"Tina, are you free this weekend?" My mother asks from the other side of the phone call.
"I'll check. Why Mum?" I ask curiously. It's strange for her to call me and ask if I'm free. Is she planning something?
"It's nothing. Just a friend of mine is holding a small party and wants me to bring you along." Mum explains vaguely.
I frown. Why does she want me to go?
"You can take Mint instead." I say. Knowing Panda, I doubt he will let me leave my duties.
"My friend last saw you when you were a baby and she's excited to see how you've grown up. Please Tina. Do it for me darling?" Mum pleads. She's using that desperate voice which she knows I can never refuse.
"Fine Mum." I sigh in defeat. "I'll come home on Saturday."
"That's all. Thank you darling." She sounds cheerful and a little too excited. What is she planning now?
I'm surprised when Panda easily agrees to my request for a day off. It seems like he has other things to do too. Maybe he wants a break from seeing my face too.
Saturday, I am greeted by an over-cheerful mother when I get home. I definitely know now that she is planning something.
"Tina! How are you?"
"Mum, you're killing me. I can't breathe." I say as she squeezes me tightly in a bear hug.
"Ah sorry. So how have you been?" She says, releasing me.
I shrug, "I've been alright."
"I've left your clothes on your bed. As soon as you're done dressing up, I've called someone to do your makeup for you." She says happily.
I gape in astonishment at her, "Mum, did I hear you correctly? Did you say I have to wear makeup?"
Mum smiles, "Of course. You're a woman so you need to look beautiful today."
"Why?" I ask curiously. She has never acted like this before. I know she has always disliked my clothes and outfits but she never said anything about it.
"You're a woman now. Don't you want to look beautiful?" She says.
I frown in confusion. What exactly has she planned?
Shrugging, I walk up to my room and gasp at the beautiful gown lying on my bed. It's a pastel pink shade with a flair skirt. I cautiously touch the dress. It's soft and silky under my fingers.
Is my mother really intending for me to wear this to the party?! She wants me to go as a woman. I stare at my reflection in the mirror. I don't have a very bad figure when my chest isn't bonded. But the only time I've worn a dress was when Pan and I posed as a couple.
Why am I smiling? I need to decide what to do right now. I can't think about Pan during this crisis.
No one will know me at the party anyway. Mum's friend has been out of the country for so long. I doubt there will be anyone familiar there so maybe I can actually get away with wearing this outfit.
After adjusting the gown around my body, I wait for the makeup artist. She seems enthusiastic as she decorates my face.
"Your hair is just enough for me to style it." She says as she moves onto my hair. I hadn't realised but my hair has actually grown past my ears a little now. When did it start growing again?
She straightens my hair a little then styles it so it's in loose waves. She adds a flower crown onto my head and I stare at her incredulously.
"Are you sure this isn't overdoing it? It's just a small party." I say.
"No, no. Everything has to be perfect." She says before finishing the last touches. "Don't touch your hair and face whatever you do. Although I did use waterproof and long lasting makeup, we don't want any mishaps."
What exactly is my mum planning?
Fortunately, I am not forced to wear heels which is a relief. Mum has given me some flat ballet shoes which I can comfortably walk in without looking like an idiot.
"Wow, you clean up so beautifully darling. I wasn't wrong." She smiles when I walk down, ready to go.
I roll my eyes, "I'm just wondering what your plan is Mum."
She grins, "You'll find out later."
"Nothing weird right?" I say.
"No. Just wait." She glances at the time. "Oh no, let's get going."
***
"Small party" my ass. This is the biggest party I have seen. It's a huge and grand banqueting hall and apparently Mum's friend is now married to a rich man so everything is classy and expensive.
The food looks delicious but they're served in tiny bites. How do these rich folk eat? As soon as we finish greeting Aunt Camellia, I make a beeline towards the food table. Grabbing a plate, I help myself to the tiny bites of various foods. There are some Martinis too which I take a glass of.
With my plateful of food, I sit down at an empty table on the balcony overlooking the garden below and start eating. It's quiet and peaceful here and the night breeze is cool as I relax.
Maybe I should take a selfie of myself to remember how I look all dressed up. Smiling with the glass of Martini Blue in my hand, I snap a selfie.
"Pretty Lady, would you mind if I join you?"