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Ch 47

IAN

I was at the office bar like every other day. It was that time of the night when no one will bother me.

Ethan: Heya Ian..

Except him. He bothered me in every hour.

Ian: Don't now please.

Ethan: I wouldn't... but it's 11:50 and when it will be 12:00, it will be first July... aka Gabe's birthday. So Paul, Nat, you and Gabe have a conference decided on that time prior to the inconveniences you have created. So you have ten minutes to look normal..

Ian: You are telling me this now!

Fuck! I went to the washroom, washed my face, almost scrubbed my face off with a towel to get rid off the unwariness. By the time I reached my office it was almost twelve. Ethan connected the call with Paul and Nat.

Paul: Hey Ian, long time no see. Where have you been? You don't even pick calls. I know you are busy but I deserve a call back brother.

Ian: Sorry sorry. I will call back from now. Just my mind hasn't been in the right place lately.

Nat: Anything wrong? Can we help?

Ian: Well can you --- you can't.. Only I can help me. And I will. I just need some time.

Paul: Okay. Call Gabe then. It's 11:59.

Ethan: Okay.. Calling Gabe.

The skype logo flashed on the screen ringing to Gabe. I haven't talked to him since... well my birthday. I love my cousin but I am always scared to talk to him. He always saw through me. More than Paul ever did. Paul and me were brothers by blood. Even though our age difference was less than my age difference with Gabe, I bonded with Gabe more. We were alike in ways unexpected.

Gabe: HEYLLO!!

Paul, Nat, Ian & Ethan (in unison): Happy Birthday.. to youuu. Happy birthday to you!! Happy Birthdayyy dear Gabe!! Happy birthday to you!!

Gabe: Of course you are the grownups in this conversation. Thank you.. brothers and Nat.

Nat: How have you been? Is that a little beard, I see?

Gabe: Yeah, I like it..

Paul: That's a interesting way to grow beard. I am gonna ask the question I always ask.... When will you leave the Europeans and come here?

Gabe: I will try to plan a trip to the US but you know me. That trip is being planned for four years or so. I need another set of four years to be totally prepared.

Paul: Just excuses. Well any plans for today?

Gabe: I have woken up.. It's 6:05 right now. I'll probably roam around as it's a Friday so I will go to work. It's perfect as I don't like celebrating birthdays..

Nat: That we figured at 2017.

Gabe laughed. 2017 was the only time we celebrated his birthday together. It was his 18th. The whole time he had a sulky face and was trying hard to have fun but failing.

Gabe: I am thinking to go to the Danube River side after work.

Ian: Not to jump I hope.

Gabe: Shut up Ian.

Paul: Well it's getting late here. We have to sleep but we have some news to give. Nat and I.. We are pregnant..

Ian: What the fuck?? Why didn't you tell me before???

Paul: I have been calling you... You didn't pick up.

Gabe: Congrats!!! I'm gonna be --- wait I am gonna be an uncle. In my tender age... I am just 23.