Episode-11 || “Couple “

Sienna smiled at Alice as she pushed the chopped onions and tomatoes from the plate in her hand." A new order at Anna Bakery has been assigned to us!" exclaimed Alice. Sienna placed the empty plate inside the sink and washed her hands. She grabbed the paper from her colleague and threw her mouth open, reading out," Wohooo! We are going to bake a cake finally after quite a long time!"

She hugged her, as she corrected, "Not just one! Two cakes indeed, one being honey and the other being chocolate! It's your friend Grace's order."

"Can you bake the chocolate cake while I work on the honey cake?" suggested Sienna. Alice nodded and checked the paper, clarifying," So, you will be baking for Emily and I will bake for Ethan according to the order's specifications."

They jumped and did a hi-fi. Sienna hurried to fetch a sealed box of honey flavor from the shelves. She mixed sugar and butter. She rushed towards the balcony's door beside which laid the spoon stand housing plastic spoons and forks dipped in hot boiling water. She grabbed a fork, returned to her place, whistled, and danced her shoulders as she whisked the mixture with the clean fork.

"Looks like someone is baking a cake for themselves. Champ, it's for Emily. Control!" commented Alice, at which the two shared a burst of laughter. Sienna smiled at her fluffy cake and borrowed some beaten eggs from the other colleague standing beside her and cooking. She added them to her cuisine and blended it well. She began humming a random song as she bet the mixture further and further.

Alice sighed, advising her, "You please don't hum. It's going out of tone. Zayn Malik will die if he listens to this!"They laughed again as they placed their colorful cakes inside the adjacent neighbors. They hugged each other, celebrating," It feels so good!"

Red, blue, pink, yellow, and more balloons hung from the ceiling in the hall and at the entrance. Disney and Barbie stickers were stuck on the doors of all the rooms including the kitchen! The sun too was almost about to set. A group of little girls followed Emily who screamed and chased a group of little boys following Ethan towards the main door.

"Uncle, gifts!" cheered the twins, hugging David who had just opened their door and stepped in. He smiled at them and sat down to reach their heights. He hugged them and whispered, "Happy birthday to you, Ethan and Emily!"They tightened him and screamed a big thank you, in return.

"Hello David!", greeted Zara, in a yellow frock. He stood up as she smiled, checking out his dark blue coat on a white formal shirt shirted into his black formal pants." Looking handsome!" exclaimed she, as they chuckled and hugged. He thanked her for the compliment while she apologized," Sorry, David. I wanted to invite you in person. But you know my kids, right? They have arrested me!"He laughed and nodded at her excuse, "It's fine, Zara. Hats off to you though! I appreciate your responsibility."

"Gifts! Where is my gift, uncle?" screamed Emily followed by Ethan who began pulling David's coat.

David raised an eyebrow and smiled, stating," Yes, I have brought amazing gifts for you!"As the two kids smiled at each other, he patted Ethan's cheek, consoling him," But, aren't gifts supposed to be distributed after you blow your candles, cut the cakes and we sing the birthday song?"

"No, we want them right away!" argued Ethan. Emily too nodded and the two screamed as Amelia jumped in and meowed along. As David laughed, Zara closed her ears and requested him, "Please give them away. They won't leave you…"

"Come on! I have been to many parties. Don't people gift the kids after…?" said he, interrupting her.

"Phew! I know…However, when it comes to these naughty kids, such rules ought to be withheld", informed she, slamming her forehead. He laughed and took out two flat rectangular gifts, one wrapped in red and the other in orange, both being glittering colored wrappers respectively.

"Thank you!" cheered they, in chorus. He bent and smiled at them as they kissed his cheeks; Ethan on his left cheek and Emily on his right. He laughed again and hugged them. They released themselves and ran away. He stood up and nodded at Zara, highlighting, "Don't worry, they are separate yet the same gift. Your kids won't compete and battle at least in my case!"

She laughed aloud and patted him, acclaiming," A smart guy you are, I swear!"

"How do you feel nowadays?" inquired she.

"Getting better!" replied he, at which she patted him again and complimented," Good. Great improvement!"

Amelia jumped down from the refrigerator onto Ethan's head. The birthday boy pushed Emily and he fell. They squealed and wept aloud," Mommy! He pushed me…She pushed me..."

"Urgh!", exclaimed Zara, grumbling," These kids will kill me!"David waved at her as she gestured for him to come inside and walked in.

As David chuckled, following her, his eyes went over Grace in a dark pink gown which was entirely sleeveless, exposing her shining golden left hand. On the contrary, it had a netted full-handed sleeve wrapping her right hand. He noticed the dark pink shade of lipstick she had worn which not only matched the color of her dress but also stopped most other men from sipping their soft drinks.

David stood numb like a statue. His brown pupils dilated at her black glittering eyes wearing eyeliner neatly drawn along the border and surrounded by light pink eyeshade. She looked around and blushed at him. He smiled as she began walking toward him.

"I tried your idea, David. How is my pink lipstick?" grinned she.

After a minute of silence, she shook him by his left shoulder, calling him out," David! Hello! What happened to you? Are you alright?"He sighed and nodded. He let his fingers through her straight, short, and smooth black hair, complimenting," You are haute, Grace…I am serious…"

"Holy fuck! What a lucky man! The beautiful lady is his…" murmured a group of men hogging some evening snacks beside them. She blushed at David and putting her hands on his shoulders, acclaimed him back, "You too look handsome!"

"Oh really!" exclaimed he, at which she nodded and acknowledged." I am so glad to receive the token of appreciation from the most gorgeous lady of the evening!" said he, wrapping his hands around her curvy waist. They looked into each other's eyes as he moved her along.

"Hey! What are you doing?" whispered Grace, dancing in sync with him. He smiled at her eyes without responding. She pressed his hand, reminding him, "Stop it, David. It's a kids' birthday party and not a sort of couples' dance party.

"Sorry...You said couple?" confirmed he, raising her right hand and rotating her by interlocking her fingers in his. As soon as she turned back towards him, he pulled her closer. Their chests hit each other and they blushed.

"But, a guy and a girl dancing together portray them as a couple, right?" questioned she, with her hand on his chest. He neared her lips and she closed her eyes.

"How about being one?" offered he, at which she opened her eyes and blushed.

"Grace! What have you done?" screamed Zara from the doorstep.