28. Birthday

We were in the kitchen, Ayra and I. She was beating the egg yolk while I was mixing the sugar with the egg white. I tried calling Jafferys, but my calls haven't been answered yet. I don't know why they weren't lifting the calls. After calling six to seven times, I came to help her. I should be more patient.

"That's enough." Ayra's voice brought me back to the presence.

She took the bowl and mixed the batter. After all the procedure, we kept it in the oven and waited for it to bake. We did the cleaning while it was getting baked. Excusing myself, I went into my room to call again.

Maybe I should wait. I thought, as barely half an hour passed when I last called. Ignoring my thought, I called. Waiting for anyone to pick it up. Again it went unanswered until the last bell. I called again, this is last for today. Again the same response from them as well as from me. Ok, one last time. Waiting for the voice instead of the ringing sound, I was impatiently walking in my room.

"Hello." Finally, someone picked up. A lady.

"Hey! um." What should I say? "I am Levy."

"Levy who?" She asked.

"Levy Troustkey, are you Mrs. Jaffery?"

"I am. Levy Troustkey, we already told your brother that we are not taking the complete responsibility of the company. There'll be no further discussion on that." She said.

"No, wait. I didn't call-" before I could finish, I heard a beep sound of disconnection.

"You bad listener." I threw the phone on the bed.

Stupid woman!

Sighing, I fall back heavily on the bed. I shouldn't call her stupid. Stretching my hands, I was looking at the fan through my fingers, I don't think she'll receive the call again. Glancing one last time on the phone, I took a book from my stack of books and left the room. Ayra and Adam were watching tv. I sat beside them, reading the book. It was almost time for brother to return from the work. When he was back we're waiting for the clock to strike 12'. When it did, we barged into his room with a cake, shouting 'happy birthday'. It was a bit awkward for me, I haven't wished anyone like this before. But the weirdest was the expression on his face.

"Happy birthday." Adam was the first to hug him.

Next was Ayra then me ."Happy Birthday, Admund." I gave him a smile indicating 'I called you by your name'. He smiled back. We gave our gifts and were relieved that he liked them. He kept the flower box in a showcase and hung the chain at the side of the table lamp.

Later we went to a restaurant for dinner. It was a beautiful restaurant, a huge hall with many square tables covered by cream cloths. Separated by indoor plants, like a cherry blossom in pinkish-orange color. Round lanterns were hanging from the roof with a candle in it. Windows were long vertical-rectangle with cream curtains tied on either side. We ordered our food and were eating silently until a sound from outside distracted us. Adam went near the window to see the source of the sound and found a street performance. He returned and finished his food quickly.

After waiting for me to finish, he said. "Let's go and watch." Pulling me out of the chair.

I peeked through the window and saw a huge crowd formed around the performers.

"I am not coming," I said to Adam.

"C'mon, don't be boring." He said between his dragging efforts.

"We cannot pass through that crowd, you can watch from here." I pointed to the window. "It's high and clear."

"No, we are going down."

I looked at Admund, he shrugged his shoulder indicating 'if you want you can'.

"Please." Adam's toothy smile always wins.

I sighed and walked out with him. We were standing behind the crowd, I gave him a narrow glare. "Now what?"

Taking my hand, he dragged me in. Jolting people aside, we went deeper into the crowd. This is the thing I don't like. We reached a fine position from where the performance was clearly visible. There were two men, who were juggling balls. The music was being played from a tape recorder. After 10-15 minutes, the performance ended and people started paying them. A good thing, I had my wallet with me. Slowly, the crowd broke and everyone began to move quickly. Moving left to right, on our way back to the restaurant, I stamped someone's leg, oops. Without any clear look at the person, I quickly apologize and stepped aside.

"Careful." The man replied. 

"Slow Levy." Adam teased, Passing people quicker than me.

"Yes-yes, Speedy Gonzales."

"You mean I am a mouse." He widened his eyes.

"Are you admitting?" I smirked.

"No."

When we returned, Brother and Ayra were waiting for us. And within some time we got home.

Contemplating the aspect of whether the call will be received or not, I was sitting on the bed with my legs crossed, playing with the phone. I should sleep if I don't want to be late for the first day. Taking a deep breath, I laid back with my eyes closed. My phone rang loudly in my hand, swiftly muting it, I glance at the screen. Jacob. It's 12:13 am here.

"Hey!" I said and stood in a sitting position.

"Awake yet?" he asked.

"No, you're talking to my soul," I replied which made him chuckle on the other side of the phone. "I'll be going to university form tomorrow."

"All the best for your first day," He said.

"Thanks, are you in the college?" I asked.

"Yes, it's lunchtime here." He replied, then added. "I miss you."

I missed him too, but what he gets was silence from my side. He waited for my reply. "Haven't found anyone to copy homework." I tried to cheer up the gloomy mood.

"No." He replied then complained like a kid "I spend 2 hours in the teacher's cabin today."

I smiled hearing that. For sure that's Loren, who made him do that. I can ask him, should I? Just a thought of it was raising my heartbeat. I really wanted to know about him. It would have been better if Jacob knows who I love, does he know? I was bemused by my thoughts until Jacob spoke.

"Levy?"

"Sorry. Well, at least you're getting something." I said.

Stop thinking about it, Levy.

"I know you would say that." He said. "Hey! About the competition, you people are runner-up."

"Really? Who's the winner?"

"Someone from another college."

"Congrats Jeal from my side."

"I will, better you sleep now."

"Yes, bye." 

Keeping the phone on the side table, I went to take a bath, the best thing to do for now. After having a long bath, I threw myself on the bed. Unable to sleep, my mind was picturing how will be my day tomorrow.

I was awake by the shakes ."Levy wake up."

"Stop shaking me. Do I usually wake you up this way?" I said, annoyed.

"You want me to tickle you." He started tickling me.

"No." I was wide awake. "Who woke you up?" I asked, sitting on the bed.

"Brother." He replied.

"By shaking?" I asked.

"No, he pulled in out of the bed straight away."

I let out a little laugh. "Thankfully, it wasn't me."

I got ready and we had breakfast prepared by uncle butler, I should ask his name. After half an hour, we left with the driver. Dropping Adam first, he dropped me next. I directly went to the principal's office to get the timetable. According to the timetable, I went to the first floor for my first.

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H.LOCKHART.