𝑼𝒏𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 (𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟎)

ˑ༄ؘ ۪۪۫۫Finger Paintingˑ༄ؘ ۪۪۫۫

It's only one-fifty in the afternoon and Jai has counted a total of five times that Shekar has told him happy birthday. Is it starting to get a little annoying? Yes, but the effort is still appreciated. Jai emerges from his room in a clean set of clothes, his head down as he's replying to a few happy birthday messages from some distant friends and family members.

"Happy birthdaaay," that deep, smooth voice lifted Jai's head.

A closed mouth smile takes the sting out of his eye roll. "This the sixth time you said it," he says as he slides his phone into his pocket.

"'Kay, but who else gon' fuckin' say it?" Sass is apparent in Shekar's voice as he opens the fridge.

Jai watches with slight excitement as he pulls out a small, unopened cake. He takes a seat on one of the bar stools. "A cake? Really? Ain't that like... too much?"

"Issa cake Jai." Shekar pops the plastic cover off the cake and grabs a nearby plastic bag. He pulls out two candles and sticks them right in the middle of the cake, making the number twenty-two. "Aight, make a wish- wait!" He pulls out his phone to record. "Okay you could go now." Jai dead pans the camera.

"Hurry up, we got shit to do and m'not waitin' fo' you to blow out some candles," Shekar continues to record.

Jai appreciates what Shekar's doing for him. He always took birthdays more seriously than him, probably because his family is so big on them. It's sweet.

"You want me to sing Happy Birthday? cause I could do it. Which one you want, the English or Spanish? Mah Spanish is ass though, choose wisely," Shekar warns him.

"English, please."

"Aight," he clears his throat and begins singing as best as he can. His effort amuses Jai, and still, he appreciates it.

"Blow 'em out."

After taking a deep inhale, Jai blows out the candles, eliciting a "yay" from Shekar. He ends the video and goes over to Jai, wrapping his arms around his shoulders.

"Happy birthday... again," he speaks quietly into Jai's neck. Jai hugs him back, smiling widely. A pair of lips land softly on his cheek, the kiss only lasting a second. A handful of seconds are lost to their embrace before Shekar decides to end it. The light coloring on his cheeks doesn't go unnoticed.

"You could have one slice and then we leavin'."

"Where we goin'," Jai asks as he pulls the cake closer to himself. Shekar hands him a knife and a plate.

"Surprise." He swipes some icing from the cake on his finger and licks it off.

"Where we goin'?"

"Issa surprise."

Jai gives stares at him. "Ion think you heard me, where we goin' nigga? I'm not with the surprises and shit."

"As long as I'm payin', yes you are."

Jai rolls his eyes and takes a slice of cake, making sure to eat fast so that he can find out what this surprise is.

✩

"Yo, we there yet?"

"Do we fuckin' look like we there yet? Ain't shit but trees and the fuckin' highway," Shekar gestures to the road ahead.

"Aight, damn... so is you gonna tell me where we goin' or no?"

He doesn't answer. He looks straight at the road, making sure he's on the right path.

"Shey... Shey. Where we goin'? Huh? Where we goin'? Shey, Shey, Shey. Shekar. Shekar. She-"

"I'a crash this car right now. I swear to God, Imma do it. On mah momma, I'a crash this shit with both us innit." He grips the steering tighter.