TEN

The board exams were fast approaching and I didn't get any chance to propose Adah, even though I used to go to Adah's house everyday. It was hard to focus on studies, since Adah was near to me when I used to study. The exam tension was evident on everyone's face.

12th board exams are the most important exam in a person's life and that was just a week away from me now. I was nervous but my mother told me not to worry about it much and just prepare for it thoroughly. I wanted to make my mother proud by scoring good marks as I was the only person in her life apart from her sisters and other relatives. Being the only one, I didn't want to let her down. My sister had scored 95.4 per cent in her 12th board exams and I didn't want to score lesser than that and for that I had to focus on studies which I was trying to do.

'Prepared well for the exams?' Ayesha asked me, just one day before our first exam which was English.

'Yeah.' I said.

Ayesha had been thinking that I liked her. Even though I had indirectly tried to show her that I didn't like her but she believed the other way.

When the exams started, it took no time to end and the days went like wind. The exams were quite tough for me since I hadn't prepared very well. The 10th of April was the last day of our exams and that marked the end of our school life. The vacation was boring for me since Adah had gone to her aunt's house in Mumbai for almost one month. I used to hang around with Mike to pass my time. Adah returned on 16th May.

The results were scheduled to be declared on 20th of May and the days were moving with a snail's pace. Finally the day arrived.

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'Beta, don't be so worried. InshaAllah, everything is going to be fine.' my mom said for the millionth time.

I had been walking around my room for the past one hour and the computer was placed at one corner of the room. It was switched on and it displayed a website that I had been refreshing for the past one hour-www.cbse.com/12th results.

The results were to be declared today at 11 am but now the time was 12 pm and still the results weren't declared.

Ughh! Why do they have to delay it so much?.... Just making us more anxious.

'Will you just stop walking around the room?' my mother said.

'Mom, my 12th standard results are going to be declared. How can you expect me to be calm?' I asked.

'Walking like this won't increase your marks anyway.' She said.

I sighed but didn't stop walking around.

I refreshed the page again and it showed that the results were declared. My heartbeat went faster and my throat got dried.

I entered my name and roll number into the computer.

I pressed the "Submit" button and the page started loading. After 5 seconds, my mark list was displayed on the monitor. I was freaking out. My heartbeat stopped for a moment when I saw my result. I had got 96 percentage, with A1 grade in all subjects. I danced around my room excitedly.

'Alhamdulillah!' Mom muttered, as she hugged me.

I had never thought that I could score 96 percent. 92 or 93 is what I had expected after the exams. Mike called me. He sounded happy.

He must have scored good marks.

'How much did you score, Mr.Genius?' he asked.

'96.' I replied.

'What!? 96! Congratulations!!!' he screamed.

'What about you?' I asked.

'91!' he exclaimed.

'Wow! That's wonderful! Congrats!!!' I said.

Mike had never ever got above 87 percent and no one had expected that he would score 91.

'Shut up. You got 96 and you are saying that my marks are wonderful?' he said.

'You had said that you woulfd hardly get 85 but you scored a freakin' 91!' I said.

'Yeah! Even I can't believe.' he said.

Next, I called Adah.

'How much did you score?' I asked.

'How much did you score?' she asked back.

'You say first.'

'No. You say first.'

'You.'

'You.'

'Ladies first!' I said.

'Okay then.... I got 96.' she said.

'What!?' I exclaimed.

'What about you?' she asked, her voice sounding impatient.

'Same here!!!' I said.

'What!?' she exclaimed.

'Yes!' I said.

'That's wonderful! What a coincidence!' she exclaimed.

'Yeah, that's what I was thinking.' i said.

I called Sam and he had got 97.3. He was the topper in our school and also from our whole district. Next day, the photos of the students who had scored above 91 percent was printed on the newspaper. There were almost 100 such students from our city. It felt good to see my photo on the newspaper, that too just next to Adah's photo. I and Adah were the second rankers from our school.

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Two days later

It's 22nd of May. Eighteen years ago, I and Adah were coincidentally born on this same day. Yes, its our birthday! Adah had thrown a big party that night. I had stopped celebrating my birthday after my sister's demise, since she had died just one day before my birthday, three years ago. I decided to attend Adah's birthday party, which had to be attended.

In the morning, I had got a call from Mike.

'Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to Aman! Happy birthday to you!' he sang into the phone.

'Thanks a lot.' I said.

He used to sing this birthday song to me every year and always, he was the first person to wish me too.

'So, no celebrations this time too?' he asked.

'No yaar. My mother asked me if I wanted to celebrate it this time but I said No.' I said.

'I understand bro. And we have Adah's birthday to celebrate. So double celebration!' he said.

