17

Best birthday ever!

"Happy Birthday!"

Everyone screamed as soon as my foot entered the apartment. Everyone including Matt, Sam, Cathie, Luke and my parents. Happy tears trolled down to my cheeks as I couldn't believe my eyes. Every birthday of mine till date consisted of dressing up, cutting cake, go to a fine restaurant with my parents and Matt and open all the presents at last. This was a sort of ritual which was formed which I never broke.

"Thank you." I whispered in a small tone, not finding my voice. All of this was too overwhelming for me. I rubbed the tears that were falling down my cheeks with the back of my hand and hugged everyone starting with Matt and ending with my parents. All of them looked lovely and had wore birthday caps on their head.

Isn't it ironic how everyone is dressed up other than the birthday girl?

"One for you." Luke came and put a birthday cap on my head as I grinned from ear to ear.

"Time for cake cutting!" Cathie said loudly and everyone started screaming 'yeah's'. My parents went to the kitchen and got the cake. My eyes literally came out of the socket looking at the beauty. I don't understand how people manage to make such beautiful cakes. It was a two floored cake which looked too pretty to eat. The base was decorated with pink flowers all over it and the top floor was golden colour dripping with pink icing. The candles were lying on the side of the table near the cake. Matt gave Luke a questioning gaze looking at the candles as he smiled sheepishly.

"The candles would have ruin it's beauty." Cathie let out a full blown laugh, so did my parents, while Matt was busy glaring at Luke. My eyes searched for my tiny guy who was the best blessing and a chuckle escaped my mouth at his sight who was busy staring at the cake licking his lips.

Someone was eager to eat the cake.

"This is the first time in the entire history where a birthday girl is not going to blow off the candles." Matt said dramatically, still digging holes at the back of Luke's head who looked completely unaffected by it.

Thirty minutes and lots of cake in all of our tummies later, it was time for them to leave because apparently this was just a small surprise as they were going to take me out for birthday dinner because as Matt said, "The tradition must be followed."

Gifts were left untouched as they were to be opened later at night after coming from the dinner. The location of the place was unknown to me as I didn't have the slightest idea where they were going to take me. They did not even mention if it's a restaurant or some picnic spot leaving me like a loner. The curiousity was killing me as the suspense grew wider and wider because of their hushed whispers.

Cathie and Luke had already left leaving me with my parents, Matt as Sam was fast asleep. He slept instantly after eating the cake, so I tugged him in bed. When I came back my parents had already left and Matt was lost in his thoughts, a grin fixated on his lips making my curiousity reach to the highest peak.

"Matt?"

"Um hmm."

"Where are we going for dinner?" I never liked being that person who had no idea what was going on and Matt made his mission to not let any information slide because his response was something like this, "Surprise means something which is not to be said to anyone."

I stomped my foot like a kid and started whining about how everyone knew the whereabouts but me. Later, I even tried persuading him by asking him about the theme of the place so that I could dress appropriately according to the venue, but he had planned that too.

"Babe, when have I ever let you wear something according to your taste?" After giving me a wicked smile, he continued, "Your dress is already waiting for you in your closet."

I stomped my foot angrily and crossed my arms over my chest. Suddenly, the morning event started playing in my head and red appeared on my cheeks which did not go unnoticed by Matt.

He gave me a evil smile and spoke, "Looks like you have already received your present."

"I-It's nothing like that." I tried assuring him. The keyword here is 'tried'.

"Then why are you trying to cover it up?" He asked, holding my hand and leading me towards the couch. He sat on the couch and gestured me to do so.

"This is not something I'd go telling people about!"

"You should have thought it before having a scene. Now tell me, who is that bastard?" He rubbed his palms against each other.

"Mr. Steele." I whispered hoping he wouldn't figure out what I said, but luck wasn't by my side and I forgot it was my best friend I was talking about, who had ears of an owl.

For few minutes, he just kept staring at me, blinking his eyes as I fidgeted with my fingers staring at my lap. Suddenly, he jumped and shouted, "I knew it!"

