Rini's POV

I dialled up Papa's number, my safest person in the whole world. 

"Papa, we are with maasi, back from the party. Gaari, gaari.", I said, did not have time to finish sentences. 

"Get ready. Gaari, phir dinner. Table book kia hai.", Papa said. 

"Dinner? Oh wow. Papa mera favourite restaurant book kia na?", I asked, excited. 

"Haan princess.", Papa said, chuckling over the call. 

"Birthday baba hai kya aapka hai, di?", Riti finally questioned. 

I just tapped her shoulder once. 

Aryan was laughing, "Rini ka hi din hai bhai."

"Papa, Aryan is very irritating.. I will drop him home, and lock him up.", I said, teasing Aryan. 

Idhika maasi was so done with us that she just shook her head and smiled. 

"Rini, beta, tujhe jo karna hai kar. Main tere saath hoon.", Papa laughed over the phone. 

"Mom ne wish kia?", I asked him, again.

"Aira? Haan kia beta. Baat karni hai?", Papa asked. 

"Umm... ok, did you tell her about the car?", I asked. 

"She is in a meeting, beta. Let her come, I will tell her to call you. Ok?", Papa paused, "And yes, I told her about the car."

My stomach dropped.
Mumma would scold me for sure.

I did not drag the conversation. 

"Hmm, ok. See you.", I said and hung up. 

Ugh..mumma will lecture me again for the car the moments she gets some to talk.

"Rini, Raisingh party se yaad aya, Shanaya called me today. Rohit's birthday is coming. Kuch bhi dress lena ho le lena tum log.", Idhika maasi said. 

"Haan, maasi.", I said.

"Rohit's birthday, Maa? Will Grandpa and grandma come?", Riti asked. 

"I don't know, babu. Baba might know, I will ask him.", Maasi said to Riti. 

"Nahi aaye toh hi acha hai. I am sure mom will also be there. Drama nahi chahiye koi.", Aryan spoke after a long time. 

"Drama nahi karegi, I will be there na. Don't worry.", Maasi reassured us. 

Although grandma stays in the U.S, we all knew her relationship with Mom.

Though now nothing happens much, but they still avoid each other. One spark and things turn sour. 

Growing up, I'd heard endless stories about how difficult Grandma had been with Mom. Things were calmer now, but they still preferred keeping their distance.

Papa came home, and we went out to celebrate his birthday, but honestly, I felt it was mine. 

In the car showroom, we booked the latest model, and then went for dinner. 

Riti was chirping in her cute signature way, and Idhika maasi and I were quietly having our food. Papa pampered Riti a lot, as he should. He pampered both of us a lot. Even Aryan in that case.

I got up for the restroom, and on the way just got collided with someone. 

"Aah- Can't you see?", I yelled. 

"Oh, same goes for you, but sorry, miss-", he said.

"Same goes for me? I was just going to the restroom.", I shrugged.

"Yeah, while scrolling your phone.", he scoffed and then grinned.

"Excuse me? How does that even matter to you? You are deliberately picking up a fight.", I said, my patience was thinning out.

"Aaj mujhse takra gayi.. kal kisi aur se, parso kya pata koi car se? Be careful while walking, miss... samne se koi sorry nahi bolta mere alawa.", He said, with a smirk.

Papa's voice floated, "Rini, kya hua?"

Uff he really had to take my name? Now this dumbass knows my name.

"Kuch nahi, Papa. Coming.", I said, looking at Papa.

Then looked back at the guy, "Fine, sorry.", and turned back to leave.

After a moment his voice floated again.

"Rudra..."

Why is he telling his name?

I walked straight to the restroom. Did not want to know his name.

Dumbass.

As I came out, he was gone from the corridor.

God saved me.

I hate lectures, that too from random stranger.

I went and sat with my family.

"What was he saying?", Idhika maasi asked.

"He is crazy. Lectured me about scrolling phone. Did I ask him for advice? No. But he anyway gave.", I said, and rolled my eyes.

"Ohh, ignore ignore. Better to ignore.", Idhika maasi said.

Papa chuckled, "Haan, ignore."

Maasi glared at Papa, "Was that sarcasm, Ranveer?"

Papa chuckled again, "You used to ignore me, right?"

"Yeah, because that was my only way out. Still I failed.", Maasi said, smiling and then looked at me.

"Rini, koi bhi pareshan kare toh ignore that person."

I nodded and smiled.

"Baba, that bhaiya too did some pareshani to me?", Ritwika said.

"Which bhaiya?", Papa asked.

"Vedansh bhaiya. He called me 'Chhotu'", Ritwika pouted.

Idhika maasi and Papa both looked at each other and smiled.

"How dare he call my princess 'Chotu'. If I see him one day I will scold him. Ok?", Papa said to her.

Aryan was smirking, he was also done by Ritwika's cuteness.

