CHAPTER 6-- THE BIRTHDAY

The day arrived wrapped in the brightness of balloons, laughter, and hurried footsteps across the courtyard. Ayla’s birthday. The campus seemed to know it, even before she stepped into class.

Her desk was already filling up with wrapped boxes, bouquets, and pastel-colored gift bags. Friends crowded around her, each wanting to be the first to wish, to hand over their tokens of affection.

Aariz entered quietly, the faintest smile tugging at his lips as he saw her radiant face, lit up by the attention she so easily drew. He had known about her birthday weeks ago, not because she told him, but because she had once — casually, almost carelessly — mentioned a book she’d been wanting to read but could never find. He remembered. Of course, he did.

The book now rested in his bag, wrapped simply in brown paper, tied with a string. No glitter, no shiny ribbons. Just care — folded into neatness.

He sat at his desk, watching from a distance as Ayla’s laughter filled the air, as friends teased her, as one by one, colorful presents piled higher. He reached for his bag once, fingertips brushing the corner of the book. His heart thumped once, hard.

But then, a moment later, he let his hand slip back.

What difference would his gift make among the dozens already surrounding her? He imagined her tearing open wrappers with laughter, barely noticing his simple package, his quiet thought. The idea of it being just another gift — unnoticed, swallowed by the crowd — made something ache inside him.

So he sat still.

From across the room, Ayla caught his eyes briefly and smiled.

Ayla: “Aariz, you didn’t wish me yet,” (she teased, almost scolding, her voice warm.)

He looked back, lips curving in a small smile.

Aariz: “Happy Birthday, Ayla.”

And that was it. Just those words.

The book stayed in his bag all day, untouched. By evening, when the laughter had dimmed and the courtyard grew quieter, Aariz walked home under the fading sky. His steps were slow, his bag a little heavier than usual.

The gift never reached her hands.

But in his heart, he knew — the thought had always been hers.