"SURPRISE!" they all yelled in unison, their voices filling the room.
Her heart clenched painfully. It wasn't just beautiful. It was her. The dreams she had quietly nurtured, the wishes she'd locked away as "too childish," were now brought to life. Her throat tightened as she stood rooted to the spot.
Her lips parted, but her voice failed her. A sharp pang hit her chest. She had never thought she could feel like this-like her soul had been seen and cradled by hands she trusted. A tear spilled before she could catch it, rolling down her cheek like a drop of joy escaping her overwhelming heart.
"You... you guys did all this?" Her voice cracked, the words barely making it out.
"Of course, baby sister!" Divyansh burst toward her, his Mickey Mouse costume slightly lopsided but his grin unwavering. "You think we'd let your birthday pass without making it unforgettable?"
Her laugh came out shaky, caught between a sob and disbelief. "Mickey Mouse? Really, Dev?" She pointed at his costume, the absurdity of it cutting through her swirling emotions for a moment.
Devansh puffed out his chest, striking a heroic pose. "Mickey Mouse is a legend, thank you very much."
Her gaze shifted, landing on Arjun. Regal as ever, he strode toward her in a white British officer's uniform, his movements exuding authority even in costume. His eyes held a warmth, and his lips curved into a smile.
"Now tell me, Shya," he said, his deep voice gentle. "When have you ever asked us for something and not received it?"
She chuckled, shaking her head. "Alright, I'll bite-what are you supposed to be? Some historical hunk?"
Before he could respond, Kavya appeared beside him, her Cinderella gown sparkling under the lights. She slipped her arm through his, her eyes twinkling. "He's Cinderella's prince, obviously. Took some convincing, but doesn't he clean up well?"
Aisha smirked, raising a brow at her eldest brother. "Prince Charming, huh? I guess that works. A bit stiff, though, don't you think?"
Kavya laughed, and Arjun let out a resigned sigh, his lips twitching in amusement.
Veer, standing tall in a perfectly tailored Fred costume from Scooby-Doo. His sharp features softened with a rare smile as he approached her.
"Well?" he asked, his deep voice steady. "Do you like it?"
Aisha's hands flew to her chest, pressing against the storm of emotions brewing inside. "Like it?" she whispered, her voice quivering. "I love it. I love it. I don't even have words for how much I love it."
Her voice grew louder, more confident, as her joy bubbled over. "I LOVE ALL OF IT!"
The room erupted in laughter and cheers, and Aisha felt something inside her crack open-a piece of her heart she'd kept locked away, now free and full of light.
"You're still missing something," Veer said, his tone teasing.
"Missing?" she echoed, confused.
Before she could ask what he meant, Neha swooped in like a force of nature, her Daphne costume swaying as she grabbed Aisha's arm. "Oh, don't worry, I've got this."
"Neha di, wait-what are you-"
"No questions!" Neha interrupted, dragging her away with a grin. "Just trust me, birthday girl."
As the chatter and laughter faded behind her, Aisha felt a small pang tug at her chest. Her eyes had instinctively searched the room, scanning each corner, but one face was conspicuously absent.