I put my hand over his mouth, shutting him up. "Sam is sleeping in your room. Lower it down!" He nodded, the smile not leaving his lips.

"What are you waiting for? Go on."

It was going to be the most embarassing conversation of my life.

~

"On a range of one to ten, how bangable do I look?" I arched my eyebrow as he look unfazed by his question and continued styling his hairs.

"Bangable?" I chuckled at his amazing use of words as he nodded his head not taking his gaze off the full length mirror.

"Eleven."

He looked at me and grinned, " I was expecting a twelve, but eleven would do." Smoothening his red shirt for the umpteenth time now, he raked his fingers through his hairs. I finished applying my dark nude lipstick and smoothened my skirt.

"I am done." Matt's eyes raked up and down my body and nodded in appreciation.

"You look stunning."

"I always do." My remark made Matt chuckle.

"Look who has gotten all sassy." We both laughed as I stared at my reflection in the mirror. The black sleeveless halter neck top showed some skin where it ended which was paired with golden sequinned skirt which reached an inch or two above my knees. The golden choker which was a gift from my mom went amazing with the dress as I wore matching golden cuff on my left wrist. A ring on my finger and studs on my ears completed my outfit.

"Do I need to grab a clutch or something?" I asked, not exactly wanting to grab a purse.

"Fine, but this time I am not going to keep your lipstick and phone in my pocket!"

"It's your job."

"I am your best friend, not your chauffeur." He complained, but I didn't argue much because at the end of the day, my lipstick and phone were going to end up in his pocket.

"Best friend, chauffeur, same thing."

"Hey!" He whined as I pushed him out the room.

"Go and call Sam, I will be waiting for you by the door."

I brushed my hairs with my fingers for the last time which were falling freely down my shoulders and reaching my waistband.

There was no denying at how much I was excited for this party. I mean, who isn't excited for their birthday parties?After much persuasion, Matt finally gave in and gave me a very small hint which was enough for me to calm my curious nerves. Luke's family owned a huge yard where the party was going to take place and I was more than excited to be there.

I jumped happily and went out of the room, closing the door behind me. The boys were already waiting for me by the door. Saying goodbye to no one in particular, I closed the door behind me and walked to the parking.

"Mattie?" He hummed in response as I tossed the keys of my car at him.

"You drive." He groaned, but didn't argue. I sat on the passenger seat and Sam sat on my lap. He doesn't like sitting alone at the back and this is the reason why most of the time he is seated on lap.

Twenty minutes and six songs of Drake later, we were parked outside Luke's yard. It was half past eight and the night had already fallen. The night was kind of chilly and the stars already started appearing in the sky. There were very few houses at a very large distance making the area eerily quiet.

Matt got out from the car and rubbed his palms excitingly as I watched him amusingly. He was definitely more excited for my birthday than me. Slowly, we walked towards the entrance and as soon as I was about to step in, he stopped me and I gave him a confused look.

"Let me go first." I looked at him as if he was crazy, but ignored nonetheless.

"Come on, champ." He hold Sam's hand who was also dressed in red shirt and faded denim.

"It's your turn, now."

Slowly, I stepped my foot inside and people hollered and clapped. All I could hear was people loudly singing 'Happy Birthday' when suddenly all the lights turned off and the only thing lighting was the screen. A photo popped up on the screen and my instant reaction was to glare at Matt.

That little rebel!

The photo of my childhood when I was a chubby one year old kid was displayed on the screen. I was literally the chubbiest kid with my cheeks falling down and me posing at the camera with a wide grin showing my four teeth and making a face which was probably as a balloon. Some laughed and some 'aww'd at the picture. Next photo was a bit decent with me being two years old and trying to wear tiara in my pink baby suit.

Slides after slides, pictures after pictures, my journey from being a baby to being a teen slided on the screen. Finally came the picture of me and Matt when he first met my parents. We both were looking goofily at each other and it brought a smile on my face. Next picture was of halloween where we both were dressed as sexy police officers. My cheeks instantly flushed at the picture because I was literally wearing the tightest and the shortest piece of fabric.

Note to self- Remind me to kill Matt later.

