DHRUV'S POV:

"Mmmmm,"

"This is so freaking good!" I exclaimed, simultaneously realizing the sound I just made.

But I couldn't resist.

I couldn't help but moan when I tasted her amazing cheesecake. I'm finishing the last crumbs, and she's beside me - the closest we've ever been. Her presence makes me feel warm, even with a little distance.

As the distance settled in my mind, I pondered: This place is quite a distance from her home. How is it that she's here so early in the morning? I dabbed my mouth with a kerchief, turned toward her, and inquired, "What brings you here so early in the morning?"

She gazed at me with her rich, chocolaty brown eyes and answered, "This is my favourite spot. I stumbled upon it back in school and used to visit frequently with my best friend."

I nodded as her voice reached my ears, realizing that everything about her was sweet and mesmerizing. From her captivating eyes and flowing hair to her enchanting voice and even the cake she made. She embodied the kind of woman any man would desire to claim, but my desire was different and wanted to be hers.

Only hers.

"And why are you here?" she inquired, pulling me back from my contemplation of her.

"It was your brother who introduced us to this place when we were young, and it became my favourite spot, just like yours," I replied, turning to look at her. However, her gaze was already fixed on me. Our eyes locked for a few seconds, and at that moment, I saw something in her eyes for me, as if she wanted to express something but hadn't mustered the courage to do so.

She averted her gaze, and a warm, red hue spread across her cheeks.

Is she blushing because of me?

"I wonder if she's blushing because of me or if her cheeks are turning red because of the cold. I hope it's the former," I thought. I wished for it to be true, not because of the latter. In that moment, I yearned for time to freeze, right here.

But my phone rang, disturbing and compelling me to avert my gaze from the most beautiful view in front of my eyes.

I retrieved my phone from my pocket and glanced at the caller ID; it displayed my sister's name. I stood up from my seat and moved aside to take the call.

✧

I felt a surge of frustration towards my sister. She could have easily conveyed her message over the phone, but no, she insisted on meeting in person.

I was cherishing a sweet moment with Alia, and she had to play the devil's advocate, disrupting it. That's precisely why siblings are often humorously referred to as "Devil Incarnated" - they have a knack for interrupting the best moments.

✧

I stepped into my private lift and pressed the button for my cabin when a pair of sharply pointed shoes halted the closing doors. I recognized those shoes; they belonged to my sister - the devil incarnate.

"Hello, Brother," she chimed. I glanced at her but didn't reply, and she shot me a quizzical look, wearing her 'what's wrong with you' expression.

The lift doors opened, and I stepped out, my sister following closely. Upon entering my cabin, I hung my coat on the chair. Seated behind my desk, I inquired, "Tell me, what is it that couldn't wait for an hour or so?"

"Bhai, what's with the attitude? Save it for your employees, not me," she retorted. Just when I thought I had seen everything from my sister, she never failed to surprise me with more.

"Anyway, the reason I called is to discuss Mom and Dad's 30th Anniversary Surprise Party," she reminded me of the plans we had made a few months ago.

"I recall, Mom and Dad will be away for their Mandir Darshan and won't return until Saturday. That gives us nearly a week to finalize and execute the plan," I explained.

"But you could have conveyed that over the phone, saving both your time and mine," I continued, a hint of playful annoyance in my voice.

"Yeah, that's the issue. I won't be here for a week to help you out with the Surprise Party. I got a week-long shoot with a brand I've been hoping to work with, and I can't turn them down. So, I'm leaving for L.A. in the evening and won't be back until Saturday, the same day as Mom and Dad," she revealed.

Is she kidding me?

First, she ropes me into planning this entire thing, promising to help me organize it from start to finish. And now, here she is, leaving me without any assistance.

She walks over to me and pecks my cheeks, saying, "Sorry, Bhai. I know you'll organize the best party ever. To make things easier, I've sent the invitation cards to the guests and emailed you the list. Love you, bye," and then she runs out of my cabin.

I scoff at how effortlessly easy she's made things for me.

I could easily hire event managers to handle the arrangements for the party, but it wouldn't be as personal as it could be if I did it myself or someone from the family did it. We have a tradition of decorating the house during festivals and prayers on our own, only seeking assistance from our house help.

Esha would usually take charge of the decorations, but since she is not here either, I wonder how I would manage it.

ALIA'S POV:

"Should I place these books on the shelf?"

"Alia?"

"Aaaliaaa!" I jumped when I heard Diya shout, breaking the trance I didn't realize I was in.

"Are you okay? I'm going to put these books back on the shelf, alright?" she said, and I nodded in response.

She went inside, and I, once again, started thinking about this morning.

Without exchanging words, a strange yet pleasant vibe developed between us, but that got interrupted when his phone rang, and he got up to answer it. After taking the call, he returned and said, "Sorry, I need to leave; it's urgent."