'The party is conducted to celebrate her birthday, not mine.' I said.

'Whatever. Lucky for us that both of yours birthdays are same. We can celebrate it together.'

'You are coming today, right?'

'Of course, I am coming. I don't care about Adah's birthday. I can't miss yours.'

'The party is on Adah, not me.'

'But I am coming for you.'

'Thanks.'

'Ehh.... No sorry and no thank you in friendship.' he said, dramatically.

'You sound so filmy.' I said and we both laughed.

Next, I got a call from Adah.

'Hello' she said.

'Happy birthday, Adah!' I said.

'Thanks! Happy birthday to you too, Aman!' she exclaimed.

'Thank you very much!' I said.

'Hmm... So, you are coming to the party tonight, right?' she asked.

'Of course, how can I miss your party.' I said.

She chuckled.

'Well, we want a party from you too.' she said and laughed.

'Well... I have not celebrated my birthday since my sister's death. She had died just a day before my 15th birthday. I have been not celebrating it since that day because it brings to me, her memories. A few days back, my mother asked me if I wanted to celebrate my birthday this time, but I declined. I don't want to think about my sister.' I said.

'Oh! I am so sorry for that. I wouldn't have thrown such a big party if I had known this before.' she said, sympathetically.

I smiled at her concern towards me.

'No no, it's okay. It's your birthday party. Plus, it might serve as a distraction to me.' I said.

'That's good.' she said.

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'Wear something good today.' my mother said, in the evening.

'I will. But I am confused about what to wear.' I said.

'What about your blazer?' she asked.

'I don't have a blazer.' I said.

'You have one. Remember, we had bought you a blazer for your sister's wedding.' she said.

'Mom, I don't want to wear that.' I argued.

'Beta, you have to accept your sister's demise and move on from it.' she said.

She's right.

'Hmm... But that blazer is three years old. Do you think it would fit me?' I asked.

'When it was bought, it was a little big for your size at that time. Plus, your height haven't changed much since then too.' she said.

'Okay then, I'll try.'

She smiled.

'But where is it? I haven't seen it since ages.' I said.

'It's in my wardrobe.' she said and opened her wardrobe and took out my outfit for the day. There was light grey coloured shirt, black tie, black suit and black pant. It was really beautiful.

'How come it is so clean even after three years?' I asked.

'I washed it yesterday, since I wanted you to wear this today.'

'Then, I'll surely wear this today.'

'You'll look very handsome in this.'

I smiled.

I wore it and I was surprised that it was perfectly fit for me.

'You look good, MashaAllah. Just like your father.' she said.

This was the first time she had mentioned my father. I had not known anything about him from her. Everything I knew about him was from my sister.

I looked at my mother. She seemed sad.

'Your father had worn a similar outfit like this on our marriage.' she said, trying to smile but she couldn't. Tears welled up in her eyes. I hugged her.

'How was your wedding day? Was it in Islamic style? Or Hindu style?' I asked.

'Our marriage was the best day of my life. Though we had married in a Marriage Bureau and had had a registered marriage, I was very happy.' she said.

'If you guys were so happy, why did he leave you? Just because you were not ready to convert into hinduism?' I asked.

'No, that's not the truth. Your father is not at fault in this. We had ran away from our homes to marry, since our family members were not in favour of our marriage. Somehow your father's family members had came to know that he had married me. They had demanded that I should convert into Hinduism or else, they would kill me. Your father was frightened at this and did not have any other choice than to leave us. He did not want us to get harmed because of him. He even used to contact me sometimes. He even does now too.' she said.

'What?' I asked in bewilderment.

'Yes, my child. You may think that he doesn't like you, but he does. He doesn't know much about you, but he loved your sister a lot. When she died, I had given him the news and he had cried on the phone for almost one hour.' she said.

All these was too much for me to take in. I had mixed feelings at that time. I felt sorrow for my sister, sad for my mother and sorry for my unknown and unseen father. I had tears in my eyes.

'What's his name?' I asked.

'Armaan. Armaan Khan.' she replied.

'Khan? But you said that he is a Hindu, so how come his surname is that of a Muslim?' I asked.

'He converted to a Muslim a few months ago.' she said, smiling.

'What!!?' I asked in astonishment.

'Yes beta. And he is coming back to us soon.' she said.

'What!!?'

It was a day of surprises to me. I couldn't take in more surprises. I was full.

'I wanted to keep this as a secret and wanted surprise you, but I couldn't keep it anymore.'

'Are you serious?'

'Yes, I am.'

'You are meaning to say that my father, whom I haven't seen before and is unknown to me, is coming back?' I asked in utter disbelief.

'Yes, that's it.' she said with a smile.

