Ananya hated surprises.
Or so she claimed.
But Karthik had learned something new about her recently—she didn't hate them. She only hated the bad ones. The ones that brought chaos or drama. The ones that left her unprepared.
So when her birthday approached, he decided he wanted to give her the kind of surprise she wouldn't hate. Something thoughtful. Quiet. Him.
It started with a plan. A small one. No balloons, no crowds. Just the rooftop of their school building, after hours, when the janitor let him in with a knowing smile.
He had one small lamp from home, strung up with fairy lights that flickered like stars. A few old cushions. A flask of filter coffee. And a handwritten note tucked into a folded paper flower.
That part scared him the most.
He wasn't good with gestures. But for her, he wanted to try.
When Ananya arrived—led up by her best friend under the pretense of "Hey, I forgot my water bottle"—she paused at the rooftop entrance.
She stared.
The wind gently tugged at her dupatta. Her hair was loose, falling across her face, and for a moment, she just stood there—silent, taking it all in.
Karthik stepped forward, holding out the flask awkwardly. "I, uh… didn't know what else to get you."
She took it with a soft smile. "Is this coffee?"
"Of course. I wouldn't risk getting you perfume or something weird."
She laughed, then walked over to the cushions and sat down. "This is perfect."
He joined her, heart hammering.
For a while, they said nothing. Just drank warm coffee as the sun dipped below the skyline.
And then she noticed the paper flower.
She picked it up, unfolded the note slowly.
Her eyes scanned the page. He watched her lips move as she read the words he'd scribbled a hundred times before daring to ink them down.
"You make me want to be seen. You make me want to stay."
She looked up.
"Karthik…"
His throat felt dry. "I meant every word."
She smiled—slow and real. The kind that made her eyes glow and her cheeks warm.
Then she whispered, "Thank you. For showing up. That's all I ever wanted."
He looked at her—really looked. And for once, didn't feel afraid of being looked at in return.
They didn't kiss.
They didn't need to.
But she rested her head against his shoulder, and he closed his eyes, listening to the sound of her breath and the city below.
It was the best surprise she'd never expected.
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End of chapter 106