CHAPTER 73
SARA
“Whirrrrrrrrrrr…”
Sara stood up from the bed with a start, and then she gasped loudly as torrents of confetti and flowers showered down on her little bed in the shelter.
“What the hell?” She questioned, doing her best to clear up the air, but still yet the confetti showered on her until it finally stopped and Sara bathed in flowers and pink paper drops looked from her bed to the small crowd gathered in front of her in the room.
“What’s going on here?” She asked frantically, her heart already beating as she started to think if she had done something wrong.
“Where’s A…” She didn’t finish her next question, because the crowd started making way for someone to pass, and from afar off walking in from the door was Ariel, and Miranda and in her hands they were holding a medium sized beautiful chocolate cake.
“Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, let’s sing…” Miranda began, and the children standing around her began to sing, their hands clapping together as they said, “Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you *10…”
Sara felt like crying.
Today was 29th February, which was her birthday, and she had clearly forgotten.
She had never celebrated her birthday before, as it never fell on the normal calendar event year, just once in every four months or so.
Well, Ariel never noticed that, as every last day of February her friend had taken it upon herself to get her a gift and Sara always looked forward to her surprises.
That was what she had been expecting today too.
Probably she would wake up, pray and maybe receive some wishes from few of her close friends in the shelter, and then that would be all but…
What she was seeing here, was note than she had ever imagined and tears burned at the back of her eyes in embarrassment.
She felt shy, but at the same time she was so happy.
Seeing Ariel, Miranda and the little family she had come to have at the shelter all gathered here wishing her a bountiful birthday, Sara couldn’t have wished for anything better.
Damn… this was everything.
Blinking back tears, Sara listened as they all continued singing until finally Ariel stopped them and in a sing song way she asked, “How old are you now? How old are you now?”
Sara was too stunned to speak, and the tears at the back of her eyes poured out erratically without any control, and she quickly wiped at it, not wanting to confuse anyone.
She was supposed to be happy, not on her bed crying but well this were tears of joy.
“Our celebrant is already getting so emotional…” Ariel said loudly, and the kids and matrons around burst out in giggles, and Sara blushed uncontrollably.
There was no way she could stop herself, and she joined in their giggles as she asked slowly, speaking after a long long time, “Ariel, damn I don’t even know what to say right now. I’m just so overwhelmed and…”
“Shh…” Miranda cut in, and coming to stand by her bedside she announced, “I think it’s time for her to blow the candles, and make a wish.”
“Yayy…” They clapped their hands, as Ariel brought the cake forward for Sara to do as ordered.
A small smile on her face, tears threatening to stream forth and shaking so nervously, overwhelmed with so much love, Sara closed her eyes slowly and bending down she blew the candles on the cake and opened her eyes immediately.
“You made a wish yet?” Ariel whispered in her ears, asking her and she nodded negatively and then said aloud, “I don’t think I have anything to wish for, when you all are around here, Hale and hearty. You all are my presents, and my wish come true. This… this family here, that…” She broke into sobs, covering her face shamelessly.
“Oh Sara…” Ariel said slowly, and handing over the cake to Miranda to go and cut, she pulled Sara in her arms warmly and Sara sobbed harder.
She didn’t know when last age had celebrated her birthday, or when last she had received this much public love, and all these was because of Ariel.
She could hear some shuffles in the background, and the crowd dispersing but still yet she just couldn’t stop hugging Ariel tightly.
“You’re squeezing me tightly Sara.” Ariel joked and Sara just laughed amidst her tears, but didn’t say anything.
“Is this how you hug Christian so tightly how…” “Christian…” Sara whispered, remembering him all of a sudden and just like that she disentangled herself from Ariel.
“He called earlier, wanting to wish you a happy birthday. I told him you’re still sleeping. He also said your phone’s switched of too. Here…” Ariel said, in reference to Christian handing Sara her phone, but she waved her off.
“He must be so worried.” She said slowly, as she frantically searched for her phone, on the bed where she had slept last night.
“I bet he is. Use my phone to talk to him. Your own’s down right?” Ariel questioned, but shaking her head and finally locating her phone she said, “No, it’s not. I switched it off.”
“Excuse me.” Sara said, a smoke on her face as Ariel waved her off and she walked out of the busy room.
Walking straight to a quiet place, the garden outside actually, Sara waited for her phone to switch on.
As it came on, the first thing she saw was a message from Christian.
He had sent it at exactly 12am, and her heart swelled at the beautiful sweet gesture.
So he had her in mind, even while she was asleep, and opening the text she decided to take her time to read the sweet text which did it work in melting her heart.
She was halfway through the text, tears falling down her face again, thanks to her raging hormones, when a call came through.
It was Christian, and she didn’t hesitate a bit as she happily picked the call.
Silence descended at first, and then his husky masculine voice which always have her goosebumps came through, “Happy birthday love…”
…….
TESSA’S POV
Tessa froze in her steps, as she heard giggles from one side of the garden she was walking past.
Slowly, and not wanting to alert whoever it was of her presence, she walked stealthily trying to locate the source of the noise, when she saw a familiar brunette hair fanning down someone who had her back faced to her.
From any position, any side at all Tessa didn’t need anyone to tell her who it was.
That bitch!
Of all things she could do this morning, she was talking to Christian which only infuriated Tessa the more as she eavesdropped, listening to their conversation.
Earlier, Tessa had heard news that Miranda and Ariel had surprised her with some gifts and confetti, and even when she had gone to prep in the hostel bedroom, she had seen and heard kids and matrons in the shelter singing the brat a happy birthday song.
She had videoed everything, hoping to show Dinah, and now this…
Bringing out her phone subtly from her pocket, still doing everything slowly so as not to attract any noise, she quickly switched the sound recorder on and recorded Sara’s response to the call.
From what she could hear, Sara was going to Christian’s house later, and she listened as they professed their love to each other.
Her heart bittered and jealous, that she had no one who loved her this way, just made her all the more angry and she vowed to herself that she was definitely informing Dinah of all this.
Yes, she would Dinah.
She knew it was going to anger Dinah so much, but she was still going to send it.
It would only fuel Dinah more, to carry out their plan in bringing the proud pompous bitch to her doom.
She recorded everything from start to finish, and when she was sure Sara had finished talking, she slowly cancelled the recording and saving it while she hid in her safe spot, she sharply made her way out of the garden, fist bumping her hands in the air, as she had gotten more information and gists for Dinah today.
From the birthday surprise, to their stupid lovey dovey call, indeed there was enough gossip for today.