"Happy Birthday to my special Bestie " Ronn said in a low voice over phone . It was midnight and he was the first to wish her . Well , that was a promise given long back to wish each other the first . She smiled and said thank you . He asked her about her B'day plans but before she could say it , she heard knock on her door . "Who's knocking this late ?" She thought. She said a bye to Ronn and cut the call . She tied her messy hair in bun and walked up to the door . Moonlight had filled her room and that was the only light . The curtains flew in accordance with the breeze . It was cold but beautiful night . "Mom ..is that you ?" She asked in a low voice , leaning near the door . "It's me Kiran ." voice came from outside the room . "What are you doing this late you idiot ?" Tara whispered . "Karthik also came .Just open the door stupid ." Kiran said . "Huh!?Karthik came ?" She muttered to herself . She adjusted her hair and then opened the door . "Happy Birthday Tara ." Kiran and Karthik said in the same tone . Kiran was holding a cake and when she looked closer she understood it has her face printed over it . "Let me turn on the lights " she said and went for the light but suddenly Karthik said "You can't turn on the lights." "Huh ?Why not ?" Tara asked puzzled .
"Because we turned off the main switch and then entered home ." Kiran said and Karthik shut Kiran's mouth .Tara widened her eyes in disbelief . "You did that Karthik ?" Tara asked .
"Yeahhhh ..." Karthik said with his head hung low . "But you could have just rang the bell . Mom would open the door ." Tara said .
"Well , we needed to surprise you ." Karthik said litting the candle . "Well , what happened to my inverter now!!" she said worried .
"I disconnected it that day after dinner ." Karthik said bashfully . "How did you even entered the home ?" She asked still not able to understand anything that's happening .
"Who asked you to open your balcony door and keep the ladder close to it ?" Kiran said mockingly and he entered her room ."What !!" She asked in disbelief . "Let almighty give you many more candles to blow " Karthik said hugging her . "Will you lit my hair too ?" Tara said pushing him lightly . "No no ." Karthik said laughing . "I can't wait for you to cut the cake " Kiran said looking at the cake impatiently . "You are insane .It's my B'day ." Tara said making a wry face at him .Then went few minutes cutting cake , singing wishes , hugging and celebrating under candle light . "Make voice low or else aunty is surely gonna come and check what the heck is going in her room" Kiran said licking cake from his face . They nodded . "So now .. I am sleepy , Goodnight Tara see u later . Doctor have told me to take complete rest ." Kiran said while walking out of her room ." Then how did you even climb the ladder " Tara asked questioningly . "well this stupid brother of mine insisted that I couldn't say a no " Kiran said making a puppy face and teased them . Karthik hid his face , turning away so that Tara won't see him blushing . "Are you not coming ?" Kiran asked standing Akimbo near the door . Karthik looked at Tara to say a bye . Moonlight was touching her face from the left side and the candle she held in her hands gave the moonlight a golden touch which made her look like real Greek Goddess . Karthik stood there staring at her and Tara raised an eyebrow confused . " I'll be back soon .You may go ." Karthik said and Tara felt a sudden shock .'Whats he upto ? propose me in this darkness ?' She thought . 'I wish I could marry this gorgeous Goddess .' Karthik said in mind .
'I want to propose to her right now and make her mine forever .But I should propose her in the light - not darkness . The world should know that she's mine .That's when love is complete for a man .' He told himself in mind .
"Is everything fine ?" Tara asked Karthik while Kiran already left . Karthik was in some other world imagining Tara saying an Yes to him .
Tara glared at him for a moment and suddenly Karthik cleared his throat and said : " I was just .. here to invite .. you .. for the dinner ." Karthik found it difficult to choose correct words all of sudden . "Okay ..Karthii I'll come ." Tara said with a shy face . Then a sudden breeze brushed her hair and candles were blown out . It was dark except for the moonlight which made her face look extremely special and beautiful . "Oh God , Let me lit this candle for you ," Tara said and searched for lighter while Karthik walked towards the window . He slide opened the second window and the breeze came in a rush and brushed their bodies . "It's too cold ." Tara said ."Have you seen how beautiful the moon is on your B'day ?" Karthik said looking out .