I was shocked, speechless, astonished, bewildered, surprised and what not. It took me some time to take in everything. Everything that I came to know that day was something that I had never thought in my wildest dreams.

'Well.... how did you guys meet each other?' I asked.

'It's a long story, but I'll tell you.' she said.

We then sat on the sofa.

'I first saw your father during the first day of my college. He was undoubtedly the most good-looking guy in the whole college. We both were in the same class and most of the girls were crazy about him. I was one of them. His tall and well-built body, long face with strong jawline, long and silky hair was popular among the girls of our college. Every girl wished to talk to him. I got the chance to know him when we were appointed as partners for a project and that was time when friendship grew between us. All the girls started feeling jealous of me. I was crazy about him and was totally drowned in love with him, but I didn't disclose my feelings to him. I didn't know if he had any feelings for me. But during the second year, on the Valentine's Day, he proposed me in front of the whole college and that served as a shock to me and to all the girls. That was the happiest day in my life.' she said, tears rolling down her eyes. She smiled.

'Wow! That was quite a story. Just like we see in movies' I said.

She smiled again.

'I never knew all this.' I said. 'Even now you talk to him secretly, huh?'

She blushed.

'Wow! This is the first time I am seeing you blushing!' I exclaimed.

'What!? No no..... I am not blushing.' she said, trying to defend herself.

'My eyes won't deceive me.' I said.

She smiled.

'By the way, I have a doubt. How come my father change his surname? I understand he has converted, but can one change their surname? It is inherited from our ancestors, right?' I said.

'He changed his surname because of you. He knew that you are given my surname whereas one should have the same surname as that of his father. In every record of yours, be it birth certificate or any of your school record, you name is given as Aman Khan itself. So he changed his surname because changing your surname would be a great mess.' Mom replied.

'Hmm... You're right.' I said, thoughtfully.

She smiled

'Well... When is he coming?' I asked.

'Soon... But I won't say the date.' she said.

I frowned.

She laughed.

'Aren't you getting late for the party?' She asked.

'Oh yes. I should go.' I said.

She nodded.

'You're not coming?' I asked.

'No, I am not feeling so well.' she said.

'Don't lie to me. You are going to talk to your hubby, right?' I asked with a wink.

She smiled and I chuckled.

'Oh shit! You didn't buy any gift for Adah.' she exclaimed.

'I did.' I said as I went to my room and came back with a box covered with gift paper.

'What's in it?' she asked.

'Wrist watch for her. I bought it yesterday itself.' I said.

'Where did you get the money from?'

'I sold my cycle.'

'What!?'

'Mom, I am eighteen now. I will get a driving license soon. What will I do with my cycle?'

'You could have asked me for the money.'

'No, it's okay. Anyway, that cycle had to be sold and this was the best thing I could do with its money.'

She smiled.

'I thought you must have noticed the disappearance of the cycle.' I said.

'No, I didn't notice it.' she said.

'Okay then, I am going.' I said.

'Have fun.'

'You too.'

Mom smiled.

'Allah Hafiz.' she said.

'Allah Hafiz.' I replied back.

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I heard loud music as I walked towards Adah's house. The watchman of her house greeted me at the gate. He knew me as I used to go to Adah's house everyday.

I opened the main door of her house. I saw many people, dressed in rich outfits. The house was crowded but it took me no time to spot Adah. She was standing in the middle of the living room, surrounded by many girls. She was wearing a long white gown. She had put on light makeup and had left her beautiful hair open. I stood there staring at her. I don't know for how long I had been standing there, gaping at her. When she saw me, she waved at me and ran towards me.

'You're late.' she declared.

'Am I? But Mike, Tina and Sam has not yet arrived.' I said.

'I'm saying that you are late. You are more important here.'

'Why?'

'You'll soon know why.'

'Okay then. Let's wait for it.'

'What's the reason for your constant smile today?'

'It's your birthday today. Why wouldn't I be happy?' I said.

'But my mind says that there's some other reason behind your happiness.' she said.

'Then I must say that your mind knows me quite well.' I said

'Yes, it does. Now tell me the reason.' she said, folding her hands.

'Then I should say that something unexpected is going to happen.'

'No suspenses, please.'

I sighed.

'My father is coming back.'

'What!?'

'Yes.'

Then I explained everything that Mom had told me. She was really shocked, same as I was.

'I feel so happy for you.' she said.

'Well, this is for you.' I said, handing over the box which I was holding.

'What's this?' she asked.

'Your birthday gift.' I said.

'I know that. I mean, what's in it?' she asked.

'See it for yourself.' I said.

She opened the box a found and took out another box that had the name "TITAN" labelled on it. She opened that box and took out the watch.

