27th April...

"So, what's the plan?", Virat asked excitedly.

"We will wish Rohit Bhaiya at exact 12 on the group call. What else?", replied Kuldeep grinning.

"No.. There should be something different no? Anything special?", said Jassi.

"We can't possibly do anything else, Jassi. We can't give him a surprise visit because of the lockdown.", replied Mahi.

"But, Bhai..", Virat started

"I have an idea!", exclaimed yuzi cutting off Virat, "We will pretend like we forgot his birthday and then surprise him at night", completed yuzi.

"He will guess it easily", said Kul sensibly.

"And we are not going to do that anyway. I don't want him to be upset on his own birthday", said Virat completely rejecting the idea.

"But Bhaiya, it will be fun and...", Yuzi tried

"Cheeku is right. We will not make him upset in any way", said Mahi Bhai and Virat grinned.

"Bhai, we will surprise Rohit bhai later. Then he will not be upset anymore. And last wish is also as special as first wish no?", said Jassi who unexpectedly liked Yuzi's idea.

"I think we can do this, can't we?", said Kul.

"Umm.. Yeah, I guess even I like the idea. Let's do this, Mahi Bhai, please.", said virat trying to convince Mahi Bhai of his not so great idea.

"Cheeku, just now you were against it?", said Mahi Bhai shocked at how easily he changed his mood.

"Yeah but now I think wishing him directly will take away all the fun. Please, Mahi Bhai. Please", said Virat in a whiny tone which he knew always works on Mahi Bhai.

"Please, Mahi Bhai", Yuzi and Kul joined in Virat and Mahi realised it was impossible to say 'no' to them.

"Okay. Okay, I'm in.", said Mahi Bhai giving in and everyone cheered.

"So if anyone has a talk with Ro, don't mention anything about his birthday and if possible try to make him believe that we all forgot his birthday", said Virat making it sound like a full proof plan.

"We are on it, Virat Bhai", replied Kul.

And the group call went on to discuss what exactly they will be doing to make it up to Rohit and later informing everyone else about their plan.

-------------------------
Rohit and Virat were randomly talking on the phone when Rohit, out of childish excitement felt a sudden urge to listen from Virat that he did remember his birthday as even when his birthday was a day after, Virat or anyone else in the team hadn't even mentioned about it in which was strange.

Virat used to start asking for treat from a month before.
Kids used to be more excited than him.
Hardik hadn't reminded him of his birthday even once.

Did they forget?
Ofcourse, not!

"Vi, you know it's 28th April today?", asked Rohit and Virat instantly understood what he was hinting at.

"Yes, Ro. What's special?", replied Virat sounding very casual.

Did he really forget?

"No, today's no special but you remember what's.."

"Yes, I know what you're talking about. Ofcourse, I remember, Ro! How can I forget?", Virat cut Rohit.

"I knew you remember", replied Rohit super happily.

"Ofcourse, I remember that five days are left for the lockdown to end", said Virat throughly enjoying Rohit's condition.

"What?", Rohit almost shouted in disappointment.

"Haan.. So what else you were talking about, Ro?", asked Virat trying hard to muffle his laughter.

"Huh.. Forget it! You.. You are just.. Argh..", muttered Rohit and disconnected the call.

As soon as the call was disconnected, Virat bursted out laughing.

And Rohit was getting impatient to know that whether his crazy friends remember his birthday or not.

Ofcourse, they do!
But why hasn't anyone mentioned it yet?
Are they doing any prank?

And Rohit decided to make one more call to find out.

Mahi Bhai would be the best person to know whether they remember or not!

He called Mahi Bhai and tried the same thing which he did with Vi but to his surprise, even he didn't say anything about his birthday.

They won't pull a silly prank on my birthday Ofcourse, will they?

But does that mean they really forgot?

Rohit was getting worked up thinking about it so he decided to play with Samaira for some time to take his mind off it.

-----------------------

Next day, Rohit was hopeful that he was wrong and his brother can't forget his birthday. He was caught up by a game which Samaira had insisted to play. Finally it was almost night and Ritika was busy decorating cake and other stuffs while Samaira was just excited to cut the cake.

11:59 p.m

"10.. 9.. 8..", Ritika and Sam had started the countdown while Samira was jumping happily around Rohit.

12:00 a.m

"Happpyyyy Birthdayyy", Ritika and Sam hugged Rohit and they cut the cake together.

