A PLACE BESIDE SCIENCE

 If you are reading this, then congratulations you have officially survived 22 years on this planet! 🎂✨ 

I would like you to take some time to read this message carefully without any interruptions. 

 In this message, I have written about the entire journey and timeline we have spent together...... 

My Dearest Riya, Our story started on 4th April 2026 during a Google Meet. At that time, I was your project leader, helping and guiding you through research work. Honestly, when you asked your first doubt, something felt different. It wasn't just another question. I remember thinking, "That's actually a really good question."

I was genuinely impressed.

After that meeting, we didn't talk much for some time, but I still remembered you. The questions you asked and the interest you showed in research stayed in my mind. I even spent time searching for answers because I found your curiosity genuinely interesting.

Then came 16th April 2026, our first WhatsApp message.

And oh my God...

It was so formal.

I messaged you asking about ORCID with a polite "Good Afternoon," and your reply was "Good Afternoon Sir."

Yes.

Sir.

The funniest part is that today, the journey from "Sir" to "Budbak" happened so quickly that sometimes I still laugh thinking about it. 😂

Then I asked for your picture.

You sent me a photo of yourself wearing a white lab coat.

And honestly?

I just stared at it for a moment.

I remember thinking, "How can someone look this elegant in a lab coat?"

Now, for your reference, I absolutely love science. Whenever I see someone wearing a white lab coat, it instantly makes me happy. But when I saw you in that white coat, there was a strange little tickling feeling in my stomach.

That was the first time I realized that you were becoming special to me.

Then came 24th April 2026.

We were discussing papers and review titles on WhatsApp. I didn't understand some points in the paper, so I said something very important.

I said:

"Call me whenever you're free."

Yes, Riya.

I said it first. 😌

Every time you claim that you called first, remember that I was the one who suggested the call.

At 9:45 PM, I received your call.

And that first call lasted 43 minutes.

Forty-three minutes.

For a first call, that's honestly impressive.

At first, we discussed research and doubts, but suddenly the conversation shifted towards your love for arts and dress designing and why you chose biotechnology instead.

I remember listening carefully and thinking how open and comfortable you were while talking.

I liked the way you expressed yourself.

I liked the way you spoke.

But most importantly, I liked your nature.

The next day, 25th April, you called again around the same time.

And this time?

The call lasted two and a half hours.

TWO AND A HALF HOURS.

At that point, even WhatsApp must have been wondering what was happening. 😭

But honestly, those conversations felt effortless.

No restrictions.

No awkwardness.

No pretending.

Just two people talking about everything and nothing.

For the first time, I felt a connection that I had never experienced before.

Especially with a girl.

And I felt that connection with you.

Then came 27th April.

You told me that writing formal salutations on WhatsApp every single day was becoming too much.

And you were absolutely right.

So I stopped.

Unfortunately, that decision had consequences.

Because from that day onwards, my respectable titles disappeared and were replaced by:

"Bas ho gaya."

"Budbak."

"Kuch bhi."

And many more creative names that only you could invent. 😂

On 28th April, you sent me a video of baby cats.

Along with a simple message:

"You like cats, right? This is for you."

It may have looked like a small gesture, but it wasn't.

It showed me that you listened.

You remembered little things.

And you cared enough to share something that would make me smile.

That meant a lot.

Then came the legendary Emoji War of 30th April.

An event so historic that WhatsApp servers probably considered filing a complaint against us.

We spammed emojis like there was no tomorrow. 😂

At that point, our chats looked less like conversations and more like a colorful explosion.

And honestly?

I loved every second of it.

As days passed, our conversations became longer.

Our bond became stronger.

And our memories became countless.

Today, on 22nd June 2026, we have crossed more than 300 calls together.

With an average duration of almost 48 minutes per call.

That is more than 15,000 minutes spent talking.

Fifteen thousand minutes, Riya.

That's a lot of memories.

A lot of laughter.

A lot of stories.

A lot of "Budbak" moments.

In these months, we shared flowers, GIFs, emojis, thoughts, feelings, achievements, worries, happiness, sadness, and countless random conversations.

Sometimes it feels as if we have known each other for years instead of just a few months.

You know something?

The very first picture you shared with me  the one in the lab coat is still saved.

In fact, every picture you have ever sent me is saved.

Not only in my gallery.

But also somewhere in my mind.

Whenever I feel lonely, I look at your photos.

And somehow, my sadness becomes lighter.

My mood improves.

And that familiar smile appears on my face.

Although I must admit...

That white lab coat still remains undefeated. 😅

 Riya, If there is ever a problem in your path, I want to be someone who helps you overcome it. If there is stress, I want to help reduce it. If there is darkness, I want to be a little light. If there is sadness, I want to be a reason for your smile. More than anything, I want to see you grow. I want to see you succeed. I want to see you happy. And most importantly...

I want to see you having your breakfast, lunch, and dinner on time. 😤😂 

 There are still countless things I could write. But if I continue, this birthday message might become a full research article. 

 So let me finish with the most important part. Happy 22nd Birthday, Riya. ❤️ 

Thank you for every call, every conversation, every laugh, every emoji battle, every cat video, every memory, and every moment. I hope your 22nd year brings you happiness, success, peace, good health, and everything your heart wishes for. And I hope this beautiful journey continues, one conversation, one laugh, and one "Budbak" at a time. With lots of affection,

HERE IS THE REJUVENATING FLOWER FOR YOU

I always believed that science was the most elegant thing in my life. The way it explains the universe fascinated me beyond words. But then you arrived, and somehow you stood beside science in that special place. Today, when I think of elegance, I think of two things: science and you. One gives meaning to my curiosity, and the other gives warmth to my days. I only hope this elegance stays with me for as long as the sun rises and the stars continue to shine.

 

WARMLY AND FOREVER..... 

 Your Budbak :)