Tara came near him and glared outside . It was bright . "It will be flower moon soon within a few days . " Tara said looking at the moon . "But today seems the brightest ." Karthik said taking a secret look at her . Tara smiled . The breeze glide past them . The window had no grills and their hands were resting on the sill of window . They stood staring at the moon for a while . "What's your deepest desire Tara ?" Karthik asked breaking the silence . "I always want to be happy ." Tara said giggling . Karthik grinned . "You played it well ." He said . Tara looked at him .His brownish hair fluttered madly by the wind and he was smiling . His eyes glittered like stars . She smiled at herself . "I don't know if someone had told you this before , you look gorgeous Tara ." Karthik said looking to the moon . Tara blushed. "Well , not a single boy told it to my face like this ." Tara said giggling . That made Karthik proud of himself.
"You are different from your brother ." She said without facing him ."In what ways ?" Karthik asked curiously. "Every ways. " Tara said grinning . "We have talked many times , but I feels this as our first time Tara ." Karthik said moving closer to her . She felt completely nervous . "Maybe ... we opened up a little more and we feel close " Tara said stammering . "You're right ." Karthik said . They stood very close to each other .Their hands rubbed each other's and they smiled. Karthik held her close by the shoulder and she felt protected and that made her so comfy . She leaned on him and he turned towards her and hugged her . She felt warm and she thus cuddled more . They hugged for a long time , feeling the breeze embracing them and moonlight making the spotlight for their love . Both felt each other's love and affection . Suddenly they heard a noise from downstairs and they moved apart. They gained consciousness and didn't faced each other for few moments . "I .. I think I should be going , good night Tara . Please do come for the dinner tonight and .. happy birthday once again ." Karthik said in hurry way , not knowing how to hide his blushed face . Tara was also blushing . She nodded and said Thank you . She went to the balcony to watch him go . When she returned back to her room she felt her heart was still skipping it's beats .She felt tensed , excited and very happy at the same time . "It was a momentary heavenly bliss " She said smirking to herself . She jumped to the bed . But she couldn't sleep . Her heart was re-winding the same scenes which happened few moments before .She felt goosebumps and felt butterflies on her stomach .She paced in her room , glared at the moon and blushed many times. She didn't knew when she slept . But she had a very pleasant dream .She didn't knew Karthik was going through the similar feelings . He was rolling over his bed and his heart jumped with excitement . He couldn't sleep .He hid his face in pillow blushing . He smiled and felt butterflies in his stomach .
**********
Car stood in front of a big restaurant . It was her B'day and after the small celebration at home with both familes , Karthik took her for a ride and he came straight to this place , High Ultra Lounge - the most romantic luxurious rooftop restaurant in whole Banglore . Tara wore most beautiful Stitched type Bollywood White Colored Gown With Koti and pair of golden coloured duel strap high heeled shoes . Her deep wavy curled hair fluttered with the breeze . Her neck was bare .She wore silver double layered bangles which made the jingling sound . Karthik wore a navy blue suit with white T-shirt under it and paired with black jeans and the most costly shoes . She gazed every places of the restaurant with excitement. The rooftop was on 31st floor and as the lift moves up Tara glared outside and saw the whole Banglore night town appeared in front of her . She gasped with excitement . Karthik looked at her happily . The 31 st floor had less people and the ambiance there was stunning with dim light . They climbed the escalator and reached the rooftop . Tara turned around and saw no one there except for staff and Karthik and herself . "Why is no one coming here ? is it restricted ? " Tara moved near Karthik and asked in low voice ."Yeah . restricted for today ." Karthik said in ease . "Then let's go back " Tara said holding his hands in worried manner .Karthik stared at her for a moment and suddenly Tara said "Wait .. don't tell me that you reserved the whole rooftop " .
"Well , I actually did ." Karthik said winking at her . Tara stood there shocked .
"Whaaaaaat!!!??? Are you crazy ? Spending a lot of money . " She said standing Akimbo .
"Ya , I am soo crazy . Crazy about you ." Karthik said smiling crookedly .