But why did he feel the need to tell me that?

Was it necessary? No. But did it make me feel nice? Yes.

He had already turned to leave, but suddenly he turned back and said, "Thank you so much for the cheesecake; it was delicious. I hadn't had that since high school." I smiled and nodded at him, watching him leave.

However, his words, 'I hadn't had that since high school,' kept bothering me. Was he talking about my cheesecake specifically, or cheesecake in general?

I sat there, contemplating this for another hour or so, and later left to open the bakery.

✧

This upcoming Monday is Christmas, and I need to begin decorating the shop and start planning the items I'll prepare for the special occasion, not forgetting the special orders from customers.

Christmas has always been a day in the entire year that I eagerly anticipate, cherishing and sharing sweet sentiments about the festive season.

An elderly lady walked in through the door, slowly making her way towards the counter. I approached her and kindly asked if she would like to take a seat at a nearby table. She appeared quite old, perhaps around 70.

She took a seat and inquired, "Do you customize cakes upon special requests?"

Her voice was raspy and soft, perhaps due to her age. I nodded in response and asked, "I do. What's the occasion?" I swiftly grabbed a pen and notepad from the counter, jotting down the details she provided.

It was her grandchild's 3rd birthday and she wanted to cut a Mermaid-themed cake.

After properly noting down her address and more details, she stood up to leave, and I walked her to the door.

✧

After lunch, when there's usually a lull in work and no customers, we often lounge around the bakery, either reading books or preparing for any special orders that may come in.

I hadn't finished the book I started weeks ago because things were chaotic and I couldn't find the time or inclination to read. Now, with things going smoothly and some free time on my hands, I decided to indulge in a few pages.

As I settled down to read, the door of the bakery swung open, and Esha Malhotra walked in, hands full of shopping bags.

"Hello, is Alia around?" she asked Diya, who was sitting on the couch near the door. Diya pointed her towards me, and Esha turned to face me.

"Hi," I said and stood from my place, only to be engulfed in a hug from her.

"Hey, Alia," she replied. "Sorry for just barging in last moment, but I need a small favour from you," she continued, "And please don't say no, please."

"THE ESHA MALHOTRA," the renowned model, has come to my door asking for a favour. I didn't want to say no, and I also didn't want to do something I was not comfortable with.

"Okay, okay, calm down, Esha. First, sit down and tell me, what kind of favour do you need from me?" I inquired.

She chugged down the water kept on the table, looked at her watch, and said, "Next week, it's my parents' 30th Anniversary, and Bhai and I, we were...we are planning a surprise party for them, so I would like you to bake a cake for the occasion."

I thought she was here to ask me for help of some other sort, but she was here for a cake made by me.

"Are you sure that you want me to bake a cake for your parents'?" I asked, not quite believing her words. "I mean, you may have contacts with people who are better than me, so why me?"

"Well, I do have other options, but I don't think I would trust them like I would trust you. I've heard a lot and tasted your delicacies myself. So, I think you will be the best choice. And I am never wrong."

"So?"

"Wow, I am flattered by your words. Thank you for trusting me, and sure I would love to bake a cake for your parents."

She jumped at my words hugged me once again, and said, "Thank you, I need your number, to send you the details of the cake, date, and flavours, but I need to leave at the moment, I'm getting late for the airport."

I gave her my visiting card, and then she left the shop, not before engulfing me in a hug and saying a 'thank you'.

Meeting her outside her social world feels so different. Media portrays a different image of a person, even if they are the exact opposite of what it's been shown. I wonder if that's the case with him. I wonder if he is or is not the playboy type, every news page is making him to be.

I just hope that he isn't like that.

✧

The weather has turned quite chilly and cold, especially in the mornings and nights, and sipping hot chocolate while watching your favourite movie makes the best combination.

I am on my bed, under the blanket, with hot chocolate with marshmallows in my hand, playing Christmas movies on the tv, and writing down about my day in my journal.

Dear future me,

Lately, life has been a rollercoaster, filled with ups and downs. Just last week, fear gripped me, uncertain about what lay ahead. Thankfully, that fear has now faded away.

This morning, I unexpectedly crossed paths with him. How can someone look so composed and well-groomed so early in the morning?

He sat there; his physique seemingly sculpted by the gods. A strong jaw, timeless features, and a sun-kissed complexion spoke of days under an eternal summer sun. His presence always carries a captivating charm.

Yet, whenever I encounter him, why do I always stumble? It's a mystery I need to solve.

I felt a pang when he had to leave abruptly. I cherished the time we spent together, but a sudden call cut it short. Whose call could it have been? Today, his sister visited the bakery, requesting a cake for their parents' anniversary.

This week, I have a multitude of customized cakes to bake for the elderly lady, for Esha and her parents, and I need to start practising the wedding cake for the couple.

