Jai giggled so hard.
"Did I say something stupid?". Amber asked, confused at his sudden laughter.
"No, I was only surprised, my employee invited me for her niece's birthday party, really tremendous". He said.
Was he referring to me as an employee, I thought we were rather like a friend. Amber thought, her face bent down in a mild shame, she stood speechless.
"Have you lost your voice?". Jai asked, his eyes taunting.
"No no, I was about to". She stammered.
"Go on".
"Uhh".
"Go on, finish up with what you were saying earlier". Jai said.
"Oh, I mean, would you love to come around?". She said,
"Hmmm, let me see". He said, rolling his eyes.
"My schedule is really tight but I could make some time for an employee". He said, lifting up his head a bit and winked at her.
"Thanks". Her voice was shaky.
Only a few people were gathered, as they all invited only their close friends. The birthday song was sung and Jasmine blew out the candles on the cake.
"You all can now give your wishes to the birthday girl". Mrs Charles said happily.
"Why isn't he here yet? The party is almost over". Amber said, her eyes searching around for any trace of Jai.
"Hey Amelia, won't you give Jasmine her gift or have you forgotten to get one". Mrs Charles shouted out to her.
"Sure I would let me go get it, I left it in my room". Amelia said, rushing up through the stairs.
The sound of the doorbell was heard,
"I would go check on it". Amber said, rushing towards the door, her expectations were really high hoping her expected guest would show up.
She stood for a few seconds after opening the door.
"Won't you let me in". Jai said,
"Oh, I nearly forgot". She said, stepping aside, paving a space for him.
"I'm so sorry I spent so much time getting the gift". Amelia said, her voice loud as she walked down the stairs.
She stopped halfway at the sight of Jai,
"What is he doing here?". She muttered.
"Hey, get down quick and stop keeping everyone waiting". Amber yelled at her.
Amelia turned around immediately and rushed back up the stairs, she can't stand the chance of seeing his face again or the sight of him in her home.
"Amelia! Amelia!!!". Mrs Charles shouted.
"What's up with this girl". She muttered.
"What suddenly happened to your sister?". Calla asked, her lips close to Amber's ear.
"Well I don't know, she has always been like that and I don't care about it now". Amber shrugged.
"Jasmine! Where are you off to?". Mrs Charles asked as Jasmine ran up the stairs but she gave no reply.
"Who's there?". Amelia asked at the slight opening of the door, she turned away from the window side where she stood.
"It's me". Jasmine said, her voice low.
"Why did you leave the others?". She asked, surprised at seeing her.
"I was worried about you". Jasmine said.
"Really?". Amelia asked in surprise.
"Yes, you suddenly left and I was bothered about why you did that". She said,
"You shouldn't have, everyone gathered now because of you, get back and meet them, they are all waiting for you". Amelia said, patting her back.
"What about a gift, won't I get it now?". Janine asked.
"Sure". Amelia said, handing over to her the wrapped box.
"What did you get for me?". She asked playfully.
"Open it and see for yourself". Amelia said.
"This is so lovely". Jasmine said, holding out the bracelet in the box.
"Should I put it on for you?". Amelia asked, her hand stretched forth.
"Sure". She said, placing the bracelet on her hand.
Amelia helped her put on the bracelet, giving her a tight hug. She couldn't hold back her tears any longer as they flowed down her cheeks as a stream of water.
"Mom, why are you crying?". Jasmine asked, feeling the drop of her tears on her back.
"I'm not, I was only happy about your new age". She said, wiping out the tears off her cheeks with the back of her palm.
"Now go back, the others are waiting". She said, holding Jasmine away from her.
Jasmine rushed back, down the stairs.
"Mom is having a slight headache and won't be able to come down for the rest of the party, she's getting some rest now". Jasmine said, before anyone could ask.
"I'm so glad you made it, it was really an honour". Amber said, as she and Jai walked slowly.
"I was only passing by and decided to come around, it wasn't intentional". Jai said immediately.
Amber giggled,
"Well, thank you for coming around". She said, her face bent down.
"I'm sorry about my sister's behavior". Amber said, a sneer on her face.
"That's not too bothered, I guess her headache was serious and prevented her from ending the party with the rest". Jai said.
"It's so hard to differentiate you both". He said.
"No it's not". Amber snapped.
"Amelia has a scar beneath her right eye, and makes it easier". She said,
"Oh, that reminds me of the girl I met years back, she had a scar beneath one of eye though I can't tell which and can't clearly figure out her look". Jai said.
"I would have said, she was more like you but I guess there's some difference between you two". He said.
"Maybe you would be able to tell if you meet with her some other time". Amber said.
Amber stopped immediately, on noticing that Jai had stopped moving.
"Did you not come with a car?". She asked.
"I did".
"Where is it parked?". Her eyes searched around to see if she could get the known hose among the numbers of cars parked were his.
"It seems we have been walking for so long". She said, turning to face him. She moved back a bit, extending the gap between them.
Standing transfixed for some few minutes, she could feel her cheeks burn as Jai placed his right hand on her cheek. Bringing his head down her bit, Jai planted a soft kiss on her lips. Her body filled with tension as she stood frozen for a few seconds, he leaned towards her again and this time she found herself responding back.
"Good night". Jai said, pulling off from her, he moved towards where he had parked his car and drove out.
"That was a great, nice move girl". Calla said, standing behind Amber.
"What the hell are you saying?". Amber blushed.
"Don't try to pretend like you do not want I mean".
"I don't". Amber said before she could finish her statement.
"Oh, the drama you both just displayed". Calla said, she chuckled loudly.
"I think you must have gone crazy". Amber said, she turned around to leave. Her jaws dropped in shock on seeing Amelia standing by her window.
"Had she been standing there all this while". She thought.