48.

                                    

                                          
"Congratulations, you are in the squad. "
"This is the least cheerful I have ever seen you be , while talking about cricket. Where's the excitement girlfriend." Karan asked with a mischievous smile .
"Oh..did I sound like that." She said being indifferent.
"Yes you did, and you still sound the same . Is anything wrong ."
"No it's nothing. And I am really happy for you, all the best."
"No , something is surely bothering you, I can feel it, tell me."
"I said that I am good" she snapped at him, "stop irritating me, I am already having a tough day at work."
This was followed by complete silence from both the ends. 
Karan didn't say anything as he knew that she needed her time to calm down and he was more than ready to give it to her. 
It was also very rare that she got angry. So far she was being a really good girlfriend to him, and he tried his best to be as good of a boyfriend to her .
"Sorry" she said in a low voice after two minutes and sixteen seconds to be exact. 
And this was around her average time she took to calm down, analyse the situation, analyse her actions and then finally respond.
"You don't have to be, that's okay."
" And dear girlfriend I know that you are a really passionate doctor but don't overwork yourself. Take care love. "
The next moment Teja had tears in her eyes and she started sobbing . Inbetween all her emotions she still managed to humm as a reply.
But could Karan not notice even the faintest of her sobs . Definitely not.
"Teju , what's wrong" he asked lovingly.
She wiped down her tears and said, "I know it is very immature of me to behave this way but... it's my birthday tomorrow and I thought that it will be a bit different than the previous ones.
I never expect anyone to do anything special for my birthday and that's what I even told you when you asked me about it the previous week. But I don't know why I just couldn't stop myself  from expecting something special from you. "
"And what's wrong in wanting to feel loved."
"I know you love me."
"Ofcourse, but you can always demand more love."
"I'm not one of those demanding girlfriends" she said rolling her eyes. 
"Then please be one" he said, making puppy eyes.
Teja chuckled and said, "okay then surprise me on my birthday."
"Done." He said with a smirk.
.
.
"Anu what do you think, what will be his surprise ?" She asked Anu on a call while returning to her house after a long day at work.
"A diamond ring" She replied excitedly. 
"Too soon for that. "
"A trip to Paris." Anu guessed again.
"He is leaving for England in two weeks."
"So he might be planning to take you along."
"He knows I won't get so many leaves on such a short notice."
"I don't know yaar. Ask him yourself." Anu said being a irritated. This discussion was taking place since the last half an hour and Teja anyhow found a way to counter the guess Anu made.
"I did , but he didn't tell me anything. Not even a small hint . And he is not receiving my messages too. I guess he blocked me again." Teja said and laughed.
"Shut up . No need of thinking too much about it.
You know right Harsh gifted me a mirror on my birthday."
Teja laughed more and said, "How can I forget that . And then he cutely said that he wanted to gift you something which is beautiful and priceless and he could not find anything better than yourself that fit both the criterias."
"So cheesy and lame."
"And still you have it with you on your bedside table. "
"Cause I am equally lame and cheesy. "
"Agreed." Teja said.
"Yeah and I wanted you to not keep some extraordinary expectations, just reach home safe and sleep. By the way , why are you not home yet , it's almost 11 pm now."
"Had an extra shift today, but don't worry I'm only five minutes away."
"Okay bye. And we are meeting tomorrow."
"Yes for sure. My place at 7 . Bring your husband along . Bye."
.
.
As she said, she reached her house in the next five minutes. As it was already very late she decided to avoid ringing the doorbell and used the spare keys instead.
As she expected, the living room lights were off but as she was moving towards her room she heard a group talking in the balcony so she went there to see who it was.
She slide the door and saw her standing right infront.
She smiled and said," oh , so this was the reason you wanted me to be home early. "
She turned a little and saw Yash and Harsh too standing at a distance. 
As Anu and Teja hugged each other, she whispered in her ears, "you got these two along too. "
"Yes we all were invited" Harsh said.
"I invited you tomorrow. "
"Not you Teju. We got this invitation days back from someone." Anu said.
Teju frowned in confusion, "Bhai ?" She asked.
"No, just turn back ."
She turned and found the living room lights on , so she moved in. 
"You took so long, we were waiting for you." Karan's mother said 
"Aunty? .... Uncle?..... Kirti di?.....jiju ? You guys here." She said in disbelief but then quickly went to Karan's mother and hugged her, followed by Kirti, Karan's father and Sameer.
Teja was so overwhelmed this whole time that she didn't get the time to react on the fact that Karan was nowhere to be seen. 
' Isn't he supposed to be here with his family now.' She thought. 
Though her face smiled , her eyes could not hide the void she was feeling. And this didn't get unnoticed by anyone present there.
"There" Tarun said and pointed towards the hallway.
That's where he stood meekly, arms and legs crossed and slightly leaning on the wall beside with a smile as bright as the sun.
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🤍
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