Rohit fed the cake to both of them and soon Samaira slept as it was already post her usual sleeping time. Ritika went to keep everything in kitchen.

"They really forgot", Rohit mumbled looking at his phone which had no text or calls from anyone in the team.

"They will wish you, Ro. You know they can't forget your birthday", said Ritika as she knew what he was waiting for.

"I thought atleast Virat would call", Rohit mumbled.

He got up thinking that everyone forgot and just then his phone rang making him jump out of happiness.

It was from Mahi Bhai!

"Happyyy Birthdayyy, bhaiya", shouted Yuzi, Jassi, Kul and Hardik in unison as soon as Rohit answered the call.

Rohit was grinning widely.

"Happy Birthday, Ro bhai", said Kul happily.

"Thank you, Kuli"

Yuzi, Jassi and everyone wished him.

"Happy Birthday, Ro", said Mahi Bhai finally at last.

"Thank you, Bhai", replied Rohit.

"Sorry Bhaiya, we were a bit late. Actually, we had planned to wish you together but Virat bhaiya...", said Yuzi.

"Vi what, Yuzi?", said Rohit almost immediately as he realised that Virat was the person he was waiting for to speak up.

"Virat Bhai is not answering. Don't know why.", said Kul slowly.

"It's... It's Okay, Kuli. You guys wished me and that's what matters", said Rohit trying to hide his hurt.

---------------------
It was almost evening and Virat hadn't wished Rohit yet.

"I will never talk to him again. I won't even pick his call now. He has become so busy", Rohit was continuously muttering cursing his best friend for not wishing him on his birthday.

"I'll never talk to....", Rohit's rant was left incomplete as his phone beeped flashing Virat's name on screen and although he had decided to not to talk to him ever, he picked his within two seconds.

"Happiesttt Birthdayy, Ro", exclaimed Virat making Rohit roll his eyes.

"Thank you so much for wishing me exclusively at the end of day", replied Rohit making it clear to Virat that he has to give an explanation for wishing him so soon.

"You're always welcome", said Virat sweetly.

"Yeah. Yeah, you have actually called a bit earlier you know", replied Rohit sarcastically.

"Ro, I know I'm wishing you so late but...", Virat started.

"But?", asked Rohit as he sensed Virat has his side of story.

"I had fever last night and I slept early under the effects of medicine so.."

"Are you alright now? Are you still having fever?", asked Rohit anxiously. Suddenly everything else didn't matter. He just wanted Virat to be alright.

"Yeah.. I'm better. Don't worry. I'm sorry, Ro. I couldn't wish you with everyone else..."

"Are you crazy? Ofcourse I understand, Vi. I didn't know that you had fever so I thought you...", said Rohit cutting Virat.

"You thought we forgot your birthday?", Virat laughed.

"Yeah because my best remembered the ending date of lockdown but not my birthday", teased Rohit.

"That was planned"

"Seriously? You corrupted Mahi Bhai too! Even he hadn't told me anything when I asked him.", complained Rohit.

"I can do anything you know", said Virat smirking.

"Your heights of self praising!", Rohit rolled his eyes and soon both were laughing.

"Video call?", said Virat after some time.

As Rohit switched on to video call, Virat put a painting in front of camera surprising Rohit.

"Vi, this is so...", whispered Rohit in amusement making Virat smile more and more, "You made it? For me?", Rohit asked unable to hide his joy.

It was a painting of Virat and Rohit in hugging position from back which Virat had laboriously sketched for Rohit.

"Yesss! You liked it?", replied Virat facing camera.

"I.. I just loved it! It's amazing!", replied Rohit looking at Virat smiling like an idiot.

"So my hard work was worth it", Virat grinned.

"This was why you didn't call me since morning?", asked Rohit.

"Yes, I had to do something to make it up to you. So I made this", replied Virat, "And I expect the same on my birthday too", said Virat giving a smirk.

Rohit laughed without replying anything. His heart was filled with love with the warm gesture of his best friend.

They talked for some more time before disconnecting the call and Virat said, "Happy Birthday once again, Ro. And your treat is still pending."

"I didn't know that last wish of my birthday can be this special!", replied Rohit laughing.

"Only if it's from your best friend, you know!", said Virat and joined in the laughter.

Rohit had put the pic of that painting on his status with caption "One of the best birthday gifts!"

He knew this was one of his best birthdays ever!

A/N

I don't know what this shot turned out to be but I decided to post it anyway..🙈
Do vote and comment.

Love ❤