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"A chaotic birthday turns into an emotional rollercoaster—filled with cake fights, suppressed feelings, and a life-changing surprise that makes Shashi a Massi."
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Shashi stared at the trio standing in front of her—Saksham, Adarsh, and Aakash.
"Tumhari maa ka broadband connection! Saalo haramzado, haath kholo mere!"
(Your mother's broadband connection! You bastards, open your hands!)
She screamed at them. Saksham immediately opened his arms and said with a smirk, “Gaali dena band kar.”
(Stop abusing.)
“Hui ne gaali ke saath bohot kuch… idhar aa teri toh—”
(With abuses comes so much more… come here, you!)
She grabbed his collar.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” they all shouted in unison, startling her.
"Ky..." she stammered, unable to form words.
“k… k… k K nahi bro, happy birthday!” Laksha came rushing forward and wrapped her in a tight hug.
“Mera birthday hai aaj?” she asked, bewildered.
“Abe gadhi, it’s 19th… tera birthday hai,” Saksham said with a laugh.
(You fool, it’s the 19th… it’s your birthday.)
Saksham hugged her. “Happy birthday.”
One by one, everyone stepped forward to wish and hug her.
“Happy birthday, baby,” Aakash said softly, as streetgoers watched them amidst music and laughter.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PRINCESS!”
They all shouted together in joy.
“I’m a bitch,” Shashi laughed.
Then the cake was brought out. As per her unspoken rule, she fed herself the first bite—because why not?
After feeding everyone, Shashi insisted on distributing the cake to people on the street. The locals thanked her sweetly, and in return, she bowed slightly and said, “Arrigatou gozaimasu,” which meant thank you in Japanese.
“Shashini!” came the familiar mischievous call. She turned, already knowing what was coming.
“Sochna bhi mat,” she warned.
(Don’t even think about it.)
But it was too late. Cream smeared across her face as Saksham and Adarsh burst into laughter.
“Saalo kamine!” she shouted.
(You bloody scoundrels!)
Aakash stepped forward and handed her tissues as she wiped her face.
“Kitne bure dost ho tum dono,” Dadi Saa scolded.
(You two are such bad friends.)
“Bure nahi Dadi Saa… asur hain yeh dono,” Shashi muttered.
(Not bad, Grandma… they’re demons.)
They shamelessly bowed, their backs bent, as if proudly receiving 60 invisible slaps.
“Shashi, agar asli mein kidnap hone ka plan hai, to Hindi mein gaali mat dena,” Laksha said.
(Shashi, if you’re actually planning to get kidnapped, don’t curse in Hindi.)
“Great. Teach Japanese curses next,” Lee-Yoon added dryly.
Both sisters high-fived each other.
“By the way… I have a surprise,” Laksha suddenly announced.
“Batao,” Shashi asked curiously.
(Tell me.)
“I’m adopting.”
“Animal or human?” Shashi blinked.
“I’m serious,” Laksha said firmly.
“Kitne orphanage ghoom liye?”
(How many orphanages have you visited?)
“I’m talking about a child. A real kid.”
“Like… a kid you’ll be mom to?” Shashi asked slowly.
“Yes.”
“Seriously?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“We’re welcoming him tomorrow,” Laksha replied.
Shashi squealed and hugged her tight. “I’m becoming a maasi!”
(I’m becoming an aunt!)
“Love you,” she whispered.
“And you’re honored to give him a name,” Laksha smiled.
“Haaa I have a proper list for that!” Shashi beamed.
“Tu bacchon ke naamon ki list rakhti hai?” Adarsh asked in disbelief.
(You keep a list of baby names?)
“Apne future ke liye socha hai, bhai,” she replied, shocking everyone.
(I’ve thought about my future, bro.)
“Kyaaa?” Saksham blinked.
(What?)
“Baby, are you drunk?” Aakash teased.
She shook her head. “Didi, girl or boy?”
“Boy,” Laksha said. “I want his name to start with S.”
“Arre ab toh bohot pyara naam dungi,” Shashi squealed excitedly.
(I’ll give him the cutest name now!)
“Ghar chalo nani, phir subah ke jagah dopahar mein uthenge tu,” Laksha laughed.
(Let’s go home, or else you’ll wake up at noon instead of morning.)
They all settled into the car and drove toward the mansion.
---
Next Morning -
Shashi’s POV
Today, I woke up early. Sharp 5 a.m.
Why? Because I wanted these hours to myself.
