It was exactly ten at night on the 17th of May'19 when I came out of the airport. Careful enough to save myself from the hawking eyes of the media, I sat into my pre-booked cab and went to my apartment. Coming into my home after ages felt so soothing and it brought back so many memories.

I kept my stuff and cleaned the place as quick as I could. Once done, I ordered the food and cake and went into the bathroom to freshen up.

Choosing what to wear has always been the toughest task for me. I was fidgeting with the clothes in my wardrobe and I swear, I hadn't missed him more than I was right now. He could've helped me out.

Well, at last, I managed to choose a dress of his favorite color and his favorite type. White. Saree. Oh, how he loves his Avni in a saree. I did not know when did my lips curve up, indicating his favorite smile. Uh, why was I being so typical? May be because I loved shaping myself the way he liked.

My eyes traveled to the clock and I was about to freak out as it was almost 11. I just had one more hour! Rushing to the bathroom, I came out changing into the saree as I stood in front of the mirror, looking at myself.

The saree was gracefully designed with light embroidery at it's edges. The net did the perfect work of revealing my belly. Also, it had one of his favorite features, off shoulder design.

I smiled sheepishly imagining of his reaction to my surprise. Well, I had lesser time so I worked on my makeup and left my hair open with loose curls. Wearing that favorite smile of his, I left my house, carrying everything that I needed to surprise him in a small bag.

The clock struck 11:45. Things faded away for me as I stood at the doorstep of his apartment. I was sure I'll cry the moment I lay my eyes on him. Not because we had been away from each other all this time. But because, his birthday was the day we lost our preciousness.

I promised myself to not cry and tried smiling. Moments passed. Each minute felt so heavy. I didn't know why.

Tick-Tock. Tick-Tock. It struck 11:59.

I extended my hand and knocked the door before I kept the bag in my hand at a side on the floor. My heart picked up a faster rythm. Inhaling sharply, I again gave a knock at the door when I heard his voice, "Coming." My heart beat was irregular, listening to his voice.

The door clicked open. I instantly turned around, not facing him. Looking at my mobile, I waited till the figure changed to 12:00.

It did. Without turning around, I stepped back. One. Two. Three. Four and my back hit his well built chest. I whispered, "Happy Birthday."

I could feel his heart beating fast and his breathe labouring. I smiled knowing the affect I had on him.

Then, as slowly as I could, I twisted my head up to glance at him. Before he could look at me, I gave a soft peck on his lips and pulled back. I felt his eyes widening, sure, I was enjoying this game.

I stepped ahead, and turned around finally, making him gasp. Giving him that perfect smile of mine, I waited for his reaction.

He stepped forward quickly and looked at me intently, blinking fast. He raised his finger and poked it on my forehead, as if checking if I was real.

"Adi-" He couldn't form any word further and even this came out as a mere whisper.

"Yes love. Adi here. Aditi. Your costar? Remember?" I smirked lightly, enjoying his reactions. Though I was near to burst into tears, but I controlled myself, for his sake.

"You?! I-don't, no! You cann-ot be here." He murmured, rubbing his face thoroughly as I felt his eyes moist.

I laughed, avoiding the wetness in my own eyes, "I am here. I am. Won't you call me in?"

"Shut up! I thought you'd ask for a hug at least!" He spoke, pulling me into him, as tight as he could.

I sighed, smilingly before wrapping my arms around his neck, "Is it? I thought you'd like that kiss more!"

I felt him stiffening a bit, his hold tighetened around my waist. Within the next second, he pulled back, still not letting me go.

I saw a smirk dancing near his lips, probably because I was bold that instant. He always told me, he loved this bold side of mine. And today, I wanted to be all his favorite.

Looking at him, I again mumbled, "Happy Birthday Zain."

He smiled as he rubbed his hands on my waist earning a soft gasp from me. He clutched the cloth of my saree near my waist and dragged it to a side, caressing my bare waist.

I gasped lightly, holding his collar tightly. He smiled, softly stroking his cheek against mine. I closed my eyes in anticipation, my shoulders raising.

"We sh-should go in-" I whispered, the corner of my lips twitching.

Without breaking the contact of our bodies, he dragged me in, closing the door behind.

Within the next second, I found myself pinned to the wall of his room. He tighetened his hold on me, as he leaned in. Our lips met again and the world was long forgotten behind.

We kissed. It was slow and soft, yet it covered every moment we had spent without each other. I felt a tear sliding down his cheek and all I could do was forward my hand to rub it off.

He pulled back, slowly. Looking straight into my eyes, he pressed a lingering kiss on my forehead, making me close my eyes, smiling.

He kept his hand on the small of my back, pulling me into a hug as he put his head on my shoulder. I felt his warm cheek on my shoulder since he was holding onto me like a baby. I smiled softly, caressing his back. Hot tears gushed down my eyes. Being able to feel him was like a blessing.

He pulled back slowly. I saw that tinge of moisture in his dark eyes. I sat him down on the couch, taking a place beside him. Keeping my head on his shoulder and pulling his arm into my soft grip, I cried silently.

He let me cry amidst soft strokes on my back as he tried to comfort me. When it was over the time, he asked, "Why are you crying Adi? Shh!"

