Chapter Forty Nine

"Hey Kim," I said. She was at the door at seven in the morning for the housewarming. Her knock had woken us up. 

"Oh my, let me guess."She walked in, with her usual sense of euphoria. "You guys are just waking up."

"Exactly."I laughed. "Damn, you're too early, Ria rushed into the bathroom just now."

"Beautiful house!" She exclaimed as she slumped onto the couch. "Hope you have something in your kitchen? I'll make breakfast. It's my off day at work."

"A little, yes. Can you make a meal? I don't know."She followed me to the kitchen and searched each cupboard.

"Go freshen up. I'll make a meal."She smiled while I left. Best girlfriends!

*

"This is good!" Ria exclaimed after taking a bit of her food. Kim made noodles and egg sauce. I was especially marvelled at how she was able to manage the resources in the kitchen to do that. I loved the food immediately.

"Majored in culinary after high school."She blushed. "I'm glad you like it."

"I do too. You should teach me how to cook one of these days,"I said.

"Us!"Ria chipped. "I'm so bad at that too."

"Tell me you didn't rent this house yourself or I'll conclude you have a sugar daddy somewhere."Kim said. Ria chuckled, almost choking on her food.

"My uncle bought it. No sugar daddies!"

"Wow. Looks like someone has a billionaire uncle here."

"You can say that again Kim."

We ate quietly. Kim helped Ria with her room. Since it was the weekend, I and Ria had enough time to stuff the house with groceries. During our time together, I felt like living again. All I needed to do to completely help my life retain its peace was to tell Jude I had someone living with me. Since it's not a guy, he won't have a problem with it.

We had our exams. I discovered Ria was an art student too, she was studying Media and broadcasting. I envied her silently. These courses were my spec in high school. Since it was only a short holiday before the beginning of another semester, she stayed at the apartment. We had a lot of night outs. I would lie if I said she wasn't too clingy. Sometimes, she insists she wants to sleep by my side. She throws gross compliments at me like a man. In short, she was just a breath of fresh air and I was glad to have her in my life. I barely had the time to be sad, she was always there and somehow she forced me into being an extrovert. We attended parties almost every Friday night. What about the all-night chats, movie nights? I had the fun of my life. Well, I won't say I forgot Damien. I just didn't see Henry after that day, after I told him I was engaged with someone else, so I concluded he wasn't Damien. I had to forgive myself and move on. That's the best way to live, isn't it?

*

A kiss, plastered on my lips, bright light rushed into my pupils causing them to dilate. There was a body on top of me. I forced my eyes shut as the kiss moved to my nape. Who the hell is this?! Her hair covered my face, I inhaled. It's Ria. I almost laughed. 

"What the hell are you doing to me Ria?"I chuckled out of sleep.

"Getting the new nineteen-year-old horny out of sleep." She trailed her middle finger along my throat slyly, a big smile on her face. That felt so good. She was teasing me that early. What did I do to deserve this? I was lost.

 "C'mon, get the hell up! It's your birthday girl!"

I completely forgot!

I never celebrated birthdays, so it wouldn't be my fault if I forgot.

"Oh my goodness, I didn't remember."

"Well, get your fat ass to the bathroom. "

I rushed to the bathroom.

"One more thing! Avoid the living room until you're well dressed. So you won't get a heart attack too early!"She yelled. 

I didn't quite understand what she said, I just ignored it.

*

The living room wasn't really styled with balloons as I had dreams while in the bathroom. No shiny crystals, no birthday presents scattered all over the floor. The TV was on an unusual channel, football, I and Ria had never attempted to watch that. The living room was empty. Just like Ria had advised, I was dressed up the way I wanted to be seen by anyone; black pants and a nylon blouse. Hm, that's not appropriate for a birthday "stuff" but was I really having a party? She didn't say that. My hair was styled the way I could, one thing I learnt from Damien. I tried hard to make it the same way he used to do it but ...

I can't be Damien.

"Ria!"I yelled. The aroma from the kitchen made my stomach flutter. I walked straight to the kitchen, Ria met me at the door.

"Hey girl, no make-up?"

"You know I don't like that stuff,"I said. "Are we having a party or something? Who's cooking? Hmm...is Kim..."

"Go get some make-up on!"She pushed me back to my room.

"I'll help you."She scooped the make up in her hands and began the dirty job I hated so much.

"I won't be so comfortable with this on my face,"I grumbled. "Are you planning a party without me? Is Kim already here? And why should I have makeup when it's only the two of you?"

"It's your nineteenth birthday baby girl!"Ria shrieked. "Besides, I never knew you were such a talkative. A new age resolution, huh?"She laughed.

" Weird." I maoned.

She completed my makeup, then led me back to the living room.

Loud shrieks welcomed me.

I had a crowd in my house. No.

Just five people. Four strangers, no , three strangers. I know Kim and oh my!

Henry!

Damien!

You know the worst thing, his hair is black this time!

I really was going to have a heart attack.