Surprise

Following gloomy day called Ella to go through her routine; Only this time it felt like she took a short break for the last two days to continue with her days forward. Well, everyone needs a break, thought Ella. She was attending her customers with her usual confidence and patience. Days turned into two months, where Ella was intent on increasing the business, by initiating home delivery up to five miles distance. Her focus had regularized and she was actually getting offers for expanding the business.

She spoke to Mrs. Willow about it, which usually took more time than required, and lastly was approved by her. Ella was thinking about franchising or opening up a branch for the shop. She had even taken the effort of learning how to bake Mrs. Willow's cakes and recipes. The past week, it was Ella who had made the cakes and muffins with a little assistance from Helen. While all the time, the old lady took her own time putting out all her vengeance on her. Not that she minded now, Ella welcomed a couple who walked inside the shop. The girl was the first one to enter who looked upset and then came the boy following her. Seems like a fight is about to pursue, assumed Ella, while looking to keep away any sharp objects away from their sight. Better safe than sorry! She carefully placed the scissor away from the counter, inside the drawer, which she usually used to cut the tapes and ribbons for the pick-ups. Ella was about to welcome them, when the boy started to talk to her, "Babes, it's for only a year. I'll be back during vacations, I promise." "But you're leaving me."

The boy sighed, "Baby we talked about it, it's an all-boys programme with compulsory hostel. Where will I keep you there? Then, its location is a remote one. There won't be safe places for you to live." The both of them continued conversing, while Ella started cleaning something, anything, to not provoke like the one to eavesdrop, though they entered by themselves in here.

"I would be very lonely! What about me? What am I supposed to do?", by now the girl was crying out loudly. If only Ella could have the liberty of telling them to get out and finish it and then come back to actually buy something. Though she doubted the last part would work. She skipped their conversation then and went through the accounts book. As she was scanning the figures and calculating the amount of money needed to be made for the next month, she heard no more voices or squeaky chirping. She looked up from her book when she found the both of them to be hugging each other. The girl was actually leaning on the guy's chest who was swaying her lightly in-between. Ella shouldn't have, but she did think of Nick at the time. The last time they had met, she had ended off like a break-up, he was very hurt, when she left, but she knew it was for the best. She missed him so much that she had expected to find him rushing inside the shop, two weeks earlier. He had said that he won't wait for more than one and a half month to meet her again, but he didn't show up. She was happy that he listened to her, but she also was sad thinking it might be her fault, for him to be hating her. After all he was a handsome man, who could have had anyone still he went for the runaway heir. Ella decided to speak now softly, "Would you like to have a pie?" By then it was obvious that she was part of the background play for the couple, so why not play the part!

"Please. The banana vanilla one", said the boy looking at the girl's eyes now.

"And a chocolate one for him", she said smiling at him, which he reciprocated.

Ella answered, "Sure. Make yourself comfortable."

It was 9:45 and Ella had dimmed the lighting by switching off all the lights except for the counter table one. The shop was closed but she had some more statistics to complete. She sat there with her coffee mug and made sure all the records were up to date, and went through if any bills needed to be paid. After some time, the bell jingled, to which Ella looked up. If it would have been any other, then they wouldn't have bothered attending the customer this late, until it was an all-night open shop. She looked up to find a teenager who must be around 14 in her night clothes with her jacket on. She even carried her bathroom slippers out here. "What can I get you honey?"

"Um, can I have a double chocolate sundae?" "Sure, take a seat." Ella closed the counter table drawer, put her books back for later reference and went to get the girl her sundae. While the ice-cream was filling up the glass from the machine, Ella noticed the girl to be clutching her stomach and looking very tired. She immediately understood her situation and hurried up. Placing the glass in front of the girl; the teen was already digging into it. After a minute the girl felt better. Ella took out two pills from her bag and handed to the girl, "This will help during the cramps." The girl thanked and went away. Ella waved her bye through the glass door and went inside to pack her belongings to leave for the night. As she was packing her bag, she heard a jingle again, now she had to turn them away. She had switched off the machines, which would take a while before being completely on action. Also, the cakes and other items were already kept in the freeze state. She turned to the customer and was going to speak when her mouth was left open looking at the person who had entered. She thought she was dreaming; when he spoke, "Hi, Queen", smiling at her. Ella ran up to him which wasn't much of a distance and hugged him, Nick hugged back and lifted her up. "Oh my, Nick, it's you!"

"I suppose you missed me."

"Does it look like a suppose", Ella replied while still hugging him. Realizing that, Ella pulled back from him, and smiled widely.

"I thought you wouldn't come back...", said Ella dejectedly when she was the one to push him away.

"I did! Well told ya, you can hang me later for not listening to you. But, do fulfil one wish of mine before hanging me then."

"And what would that be?", playing along with him.

"Hang me upside down."

Ella laughed at that and Nick joined her later too. After which Ella smiled and said, "Then you'll be disobeying me again and again."

"And I'll wish the same again and again."

They both laughed. "I missed you so much! I thought you would be earlier. You said one and half months", stated Ella, curious for his answer.

"What can I say, I wanted to make my favourite girl wait. Just for this love that you are showering on me", he said smiling and showing his teeth. Ella shook her head slightly, smiling at him. She was going to ask him about where he was staying when,

"What in blazes is that happenin'?", came the not-so-sweet voice of her dear hirer.