams with pride. "It's all your big brother's doing," he says, wrapping his arms around both of us. "I just followed his instructions."

I laugh, feeling the joy in the room. "It's not every day we get to days like that," I say.

Ratika releases us and spins around, taking in the decorations. "It's beautiful," she says, her voice filled with wonder. "But why? Why all this for me?"

"Because you're important to Abhi and also me," I reply, guiding her to the chair I've reserved for her. "And we wanted to show you just how much."

The sight of the three-tiered cake brings a gasp to her lips. "It's so big!" she exclaims.

"It's a reflection of the happiness we wish for you," I say, placing it carefully on the table.

As she takes in the grandeur of the cake, I can see the wheels turning in her mind. She's trying to piece together how we managed to pull this off without her knowing. But the magic of the moment is in the surprise.

With the final note of the birthday song hanging in the air, Ratika beams as we all watch her cut into the cake. She takes a piece and, with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, she offers it to me first. "Here, big brother," she says, her voice filled with affection.

"No, no," I protest, shaking my head. "You should give it to Abhi first."

"But you're the one who organized all this," she argues, her gaze flitting to Abhi, who nods in agreement. "Besides, I'm sure he'd love it if you did."

I chuckle and accept the slice she offers, taking a bite and savoring the sweetness. The cake is heavenly, but the joy in Ratika's eyes as she watches us is even more satisfying.

With a playful smirk, she then offers a much larger piece to Abhi. "And now, for the boy," she teases, and Abhi laughs, his cheeks reddening.

He takes the cake, and as they share a look filled with warmth and affection, I can't help but feel a twinge of happiness for them. The way they interact, it's like they've known each other for lifetimes.

Ratika feeds Abhi the cake, and the moment is filled with such tenderness that it feels like the air itself is charged with electricity. They laugh and make eye contact, and I realize that this isn't just about the cake. It's about the bond they've formed, the love that has grown between them.

After we've enjoyed the cake and shared in the celebration, it's time for the main event. I pull out a small box from my pocket and place it in Ratika's palm. She opens it, and her eyes light up when she sees the keyring inside. It's a simple gesture, but it holds a world of meaning. It's a symbol of the trust and friendship we share.

"Thank you," she says, her voice filled with genuine emotion.

I nod to Abhi, and he clears his throat, his hands shaking slightly as he pulls out a box from behind his back. "Ratika," he starts, his voice cracking a little. He takes a deep breath and tries again. "I...I wanted to give you this."

Her eyes widen as she looks at the box, and she opens it to reveal a beautiful pair of earrings. "They're...they're stunning," she whispers.

"They're not the only thing I want to give you," Abhi says, dropping to one knee.

Her hand flies to her mouth, and she looks at me for reassurance. I give her a gentle nod, my heart pounding in my chest.

"Ratika," Abhi says, taking her hand, "I know we've only been friends for a short time, but in that time, you've become the most important person in my life. Will you...will you go out with me?"

The room is so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Ratika's eyes fill with tears, and she nods, speechless. The joy on Abhi's face is priceless, and I can't help but feel a sense of pride swell within me.

He slides the earrings into her ears, and she laughs, the sound like music to my ears. They hug, and I can't help but think that this is a moment that will be etched in our hearts forever. A moment where love truly won, and the future looked as bright as the stars outside our window.

Jain, sensing that Abhi and Ratika would like some privacy, excuses himself to order food and drinks for them. His absence leaves them feeling both excited and nervous. As they sit on the couch, the tension in the air is palpable, like the buzz before a lightning storm.

Abhi, feeling bold, leans in and kisses Ratika gently on the cheek. She giggles, her eyes sparkling with joy. He takes this as a sign and kisses her again, this time on the lips. She doesn't pull away but instead responds with equal enthusiasm, their kiss growing more passionate as they hug each other tightly.

When Jain returns with the food and drinks, the sight of them sitting apart, their faces flushed and eyes bright, tells him everything he needs to know. They've shared a moment of intimacy, one that will likely lead to more in the future. He smirks and sets the tray down on the table, handing them their drinks. "Looks like I missed something," he says with a knowing wink.

They both laugh, the tension broken by Jain's light-hearted remark. The three of them sit down to enjoy the meal, their conversation a mix of excitement for the future and the sweetness of the present moment. The food and drinks are a testament to their growing bond and the love that now ties them together.

The night stretches on, filled with shared laughter and whispered secrets, as the trio revels in their newfound happiness and the warmth of their friendship. It's a reminder that even in the most challenging of times, moments of beauty and love can bloom, brightening the darkest of days.