First Impressions

Chapter seventeen

A glimpse

New York City,
United States

"Happy birthday to you..happy birthday to you...Happy birthday dear Eva..Happy birthday to you!" they sang in chorus as the birthday girl in her red sheath dress cut the cake merrily.

Cutting out the first slice of her favourite choco chip birthday cake, she fed it to the man standing right beside her wearing a red pulled up sleeved shirt that she chose for him two days back.

As always, this year too, nobody smeared the cream on her face. Last time they had done it which was as long as 3 years back, it was a big mistake and they had to face angry Eva for about two weeks.

A particular 'Beware' note about Eva, before you actually meet her: she turns into Satan when it comes to her hair or face.

So in case you decide to pull her cheeks complimenting her chubby look, just keeping you warned to think twice before doing so.

She giggled and laughed as Jason fed her back a delightful slice of the cake.

Jason is an Indian Christian and so is Eva. Their families had been friends since several years back when they had moved to the states.
They met each other first when they were eleven years old, and when they came to know about their common love for movies, they had almost instantly become friends. Eventually over the years one thing would lead to another and now both of them obviously had something else in mind though it wasn't open and official till now.

"This is for you, Eva." and Paavni handed over to her the gift cover that contained a set of all blue deep sea phone cases Eva had been searching for. And now, her joy had no bounds. She thanked her gleefully, excited to check them all out.

"I wish Sammy was here. She would have been so jealous of these phone cases." Eva said and the others, laughed.

You could imagine Paavni to be a girl who was sweet but spoke limited if not less.
She met Eva and Jason a year back at Monroe University where they are still studying. One funny fact about Paavni: she is agrizoophobic.

Agrizoophobia: fear of wild animals, a type of specific phobia.

That's why when two months back all of them had planned a visit to the city's famous zoo to spend the weekend, she chose to stay home and not accompany them. She could afford to miss the chance of having all the fun but paying a visit to the wild creatures was just not worth a dime.

So despite all the convinces, how much ever they tried to make her overcome her phobia she did not agree to it.
After all a leapord can't change its spots.

And then there are others. They will be talked about sooner or later.

Coming back to the birthday girl who is the Centre of attraction today.

She waited eagerly, eyes twinkling for Jason's gift after all of them had given theirs.

"So What have you got me?". She asked.

"Before the actual gift, I have something for you?"

"You do?"

"Eva." he stated and as his tone turned serious, it didn't fail to grab all the attention.

He took a long pause. Her eyes, twinkled.

"I think, I like you. Would you be my girlfriend?"

The crowd whooped as soon as he said it and waited for her to respond even though they knew what it would be.
Eva instantly grinned widely, the ear-to-ear, extremely delighted grin and -
"Oh my God!" and that was all she said before she jumped up into his arms.