A few weeks had quietly slipped away since that night. Yashika tried to make sense of the emotions swirling inside her — emotions she hadn't asked for, feelings she didn't even fully understand.
Chirag, meanwhile, was glowing in his new world. He and Kanika were the new favorite couple at school. They sat together, laughed together, walked together. And even though Yashika smiled every time Chirag shared his stories, there was a quiet ache somewhere within her that didn't go away.
The two of them — once inseparable — were now strangers who met once or twice a week, if that. No more random bike rides. No more secret spots. No more long calls. Just silence that tasted a little like distance and a little like change.
5th June.
The date held more than just her birthday.
It was midnight when a soft knock landed on Yashika's door. She blinked at the time — 12:01 AM. Her heart leapt, expecting a familiar voice. Her fingers brushed her hair back as she rushed to open it.
There stood Ms. Kavita, smiling warmly, holding a small homemade cake. Beside her was Milli, beaming as she sang, "Happy birthday, sleepyhead!"
Yashika's eyes darted past them, to the corridor behind. Empty.
Her smile faltered for just a second — so quick it almost didn't exist. But then she stepped aside, masking her disappointment with grace.
"Come in," she said softly.
The room lit up with tiny candles and quiet laughter. Milli smeared a little frosting on her cheek, Ms. Kavita sang off-key, and for a moment, Yashika forgot the empty space in her heart.
But it was just a moment.
After half an hour, as the room returned to silence, Ms. Kavita gently kissed Yashika's forehead and said, "Alright now, birthday girl. Tomorrow is the real celebration. Time to sleep."
She turned to Milli. "You too, back to your room."
"Goodnight!" Milli chirped, squeezing Yashika in a tight hug.
Yashika smiled, nodding. "Goodnight."
The door clicked shut.
The silence after celebration was always the loudest.
Yashika changed into her nightwear, turned off the lights, and lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling. 5th June. Not just her birthday. The day she met Sulochana Chaturvedi, the woman who gave her more than just a home — gave her a reason to keep going.
Yashika smiled faintly at the memory.
But still… Chirag hadn't come. Not even a message. Not even a call. Every year, he was the first one at her door — loud, excited, holding a chocolate bar and a stupid handmade card. But this year, there was no knock. No card. No Chirag.
Maybe he's tired, she thought, clutching her pillow closer. Maybe he'll come in the morning.
And with that half-hope and half-heartbreak, she slowly drifted off to sleep — candles blown out, wishes unheard.
It was 6:00 a.m. when Yashika's eyes fluttered open.
"Shit, I'm late," she mumbled, scrambling out of bed.
She had to leave for school by 6:45. She rushed into the bathroom, washed up, and got changed in record time. As she descended the stairs, Ms. Kavita stood by the dining table with a soft smile.
"Happy Birthday, Yashika."
Yashika paused for a second, smiled gently, and thanked her. They sat for breakfast. The dining hall was filled with the chatter of the younger kids. Everything seemed normal — loud, lively, cheerful — but inside her, everything felt unusually quiet.
Her eyes caught Milli at the far end of the table. She quickly walked over. "Happy Birthday!" Milli said, pulling her into a quick hug.
They sat together, laughing at silly things, trying to catch the spirit of the day.
After breakfast, Yashika bid everyone goodbye and headed to school. She half-hoped, half-wished she'd see Chirag on the way — standing by the corner like he always did on her birthday. But… no one was there.
Her school day went on. Her classmates wished her, and her teacher made the class sing for her. She smiled, laughed, even blushed a little when they made her stand in front. But deep inside, it still didn't feel like her birthday.
When the bell rang for dispersal, Yashika didn't feel like heading straight back. Instead, she took the long route — the one that passed by Chirag's house.
As she passed Raghuveer uncle's shop, he spotted her immediately.
"Arre Yashika beta! Come here!" he called out, his eyes warm as always.
She walked over with a faint smile.
"Happy Birthday, beta," he said, gently patting her head.
She bent down to touch his feet, but he stopped her halfway. "No need for that," he chuckled.
"Chirag isn't home right now," he added. Yashika's smile faltered just for a moment. "It's okay," she replied quickly. "Maybe he's busy."
"Why don't you come inside? At least have lunch with me," he offered.
She hesitated.
"Come on now, it's your birthday," he insisted.
Unable to deny him, Yashika nodded. He handed her the landline to call the orphanage. Once that was settled, Raghuveer uncle went into the kitchen. Before disappearing fully, he came back, switched on the TV, and placed the remote beside her.
"So you don't get bored," he smiled.
Yashika sat quietly, flipping channels aimlessly, trying not to let her thoughts spiral.
After a while, uncle came back, and they began chatting lightly about school, life, and random things. She was mid-sentence when the front door creaked open.
Chirag.
He looked rushed, like he was late for something. He didn't even glance toward the living room. Just headed straight to his room, changed clothes, grabbed his sandals, and emerged.
"Papa, I'm going to be late — I'll eat later. I'll be back by 3."
"Chirag—" Raghuveer uncle began, but he was already gone.
He didn't even notice her.
Didn't look at her. Didn't wish her. Not even a passing smile.
Yashika's hand froze around the remote. Her eyes stayed fixed on the TV screen, but she wasn't watching anymore.
"Who was that, uncle?" she asked casually, her voice surprisingly calm.
