BANE OF HIS EXISTENCE

CHAPTER 31: I MISSED YOU.

DREW.

I savored the taste of my drink, feeling a sense of satisfaction washing over me as I took in the vibrant atmosphere of Maya's birthday party. My mom had truly outdone herself in planning this celebration. The sheer amount of pink decorations was staggering, yet somehow, they managed to create a cohesive and visually stunning setting.

I couldn't help but think back to the previous day's events, where my mom had hosted a coming-out party for Maya, introducing her to the society as a young woman. It was a traditional ceremony, one that my mom's social circle held dear. I had to admit, it was a beautiful and meaningful experience, one that I knew my mom and Maya would cherish forever.

A pang of sadness struck me as I thought about Maya's mom, who had passed away. I knew that if she were alive, she would have moved mountains to make this birthday party special for her daughter. I could almost imagine her smiling down on her daughter, happy to see her her surrounded by love and celebration.

I smiled to myself as I scanned the lively party scene before me. Today's celebration was a stark contrast to the more formal, traditional affair of the previous day. This was Maya's party, tailored to her tastes and preferences, and it was clear that she was thrilled.

The guest list was a veritable who's who of our school's social elite, and they were all letting loose and having the time of their lives. The music was pumping, the food and drinks were flowing, and the atmosphere was electric.

I had to hand it to my mom - she had truly outdone herself. The attention to detail was impressive, from the elaborate decorations to the delectable spread of food and drinks. It was clear that she had spared no expense in making sure Maya's twentieth birthday party was an unforgettable celebration.

As I reflected on the unresolved tension between Maya and me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of regret and longing. Our last encounter had ended poorly, with me standing there in stunned silence, unable to process my emotions.

Even during our match while I was out of town, Maya had been a constant presence in my mind, distracting me from the game. I had to force myself to focus, to be present in the moment, because I knew how much winning meant to me and my team.

The uncertainty of Maya's well-being had been eating away at me, and I had eventually mustered the courage to call Hossein during one of our breaks. I apologized for my earlier outburst, and we spoke at length about everything except Maya. However, being the perceptive and kind person he was, Hossein sensed my concern and reassured me that Maya was okay. He also mentioned that she had been avoiding him too, which didn't surprise me given the circumstances.

What did surprise me, though, was when Hossein revealed that Maya had harbored feelings for me for a long time. He also shared that they had bonded over his secret, which he had eventually confided in Min and me. I felt a sense of clarity wash over me, as if the pieces of a puzzle were finally falling into place. Hossein's awkwardness around girls, except for Maya, now makes sense. And Maya's feelings for me... I wasn't sure how to process that information, but I knew I had to try.

As I scanned the vibrant party scene, my eyes searching for familiar faces, I couldn't help but feel a sense of relief wash over me. Everything was back to normal in my friend group now. And oh, I kinda told my friends I had feelings for Maya. The confession still felt a little surreal, but it was out in the open now. So, we had a lot to talk about and we agreed that there were no more secrets no matter what going forward.

As I continued my search for my friends, my gaze drifted across the crowded room, taking in the laughter, music, and colorful decorations. The air was electric, filled with the excitement of celebration. Speaking of friends, where are they? I wondered, my eyes scanning the sea of faces.