WHEN THE END BECAME HER ONSET...

2. Gifts and surprises

I went downstairs, Samuel and Amelda had already left when we finished studying.

'Nancy I've got all the stuff, come on help me to take things inside, my dad called my mom while he was carrying the bulk of things in his hand.

'John I'm working in the kitchen, just ask Es to help you, my mom replied.

I went quickly to help my Dad.'Dad, why have you got this much stuff, is there any party tonight? I asked curiously.

'Yes, sweetheart there is a party tonight'.

I went towards my brother Jerome, who was resting on the sofa.

'Do you know that there is a party tonight 'I asked giving him an annoying look.

'do you need an answer or the truth?' he replied.

'just stop getting on my nerves and speak the truth' I replied in an angry tone.

'Okay listen, yes there is a party tonight. Happy now?' he replied.

I rushed towards my mom and asked her in an angry tone, 'mom why am I the only one who doesn't know about the party till now?'

'Sorry sweetheart, you were studying and I forgot to inform you, she replied with a smile.

'What do you mean mom, you forgot to tell me. And how can you_' before I could say anything else Jerome started laughing like a kid.

'You are adopted, I told you, that's why mom didn't tell you, he said while laughing. He couldn't control himself and fell on the floor. Sometimes I want to kill this person. But I know he loves me more than anyone else in the family. Big brothers know. There's just 1-year difference between us though. But we both enjoy teasing each other like the matter with Sam. Sam is not my brother though ha-ha!

'Shut up Jerome', I shouted while hiding my feelings about how adorable he looked at the moment.

'Mom, why didn't you tell me and what is the party for?', I asked while turning towards her.

'You will get to know sweetie, it's a surprise, she said.

'Okay fine, as you wish'.

I went to help my mom at work when the doorbell rang. My brother went to open the door. I don't know what the party is about and why the hell isn't anyone telling me?

'Hey, guys, how are you doing? I heard Jerome greeting some people. I went to see who it was.

'Hey guys, what a surprise, I said in an excitement

My all friends were together, Emily, Daniel, Samuel, and Amelda.

Emily: she is the shortest among us but is too lovely. She is a mature and beautiful girl. She joined our school two years back when she shifted from New York. She was all alone and new here, so we thought to make friends with her.

Daniel: He's Sam's best friend among boys and also friends with us girls as he was a companion of Sam since childhood. He is handsome but not as much as Sam. Sometimes I wonder why I praise Sam so much. He's just a friend to me, isn't he?

'Hi Es', they said in unison.

I just saw Samuel and Amelda a few hours before so I went towards Daniel and Emily and gave them a tight hug.

'Happy to see you, I said with a smile on my face.

'Yup Es we are happy too', Emily said while hugging me again.

I was really happy to see my all friends together. It might be a family dinner. But it doesn't look like one. And mostly when we're having a family dinner then there's just us and Samuel's family. We are very close to each other for many years. It doesn't look like two families but just one happy family. I remember when I was a small kid, we had dinner with Sam's family and enjoyed the time.

'Where are David and Daisy Samuel?', dad asked when my friends were making themselves comfortable on the couch.

'Mom and dad had some work, they will be here in a few minutes, Samuel replied.

'Alright, we're going to have fun tonight'.

We were just chilling and playing our all-time favorite game, truth 'or dare. Today we enjoyed ourselves a lot as everyone was here and we even made Sam dance., He doesn't know how to dance. Soon David and Daisy entered.

'Hello everyone, Daisy said.

Daisy is an amazing woman, I like her company a lot. She's like my second mom. She does care about me as she cares for Sam.

'Hi Daisy', I said while hugging her. She responded with enthusiasm.

'Hello Es', David said with a smile.

'Hello Dave, nice to see you, I said

It was around 7 pm when my mom said, 'Es, go and change into good clothes'.

'Okay mom', I said and went to change my clothes. What should I wear? If I knew what was the party about I could choose but what now. I quickly changed into some casual dress that could be worn at a party as well. When I went downstairs, what I saw surprised me.

'Happy birthday Estella', all said in unison.

Oh god, how could I just forget my birthday? It was my nineteenth birthday today. I was too busy during the past few days with my school tests that I forgot everything.

'Oh my god, I forgot about it, I said in a shocked voice.

'Yes you did, my mom said while taking me towards the hall.

Everyone wished for me and gave me beautiful gifts. We danced, sang, and played many games together. Most of the people gave me gifts related to school stationery and stuff. But I hoped for something else.

'Cake time', Jerome shouted while carrying a huge cake. It was a beautiful white plane cake but one thing made it special, it had my picture on it.

'Oh, Jerome thanks a lot, love you bro', I said while hugging him.' This cake is damn beautiful. How did you people get an idea about this? I am loving this.

'Stop this emotional drama kiddo I know you inside', he said while hugging me back. I rolled my eyes at him. He often calls me kiddo to tease me but I love it.

'Come on, now let's have dinner together', my mom shouted from the kitchen. We all had dinner and everyone was busy talking about their plans meanwhile I was lost somewhere in my imagination. This was the most amazing surprise for me. Everyone made me feel so special. I got a lot of gifts which didn't praise me that much but that's alright after all they're going to help me in school. Everyone was leaving when I realized something, "My Diary".