June's POV
Sunday evening
Bzzt Bzzt…
Awakened by the sudden sound of my ringing phone, I lazily opened my eyes blinking a few times to get adjusted to the sudden light before reaching out to take my phone from the bed side table. I glanced at the screen of my phone to see the caller Id. It was an unknown number. Being a little more awake, I hesitated a bit before taking the call.
"Hello, please who is this?" I asked the person on the other end of the line, while trying to guess who it could be.
"Hi! It's Alex." I heard a voice which I am very much familiar with.
"Oh! sorry, I didn't realize this was your number. I just got a new phone and I don't have your number saved in it." I explained after knowing the identity of the caller. I initially had his number because Luen once saved it in my phone as part of her match making plan.
"No biggie." I heard him say with a relaxed tone. "So, how are you doing?" he asked afterwards.
"I'm alright, you?" I asked politely wondering his purpose for calling.
"Fairly okay I guess." I heard him say. Bringing forth my thoughts, I asked while sitting upright on my bed.
"So why did you call so suddenly?" expectantly waiting for his response, I stood up going to the bathroom to wash my face. I placed my phone on the wash basin putting it on loud speaker so I could listen while washing my face.
"Well… I wanted to ask if you are free this weekend. I thought maybe we should hang out some time."
Not sure if I was hearing things or if Xander was asking me out, I paused in my action before calmly replying while tuning down my supposed excitement.
"Well, I don't have any plan for the weekend so I'm down for it." I said drying my hands before taking my phone and stepping out.
"That's great. I'll see you then on Friday. I'll be coming to pick you up." like he was thinking, I heard his voice come through asking "is that fine by you?"
Hell yeah! Its more than fine.
"Yeah sure." I replied with excitement bubbling within.
"Okay then, see you soon." he said.
"Yeah, see you soon." I said before I heard the sound of the line cutting.
OMG! I feel like jumping and screaming right now. I called Luen and told her about Xander's call and you should have heard her shriek. I feel like she is more excited than I am. Crazy bestie.
Luen's POV
I was trying to complete a building design which I had been working on when I got a call from June. She told me of Alex's call and oh boy, am I so happy for her. She's been crushing for way too long and I suppose it's high time Alex faces his feelings. I noticed his change after the encounter with Jason at the game. He probably felt threatened but that is for the best right? Now it makes sense why Luka took June's number from me. I just hope they go well, seeing my best friend happy also makes me happy.
June's POV
Monday
I was at home alone watching the wednesday series in my room when the sudden chime of the doorbell caught my attention. That's strange, we don't usually get visitors and I'm expecting no one. Mum and Alee shouldn't be back from the market by now also I reasoned.
Getting up from my bed, I quickly went downstairs to check on who was at the door.
"Maa, Alee you're back already? Did you forget something?" I asked surprised to see them few hours after they left. I looked at them with eyes full of question when I spotted another figure walking towards us.
"Wait, is that.. Paa." I screamed wide eyed as I excitedly hugged dad who was all smiles. He rubbed my head in a way I was very much fond of, I've so missed that.
"You were supposed to arrive next week." I asked happy and confused as we all walked into the house.
"I know, I wanted to give my princess a surprise so I came earlier and asked your mum to fetch me." Paa explained while taking a seat on the couch. Understanding what happened and their plan, I turned to mum
"Maa, you lied about grocery shopping didn't you?" I asked curiously while feigning annoyance. She laughed awkwardly before trying to avoid my question by commenting on my supposed funny facial expression.
"You should see your face right now." she said laughing even harder.
"Maa..." I called.
"Sorry, sorry." she apologized stifling her laughter. "Your dad wanted to keep this a surprise for you so he said I shouldn't tell you and obviously I couldn't spoil the fun because I know how much you love surprises. If I had spilled, I wouldn't have seen you with this expression plus I did get the groceries see..." she said smiling while showing what she bought. Ignoring the urge to scoff and roll my eyes, I turned to dad smiling, he always know how to surprise and make me happy.
"I loved the surprise but you guys can't always keep such things from me." I said to them with a pout.
"Okay, we won't." with a slight pause, Maa continued "If it's not a surprise."
"Maa.." I could hear her laughing. Ignoring her and going to sit with Paa,
"Paa how was your trip, it must have been very stressful." I said thoughtfully while taking his luggage and moving it to my side of the chair.
"Yes, it was stressful and I think I need a little rest. I'm having a bit of a jet lag." he said massaging his temple.
"Okay, go freshen up and rest. We'll talk after your rest." I said standing up from the chair.
"Thank you sweetie." he said to which I responded to with a smile.
"Welcome back Paa." I said as I pecked him on his cheek and tolled his luggage behind me towards his room.
Evening
Coming down from my room to the sitting room, I heard mum call.
"June, come help me arrange the stocks I bought for the kitchen."
You hid such a big thing from me, even though I liked the surprise, I'll have my revenge on you for laughing at me. I thought while walking to the kitchen. Resting on the kitchen counter, I said with a wide smile across my face.
"No, I won't help you. That's your punishment" Looking at me with wide eyes,
"You can't still be mad about that. You're not even angry at the one who made the plan but here you are attacking the poor me." Maa said whining while making a face like she wanted to cry at her situation. At times I wonder mum and Luen, who is more of a drama queen. Scoffing, I said "He just got back and is tired so all's on you now besides you were laughing at me."
Giving me a mischievous smile,
"Your bluffing, I know you can't be that petty. Come help me out." Mum said winking at me with a huge grin on her face.
Gosh I hate that she's right about that. Smiling, I help mum stock the kitchen and pantry. We both cooked dinner and were setting the table when I suddenly remembered that I forgot to tell Maa of Xander's call.
"Um..Maa." I called out to Maa who was bringing in the dishes while I set the plates, cups and cutlery.
"Yes dear." she replied while dropping the the soup bowl which she had in hand.
"Xander asked me out today." I said acting absent minded while gauging her reaction.
"Xander, Xander..." mum tried remembering. Snapping her fingers, " I remember now, the boy you have a crush on right? Someone's getting a boyfriend soon." Maa said wriggling her brows.
Maa is pretty cool and that's why I find it easy to tell her things of this sort. Probably because she isn't so far from our generation.
"Stop it Maa, it's just a date." I said like it was nothing important but I was trying to cover up my half blushing face.
"Um, I hear you." Maa replied in a dubious tone with disbelief coating her every word.
"So when is the date, I can help you get prepared." she said shrugging slightly.
"You're not gonna advise me against that." I asked looking at Maa. Pausing her action and facing me, she said.
"Dear, you are seventeen and I believe you know what's best for you. I won't say anything as long as you know your boundaries and don't cross them. I'll advice you when you need it and will always be there to guide you as your mum."
Feeling touched, I smiled saying "Thank you Maa, you're the best." as I enveloped her in a hug.
"I know, no one can top me." she said with a wink.
"Narcissist." I said making us both laugh.
"I'll go call Paa and Alee for dinner." I said before leaving the dining area.