OUR STORY✔️

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX: THE DARK MAIDEN

They drove to a resort in which they told her they were going to eat, and she still remained clueless. They came with Angel's car and as soon as they parked, Clarissa brought out a bandanna and asked Zhilan to step out. "A blindfold? What are you guys planning?" She asks curiously. "If we told you then it wouldn't be a surprise anymore would it?" Angel replied. Clarissa wrapped the piece of cloth on her face gently l, covering her ability to see.
They guided her gently and stopped at the entrance of the place. Zhilan kept grinning widely. She tried to feel something with her hands. "Guys?" She called out. "Just a minute, '' Angel replied. Shortly, the bandanna was unwrapped and for a moment her eyes adjusted to the light. When she saw what was in front of her, she covered her mouth with her hands. "Surprise!!" They all sing. Tristan and Nathan were present too.
The entrance had a huge banner hanging on the wall that had "HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZHILAN, WE LOVE YOU" written boldly on it.
"Guys....this is too much" she tried to control the tears that were trying to fall from her eyes. "Oh this is not the best part yet" Clarissa winked.
They asked her to enter the resort and lead her to a small hut occupied by them. She sat down and the rest stood like they were waiting for something. Zhilan looked at them confusingly and before she could ask what was going on, she saw her boyfriend coming out of the hut very close to them. The huts were too good looking to be called huts. They were painted and had walls made of flowers.
Peter comes out with a bunch of Zhilan's favorite flowers, then before she registered what was happening, her parents and his parents followed behind. This time around she had to stand up out of shock.
"Mama, papa..." she sang and hurriedly ran to hug them. She was hugged by Peter's parents who looked really happy. Everyone wished her a happy birthday. Peter went down on one knee and brought out a ring. The girls were all being mushy by now. "Zhilan? I don't want to start telling you how special you are right now because we might never leave this place..." everyone laughed. "You are the most beautiful, caring and very peaceful person I've ever met and I just don't know how to describe how much I love you. I've been confused about a lot of things in my life but if there's one thing I am very certain of, is the fact that I want to spend my life with you" he opens the small box in his hands that has a ring on it.
"Aw," Clarissa muttered. "Yes!" Zhilan screams before Peter even popped the question. "Yes? Yes!" Peter sings excitedly. Their parents all seemed happy, Zhilan walked to her parents with tears in her eyes. They hug her deeply "you've grown so fast. Look at you.Engaged!" Her Mom says with a shaky voice, she clearly sounds proud.
****
"I'm so happy for her. They've been like families to me. I don't know what I'd have done when I just moved here" Angel whispered to Tristan. Everyone was busy chit chatting and laughing. "They seem like great companies, '' Tristan replied. They had a lot to eat and drink.
"Hey, what do you say we take a little break after your play?" Tristan asked Angel whose face immediately lit up. "Yes?." Her answer sounded more like a question.
"Yes. It'll be fun and we can have a nice vacation" he smiled. "I'd love that," Angel replied.

****
"This is my best birthday yet. Thanks to you guys" Zhilan smiled and climbed onto her bed. "I am glad you enjoyed it but right now? Girl gotta sleep. My face is swollen" Clarissa yawns and pulls the covers over her. "I can't believe next year we'll be graduates. It feels like just yesterday when I first met you two" Angel adds. "I know right?" Zhilan replied. "Well, Monday is our play and we have one more practice before then. We better get some rest before tomorrow. Goodnight guys" Clarissa replied. "I love you guys" Zhilan whispered. "Yes you do," Clarissa replied and they all laughed. "Love you Zhilan," Angel says. "Girl, you know I love you" Clarissa finally says before shutting her eyes.
They slide into slumber and prepare for the play.

Monday was quick to arrive and everywhere was busy and crowded. The set was set and Clarissa performed magic as usual for the costumes.
"Come on! We don't have all day!" Mrs. Joan directs the stage.
They were candles, lights, fake moon, fake sun and all sorts of materials.