Caged bird

The group boarded the plane and was getting seated comfortably

"I am looking forward to the nightlife there. I want to eat some good local food watching the sky filled with all its beauty" Tara said gazing into the white clouds through the window.

"Mee too. I wonder what it would look like. How I wish there was a guy to accompany me to this beautiful place. God, please bestow me with a handsome hunk. Pretty please!" Oona whined pouting her lips.

Lyra and Oona chuckled. While Aiden rolled his eyes.

Joel immediately jumped from his seat, "Hey hey, What hunk? What handsome? Why would you want a guy? Are you trying to anger me to death? Try stepping out of the house alone, I will break that leg of yours."

Oona snorted and glared at him, "Why should I listen to you? Now I am more determined to find one. I advise you to find one too"

"What the hell would I want a guy with me. I f****** 10000% straight, Oona." Joel snapped at her.

"..." Everyone.

Everyone laughed out loud seeing his outburst.

"I sometimes wonder if this idiot is your brother, Juan. Are you sure? The hospital did not swap the baby" Oona said looking at Juan.

"Stupid." Juan glanced at his younger brother.

"Hmph. I am my parent's child. I am too handsome for this world. Only they can conceive me." Joel added shamelessly.

"Alright. let's eat. I am hungry." Lyra said cheerfully.

"Yeah, food is your first love," Tara said with a laugh.

"Yeah, it is."

The food was given to them and they happily had that while chatting. Everyone went to sleep after their meal and waited for their long flight to end.

---------

The group landed after 14 hours flight and they drove two SUVs to reach their destination, Lapland.

"Woah look at that beautiful traditional houses covered in snow. They look so pure and beautiful." Oona commented.

"Yeah, it's very pretty!" Lyra added while gazing into the spectacular view.

"How much longer will it take to reach the cabin, Ju?" Asked Tara her boyfriend who was driving the girls while Aiden and Joel took another car.

"Hmm. 1 hr 40 mins. If there is no blockage because of snow." Juan replied while steering.

"Oh. Are you hungry, Ju? Do want something to eat? Snacks?" Tara asked looking through the bags.

"Yes, something light. Thank you!" Juan replied.

"Does nachos do? Everything else is candies and sweets. You don't like sweets right?" Tara asked softly.

Juan nodded his head in response. Tara happily smiled at him and took out spicy nachos.

"Open your mouth, I'll feed you since you are driving."

Juan took a glance at her. He nodded after a moment. While Tara was feeding Juan, Oona took a glance at Lyra. Lyra was just gazing outside without an expression on her face. As if she didn't hear the couple and just enjoying the view outside. But her clenched fists spoke something else.

Oona silently sighed and her gaze went back to the couple in front. She saw Tara feeding Juan with a sweet look on her face. Oona pursed her lips and continued looking outside.

"Lyra, Oona, want some? It's good." Tara offered them with a smile.

"No baby, I am still full. You eat." Lyra said with a forced smile.

"Me too," Oona added.

"Okay then. Here Juan. Want more?" Tara asked while she fed him the last piece.

Juan shook his head as a reply.

Oona sighed silently again while pondering the past and asking god if fate was playing a sick joke on them.

-------

Before 4 years,

"Baby. What say? should I tell him? Or not? I am scared. What do I do?" Lyra rattled to Oona looking anxious.

"You should dummy. Do you want other girls to covet him? If you keep running away he will slip out of your life. Soooooo don't take chance. If he rejects no problem. He can't escape from you. We are meant to stay forever. Remember Aiden, Juan and Joel are buddies from the time they were open crotch pants. So be brave and confess." Oona gave her friend a lengthy speech.

"You are right about that. Thank you, baby. I will confess to him on his birthday. Works right? I will make it special for him and me. I will not let that fish out of my net." Lyra said flashing a bright smile.

"That's the spirit. Now off you go and think of your plans for the special day. Oh right, I forgot. Tara wanted to meet and speak to us."

"Tara? Is she back? I thought she will not attend Juan's birthday just like before. It's been 10 years since we saw her."

"I am also worried about how she was all this time. We couldn't meet her since her family was under extreme protection because of the leader of the missionary organisation. Sigh. It seems like royal life is hell. damn, She was tutored at the palace. She couldn't go out because of fear of life much less go out of the country to meet her friends. I sometimes wonder If I would have survived living a life hers. We also couldn't visit. At last, she is stepping out of her golden cage. I wonder how much of a wonderful woman she had become. Though we saw her in video calls and pics, I would like to see her in real." Oona said with a frown.

"Exactly. I want to see her too. And Oona you know, I would have rebelled, very badly. But I think she never even voiced against her parents. She is very gentle. She will never go against her parents. Though their ways are too extreme, fear was instilled in them when they lost Tara's brother. Sigh. I just wish she will do what she wants from now on. Not worrying about her life." Lyra added.

"Yes, I guess so. Lyra, Will you talk to her? About Juan. Though we stayed in touch all these years, she doesn't know many things."

"I will when we meet. What do you think her reaction will be?"

"She will of course be happy for you."

"Hehe. I can't wait for Juan's birthday. God, Please wish me luck."

"Alright, my mouth is paining from all the talk. Let us go home now." Oona said while massaging her cheeks.

Oona nodded and both bid their byes to each other and went their way.