The Party : 2

The cold water soothed my nerves as I washed off the excess cream. I could hear the chatter emanating from across the hall. Mentally prepping for all the talking I had to endure, I quietly made my way towards the door. Kiara had already welcomed them in and from afar I could see them. It was two guys and a gal all dressed up and pretty. With anxiety building more and more as I walked over to the gang, I could feel the lump in my throat. However, everything turned over in a second. As soon as I was in view, the girl who arrived came running towards me, her arms spread out for a hug. She embraced me into a warm squeeze as she shouted a 'Happy Birthday' right into my ears. Standing awkwardly stiff, she withdrew and clasped my hands in hers.

"I'm Violet! I study at NIFT along with Ki and can I just say how beautiful you look in that sundress!"

If my friends knew one thing about me, it is the fact that I don't respond to compliments simply because I do not know what to say. Bobbing my head up and down like a lunatic, I frowned when I intended to smile and now I was confused as to what I was going for. I scolded myself to focus on her and now I couldn't take my mind off of the fact that she never once blinked in the whole 30 seconds of conversation we had. But Violet was sweet enough to address the silence almost as if she caught all of that with just my bobbing head. She scrunched her nose and smiled wide. I tried to do the same something although my inner critic would later probe me for the rest of the day on how artificial I might have looked. Kiara could sense the weird stillness in the air. So she sprung to action as she wrapped her hands over my shoulder and introduced me to the other guys who came. They were Edison and Veer and she went on explain how they knew each other which I'm guessing wasn't least interesting as that wasn't memorable enough to register deep.

********

As time went by, people poured in, filling the house with music and games. I ran out of my social battery just within half an hour into it. My headache started thriving and I knew I couldn't take any more birthday wishes that just never seemed to end. The boatload of people started running out of places to hang out. While some were on the terrace, others were seen on the kitchen tops and even the staircase. My head couldn't comprehend so many individuals at the same time and I genuinely wondered if she knew half the people she invited.

As I stood analyzing the situation before me, I spotted Naya and Zuri at the door. The girls each had a big box neatly wrapped in light blue gift paper. I waved at them frantically and they speedily made their way to me. Naya and Zuri were my bench mates. Even if we weren't inherently close, we often shared and circulated notes among ourselves which I guess counts as some sort of bond. Both excitedly wished me and had small talks. They were the only people at the party present that I had invited myself. After a brief conversation, they said they couldn't stay for long and had to leave early. I thanked them each for coming and bid them goodbye. The loud cheering from the living room caught my attention as I noted that the charades game had begun. Everyone was drunk which resulted in absolute fucking chaos.

Already exhausted, my eyes darted towards any empty corner that I could find. Since the game was in full mode, the people had evacuated the kitchen and were now sitting on the floor close to the game. The whole night I had decided on staying sober since I don't do well with any type of alcohol as the chances of passing out was always high. But this night had been very trying. Picking up a vodka bottle from the shelf, I sat at the chair with my hands resting on the granite counter. Pouring the drink, I pinched my nose irritated. The pulsation in the temples never seized. I took two shots and proceeded to take three shots and then ten more shots. The pain started fading or maybe it was just my senses shutting down. Lost in my own world, I didn't hear the approach of the young guy right next to me. He sat with a chair gap between him and me and also seemed to be drinking. With my hands over my hair, I started massaging my forehead.

"You shouldn't drink you know..." I peeked through my hair to meet a pair of ocean blue eyes just a few feet away from me. " It's not gonna help the headache trust me"

I sat up straight and reorganized my posture, this time getting a better look at the stranger. He wore a dark brown T-shirt with blue jeans that matched his eyes. His hair slicked back neatly, he looked so proper and almost out of place, to be honest. I cleared my throat and spoke;

"And why should I trust you" I arched my brows as he smiled faintly.

"Because I've had it multiple times." He pouted his lips looking amused.

"Ohh, I seeee" The drunk Ayesha was an alternative carefree bitch who couldn't care less. But that doesn't mean she was stupid enough to ignore the good-looking gentleman, who was just within her reach.

My eyes kept moving towards the right, involuntarily. The view was clouded but I could see him stealing a glance or two sometimes. The blood rushed to my face and I became aware of how hard I was blushing. With a second look, our eyes met. This time I could feel the stiffness in the air as our eyes didn't tear away hastily.

Inhaling deep, I found the voice to speak again;

"You know it's really bad manners to attend a birthday party and not wish the birthday gal"

The man quickly nodded, agreeing right away. " Of course That is extremely rude 100%"

Drunk Ayesha was pleased. As I kept gazing at him, he responded assuring me;

"Don't worry I'll wish the birthday girl" My lips curled into a sly smile in delight. He came off as a charming young prince and my mind had already called it a day.

"Then you better do it fast. I haven't got all day"

He shook his head cheekily. "Oh Of course!!! I should have known such a beautiful woman would not just be sitting around at someone else's party. So sorry for that."

This felt entertaining or maybe it's the Vodka. But I don't think I gave a rat's ass. This was my day. MY BIRTHDAY. The certainty of this banter happening sober was null. But presently drunk Ayesha called the shots.

"Happiest birthday…" He stopped mid-sentence and looked at me with wide eyes.

"Ayesha"

"Ah yes, Happiest Birthday Beautiful Ayesha! May you be blessed with lots and lots of health and wealth."

Engrossed, my party spirits were lifted. But little did I know that it wouldn't last long...