Today

Isabella led me to the garden. She asked me to sit on the bench and then left, leaving me alone in the garden.

After some time she came back. She had a bowl in her hands. She came and sat beside me.

"Here, finish it while it's still warm." she handed me the bowl. She had brought me noodles. It's smelled delicious. Without waiting a second, I began to savour it's taste. The noodles were simply the most delicious I had ever had. Maybe it was because of the fact that I was very hungry, but at that time, it didn't matter.

I didn't stop until the bowl was empty. All this time, Isabella was peacefully staring at me.

"Feeling good?" she asked me. I put the bowl down and nodded happily.

"Now, tell me. What's exactly going on?" she asked me.

"N... nothing." I lied. But it was clear from her expression that her knew I was lying.

"Really?" she asked and I nodded.

"What's in that bag?" she pointed to the cloth bag, which I had been trying really hard to hide.

I was hesitant to answer. I didn't know what to say. But I decided one thing : I won't lie to her.

"I'll tell you, but tomorrow. You'll have to wait until then." I said but she didn't seem pleased with the answer.

"Okay." she finally said.

Somehow I managed to come back to the cabin. I went inside and walked towards my bed. On the bed next to mine, Will was reading a book.

"Adrian, where were you? Why you didn't come for the dinner?" Will asked as soon as he noticed me.

I told him everything regarding my plan for tomorrow. I thought he would be happy but he looked shocked.

"What? Tomorrow is Isabella's birthday!" he said in a surprised tone.

"Wait! You didn't know about this?" I was quite astonished.

"Of course not! She never celebrated her birthday before. She didn't even tell anyone, in the whole valley, about her date of birth." he said and I was left dumbstruck.

Why would she do that? I didn't know. The only option is to ask her myself. I made a mental note to ask her later.

"Anyways. You'll help me tomorrow, right?" it asked Will.

"You kidding me. How could I say no?" he said and I smiled at him.

My eyelids became heavy with weariness. I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes. I was so exhausted that I drifted into sleep immediately.

I woke up the next day. Will was beside my bed, shaking my arm to wake me up.

"Good morning." I yawned. I was feeling very drowsy so, I closed my eyes again. This time, Will pushed me away from the bed and a cold and hard floor greeted me good morning.

"What's wrong with you! Have you gone nuts?!" I yelled at him for disturbing my pleasant sleep. But he just sighed and looked at me with disbelief.

"You're the one who's crazy. You worked like a labourer yesterday and today you even forgot why you worked so hard!" he shouted and my slow mind began to process what Will just said.

"Wait!" I stood up with the speed of light. "How can I even forget something so important?" I lightly slapped myself.

I hurriedly became ready and left with Will for our swordfighting training.

We reached the training area. Isabella was talking to Stheno. Her back was towards me so, I couldn't see her face. Stheno noticed us first.

"So, ready for today's lesson?" she smilingly asked and Isabella turned to see who Stheno was talking to.

"Good morning." Isabella said.

Just after that, all the sendates arrived. But they didn't seem to know anything about Isabella's birthday. I was sure about this because if they knew, they certainly would have wished her. Isabella has that kind of personality.

I also acted as if I was oblivious to this fact. My actual plan would begin in the evening. So, I acted normal all day long.

Finally, the time came. I was extremely nervous. What troubled me the most was: why did she want to keep it a secret from everyone? 'If she wants to keep it a secret then she might be furious with me.' My mind was felt like it will blow up anytime with all these pessimistic thoughts. But, now it's too late to back off. All I can do is to go with the flow and wait for her reaction.

She was in the archery field, improving her aim. She was drenched in sweat because of practicing for so long. Her side braid had loosened up, but it just added up to her looks. The flowing gentle wind was caressing her loosened strands of hair. She looked so beautiful... so powerful.

"Isa...Isabella?" I hesitantly called her. She looked at me with those beautiful, innocent honey coloured eyes and I felt as if my heart would abandon me and I take shelter in her soul.

"Umm... I... Umm..."

"Yes."

"I wanted... to... show you something. Come with me. Please."