Ziya and her friends arrived at their changing rooms and switched into their party wear. After their make-over session, Ziya signaled Lillie. They both nodded their heads to each other and cornered Emily who was sitting in front of the mirror.
"Emily dear, we want to ask you something," Lillie said.
"Why didn't you tell us Emy?" Ziya asked while preventing Emily from escaping.
"Or, you forget to tell something Emy dear?" Lillie asked while placing her hands on Emily's shoulder.
Emily smile stiffened and she sighed as if she had expected this from them. From the time she decided to cover up the incident, she knew there would be a day when her friends would question her like this. So, this was something she had already expected from them when someone broadcasted her photo. She was not sad, instead, she felt blessed to get such caring friends. She knew she couldn't hide the truth anymore. So, she revealed everything that happened. She smiled embarrassedly as she started,
"Mmm…"
"Don't drag. Tell us what happened NOW" Lillie raised her voice.
Emily surrendered, "Okay, I'll tell.
That day, after school I went to a party with mom. I was prepared to confess my feeling to Evan. When I go up to him, I heard someone asking him how he wished to celebrate his birthday next month. He replied he did not plan to celebrate his birthday. But I saw tears in his eyes. I decided to surprise him with a gift on his birthday. But I could not think clearly and after something happened. I went outside to get some fresh air. After resting for a while, I stood up from the couch I was sitting" She paused as she felt even more embarrassed to say next.
"Continue," Ziya and Lillie said in unison.
With no other way, Emily started again but her voice dimmed a little.
"I felt something wrong with my body when I noticed a bag nearby. I took it and saw some sanitary pads, hot packs, and a dress. After seeing those things, I realized it's my period of the month. After changing, I searched for the person who helped me. I could not find him but I heard some gossips. It was the same as today. They all said I am his plaything…
My mom and her friend consoled me. It's not that I don't want to tell, it's just I don't want you to worry about me. So, I didn't tell you"
Emily lowered her head in guilty.
"It is today I knew that person is none other than Evan. After the school annual function, he took me to the playground and apologized to me. He also said everything he said on the stage is true. You know when I heard it my heart skipped a beat. I am so happy that he too loves me. I wanted to scream that I am the happiest person in the world. I have two good friends, supporting family, a best lover and a new brother"
When she said that tears welled up in her eyes.
Only Ziya knew why she cried just now. She accepted someone else as her brother. This was something Ziya had never expected.
"Hey, no, not now. We didn't start to scold you yet… auch… Why Ziya dear?" Lillie rubbed where Ziya smacked.
Ziya hugged Emily instead of replying to Lillie.
"Don't cry. We are here for you. You know you must say if something happened. We are also worried about you"
Emily just nodded and hummed.
"Emy dear, you have 3 weeks to prepare your gift for Evan brother. I cannot be sure if he will celebrate his birthday because…"
"No Lillie, he'll say if he wants me to know" Emily interrupted before Lillie could complete.
"So much trust in him?" Ziya asked.
"Yeah, Evan brother is more trustworthy than my brother. Every time I ask my brother to accompany me, he will order Evan brother to accompany me. Such an untrustworthy brother. So, Ziya dear, in the future don't ask him to accompany you, I'll come with you and he has to watch us from afar"
Ziya smiled at how Lillie labeled her brother. She was also no better than him. If anyone asked her brother to say something nice about her, he might say it's nice to stay away from her.
"Okay, friendies. Let's talk about something serious.
I suspect someone purposely broadcasted Emy dear's photo today"
"Yeah, I too think so Lillie" Ziya agreed with Lillie.
"Whoever is it I don't care. We must teach him/her a good lesson. Emy, did you see someone whom you know at that party?"
Emily shook her head as no.
"I didn't see well. Whomever it is he/she must know us well, or else why that person knew about our cynophobia"
"Yeah, I too think so Ziya dear. We haven't seen any dogs on our campus till now. But suddenly we saw one today. It is too much of a coincidence.
From what happened today, Emily is surely their foe. But, Ziya dear, you are also affected by that person. So, we could not take it easy. Two failed attempts; do you think that person would do something again?"
"Anyways, that person might not know that his/her second plan also failed. Very cautious and calculative. But, are we any less? We are going to the reunion party. That is the first slap we are giving to that person" Ziya stated.
…
Inside the party hall.
Robert, the Vice-Chairman and his daughter Magna were resting in the chesterfield. But their eyes were focused on Leo and Evan. Today, their goal for coming to the party is to find the beloved girls of Leo and Evan. Even though they had already seen Evan's beloved, they were still waiting to see her again.
Sensing their gaze, Leo and Evan looked at them. But they were not in rush to talk.
"Where are they, Evan? When will they come?" Robert asked.
It was already the 12th time Robert had asked this. Every time Robert asked something, Leo would act deaf. So, he could only torture the poor Evan. Evan could not take anymore.
"Uncle Berty, you know they are girls. So, they may take some precious time to beautify themselves. So, Let's wait for them. And, we didn't ask you to wait for them. So, we are not to be blamed"
Even though Evan said more, Robert only noticed how he addressed him.
"Hey, how many times do I have to say don't call me 'Berty'. Only my wife can call me like that"
"Oh, but Cila already permitted me that I can call you as I wish"
"You… how could you call her using her name directly? She is your aunt. So, call her aunty" Robert scoffed when Evan called his wife without aunty. He should not allow him or else, with his sweet talk, Evan would covet his wife.
"But uncle Berty, Cila is not old. Then, why should I address her as aunty? Only if you think she is old, you will ask me to call her aunty. So, uncle, tell me, do you think Cila is old? If you think like that, tell me, I will convey your answer to Cila" Evan raised an eyebrow.
"Hey, when did I say she was old? It's you who said that"
'This silly boy would always make my heart jump out of my body. When did I say she was old? She is my one and only wife. How dare he talk nonsense? You, Evan, A FAMILY CRACKER!!!'
"Dad, can't you tell he is distracting you?" Magna said as she looked at her infuriated dad.
Evan smiled in response to Robert's questioning gaze. It was a confirmation smile. Robert wanted to call his nephew to help him. Only he could help him. But when he saw his nephew, he wanted to capture the look on his nephew's face. It was rare for him to show such an expression.