"I missed you" was all I could utter. This day was a blessing, for he breathed for the first time this day. This day was a curse, for our show breathed for the last time this day.

"And I miss my show." I continued as i felt him breathe sharply.

"Adi." He uttered, may be he was still in a daze. He couldn't believe the reality.

"Let's forget it. I mean, our show will always be in our hearts then why worry over it?" He spoke.

I looked up at him smiling. How on earth would he find ways to positivity?

"For now, let me enjoy this moment." He voiced out, the corners of his eyes wet.

I forwarded my hands to rub off his tears and kissed his eyes softly.

"I had been Aditi-deprived all this while! A serious disease it is." He pouted and I couldn't help but laugh. There he was, again at being the Zain Imam!

"No wait!" I spoke, getting reminded of something that hit the back of my mind.

He raised his brows, getting hold of my waist.

"You were not in touch with your former co actor, Aditi Rathore, right?

He laughed so hard as I continued looking at him in disbelief.

"Yes. I spoke the truth." He was too stubborn.

I crooked my neck, raising my brows as if asking him to clarify.

He shifted closer to me, yanking me to him as I crashed on his chest holding the material of his tee at his shoulders. Slowly yet gently, he stroked my lower lip with the tip of his index finger. He pressed a kiss on my reddened cheek as he dragged his lips to my ear, whispering huskily , "I wasn't in 'touch' with you," with a slight stress on 'touch.'

The change of the expressions on my face clearly indicated that I was trying to register his words. I re-played them in the back of my head and as if getting everything that he wanted to convey, I nodded slightly. 

As quickly as I could, I pushed him away, getting up to walk up to the door for grabbing the food that we had left outside.

Coming in, I signalled him to come over to the dining table in ten minutes. He nodded, air kissing me.

I decorated a part of the table with the white petals that I brought and some candles. That was all that I could do.

Keeping the food and cake in place, I waited for him to come.

Moments later, I saw him walking over and stopping just an inch away from me.

He gazed at the table as I whispered, "I am sorry. Couldn't do much. Shortage of time!"

"I am so in love with it." He spoke, picking up a petal and throwing it on me as he kissed my forehead softly.

I sat him down on the chair, giving him the knife. He gestured me to sit opposite him but I shook my head. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I stood behind his chair leaning down, my chin on his shoulder. He smiled, looking at me with all the love he possessed. 

I had to literally bend his head towards the cake or else he would have kept on staring me for God knows how long.

I titled my head to have a clear look of his face as he closed his eyes, wishing. He blew the candle and cut the cake before forcefully stuffing my hand with his.

Bending his head to feed me the cake, he smiled with some moisture in his eyes. I fed it back to him. Placing a lingering kiss on his cheek, I flicked my nose over his stubble, causing him to cackle a bit.

"I love you Adi." He whispered, getting up as he pulled me into a hug. "Thank you for making this day so special for me when I thought I would not be able to even smile for what this day holds."

I gave him a perfect smile, "This is your day. I will make sure you smile throughout it this time even if it was the day we cried so much."

"How can you be so nice?" He asked, tilting his head as he pulled back, still not letting me go.

"Well. Zain Imam ka jaadoo!" He giggled, throwing his head sideways.

"I wanted to be all your favorite today." I said.

"I noticed. White. Saree. Off shoulder. Loose curls. Not bad haan! You have the perfect plan to kill me." He smirked lightly, pressing his lips together.

"This revealing dress of yours is not helping either." He mumbled right on my ear, stroking my waist with his index finger slowly.

I got on my toes, holding onto his shoulders, not able to stand his ministrations.

"Gift." I uttered as he looked at me.

"Still left? Is this not enough?" He spoke, indicating towards everything that was already done.

I shook my head as I headed towards the small white box on the table. Forwarding it towards him, I smiled sheepishly.

He crooked his neck, taking it. I looked over as he unwrapped it before reading the small chit over it that said, "To My Former Costar With Whom I Am Not In Touch With." He laughed at it before getting back to his work of unwrapping.

I saw the change of his reactions as he took out the set of keys with the booklet of a bike company from the box. As if trying to get something, he said, "No! Adi. No. This-is not done! No. You are joking?"

I kept on smiling soundly as he continued with his unbelievable questions. He went on and on and on until I locked his lips with mine to stop him from speaking further.

Pulling back, I whispered, "Truth. Your birthday gift."

He still shook his head, not believing.

"How is this possible?!"

"Why isn't it? I just got your favorite super bike for you and you are not even believing it let alone accepting it. Not fair!" I dramatically pouted.

Before I could register, he pulled me into his arms, whispering sweet nothings. All I understood were 'thank you' and 'I love you."

"Happy Birthday." I mumbled, as he pulled back. He kissed my forehead softly as I smiled.

I had promised myself that I would make his day special for him, and I was more than happy for keeping my promise.

His birthday was a day we lost something more than special. That was the day I had sworn to myself to that I would not let him cry on his day anymore. I kept my promise the following year and I hope to keep it every following year.

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Well, I was working on it since long. Hope you all like it.

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Much Love.