THE INVITE
Three days later...
*Phone rings* "Hello?!"
"Hello! Jane!" he answers from the other side of the phone. I've been too busy sewing flower patterns on a handkerchief which I plan to gift him on his birthday tomorrow, to notice his name on the caller id. "Oh! Hi!" I said in response.
"Do you know what day it is tomorrow?" he asks. I quickly pick up on the curiosity in his voice and decide to tease him a little bit. *giggles* "Hey, Jane! Are you there?!" "Oh yes, yes! I am! Umm... but what is it tomorrow? Is it something important?" I smile to myself. "It is..." he says in a sulking tone. I can't help but chuckle. "Did you just laugh? Jane! Are you teasing me right now?" I burst into laughter. "Ah ha ha ha!... You're so silly...ha ha!"
"That's not fair! I will get you back for teasing me like that!" I laugh again at his embarrassment. "How did you think that I'll ever forget your birthday? It's such a special occasion! You are such a special person for me! I wouldn't miss it for the world!" I can hear him smile softly and can practically imagine the endearing expression he has on his face now. "Okay then!" he says after a long pause. "Come to my house tomorrow. I've arranged a party for my birthday. And I want you to be present here beside me as my girlfriend!" He emphasizes the last words with such a possessiveness in his voice that it sends a shiver down my spine. I don't know what this wierd combination is, but my heartbeat starts to grow faster and faster too.
"So see you tomorrow evening at my house. And before that there's a surprise for you! I won't tell you what it is, because then it won't be a surprise anymore. Bye, Jane! Goodnight..." "Hm...hmmm... goodnight!" And then I hang up the phone. The handkerchief was ready within another couple of hours and the rest of the night was spent in excitement and curiosity about the day after.
The next day...
It's almost eight in the morning and I'm done with my morning workout and skin-care routine. Dad is preparing breakfast in the kitchen as I walk in. "Hey Dad! Let me help you!" "Thanks Sweetie. Then you can chop the salad and take out the cheese from the refrigerator. I'll finish toasting the bread. Oh! And give me the butter. I'll need it to fry the bacon strips!" "Okay! Butter coming right up chef!"
I reply. "By the way, Dad..." I hesitate. "You'll go to his birthday party tonight and you'll be late?" Dad finishes. Surprised that he knows about it, I ask, "How did you know that?" "He called me to ask my permission whether he could take you to his party or not." "And what did you say?" I ask nervously. "I said, No!" I gasp loudly and start whining. "Daaaaa..d! Why did you do that?!" Pouting I tug at Dad's sleeve and start thumping my feet. Dad starts laughing while he puts the bacon on the sizzling butter on the pan. "Alright, alright! I didn't say anything like that. I only gave him a condition that he personally needs to return my sweet little daughter to me by midnight." "I'm not little Daaad!" I roll my eyes at him. "You'll always be my little girl, Sweetie, no matter how old you are!" I smile.
Later while having breakfast at the table, the doorbell rings. *Beep beep beep...Beep beep beep* "Coming!" I quickly get up and open the door. A delivery boy is standing on the porch holding a huge cardboard box in his hands. 'I didn't order anything and that too, this huge' I murmur to myself. "Is this Ms. Janet Friola's house?" The guy asks. "Yes, I am!" I reply. "We have a parcel for you, ma'am!" I recieve the parcel from him and sign on the required sheet of paper. "Umm...Do you know, who send this to me?" I ask out of confusion. "No ma'am, I was only provided with the address and a note for you." He takes out a small card and gives it to me. "Thank you!" I politely reply. Then I close the door and place the package and the note on the table. I open the note to see, "Dear, Jane! Hopefully you have received the package I've sent. I hope you'll like the gift I chose for you and wear it tonight to the party. Yours lovingly, Miss Jane's New Boyfriend, Austen Parker!"
On seeing the note, I start grinning from ear to ear at his humour. 'He's just as goofy and mischievous as he used to be.' I smile to myself.