Chapter 3 3.

I lay on my bed, staring up at the ceiling, the guilt gnawing away at me. Mishka deserved better. It was her birthday tomorrow, and I wasn't even going to be there. My mother had, once again, pulled the strings, effortlessly controlling my life like a master puppeteer.

But this time, I wasn't going to let her win entirely.

I grabbed my phone, glancing at the time. It was almost midnight. A crazy idea started brewing in my mind.

Midnight...

That was the perfect time to show up at Mishka's place. The thought of her surprised face, her eyes lighting up as I knocked on her door at 12:01, was enough to get me out of bed.

If I couldn't spend the day with her, I could at least be the first to wish her on her birthday. A midnight surprise might just make up for the disappointment I'd caused earlier. I could show up at her place right at midnight.

The excitement surged through me, making me sit up. I could still make it special.

Hell, maybe even more special by showing up at her door with flowers, a dress, and a ridiculous grin.

I jumped up, adrenaline pumping through my veins as the plan formed in my head. I quickly rummaged through my closet and found a Saree I bought for her last week. It was a deep red, something I knew she would look stunning in.

I grabbed a bouquet of fresh roses from the vase on my desk. They weren't the ones I had planned for her, but they'd have to do.

Sneaking out of the Malhotra mansion, however, wasn't going to be easy. My family had a security system that would rival Fort Knox, and the watch guards were loyal to my mother, not me.

But if there was one thing I knew how to do, it was getting my way.

I pulled on a jacket, grabbed my keys, and headed downstairs. The house was eerily quiet, everyone already asleep, which worked to my advantage.

I headed downstairs as quietly as possible. But of course, the moment I stepped out of my room, I was greeted by none other than Mr. Patel, the ever-vigilant guard stationed near the front entrance.

"Arsh baba, where are you off to this late?" He asked, eyes squinting suspiciously.

Think fast, Arsh.

"I, uh... I need to check on something. You know, important business." I said, trying to sound official.

"At midnight?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Yes." I said, leaning in conspiratorially.

"Midnight is the perfect time for business, no distractions, you see?"

Patel didn't seem convinced. He crossed his arms and blocked my path.

"Okay, okay." I sighed.

"I'll level with you. It's Mishka's birthday. If you let me out, I'll slip you a nice little bonus, and I'll pretend you never saw me. Sound good?"

Patel's eyes lit up at the mention of money. He looked left and right, then back at me.

"Make it a good one, baba." he whispered.

I fished out a wad of cash from my wallet and handed it to him. He grinned, unlocking the gate as if we were partners in crime.

"You didn't see me, Mr. Patel."

"Who are you again?" he replied with a wink.

But the two guards at the main gate would be a problem.

As I reached the massive double doors of the mansion, I slowed my pace and peeked outside. There they were, as expected, two burly men in crisp white uniforms standing at attention. They were chatting quietly, but I knew they'd stop me if I tried to leave.

I sighed, then grinned to myself. Bribery was always an option. And money talked, especially to people like them.

I slipped out quietly through the side door and made my way around to the front gate, approaching them with the most innocent smile I could muster.

"Evening, gentlemen." I greeted them, sliding a few thousand rupees into their palms.

"How about we pretend I was never here?" I raised an eyebrow.

The guards exchanged looks, their faces betraying a mixture of confusion and amusement. But when they saw the money, they nodded, slipping the cash into their pockets without a second thought.

"Have fun, sir. We'll make sure no one knows." One of them even winked.

"Thanks, fellas. I owe you one." I chuckled under my breath. I knew these guys were only loyal as far as the money reached.

With that sorted, I slipped through the gate, hopped into my car, and sped toward Mishka's house. The drive felt longer than usual, every minute ticking by in anticipation. I checked my phone. 11:45 p.m. I'd make it just in time.

As I parked a little way down from her house, I quickly checked my reflection in the rearview mirror. I wasn't going to show up looking like I just crawled out of bed.

My hair was a mess, but I ran my fingers through it a few times, trying to make it look at least semi-presentable. I took a deep breath, grabbing the bouquet and the dress before quietly getting out of the car.

Mishka's apartment building was nestled in a quiet neighborhood, and at this time of night, there wasn't a soul around. The lights were still on in her apartment, which means she is awake. Perfect.

I climbed the stairs two at a time, my heart racing with excitement. As I reached her door, I glanced at my phone again. 11:58 p.m. Cutting it close. I smiled, positioning the flowers and the Saree in my hands.

And then, right as the clock struck midnight, I knocked.

There was a moment of silence, and then I heard her soft footsteps approaching the door. My heart pounded in my chest, and I could barely contain the grin on my face.

The door creaked open, and there she was, Mishka, standing in her pajamas, her eyes half-lidded with sleep but quickly widening in surprise.

"Arsh?" she whispered, her voice a mix of disbelief and confusion.

"Happy birthday, Mishka." I said, stepping forward with a flourish.

"I know I couldn't be with you tomorrow, but I figured I could still be the first to wish you." I quickly apologised.

Her eyes sparkled with a mixture of shock and delight.

"You... You came at midnight?"

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it for the world. And, I brought you something." I held out the bouquet of roses.

Her gaze fell on the Saree draped over my arm, and her mouth dropped open. "Arsh, this is-"

"Beautiful, I know." I interrupted, grinning.

"But it'll look even better on you. Try it on tomorrow. I'd love to see it."

"You're impossible, you know that?" She stared at me, her cheeks flushed with color.

"Only for you." I replied with a wink, stepping inside as she moved back to let me in.

"How old are you again?" I teased her as I looked at her apartment for the millionth time with the same warmth.

Her apartment was small but cozy, with a lived-in warmth that made me feel instantly comfortable. I looked around, taking in the small touches of her personality scattered throughout the room, books stacked on the coffee table, soft blankets draped over the couch, and the faint smell of vanilla hanging in the air.

"Arsh." She hit my arm lightly and continued.

"I was about to go to bed." she said, rubbing her eyes and stifling a yawn.

"But I'm glad you came." I raised an eyebrow.

"Where's Baba?" I asked as I looked for a place to place bouquet and the Saree.

"Emergency." She muttered, but her widened immediately when she looked at my smirk.

"No." She mouthed and I huffed.

"Waise tum agye han?" She said again meekly.

( so You came huh?)

"I had to. I couldn't stand the thought of not being here for your birthday." I said as I set the flowers and dress on the kitchen counter, turning to her with a sheepish smile.

She gave me a playful nudge. "You bribed the guards, didn't you?"

I laughed, holding up my hands in surrender. "Guilty. But I had to. They were in my way, and nothing was going to stop me from seeing you tonight."

"Aap bhi na, kaisi kaisi harkatein karte ho sachme." She whispered and shook her head, but she was smiling, her eyes filled with a warmth that made my chest tighten.

(Even your actions are impossible.)

"Tumhe bhi to isi Arsh se pyaar h." I teased, stepping closer to her.

(Yet you love this Arsh a lot.)

She didn't deny it. Instead, she stepped into my arms, resting her head against my chest. The feeling of her so close, her soft breathing and the steady rhythm of her heartbeat, made everything else fade away.

We stood there in silence for a few moments, just holding each other, and I realized this was all I needed. Just her.

"Thank you for making this birthday special, even if you can't be with me tomorrow." she murmured, her voice soft.

I tightened my hold on her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. "I'm sorry about tomorrow, Mishka. I wish I could be there."

She pulled back slightly, looking up at me with those big, brown eyes. "You're here now, Arsh. That's what matters."

"Apke liye kuch bhi." I whispered and hugged her again.