Happy Anniversary

#tinytales

#shortstory #fiction

Arnav was relaxing on his garden balcony, reading the newspaper with his legs stretched out on the table. He was enjoying his quiet time when Naina appeared from behind and hugged Arnav.

"Happy 1st Anniversary, my love," Naina whispers as she gently kisses his ears.

"Happy Anniversary, sweetheart," Arnav says, smiling as he folds back the newspaper.

In her joy, Naina steps forward to meet Arnav face to face.

"You truly forgot about our anniversary," Naina winks.

"Right," Naina teases, tickling Arnav with her fingers.

"No... no... not at all..." catching up with Naina on the couch.

"Really, then why did you sleep so early?" Naina asks, smiling.

"By the time I got ready at midnight and came to you, you were already in deep sleep," Naina adds, her mesmerizing smile still on her face.

"I did remember, but you are also aware of the workload and pressure. I was exhausted, and I honestly don't know when I fell asleep," Aranv responds, attempting to conceal his guilt.

Before Naina could say anything more, Aranv kisses her passionately and says, "Happy Anniversary."

"You're a terrible liar... but you know how to win hearts," Naina giggles.

"It's time to get ready and head to the office. I had invited all of our friends to a party tonight "Naina smiles.

"Come home by 7 p.m.," Naina says as she gets up from the couch.

Arnav returned home in the evening, struggling with lots of bags in his hands. He received everything on the party list that Naina had sent him.

"So lovely... You've got it all "Naina says this as she takes several of Arnav's bags.

"Yes, I have..." Arnav was astonished when he discovered that Naina had done all of the decorating at home. 

"Wow... it's wonderful," Arnav says of Naina's décor efforts for their first anniversary party.

"Now, go take a shower and get ready quickly," Naina says with a chuckle.

"Friends will be arriving at any time now," Naina says.

Naina hurried to get ready for herself as soon as Arnav finished getting ready and came out of the room.

Friends started to arrive, and Arnav was greeting them, making them comfortable on the sofa, chit-chatting in the living room, and... Naina walks out of the room. Everything, including time, came to a halt for Arnav. Naina's beauty hypnotized his senses. He felt an angel approaching him.

Chuck... chuck... one of his friends snaps his fingers to bring Arnav to the world.

"Yes.. yes.. she's yours... she's your wife," one of the friends jokes.

All were having a great time until a couple of friends arrived with a large double-tiered cake on the trolley table.

It's time to celebrate with cake. All, including Naina and Arnav, were enjoying the wonderful time.

The cake was prepared, the candles were lit... phew... phew..... Arnav and Naina blew out the candles while everyone cheered "happy anniversary," but as soon as Arnav stood up, he spotted Chabbi across the table.

He became afraid of what he saw. "How could she possibly come?"

He tried to find her again, but she was nowhere to be seen.

The next moment, she was behind Arnav, saying, "How did you forget about me?"

"You've got to remember that your wedding anniversary and my death anniversary are on the same day, and you know it... right? and I will make certain that you never forget till the end," As he turns back to face Chabbi, she laughs hysterically.

This time, Arnav was terrified of life.

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