—SOHINI—
"Tell Papa to get a chocolate cake for your birthday," my evil little brother demanded. "Or I'm telling Momma you snuck out that night."
I rolled my eyes.
He'd been blackmailing me into agreeing to his ridiculous demands all week. It was cruel. I even had to give him my savings so he could buy some stupid game—just to shut his damn mouth. He was going to be a great businessman one day. Ruthless little devil.
"I hate you," I glared at him. "I wish Maa and Papa had abandoned you at the hospital when you were born."
He smirked. "Momma—"
I slapped a hand over his mouth. "Shh! I'm sorry. Sorry! I'll get the chocolate cake, okay?"
"Maa, tell Papa to get the chocolate cake!" I shouted toward the kitchen.
"Okay," Maa called back. "I'll tell him."
At midnight, Papa, Maa, and Chinu gathered around the table to sing the birthday song. I blew out the candles and cut the cake—like every year. But this year felt different. It was special. I was finally eighteen. Finally legal. Finally ready to confess my love for Vedant.
I immediately checked my phone, hoping to see a message from him.
Nothing.
Maybe he forgot. Or maybe—he just doesn't care at all.
Early the next morning, I bathed and went to the kitchen with a purpose.
"Maa, can I wear one of your sarees?"
"My saree? Why?" She looked at me, confused.
I didn't even like sarees, but Vedant had once said he found women in sarees beautiful.
"We'll be going to the temple, obviously," I lied smoothly. "I wanted to look traditional today."
"Hmph. Good. You should start practicing. After marriage, you'll need to wear sarees all the time."
"Oh Maa, just give it to me already."
I picked a black shimmer saree. With her help, I draped it—clumsily, but well enough. And when I looked in the mirror—I felt pretty. More than pretty. I looked grown-up. Brave.
I snapped a mirror selfie and sent it to him.
With a text attached—I looked good in black, don't I?
Vedant: Saree? Something special?
I rolled my eyes. Maybe he was just pretending. Maybe he was planning to surprise me later. So I waited. And waited. Until evening. Until patience ran out.
"He literally forgot," I muttered, hurt sinking into my stomach. "Maa, should I go give Vedant bha-i-ya some cake?"
"Why?" she asked.
"To give him cake," I shrugged, trying not to sound desperate.
"At least change the saree," she said.
"No need. I'll take it off before bed," I replied casually, before heading out.
I rang the doorbell at the house across the street. Lata aunty opened the door.
She gasped. "Wow, Sohini! You look so lovely in a saree."
I blushed. "Thank you so much," I smiled. "Is Vedant—"
"He's upstairs. Go on."
My heart pounded as I climbed the stairs. I clutched the cake—placed on the prettiest plate we had—like it was a love letter.
His room door was open. He didn't even notice me enter.
He was hunched over his telescope, wiping it gently, like it was some sacred relic.
"It's my birthday," I said, stepping in, "and I want you to fulfill my wish."
He didn't even look up. Not even a 'happy birthday.'
"I'll get you the whole Twisted series or whatever spicy book you're into," he mumbled, still focused on the lens.
I rolled my eyes. He didn't get it. I didn't want a book. Or a gift. Or another boring wish.
"I want you to make love to me," I said, just above a whisper.
"Alright—" he started, distracted. Then froze.
He slowly looked up, eyes narrowed. "What?"
"Have sex with me," I said, crossing my arms to keep them from trembling. My voice sounded steadier than I felt.
He blinked. Then gave a soft, awkward laugh. "You're a minor," he said, half teasing, half scolding. "I'm not a pedo."
"I'm eighteen," I replied, stepping closer. "As of today."
He went quiet. Just stared at me like he couldn't believe what I'd said.
I reached out gently, took the cloth from his hand, and set it aside. Then I stood on my toes and kissed him.
It was soft. Shy. My first kiss.
His lips were warm. Slightly chapped. He didn't kiss me back right away, but he didn't pull away either.
My heart thundered in my chest—louder than my thoughts, louder than the silence.
"I don't want anything," I whispered, my lips still brushing his. "Just you."
His expression wasn't what I wanted. Not what I expected.
He looked—disgusted. Utterly disturbed.
"Tell me this is a joke, Sohini," he said, letting out an awkward, disbelieving chuckle. "Please."
My face paled. I took a deep breath, trying to steady the panic inside me."I mean it," I said quietly. "I find you really—really attractive. You make my heart beat fast. I think I'm in love with you."
He stared at me, blankly. No flicker of warmth. No softness. Just shock.
"I love you, Vedant Khanna," I said again, more softly this time.
He took a step back, like my words physically pushed him away."And what do you expect me to do?" he said, almost to himself. "I've always looked at you as a friend. As a—little sister. God."
My mind blanked. I didn't know what hurt more—his words or the way he couldn't even look at me properly.
Tears pooled in my eyes. I blinked them back, but they spilled anyway.
"Did I ever—ever—give you any signal like that?" he asked, not even looking at me now. More like talking to the air.
"What now?" I whispered, as the tears slid down my cheeks. "What do I do now?"
"Why the fuck are you asking me that?" he suddenly shouted. His voice cracked like a whip. "Just leave. I want you to leave, Sohini. And never come in front of me again."
My heart shattered. Right there.
And still, I just stood there for a second—frozen. Hoping, praying, that he'd take it back.
But he didn't.