1 Chapter 01:My Birthday

I really can't believe I will be twenty five in two weeks! Nah, I'm not ready! Only if I could put time on hold, but I guess it's almost impossible—I guess I have watched a lot of movies to have this kinda idea. Does this happen to everyone? I can't be the only one who can't accept the fact that I'm aging. When I think about the things I have in my itinerary for the next few years, I just wish time can slow down just a little.

I had all these thoughts in my head while I was rounding up at work—oh I forgot to tell you I'm a banker.You are welcome.

Banking jobs must be one of the top ten jobs that put your head on the line. Gush! I really just can't say I hate my job because it pretty much puts food on my table—for someone who wouldn't allow other people do stuffs for her. What are you thinking? Nah! I'm not proud.

Waking up around 4am every morning to set into the hustle and bustle of the city is enough to make you sink right back into bed but as it stands man has to eat. Getting to work to attend to loads of customers with different personalities each day is a hectic task on it own. Even when they are getting on your last nerve while trying to help them out with issues on their account, you still have to put on that smile and maintain that calmness—That's all what customer care is about after all. But then, have you ever worked with colleagues that restore the serenity of the environment with random eye contact and cute smile? Yes I have. It's even a cute guy in this case—I know what you are thinking. Nah I'm not flirting at work. I somewhat believe in don't mix business with pleasure of a thing. Besides we hardly talk except for the few random eye relieving contact.

Winks.

Now I have to wait few more minutes for this cabbie to come pick me. Gush! I really just can't wait to get home and sink into my bed for a better reminiscing of the thoughts I had in my head today at work. Do I want a birthday celebration? You know it's a landmark age and everyone feels the need to celebrate this turning point ages. I honestly don't know if I want to.

"Did you order a cab"?. I heard a voice bring me back from my lost thought.

"Yes I did" I replied as I helped myself in to the back seat of the car.

The journey home seem short as we arrived in front of my gate barely after the trip started—I must have really been lost in thought again. It takes about 30-40mins drive from my house to work, time frame depends on how busy the city of las gidi is. I'm home! I can finally put my thoughts in order without interruptions!—so I thought. Yes I stay alone.

" I need to eat" I said aloud to myself as I undressed myself slowly.

I changed into some light cloths because of the hotness of the weather—this sun has to know no one is competing with it. My normal routine when I get back from work is to get into the bathroom and take a cool shower after which I help myself to the kitchen to get some food for my always hungry tummy. After which I sit with my phone to reply to pending chats from friends and important messages. But for today I'm tired—not only physically but also in the head.

"If I can't shower right now at-least I can eat some food" I said to myself as I find my way to the kitchen.

I am hungry and tired. Luckily for me I still have some food left in the pot from my breakfast. I dished the food with my thought still clouded. My plan was to eat and retire to bed to rest and have a better reminiscing on the thoughts regarding this coming new age I'm not prepared for—I doubt anyone is ever prepared for aging.

Sigh!

As I settled down to eat I heard a knock on my door, which I didn't pay attention to at first but then the knocks kept coming.

"Who's there?" I asked as I moved towards the door to attend to the knocks.

I wasn't expecting anyone so who could it be? Maybe it's one of my neighbors who needs to pass some information across regarding the house. I'm hardly around so they get the firsthand information first.

"Babe!" I shouted in surprise upon opening the door and seeing my best girl.

This girl and surprises!

"When did you get to las gidi?" I asked as I helped her with the box she was carrying.

"Just today" she replied with a wide grin on her face.

This girl sure knows how to get me with her surprises. Me thinking earlier I can run through my thoughts without interruptions—well oh well! My best girl is here!

"How did you know I was going to be home?" I asked.

"Don't you close at 4pm from work again?" She replied.

Truly this is few minutes to 6pm. I guess I was just asking dumb questions to distract her from knowing I was bothered about something. She just would end up knowing—sometimes I wonder if she is a psychic because she just always knows when something is wrong.

"You look pale". "Have you been eating at all?" She asked.

Pale? How do I start explaining what has been making my soul and body tired. I'm definitely not ready for this conversation.

"Babe. Come shower first and have something to eat because you must be really exhausted from the journey" I said as I pulled her up from the sofa while carrying her box.

Immediately I helped her settle, I went straight to the kitchen to make her pasta and beef stew—As a foodie that I am, you can hardly not find all these important stew and protein in my fridge.

She finished eating and we settled to catch up on old pending gist—that type you have with that one special friend.

Zara has been my friend for almost 7 years now. We met in our first year in uni. I never would have thought we would be close friends but as time went on I discovered we have almost everything in common; we are both lively, adventurous, intelligent, caring and many more.We sure have our differences as friends but we make sure to respect each other's opinion irrespective. .

"So what has been bothering you to make you this pale?" She asked.

I was ready this time.

"I will be turning 25 in two weeks."

"So?"

"I feel so old already."

"Hahahaha! You must be joking" she replied while laughing out loud.

"I'm serious." I replied with a sober look.

She sure knows how to bring herself back to understand the seriousness of the situation when she sees me with this look.

"So tell me what is really scaring you."

"Babe. I feel like I might not really be able to catch up on fun and explore life as I age."

There are many fun things I have itemized to do before I turn 30 and it just feels like that space of 5 years will not be enough—does anyone feel this same way? I want to feel like a child all over again. I want to create my own childhood memories while still figuring life out as an adult.

I have always been waiting for a perfect time to launch all those fun exploration but I guess a perfect time never really comes, you just have to create it.

"How about we throw a mini birthday party? Let's launch you into the new year with fun."

This girl is definitely a psychic! Did she read through my mind to suggest this as a solution—I never really had a positive thoughts towards throwing a party for my coming birthday. My thought has been on the low side which is; throwing a party is as bad as screaming it loud in my ear that I'm aging.

We all need a friend like Zara after all.

"So what do you think?." She asked.

"It's not a bad idea." I replied with a little excitement.

Now my clouded thoughts has begin to rain ideas of party type. "A dinner party wouldn't be bad." I said.

"How many guest are we looking at then,?" She asked.

I'm not a person with a large number of friends. I believe in the smaller the circle the lesser the problems.

"I think 10 guests should be fine."

"Let me get a jot note so we can start putting down the things we will be needing." She said as she stood up and headed to the room.

To be continued...….

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