My birthday party – episode 4

MY BIRTHDAY PARTY – Episode 4
 
A story by Miriam Edem
 
 
 
“Hi, I’m so sorry about yesterday. The wine wasn’t that powerful and that got me confused why you behaved the way you did, Valentina said to Lily when they met on the way.
 
“Wait a minute, was I that drunk? Lily whispered embarrassed and she nodded.
 
“Very drunk to be sincere, I got confused because the wine for ladies wasn’t a strong one, maybe you drank your boyfriend wine, Valentina said.
 
 
 
“I can remember my boyfriend asking me to drink, but I just took a gulp can it have such effect? Lily asked.
 
“You were not just only drunk, you were feeling dizzy and acting strangely before you finally slept off, Valentina said.
 
“Oh no, please I have to go home now, I can’t face our colleagues, lily said.
 
“Common don’t say that, anyone can be drunk okay, Valentina said.
 
“No please I’ve had enough and am so sorry if I did anything bad at your party, I’m sincerely sorry, Lily said.
 
“Girlfriend please don’t say that, there’s nothing to be shy about okay, Valentina said and Winifred walked in.
 
 
 
She hugged Valentina and saw Lily mood, “what’s wrong? Winifred asked.
 
“I told her what happened yesterday, I shouldn’t have done that now she’s feeling embarrassed, Valentina replied.
 
“Look Winifred I need to go, they may laugh me in there, Lily said close to tears.
 
“Oh common I can’t believe it’s you saying this, you’ve always been this powerful girl always telling me to care less about what anyone may say to me. Why are you doing this? Winifred asked but Lily only hugged her.
 
“It’s fine okay, they won’t say anything to you, I am here let’s go in, Winifred said cleaning her tears and took her in.
 
 
 
The class was busy and Lily wasn’t noticed, “you see, everyone is cool, Winifred whispered to Lily and the lecturer walked in…..
 
 
 
Done with class Lily was the first to rush out just out to avoid anyone talking about yesterday then she met Joseph.
 
“What’s wrong? Joseph asked when she hugged him immediately.
 
“Am sorry, I didn’t mean to act that way yesterday, Lily said and Winifred caught up with her which Joseph saw her.
 
 
“Winifred are you okay? He asked leaving Lilly approaching her.
 
“As you can see am fine, it’s your girlfriend that has a problem. Oliver is waiting for me, I’ll meet you at home, Winifred said to Lily and left immediately.
 
“Joseph! Lily called out when Joseph was not moving but just looking at her as she left.
 
“Yes, what did you say your problem is? He asked facing her.
 
 
 
“Were you even listening to me at all? Lily asked and he heaved holding her.
 
“I see no need for you to cry okay, I forgot about yesterday and am not angry with you okay, so clean your tears, Joseph said k-ssing her on her forehead and she smiled.
 
“That’s a relief you know, thank you, Lily said and hugged him but he forced a smile on his worried look.
 
 
 
 
“Your friend has got a new boyfriend? Joseph asked.
 
“This question again? Anyway, I think he stands a better chance, he’s so cute and sweet, let’s go buy ice cream, Lily said smiling taking him away.
 
 
 
“Hi, did I keep you waiting too long? Winifred asked when she met him.
 
“The wait was worth it, he replied smiling.
 
“Gosh you’re always so funny, she said.
 
“So where are we going to sit? I heard of a new restaurant downtown, gosh the atmosphere there is perfect for a being like you, Oliver said and her rolled her eyes.
 
“Oh stop it, she said.
 
“Is that a yes? Trust me when I say you’re gonna love it, he said.
 
 
“As you wish, she said.
 
“Yes ma, Oliver said and drove off….
 
 
 
They arrived there and Winifred couldn’t stop staring, “wow this is so beautiful. I’ve been hearing of this place, from my friends they said its so expensive and I never thought I’ll step my legs here, Winifred said.
 
“You think you’re not expensive huh? He asked.
 
“I can’t afford to come here that’s what I mean, Winifred said and Oliver drew a seat for her.
 
“Thank you, she said and sat down.
 
 
 
Menus was presented for them to give their orders which they did, “are you sure its okay? Oliver asked checking out her order.
 
“Yes sure, their stuff is too expensive, she replied.
 
“Don’t worry about it okay, take something, he said.
 
‘Am okay, I ate at home. Am not a foodie you know, she replied.
 
“Fine, You can get that for us then, Oliver said to the waiter and he left.
 
 
 
“Why are we here? Winifred asked.
 
“So we can talk, he replied.
 
“I hope its not about Lily? She asked and he heaved.
 
“Are you happy with the way things are going on with her? I was with Valentina boyfriend and he told me he’s suspecting Lily was drugged. She acted strangely yesterday night, you know that guy is lucky I took you home because I would have gone to the bottom of that matter just to see the wine she took that intoxicated her that way, Oliver said.
 
“But why will he drug her? Oh I know, He tried to k-ss me yesterday when he took her home, was he looking for a chance or something? Winifred asked and he scoffed.
 
“Tell me you’re joking, he said.
 
“Seriously, Lily was already asleep and he thought he could lure me. I seriously don’t know what to do with that guy, am just confused now, she said.
 
 
 
“That’s because you’re complicating matters more, common she needs to know the truth and you can as well show her fact, Oliver said.
 
“She loves him deeply and I can’t afford to hurt her, she said and Oliver was quiet.
 
The waiter arrived with their orders and served them.
 
 
 
“So you’ll let them be? Oliver asked when the waiter left.
 
“Sadly yes, she replied.
 
“Have you ever been in love? He asked with a serious look.
 
“Why are you asking this? She asked.
 
“Have you ever got so hurt in love before that you wished you knew it’s going to be that way from the beginning? He asked and she bowed her head.
 
“Yes, she calmly replied.
 
“If someone had given you a hint before about who your boyfriend really was just to safe your heart from hurting badly, won’t you appreciate such a person? He asked.
 
 
 
“I know where you are driving at, Joseph is only having a crush on me. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t love Lily, if that is so he won’t be with her right? She asked.
 
“Honey look, your friend deserves the best. Lily is a good girl, she doesn’t deserve him. You know your friend better than I do and I know you want the best for her, though it’s gonna hurt her you need to prove yourself as a good friend and save her from more hurt, Oliver said taking Winifred’s hand.
 
“It’s going to be difficult, but I promise I’ll do that but at the right time, she said.
 
“Thank you, now let’s talk about us, Oliver said winking at her.
 
 
 
“No you start first, Winifred said.
 
‘Just following the saying, ladies first, Oliver said.
 
“Oh no my name is Winifred not a lady, she said with a smirk.
 
“OK but Winifred is a lady because am not, he said.
 
“OK fine you win. This Is Winifred Jack, will be 23 next month on the 10th, in my finals in school studying physiology and the only child of my late parents. I hope am done? She asked and Oliver mood changed.
 
“Your parents are dead? He asked and she nodded.
 
“Is that why you’re Sad? She asked.
 
“Because am not different, I am adopted, he said and there was silence for some minutes.
 
 
 
“But everything is fine, your birthday how are we going to celebrate? He asked and she sighed.
 
How to grow your business while you stay at home
“No no no, its not to be celebrated. Can we change the topic please? She asked and he shook his head.
 
“Am interested In this because you must celebrate it, Oliver said and Winifred went speechless……..
 
 
 
To be continued