Chapter 18: chapter 18

Ravi and Surya relaxed for a while.“Ravi, let’s go to the mobile store, my phone’s damaged,” said Surya and both of them went to the mobile showroom. He purchased a new phone and dialed to America. After a couple of minutes, he received another call. He was ecstatic as soon as he listened to someone talking on the other side. He disconnected the call and said, “Ravi, I just got to know an amazing news!”“Really?What is it, dude?”“Dude, it’s my birthday tomorrow! You forgot it? I want a grand celebration!”Ravi was surprised, “Celebration? You don’t like these celebrations, right? What’s the matter?”“We have to act accordingly, dude. Anyway, take care of the arrangements, Ravi.”“Is this to impress my sister?”“Maybe! You invite everyone. Okay?” he said, assigning the work to Ravi and dialed home to tell the same. Shashikala was ecstatic and so was Meenakshi. Meanwhile, all the necessary arrangements were done and the workers started decorating the house with the lights and all the necessary food.Sandhya came out and noticed the arrangements. She was almost well now. She asked Shashikala, “Auntie, What’s the matter? What’s going on?”“It’s Surya’s birthday tomorrow!” said Shashikala, smiling.Sandhya was joyful, thought for a while, and decided to help. Sandhya was taking care of the flower decoration. The house seemed like a celebration for a festival. Surya reached home around 11. Sandhya was waiting for him and as soon as she saw him, she said, “Advance happy birthday, Surya!”“Oh!”“Oh? You are not even saying thanks ?”“Answer me this. Are you alright? Are you taking care?”She nodded her head yes.“I thought so! What did I tell you? I told you not to step down from the bed, didn’t I?”“Surya, look at me, I’m perfectly alright! I was eating accordingly and consuming juice every hour.”“Okay! It’s late already. Go get some sleep ,” he said.Surya was hiding something behind him.“By the way, what are you hiding?”He smiled and handed her a gift.“What’s this?”“Go on, open it!”Sandhya opened it. There was an elegant green saree that looked like it was made in heaven. It was something she really liked, “Thank you, Surya!” and brought tears to her eyes.“It’s not over yet. Go on, there’s more in the box!”Sandhya looked in to find a necklace box. It was a necklace with diamonds studded in it. It was shining like a star. It was made very delicately so as to not cause any trouble for her smooth skin.She had tears in her eyes and said, “Surya, this seems to be an expensive one! Why are you giving this to me?”“Sandhya, I made it specially for you. Please don’t deny it!”“Thanks, Surya. I never received such precious gifts! Thank you so much.”“Sandhya, will you wear it to the party tomorrow?”“Definitely!” she said, smiling and left the room.It was 12 at night. Surya was sleeping and Sandhya screamed, “Happy birthday, Surya!”Surya jolted awake to find the room completely decorated and Sandhya holding a cake with candles lit on it. He was thrilled and celebrated with her. They fed the cake to each other. Both of them slept peacefully.It was the next day evening. Surya was looking dashing in his navy blue suit. Everything was decorated and the arrangements were special. Meenkshi was ecstatic. Surya’s relatives and Sandhya’s parents, everyone arrived at the event. Shashikala asked, “Brother? Shall we start? The cake’s here!”“Where is Sandhya?” he asked. She was about to say something and everyone turned their heads to someone. She was Sandhya, in the elegant green saree, with the shining necklace, walking down the stairs. Her hair seemed like the waves of the ocean. An ornament on her head seemed like a star and her earring seemed like a piece of the Moon. She looked like an angel. Everyone was in Awe of her. Surya was lost in her.She stood beside Surya and asked, “Why is everyone staring at me?” Surya, without answering, rushed to grab the mic and said, “Friends, Thanks for coming to this party, I’m extremely grateful!Everyone was listening to Surya keenly including Ravi.“It is not my birthday today but also another important person in my life. She is my wife, Sandhya Rani!”Everyone was shocked and started clapping. Surya was on cloud nine. She was shocked that  Surya knew her birthday. She looked at the cake and it read, “Happy birthday, Sandhya!”. Meanwhile, the screen right in front of them, came to life. On the screen was Parvathamma and Maaggie with the cake. Sandhya was awe-struck.Maggie said, “Happy birthday, Mom! C’mon, cut the cake!”Sandhya was teary. Surya wished, “Happy birthday, Sandhya!’She wiped her tears and said, “Thank you, Surya!” and hugged him. Surya was filled with joy.Both of them dissected the cake. Maggie cut the cake too. Everyone was happy but Meenaskshi was filled with terror.As everything was going on well and good, a woman around 22-23, was walking towards Sandhya. She wore a single piece dress and seemed absolutely modern.She handed the bouquet to Sandhya and wished, “Happy birthday, Ma’am!”Sandhya accepted the bouquet and stared at her.“Ma’am , I am an employee at your office. I’m Rona Bhatia!” she said.