I waited for a long time before I finally convinced myself it was time to face Riona. I badly wanted to see Arian. I managed to limp slowly with my twisted bone or whatever till I arrived at the house.
I frowned. Everywhere was dark, what were these lunatics up to. Just then the light turned on, I gasped. There were balloons and decorations everywhere. Everyone was holding a present and they started singing happy birthday to me.
I felt touched, with all the commotion that happened today I forgot it was my birthday.
I got lots of gifts and food. Arian kept talking babyish while shaking his rattle.
No matter how bitter I feel about what Ken did, I will never let my bitterness affect my happiness with my family. This is a promise.
We all partied for a while and soon the celebration came to an end. Fred and I exchanged contacts and he left promising to drop by during the weekend.
Raymond, Rio, Ash and I were seated having smoothies when my phone jingled. It was Tracy, Chief editor of TCG. The most trending magazine in our campus. As expected, she is studying journalism.( She has a bright career future)
What did she want? I thought confused.
' Who's that?' Rio ask.
' The chief editor of one of our school's magazines.' I replied.
' Ooh! Gossip, put it on speaker. I love a good gist.' Rio says excitedly.
I answered the call and placed it on speaker.
' Good evening, I am Tracy Tee, chief editor of Tracy's Campus Gossip. I would like to ask you a few questions if you don't mind.' Tracy says.
' Um.. Sure.' I replied.
' Is it true that you and Sage are love rivals?' Tracy asks.
I was confused. Has Sage meet Ken?
' I doubt it.' I replied.
' But Sage has confirmed that she and Raymond are an item while also denying that they aren't. Is this a love triangle and who is Raymond actually interested in?' Tracy asks.
' Raymond and Sage? The two are like oil and water, it's impossible, I mea..' I was saying till Tracy cut in.
' So are the two of you an item? But with the trending video of their passionate kiss trending on the college platform, it's hard to say there's no connection.' Tracy says.
' What kiss? Are we still talking about Sunrise College?' I asked.
' Yes.. Actually..' Tracy was saying but then I hung up.
Ash, Rio and I turned to look at Raymond who gave us the " what-did-i-do" look. I went to the school WhatsApp and saw the video. I played it.
Raymond was kissing Sage and right after the kiss he says ' Excuse me professor I have to pacify my girlfriend.' Then he takes Sage away carrying her in bridal style.
' Playboy strikes again.' Riona says whistling.
' Juliet, it's not what you think. This is not what it looks like.' Raymond says pleadingly.
' Chill out. Why are you explaining yourself to me? I am not your mom, sister, teacher, wife or girlfriend.' Riona replies.
' Well, you are on the road to becoming my girlfriend, wife and teacher. So I owe you an explanation. The thing is Sage was not sparing me in the hallway, so I pecked her on the lips and went to my lecture hall. Then she came in and started bawling her eyes out saying I took advantage of her. And you know how unfair judgement can be if the girl looks like she's in a depressing situation. After I took her away I promise, I threw her on the floor in the parking lot. I swear. Juliet please don't be upset with me.' Raymond says fretting.
' Jeez. Relax, why would I be upset with you?' Riona says casually munching an apple
Riona used to be those type of girl who believed in soulmates and true love. But ever since " THE INCIDENT" She changed.
What is " THE INCIDENT"?
Well it was the year before high school, Riona and her cute neighbor Joey, who at that time was her boyfriend,were going out to celebrate their six month anniversary at a very posh restaurant close to the woods.
I was at a party when my pendant intercepted a message.
My family have these special jewelled pendant for tracking and communication. Rio was( and is and will always be) like family. So I gave her one of the pendants, she thought it was just a friendship necklace. But it had the ability to recieve the fluctuation in heart beat rate and sense when a person is terrified.
It was through this I found Riona about to be r*ped by an *sshole. Good news is Riona was unharmed and Joey didn't die( he was just paralyzed waist down and is still suffering from mental trauma). The bad and partially good news is that Riona found out about our family secret ( which grandmother is still not happy about) but she didn't speak to me for three days till she came to terms with my family's nature and complexity. The best part is that it strengthened our friendship a lot.
Not to mention that her parents were nowhere close to a loving couple. They actually had a written contract governing their marriage ( I mean doesn't that only happen in novels?). They both have separate bedrooms and only share a room once a month ( we'll leave whatever we think is going on to our imagination.) Riona's first family vacation was a trip to the hospital which was a result of indecision on her parent's part on where to keep her when they wanted to perform an impromptu surgery.
The contract is one of the reason why Riona is an only child.
When her parents are together in the same room, it's like world war 3. They will hurl insults at each other ignorant to how their actions affect their only child psychologically.
Her family is also the reason why Riona eats at least two apples a day. You know that saying, " An apple a day, keeps the doctor away". Well Riona's parents are both doctors, and she makes sure to eat at least two apples a day so her parents can stay faaaaaar away.( Sometimes she supplements it with apple juice, pie or wine).
Altogether Riona has lost faith in love and all its concept.
In my heart I believe that Raymond might convince her otherwise and rekindle her lost faith.