Unexpected

• Chapter Thirty-Four •

"It always seems impossible until it's done." ~Nelson Mandela

• • •

There's 3 days until Abel's birthday and I still haven't gotten him a present. Every time I asked him what he wanted he would either say 'whatever you get will be enough for me' or 'being with you on that day is a gift itself'.

While I appreciate the sentiment, it really doesn't help me at all. There's absolutely no way I'm not going to get him a present is there?

Therefore, I've enlisted the help of my fellow friends on this frosty afternoon.

"Evelyn, she's not getting him a pair of socks with waffles on them." Ana says in exasperation.

"But she says they're one of his favourite foods so I don't really see the problem." Evelyn responds back with a casual shrug.

"Evelyn, stop persuading me to get socks. This is his first birthday with me so it has to be good."

Evelyn gives up on her pathetic suggestion and puts them back where they came from. Her obsession with socks is a little bit weird to be honest. At least I know what to get her for her own birthday.

We all venture into another store and I scroll through the several items of male clothing.

Shirts, shirts and more shirts.

Buying clothes as a gift is such a generic and boring thing to do. It's valentine's day, buy your boyfriend a shirt. 10th anniversary? Another shirt. I refuse to fall into the typical category of woman who constantly feel the need to purchase multiple shirts and call it a great gift.

3 hours into shopping and we still haven't found anything.

"Can we take a break? I'm starving." Moans Rani.

Ana and Evelyn join in the complaints and I give in since I'm also feeling hungry. We head to Gourmet Burger Kitchen and grab a table for the four of us. Let me just tell you, this place has the absolute best burgers and chips.

I order a cheese and bacon burger with their skinny fries and an Oreo milkshake. I adore milkshakes; I genuinely feel like I could have one every day and never get tired of it. The others get similar orders to me but replace my milkshake with a regular soft drink. Boring.

I inhale my food crazy fast and slurp down half my milkshake. That was such a satisfying meal. My love for food just keeps on growing.

"Ana, since you've known Abel longer than me, do you have any ideas on what he'd like?" I say.

Ana takes a sip of her drink and thinks for a minute, "Honestly? Not at all. He's never really liked receiving gifts and prefers to give to others. He's weird like that but I'm sure it'll be different getting something from you." Ana reassures me with a nod and smile.

"None of you have been any help today. What was the point of you even being here." I grumble.

"I'm here for the food personally." States Ana.

I shake my head at her and down the rest of my shake.

"Lucky for me, I don't care what you're here for. I am determined to find him a present with or without your help." It's a love hate relationship.

"Be glad I'm even here. I was supposed to meet Jaden today." Rani points out.

We all pay our bills and leave the restaurant.

"You're still stuck on Jaden?" Evelyn asks.

"He's not as boring as he may look, trust me." Rani thrusts her hips forward to emphasise her point. Um, too much information.