Him and her

After a few months the season of frequent rains came, washing away everything, raindrops falling onto leaves of trees, soil being soaked wet.

Along with these rains came the day of the month in which August was born. It was an occasion of everlasting joy for the Lord and the lady but August seemed to differ. As a person who enjoys being alone, he doesn't care much about his own birthday.

But this time as their son turned five, his parents decided to celebrate his birthday by throwing a party.

Though the guests were mainly villagers. Apart from them there was only one invitation sent outside the village, it was to invite Lord Vellion's one close friend staying in the capital, Lord Victor who used to teach at imperial magic institute.

A celebration in which people came bearing gifts and goodwill. Their home was livelier that day, smiling faces all around without a speck of malice came because of their admiration and respect for the lord of the mansion.

So many people greeting him for the first time, made August somewhat nervous, as he was not used to being around more people and the fact that he was the centre of attraction today was enough to make him anxious. August always preferred studying and doing everything alone by himself, because of this other children of his age thought of him as some arrogant kid and they dared not approach him.

To help him socialize with other children of his age, that was the reason his parents arranged this party in the first place. But despite their efforts August was feeling alone even when surrounded by this many people.

As a kid who was more mature for his age he wasn't tempted by various gifts people brought him. Despite being anxious he managed to maintain his calm demeanor. He felt relieved when his sister - like a friend arrived. " Happy birthday " Shelly greeted as she handed over the gift she brought for him.

Her gift excited him " a ring ? Ooo...I know it's a healing ring right ? "

" No " Shelly replied.

" Then can it boost my mana levels " August asked with a shine in his eyes.

" No, it can't do that either " Shelly replied bluntly.

" So what can it do?? ....big sister ? " Looking at her with so much expectations August was more curious than ever.

" Ahem... I am glad you asked. So let me show you .... ( Proceeds to split the ring into two ) Tadaa ! "

" What ? " He asked being confused.

" Don't Just look disappointed you brat... Are you not excited this ring can split into two. That means you have two rings and one at the same time " Shelly said again looking too proud of herself.

" Ahh... ! What a letdown " sighed August with an air of disappointment over his head.

" Now now, my dear you forgot what you have to say while receiving a gift ? " Said Lady Silvia.

" Thank you " said August with a lower tone.

" What was that ? I couldn't hear can you say that again ? " Said Shelly - picking on him.

" I said what i Said.....I am not repeating it again " said August with a teasing smile on his face.

" Ahh.. you boy you don't know how much I have to go through for buying you this present. I have to save my allowance for two months, you know how much I have sacrificed ? And yet you stand there not appreciating my gift it makes me sad.....I guess it's time for me to die ahh....no...."

" Enough ! You know ? You are also bad at acting....but I guess it's not a bad gift after all. " Said August.

" Yes there you go, good for you. Now tell me where the food is I'm hungry " said Shelly with a worn out face.

" That's not a surprise. But tell me the reason behind this two in one ring ? " Out of curiosity August asked her with the expectation of something meaningful.

" Hmmm.....there is no hidden meaning just give the other half to your girlfriend in the future, hehe....." Said Shelly smiling weirdly giving him thumbs up - to what August seemed to be annoyed thinking ( ahh.... I was a fool to expect a meaningful answer from her ).

************

Not long after the long awaited guests of the evening arrived. Professor/ Lord Victor Hartwell along with his wife Aisha, son - Damian and daughter - Emilia.

Lord Vellion greeted his close friend he came to see after a long time.

After all the greetings Lord Victor expressed his desire to meet August. His father called for August,

He stood before Victor greeting him when Victor asked " so what is your name young lord ? "

" My name is Augustus sir " replied August.

" What a fine name it suits you " said Victor - bowing down with respect.

Lord Victor is a professor at capital - being in higher social standing than my father he was so respectful towards my family, even me - thinking victor's actions as Chivalry August didn't give more thought in that.

But there was something strange as if something was being kept from him, not only Victor but his parents were keeping something hidden, some big secret. Even when August had his suspicions he never gave much thought into it.

As the conversation proceeded,

" happy birthday dear Augustus " said Victor further introducing his family to August.

Lord Victor is my father's closest friend, his wife who seemed cautious type lady as my mother, his son Damian - there was an air of uneasiness around him, as if he was in deep greif hiding something, his eyes were dull like he was in some kind of pain, pain of regret, that he couldn't tell anyone, and at last his twin sister Emilia - A girl about same age as me, however she was on a wheelchair but her elegance was overwhelming. Out of the whole Hartwell family, no..... of all the people present there she stood out very differently to me. Her presence was gracious, beauty captivating enough to make even gods fall for her. The way she carried herself was something else.

But the tension I felt from Damian, the same was to be felt from her.

" Happy birthday " said Emilia in a sweet - soothing voice while Damian did a nod as their mother handed a gift box to me. " Thank you " i replied as i smiled.

" Okay then everything is done, let's have dinner " said my father breaking the silence. Never leaving his sister's side Damian pushed her wheelchair to the dining room.

There wasn't any much of an interaction between me and Hartwell siblings that night but that thought about those two - i kept thinking about it. Were they two in a fight with each other ? They didn't seem like the type quarreling over trivial things though. Not like I can know - I never had any siblings to begin with. What kind of fight do most siblings usually have ? About what ? Could it be like me and Shelly ?

I guess I'll never know.

**********