As I opened my eyes, I found him sleeping peacefully beside me. His breath gently brushed against my neck. Once again, we had slept tangled together. His hand rested on my stomach, even in his sleep, as if protecting me.
Carefully, I moved away without waking him. I took a cold, steamy shower. The chill turned my cheeks red. I dressed in a tank top and snug pants, my knees exposed, the fabric hugging my thighs perfectly. I left my hair open, picked up my keys and phone, and stole a glance at his serene face one last time before stepping out.
The mansion’s corridors were alive with the rustle of cleaning. Every servant bowed politely. I returned their greetings with a soft smile.
In the carport, I found my favorite—my Harley Davidson. I revved her up and zoomed past the mansion gates. Security didn’t stop me; they were used to my spontaneous escapes. A convoy of cars followed me for safety, but they kept their distance
After a long ride through the quiet city, I returned and requested a hot cup of cofee.
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Author’s POV
Adarsh stood by the glass corridor, his eyes fixated on the lawn. Shashi at alone, her face buried in her palms, shoulders trembling.
Guilt danced in Adarsh’s eyes, but he couldn’t move.
Saksham joined him. “Kabse ro rahi hai?”
(Since when has she been crying?)
“Main toh 20 minutes se dekh raha hoon… par shayad usse bhi pehle se,” Adarsh replied.
(I’ve been watching for 20 minutes, maybe even before that.)
“Abe chal, warna pagal ho jayegi wahin,” Saksham said.
(Come on, or she’ll go mad sitting there.)
“Par…” Adarsh hesitated.
“Chup kar aur chal,” Saksham insisted.
Both walked out to the lawn and knelt in front of her.
“Teddy, bohot ho gaya,” Adarsh said gently.
(Enough now, teddy.)
“Itna royegi toh bimar pad jayegi,” Saksham added.
(If you cry this much, you’ll fall sick.)
Shashi looked up, her eyes red. “This birthday feels worse than ever.”
“Why?” they both asked.
“Aakash… he’s still in my life. And he’s no one to me. But I can’t stop acting likehe means nothing… when he means everything.”
“One more month, and I’ll lose everyone,” she sobbed again.
“You’re not losing anyone, Oberoi. I’m here. We all are,” Adarsh assured her.
“Don’t cry for that bastard,” Saksham muttered.
“Don’t curse him. He’s a nice man,” she whispered. “He respects everyone. He’s just… chaalein chal raha hai.”
(He’s just following the path he thinks is right.)
“He’s not good for you, Oberoi. Tu samajh hi nahi rahi.”
(You don’t get it.)
“I know. But he's so… beautiful. And he respects me the way I’ve always wanted.”
“Phir toh crush hai tujhe,” Adarsh teased.
“Tu khud bol, banda itna sundar hai,” she admitted.
(You tell me, he’s too handsome.)
“Then why cry?” he asked softly.
“Because he’s not mine,” she said brokenly.
“Have you seen him with his girlfriend?”
“No…”
“Phone pe baat karte dekha?”
“No…”
“Naam se bulate dekha?
“Never,” she whispered.
“Then maybe he feels something too. Maybe… he loves you,” Adarsh said.
“Aadi, yeh zyada ho gaya,” Saksham warned.
“Chup reh mere baap,” aadarsh snapped. “Let them talk!”
“Shashi, maybe when he sent that letter, something got misunderstood. You always say everything’s in God’s hands. Maybe it needs time,” Adarsh said.
“And if things don’t fix?” she asked.
“Then let the world go to hell. Your brother is with you. Live your life the way you want.”
“And if the pain stays?”
“Drink with me and forget it,” Saksham grinned.
She pulled both of them into a hug. “Thank you.”
“Chal, ab smile kar,” Adarsh nudged.
Saksham tickled her, and she finally laughed through the tears
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Author’s Note
Please… just take a moment to read this. I'm requesting very politely—genuinely, from the bottom of my heart.
I've always felt average in everything I've tried since childhood. I’ve never been “the best” at anything, and honestly, that hurts. It hurts when you try so hard, when you give your heart to something… but still feel invisible.
Writing was the one place where I thought I had potential. A world where I could finally be seen, heard, and maybe—understood. But lately, all I’ve been receiving is silence… and that silence is
louder than any words.
So, if you're here… please don’t scroll away like I don’t exist.
Your support—just a comment, a like, a share—means more than you can imagine.
Help me believe that I’m not just screaming into the void.
With all my heart,
— The Author
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