As we were done eating, we waited for Papa to pay the bills.

Riti was demanding to have Paan as a dessert so Papa gave her one. She clung to him, while we three stood in a circle.

And again I spotted him, beside Papa, paying his bill.

"Ugh- phir se aa gaya.", I muttered.

Idhika maasi smirked at me, "Rini, banda smart toh hai."

Aryan scoffed, "Maasi please huh. Rini ke palle padega na toh pagal ho jayega bichaara."

I hit him tightly on his arm.

Idhika maasi laughed softly, "Rini to second step hai, Aryan. Ranveer ko pata chala na, marr hi jayega bichaara."

True! If Papa senses anything wrong, this Rudra or whatever won't even survive.

"Idhika–", Papa called her.

"Haan, bolo."

"Lets go, bill's done.", Papa said, and we started to move towards Papa. 

As we were leaving that guy suddenly called Papa, "Excuse me sir-"

Oh no! Ye pitega aaj.

Papa put a hand in his pocket and turned, "Yes?"

"Sir, you dropped this.", he gave him a pen, maybe it fell down from papa's pocket.

Papa took it from him, but did not smile, "Thank you.", papa said.

And we left the restaurant.

Idhika maasi and Papa were talking about something serious, while we waited for the valet to bring our car.

And then he again came, along with his family. His car arrived earlier than ours. A convertible Mercedes.

He and a little girl sat on the car and drove off, but before that he noticed me, with his narrow eyes.

Not a very uncomfortable look, but definitely a look that said he noticed me.

"Maasi‐", I muttered, "That guy, looked at me and left. Am I overthinking?", I asked.

I tried to speak low so that Papa doesn't hear.

"Rini..just be aware of him. Don't react. If anything goes wrong, just let me know. Ok?", Maasi muttered to me.

I nodded and got into the car.

But he did look at me.

Ugh!

Maybe I was overthinking again.

Finally, Mumma called.

"Hello, Mumma..."

"Hello, bachcha. Sorry, beta. I was busy. Abhi jaake free hui. Car le li?" she asked.

I shut my eyes.

Here comes the lecture.

"Hmm... le li."

"Beta, every year Papa gifts you something. This year he gifted you a car?" she asked softly. "Before driving it, learn properly first, okay?"

"Hmm, Mumma... I will."

"And gift Papa something too. Did you and Aryan get him anything?" she asked.

"Umm... no. I mean... we organised his birthday..." I muttered.

"Rini..." she sighed, though I could hear the smile in her voice. "Papa got you a car, and you didn't get him a gift?"

Oops.

"Buy him something, okay? He'll never ask for it, but it'll make him happy."

"Okay, Mumma."

"Good girl. See you tomorrow, beta."

There was a small pause before she added softly,

"Miss you."

"I miss you too, Mumma."

The call ended.

I stared at my phone for a moment.

She was right.

Aryan and I hadn't bought Papa a single birthday gift.

I quickly texted Aryan.

I definitely didn't want Papa to know I was planning something.

Idiot... did you buy anything for Papa?

A reply came almost immediately.

Hah! Now you're asking?

I looked up and glared at the back of his head.

He was sitting peacefully in the front passenger seat.

Seedha jawab dena nahi hota iss idiot ko.

I typed again.

Bol na... dumbass.

His phone buzzed again.

Uff... haan re. Bought Dad his favourite colour necktie.

Hmm...

That's such a boy gift.

I frowned at my phone.

What should I get?

Three dots appeared.

Then...

How about a pen? 😉

...

...

...

I slowly locked my phone.

Idiot.

Soon we reached the villa, and I still didn't have a gift for Papa.

Great.

Ritwika ran to him first and hugged him tightly.

"Happy Birthday, Baba. Aapka gift main kal dungi. Okay?" she said with her usual adorable smile.

"Thik hai, mera bachcha," Papa replied, gently caressing her head.

Aryan stepped forward next.

"Dad... happy birthday."

He handed over a neatly wrapped box.

Papa looked genuinely surprised.

"Arre... iski kya zarurat thi, beta? Mera beta bada ho gaya."

He opened it.

A navy-blue necktie.

"Hmm..."

Boring.

Papa's face immediately lit up.

"Aryan... thank you so much. Mera favourite colour... aur meri favourite brand bhi. Thanks, beta."

He patted Aryan's shoulder proudly.

I suddenly felt even worse.

"Papa..."

"Haan, beta?"

"I'll give you your gift tomorrow."

Papa laughed.

"Hahaha... arey, ye koi ritual hai kya, pagli?"

He pulled me closer and gently tapped my forehead.

"Mujhe koi gift nahi chahiye."

Then he smiled at the three of us.

"Tum teeno hi mere sabse bade gift ho."

And somehow... that only made me want to buy him the best gift even more.