"I have never heard you talking like this before ." Tara said surprised .
"Well , this is my actual face . Really tired and sick of my fake face ." Karthik said grinning .
Tara stood still and Karthik gently pushed her from back towards the seats . The balcony stand was all made using glass and they saw the whole Banglore night town standing there .
"Wow .Such an amazing view . Everything seems so small from here ." Tara said forgetting everything . Karthik smiled and held her close by shoulder . The waiter cane for the orders . She suddenly cleared her throat and sat on a seat near the view . Karthik sat opposite to her with a smile on his face .
The waiter handed over the menu .
"You are crazy " Tara mumbled .
"Anything for you Tara ." Karthik laughed a short laugh and said . Tara blushed . Her cheeks turned pinkish and it suited perfectly for her white dress .
"I know you always prefer vegetarian food . Let's have that together ." Karthik said .
"I think you should order the food Karthik " Tara said shyly . "No formalities between us .It's your B'day and you are here for my treat . Order anything that you wish ." Karthik said . Tara saw a projector on the side .The whole rooftop had balloons floating on the ground. Most of them were yellow , her favourite colour . A few others were Red , she by then knew it's Karthik's favourite colour after Navy blue and white . Tara looked at the Menu and ordered smoked pepper mushroom with cashew and Karthik ordered same . When the waiter went after taking orders Tara looked around and enjoyed the beauty of the place. "You liked this place ?" Karthik asked . Tara nodded with a smile . "What are you upto ?" Tara asked . Karthik smirked . The projector started playing a video and Tara turned to look . She soon realised the video was for her , it had her pics from childhood and she stood up and moved closer to have a better view at it . It includes all the beautiful pictures she have with Karthik . She blushed . Karthik came and stood near her and hugged her from behind . Tara felt the shock but she stood still enjoying . When the video came to the final end , Tara was still watching it with surprised face and suddenly Karthik kneed down on one leg and held a beautiful Rose in his hand She turned towards him and even though she knew what's happening , her heart still refused to believe it and it jumped out and skipped a beat . Karthik cleared his throat and said : "Tara , you are the most amazing and beautiful person I have ever met .I don't know what happy endings are like but you said your deepest desire to me and I want to make it happen for you . Please let's make more memories and grow old together . I , Karthik propose to the best girl in the world , Tara !!and hope an Yes from her . I'll make you happy at any cost till the end . I love You Tara . " He had all his love glittering in his eyes and it shined like another bright star in the sky . Tara stood still not knowing how to respond .His proposal was beyond what she have expected and it totally left her speechless . She gulped her fear . But she was still shivering . She gasped in surprise and took heavy breaths . Karthik waited for her to take the Rose from him .She slowly took the Rose shyly and tears rolled through her cheeks with happiness . She felt on cloud nine and felt extreme happiness and felt heaven is there , happened just now on the rooftop restaurant .She stammered . "I .. Karthii .. I .."
"It's okay Tara . I don't ask you to give me the reply right now . " He said standing up .
"I waited for you to turn 18 , I don't know why .I felt that's the right time . Maybe you get more time to know me and can take good decision . I can accept any decision you take , but I always wish to hear an Yes from you Tara . I promise I won't harm you or get angry to you .I have vowed to keep my Tara happy. Even if she say an Yes or No , it won't affect the vow I made ." Karthik said leaning close to her .He held her close and took out a ring from his pocket and took her left hand in his and kept it close to his heart and asked "You can remove it any time , but please do accept my gift ." Karthik said and she nodded . She felt his heart racing . He put the ring on her ring finger and she looked at it with extreme affection and love . Karthik know she loves him but he won't force her . A tear drop fell down from her cheeks and Karthik rubbed it off her cheeks and kissed her forehead . She stood still like a statue not knowing what to do . She hugged him and he held her close to his heart . They felt the cold breeze and saw stars Twinkle on the clear night sky with moonlight and they fell in love .
(..... ...To be continued ... ❤️ ..... Thank you all for your supports . Thank you so much for waiting patiently and supporting me .You guys are the best .Thank you . 🥺 ) Shower your love on Halo and the horns . Thank you All .