The next picture was when we both were sitting in a rollercoaster where I was laughing like a madwoman and Matt was shrieking like a kid. A laugh escaped my mouth remembering that day. The next pictures were of the photo boot, where we both were posing like crazy. From duck face, to pout, to faking horror, to making the weirdest faces in the history, finally came the photo of Matt, Sam and me. I still remembered that day like it was yesterday.

That picture was taken by my dad just one hour after I adopted Sam. I was gushing about how cute Sam looked and Matt kissed my cheek saying, "Now, you are being extra cute." At that exact moment dad took the picture and it was one of my favourite picture till date. It looked too cute with Matt kissing my cheek and me smiling at Sam who was looking at the camera. That picture was still hanging on my wall.

It was perfect.

The slide ended with the last photo which was taken today where I was standing in the middle and everyone was pointing their fingers at me. On the top of the picture, birthday girl was written in bold and now, would be the perfect moment for me to cry and smudge my liner and mascara. It was all too overwhelming for me.

"Let the night begin!" Matt said enthusiastically on the mic as people clapped and hollered loudly. The lights turned on and my mouth opened at the sight. There were red roses and red balloons everywhere. The section of the yard which was protected by roof was fully covered with red balloons and lightings and there was also a small bar at the side. Every single person standing was wearing red and I could feel a tear rolling down my cheek as I couldn't control the happiness flowing inside of me.

Red was my favourite colour.

My eyes landed on Cathie who was  wearing a red dress with sweetheart neckline and a small diamond forming right below her chest. Her hairs were curled into light waves and out of the corner of my eye, I could see Luke staring at her. No matter how much they fight, I could feel the tension radiating off of them. There was definitely some connection which they both were trying to ignore. Smiling, I shook my head and walked towards ny parents who were talking with our relatives.

I didn't know relatives were also invited.

As the night continued, I was greeted by the people who worked at the company, my uncles and aunts, some acquaintances and all my friends and family and then my eyes landed on someone whom I was not looking forward to meet. He was already staring at me  with his  blue eyes roaming up and down my body taking every inch of it made my cheeks hot. He was standing by the bar wearing a black blazer over a red shirt, paired with black jeans and black shoes. His hairs were styled into perfection and I couldn't help myself to tear my gaze away from him.

What was he doing here?

"Do you like it?" Matt's voice brought me out of the trance and I hugged him tightly.

"Other than the fact that you decided to display my childhood pictures in front of everyone, I loved every bit of it. Thank you. Thank you for being a part of my life Mattie and I mean it." He smiled and waved his hand dismissively.

"Stop with the formalities. It was the least we could do."

"Erm, Matt?"

"Yes?" His eyes boring into mine.

"What is he doing here?" I pointed my finger towards Mr. Steele who was busy talking with someone.

"He is the one who made it all possible." My eyes shot at this and I waited for him to continue. "Cathie requested him to take you out for a meeting or something so we could plan all this and the surprising part is, he agreed with no questions asked."

My eyes automatically drifted to where he was standing earlier only to find the place vacant. A frown appeared on my face as I raked my eyes searching for that one particular face. Sighing, I stared at the stars which wer twinkling in the sky like diamonds and raising the beauty of the sky.

Suddenly, I felt a warm hand on my waist as someone pulled me from behind. It was weird how my body was very familiar with the touch and with the warmth of the hand. Goosebumps erupted on my skin when his lips touched my ears and whispered, "Wanna dance?" I looked around only to find Matt gone.

Not waiting for my reply, he pulled me towards the dance floor where everyone was dancing on some slow song. We were standing in the middle of the floor swaying our bodies with the beat of the song.

"You look beautiful." I blushed and muttered a small 'thank you'. He leaned down as his lips touched the corner of mouth and stayed there for few seconds. Pulling his lips away, he whispered in my ears,

"Happy Birthday, Sienna."

•••••••

This long chapter is my way of saying sorry. Sorry for not updating last week. It was not possible for me to update with Ramadan going on and I won't be able to update next week too, so sorry in advance. I will try my best, but I can't promise anything.

Ramadan Mubarak 🌟

Love you.