'Wow!! Its.... Its beautiful!' she exclaimed.

'Just like you.' I blurted out.

I cannot believe I said that. Did I really say that? Somebody pinch me please!!!

She blushed.

'Thanks.' she said.

'Your most welcome.' I said,nervously.

'You shouldn't have bought it.'

'Why? You didn't like it?'

'Of course, I liked it. I mean I love it. But it must be costly.'

'Anything for you.'

Wow Aman! You are progressing! Keep going, dude.

I have been having this habit of talking with myself since childhood. It keeps me going on.

She smiled.

'Well... I have a gift for you too. I'll give it to you when the right time comes ' she said.

'Okay.' I said.

'Now come on, let me introduce you to my friends.' she said.

'Your friends?'

'Yep. My friends from my previous school.' she said, pointing to a group of girls standing a few distance away from us.

I hesitated. I wasn't that good amongst strangers.

Just then I saw Mike, Sam and Tina entering the house. I was going to avoid meeting her friends by walking towards Mike but Adah didn't give up.

'Come on!' she said, holding my hands and pulling me towards her group of friends.

'Excuse me guys.' she said to her friends. All the girls turned to us. All the girls were clad in rich dresses. I felt nervous. I had never stood before so much girls before.

'Guys, this is Aman, my best friend.' she said.

Best friend! Wow that's good! Good progress, Aman!

'Hi!' I greeted them, smiling. Adah's reference to me as her best friend took out the nervousness from me.

'Hi!!!' they all greeted me back. I didn't expect such warm greetings from them. There were seven girls standing in front of me and everyone greeted me.

'Well... I heard that today is your birthday too.' one of the girls from the group said to me.

'Yeah' I said.

'Happy birthday!' she wished me, shaking my hands.

'Thanks.'

'I am Megha.' she said.

Then all the other girls took turns in wishing me and introducing themselves.

'Now come on, Aman! ' Adah said pulling me away from the small crowd.

'Where are we going?' I asked.

'To see your surprise.' she said and walked holding my hands.

She brought me in front of a huge three-tier cake. It was beautifully decorated in matte black and maroon colour. Truly, it was the best cake I had ever seen. There was something written on the top tier of the cake. I read it and smiled.

Wait, what did I just read?

Happy Birthday Adah & Aman !!!

I read those words again and looked at Adah. She laughed seeing my shocked expression.

'You looked as though you had seen a ghost.' she said and laughed again.

'You didn't have to do this.' I said.

'Why? You've done enough for me and I can't do this much?' she asked, her hands on her hips.

'But still...' I was saying when she interrupted.

'This is the least I could do for you.' she said.

'Thank you so much for this.' I said, pleased by her act.

How impossible it is to keep away from falling in love with you!

'Your most welcome.' she said, bowing a little as if she was a commoner in front of a king.

'Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your kind attention, please?' she announced and everyone gathered around us.

'Today, we're here not only to celebrate my birthday but also of my friend, Aman Khan.' she said. I smiled and everyone clapped. I saw Mike, Sam and Tina also clapping from a distance. They looked as if they knew everything about Adah's surprise for me.

Then we started the cake-cutting ceremony. Adah took a knife and asked me to hold it. Then she put her hand over mine and held it. I experienced a wave of electricity pass through me as soon as she touched me. Then we cut the cake together after blowing out the candles that were placed at the top and were of the shape of the number ''18" indicating our age. Then we feeded each other a small piece of cake and then to everyone. The cake was delicious and without a doubt, it was the best one I had ever had.

'Now time for your gift.' Adah said to me after the cake was finished and half of the guests had gone. She handed me a cuboidal box covered in red gift paper.

'What's this?' I asked holding the box.

'See for yourself.' she said, imitating me.

I opened it and I was shocked at what I saw. The box displayed a picture of a mobile phone and above it was written in big letters iPhone X. I wasn't expecting such an expensive gift and I couldn't accept such a gift from Adah.

'I cannot take this.' I said.

'Why not?' she asked.

'Its... Its... so expensive!' I said.

'So?'

'Why did you have to buy this? '

'You didn't like it?'

'I love it..... But I feel so silly that I could gift you only a watch.' I said.

'Shut up. I loved your gift and I was already in need of a watch.' she said.

'But...' I was saying when she interrupted.

'No buts. You have to accept this if you consider me as a real friend because I consider you as one or I would rather say you are my best friend.' she said.

I smiled. I liked what she said and was happy.

She considers me as her best friend. Good!

'I consider you as my best friend.' I said.

'Then as the condition says... you have to accept this.' she said.

'Thanks for today and everyday.' I said.

'Your pleasure, sir.' she said and we both laughed.