Feeling a bit exhausted, I believe it's time to sign off for now. Sleep is calling, and there are tasks to complete before I can rest.

With love,
Past you.

✧

After freshening up, I was in my nightly routine when my phone vibrated. Glancing at the wall clock, I noticed it was a quarter to 12. Who could be texting me at this hour?

"Maybe it's Jay," I pondered, unlocking my phone to find a text from an unknown private number. "Kon hai yeh bhai? Maine toh kisi ko apna number nai diya."

As I unlocked my phone, the message had mysteriously disappeared. "What is this behaviour? Aadhi raatko text kiya aur phir padhne se pehle delete bhi kardiya," I mumbled, finding it quite odd.

Shrugging off the mystery, I placed the phone back on the charging point, climbed into bed, turned off the lights, and finally drifted into sleep.

DHRUV'S POV:

After finishing my early morning work and the lunch meeting, I was finally free to sit and breathe. However, I also needed to organize the party that my sister roped me into.

I pulled out a notepad from the side and started jotting down the things I needed to organize for the party.

Guests - check.

Caterers.

Cake.

Decorations.

Gifts.

There's so much to do and so little time, and I'm doing it alone too.

Writing the word "cake" reminded me of my morning incident, how I bumped into her, or I can say, she collided with me. The funny part is that whenever we meet, she is dancing. She stumbles awkwardly as soon as she sees me as if she's scared after looking at me and then eventually falls.

She is clumsy but cute at the same time, like a small child who always requires care and assistance. And I won't mind giving her that, after making her mine.

Mine.

And me being hers. Only hers.

I laughed at the way I am thinking right now, about a girl who is not only clueless about my feelings for her but is also my best friend's younger sister.

Weeks ago, I was saying that no one has power over me except my mother. But here I am, whipped for her.

Whipped. Totally.

✧

Dropping off Mom and Dad at the airport, I am heading home. The entire evening went into finalizing the decorations, but still, I couldn't finalize anything in the end.

After parking the car in the driveway, I stepped out and entered my silent house. The house, once filled with the sweet banter of my parents and my sister's loud music choices, is now shrouded in unending silence.

Loneliness is making me miss my irritating and good-for-nothing sister.

Changing into something comfortable, I descended from my upstairs room to the kitchen for dinner. My mother made sure to prepare dinner for me before leaving and insisted I call her while having my meal.

Heating the food in the microwave, I served it on a plate and dialled my mother to show her that I was having my food. The phone rang, but it didn't connect, perhaps due to the network. So, I decided to send her a picture so that she could check it later.

After having dinner and turning off all the lights, I am heading to my office room because I need to check some documents.

✧

Exactly at 10, my phone rang, flashing Esha's name on it. She must have reached her first stop, which is how she could call me.

I answered her call, "Hello?"

"Hi, bhai, how's the preparation coming along?" she asked.

"Going great," I lied.

"Wow, I knew you would do great," she said to boost my morale. "Hmm," I replied.

"By the way, I'm sending you a picture of a visiting card. She makes the best cakes. Please get in touch with her, okay?"

"Alright,"

"Bye, make me proud." She said and ended the call. And almost immediately, my phone blinked with her message.

I opened her text and found a picture of a visiting card. After downloading the picture, I looked at it, and the card read:

Is this a sign of destiny? Maybe it is, and I like it.

I love it.

A smile found its way to my face thinking I'd get to meet her now, and maybe every day.

✧

For the past 45 minutes or more, I've been trying to type a perfect message to send her.

"Hi, this is Dhruv, your brother's friend." deleted

"Dhruv here, Esha's brother. She must have come to you today." deleted

And so much more. I couldn't find the right words to convey my thoughts. Finally, I typed, "Hi, Alia, I'm Dhruv. We met earlier this morning." Still unsure of the text, I reluctantly sent the message and waited.

But then suddenly an idea struck my mind, and checking the time, I hurriedly deleted the text, hoping she hadn't read it yet. Fortunately, she hadn't.

Smiling at the idea of meeting her again tomorrow, I turned off the light and went to sleep.

✧

Sleep deserted me earlier than usual today.

After a session at the gym, followed by a refreshing shower and getting ready, I descended the stairs to have breakfast. As I sat at the breakfast table, I noticed someone approaching from behind through the main door.

"How are you, buddy?" my idiotic friend Sameer chimed in. The only person I didn't need right now came dashing in uninvited.

He may not approve of my plan. Because it might sound stupid.

But in love, everything is fair.

"Everything is going well, and what isn't, we'll figure out," I said, exuding confidence and optimism about my plan.

But for that to work, I need to hurry myself from here. I stood from my place to leave, saying, "I, need to be somewhere, you enjoy the breakfast."

My steps halted when I heard him saying, "Alia se milne jaa raha hai?"

[Are you going to meet, Alia?]

OMG!?

HOW THE FUCK DID HE COME TO KNOW?