Planning A Party

Opening the door of the office, Amber walked in slowly.

"I'm here". She said, confused on how to start. 

"Sit, you don't have to stand". Jai said, a little smile on his face. 

"When is the meeting held?". Amber asked, her curiosity could not let her be more patient. 

"Oh, I nearly forgot about that". Jai said, his hand running through his hair.

"Our company got qualified for the next phase". He said, his voice rather a whisper. 

"Really!". Amber screamed in surprise, her face clouded with a smile. 

"Yes". Jai said. 

"Then why are you not cheerful, you don't seem happy about it to me". Amber said,

Jai giggled, 

"Then how do I look?". He asked. 

"Rather casual". Amber said. 

"I guess that's because I'm used to winning, I've never been a loser". He said. 

"You are surely good at bragging". Amber said, having a sneer on her face. 

"Was that all you wanted to tell me?". Amber asked after a few minutes of silence. 

"Sure". Jai said coldly. 

"What! I thought it was an urgent meeting the way you sounded over the phone". She said in dismay.

"But it was surely urgent". Jai snapped. 

"When do you intend on resuming?". Jai asked. 

"What?". Amber asked, acting not to have heard him clearly. 

"You would become a full employee of the company soon". Jai said. 

"Yeah, right". She said, nodding her head. 

"I've already dealt with that and I would resume once you want me to". She said, 

"Then you could resume now". He said, his chin held high. 

"Now? Do you mean today?". Amber asked confusedly. 

"Sure". He said. 

"I have some shopping to do, I didn't think I would be in today but I would surely come around tomorrow". She said, picking her purse up. 

"You could stay a bit longer if you are not in a hurry". Jai said before Amber could get up. 

"Oh". She said, getting relaxed back on the chair 

Amber sat quiet for some seconds having nothing to speak of, she thought of a way to initiate a discussion but was unable to. 

"Damn it!". She said, biting her lip. 

"What's wrong?". Jai asked. 

"I totally forgot that my sister had asked me to help her out today". She said immediately.

"Then you could go meet her". Jai said, rather politely. 

"it would not be necessary, I would just tell her I forgot all about it". She said, 

"That's surely not nice, she would surely be hoping for you". Jai said. 

"I don't think so, she has always done this each time I ask her out so she would definitely not get mad at me". She said reluctantly. 

"Still, do you wish to pay her back with the evil she fed you with". He said, his voice strained.

"It's not like I care, she has always been a headache to each of us all her entire life, so I can't keep on laying down my efforts for her in vain". She said, her breaths are getting heavy. 

"You really have so much grudge against your sister". Jai said, her eyes raised up. 

"It's not like it's meant to be, but her actions always keep compelling me to do so and I can't help it". She said, her voice weak and sad. 

"Was this why you never wanted to speak about her?". Jai asked, 

Amber rolled her eyes, recalling what she had said to him the last time.

"Sort of".

"Then you speak to her and let her know how you feel about her actions, let her know about her behavior that annoys you much". Jai said, his eyes filled with consideration. 

"That won't help either". Amber snapped. 

"I think it would if only you give it a try". He said. 

"It still won't". She said, her voice raised. 

"If only you had a sibling you would be able to tell what I mean, especially when you deal with the older ones". Amber said, bringing down the pitch of her voice. 

"I still think that it would work out once you give it a try". He said, his voice convincing. 

"I don't know about that and I'm not ready to give it a try either". She crossed her arms around her chest.

"Should I get you something chilled, you seem like you might explode soon". Jai teased. 

"I'm fine". She smiled back at him. 

"You want to throw up a party!!". Amber shouted in dismay. 

"Yes, it's not going to be so big it's going to be little". Mrs Charles said, 

"But Amelia said it wasn't necessary". She snapped. 

"I still have to make my granddaughter happy". Amelia said. 

"A granddaughter Huh, a granddaughter, the one who you don't even know her father?". Amber said with a fierce look. 

"That doesn't make any sense either, she still deserves a place in this home despite her wrong timing in stepping in". Mrs Charles said,

"Have you seeked Amelia's consent?, I know she would surely be against it". Amber said, a sneer on her face.

"I have no doubt she would agree to it". Mrs Charles said. 

"What is happening again without my consent? Have you both started making decisions for me once more?". Amelia voices trailed as she came down the stairs.

"Mum wants to organize a party for Jasmine". Amber said immediately, her disapproval written all over her face. 

"We discussed this and I said we do not have enough earning to stop lavish parties, why do you still insist?". Amelia said, turning to face her mom. 

"It's only a little party, our family and friends, we won't spend much and I'm willing to take care of that". Mrs Charles said, her hand on her chest. 

"But still…." . Amber tries to protest. 

"No but, the party would hold, let's make Jasmine believe that we truly love her as her family, we all have tried our best but it isn't enough to prove that to her and she might some day think we do not care a bit about her". Mrs Charles said, her voice strained and cold. 

"But we have done a lot to prove that to her". Amber said. 

"That still doesn't matter". Mrs Charles said, walking out of them. 

"My mum wants to organize a party for my niece and I would want her to also be a part of the celebration. Do you mind sharing your time for that?". Amber asked Jai.