"Oh, just a salesman," he lied, forcing a smile.
She nodded faintly. "Okay."
A few seconds later, he picked up the phone and pretended to dial a number, murmuring into it. Then, turning back to her, he said softly, "Chirag's at basketball practice… he'll be late. I'm sorry, beta. I know you must have wanted to see him today."
"Uncle, you don't need to be sorry," she replied, putting on a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "He's just… busy."
Raghuveer uncle saw through it. He felt anger rising in his chest — not for her, but for his son. But he didn't say a word. He excused himself to the kitchen.
And Yashika?
She sat there, still and quiet. Her grip tightened on the remote, her eyes still on the screen, but now everything was blurry. She blinked hard to hold the tears in, to keep the smile on, to not break — not here, not now.
It cut something deep.
He wasn't there at midnight.
He wasn't there in the morning.
He didn't cal.
Didn't even see her.
And maybe, that was what hurt the most.
Yashika held herself, wiping her tears quickly, but a few still slipped down. Just then, Raghuveer uncle came out with a warm plate of her favorite meal — shahi paneer, puri, and a homemade mango cake.
Her eyes lit up instantly.
"You really made all this?" she asked, smiling through her watery eyes.
"It's your day. This is the least I could do," he said, patting her head.
She hugged him tight. Lunch was full of chatter, laughter, and warmth. The kind of warmth that settles in your bones when you're surrounded by kindness. For a while, Yashika forgot all her sadness.
But as she walked back toward the orphanage, something inside her felt off — a quiet emptiness, an ache she couldn't name. She tried to shake it off.
Back at the orphanage, Ms. Kavita and Milli greeted her with excitement.
"Go, go! Change quickly," Milli grinned, handing her a bag.
Inside, she found a beautiful frock. As she got dressed, Milli helped her with her hair.
"Close your eyes," Milli whispered.
When they came downstairs, the entire orphanage — all six kids — shouted in chorus:
"Happy Birthday, Yashika!"
She beamed. For a while, that hollow feeling disappeared. There were cheers, hugs, and one more homemade cake. The third one today. It was simple, but beautiful.
Later that night, everyone returned to their rooms. Ms. Kavita called lights out.
Just as Yashika settled in, Milli returned, holding a tiny box.
"This is for you. That's all I could afford," she said.
Yashika opened it — it was a small keychain. She looked at it, then back at Milli.
"Thank you so much, Di," she whispered and hugged her. Milli was 14, 2 years older than her so she used to call her Di.
When Milli left, Yashika changed into her nightwear and sat on her bed. The silence of the room brought back everything — the 12 o'clock celebration, her lunch with Raghuveer uncle, the cheering kids, the cake... everything.
Except one thing.
Chirag hadn't even wished her.
Her heart ached. And before she knew it, she was crying. Quietly, deeply. The kind of crying that comes when you don't want anyone to hear. She cried until sleep almost found her —
when there was a knock at the door.
She wiped her tears quickly and opened it.
It was him.
Without a word, Chirag gently held her hand and led her downstairs. Ms. Kavita was there, and Chirag pleaded silently.
She looked at Yashika, who just stood there, confused. Then nodded.
"Back within an hour," she said.
Yashika didn't say anything. She was just moving.
Chirag drove silently through the empty roads, finally stopping at their secret place. He got off the bike and faced her.
"I'm so, so sorry," he said, and before she could say anything, he pulled her into a hug. "I should've been with you today. I was wrong. Please... punish me, yell at me, do anything, but forgive me. Please, Little."
Yashika, who had held in everything for so long, broke down again.
"Please don't cry," Chirag said, panicking. "You can beat the hell out of me, just don't cry. Please... talk to me… Mom won't ever forgive me if you cry."
As he mentioned "Mom", she controlled herself and tried to speak, "It's fine. I know... you were busy with practice."
"I wasn't at practice," he said.
"What?"
"I was with Kanika."
Yashika froze.
Kanika.
She felt something twist inside her, something cold and strange.
"I mean, she was busy all week. Today was the only time she was free," Chirag added quickly.
Yashika nodded. "Oh... I see."
Chirag noticed her silence. "Are you... still angry?"
She forced a smile. "No, not at all."
It was a smile just enough to fool him.
He hugged her again and then said, "Wait here."
He came back holding something behind his back.
"What is it?" she asked.
He handed her a gift — a small box. Inside was a beautiful watch, a palm-sized teddy bear, and a clumsily hand-drawn card.
She burst out laughing. "You really should stop drawing."
He grinned, "I tried, okay?"
They talked a little more. She listened as he talked about his day, about Kanika, about everything. She smiled, nodded — did everything she could to seem okay.
But inside, she wasn't.
Soon, she said, "You should drop me. It's getting late."
"I wanted to spend more time…" he sighed. "Okay."
He dropped her off, and before leaving, he said softly, "Good night, Little. And... I'm really sorry for not being there today."
"The gift is beautiful," she said, forcing a smile. "Thanks."
As she went inside, Chirag drove away.
Back in her room, Yashika laid down, placing the teddy beside her on the bed.
She looked at it, eyes moist, and whispered:
Do you even know what you're doing to me?
What is this feeling?
You're five years older… you must know.
How do I ask you, when you're so happy with someone else?
If I asked you... what would you say?"
She hugged the teddy tight.
And somewhere between heartbreak and longing, sleep finally embraced her.