Heart Struck

Chapter 4

Surprises.....!

As I strolled with Ash towards the school we both remained silent for a few moments. Then I spoke first, "My dad still sends letters to my mom every year on her birthday. 17 years have passed since they were apart. And I found seventeen letters in my mom's closet with the same date but different years. After two weeks this one will come again." I was definitely annoyed, I didn't know what to feel. "Look Jess your dad did the most awful thing. But as soon as your mom left him he realized his mistake. He understood how much he loved your mom. But now he has no other option left than to repent and call her back to him. So don't be upset okay?" I slightly nodded agreeing to what he said. Today surprisingly Andy said nothing to me. No taunt, no fights, no comments. Maybe he had learnt a lesson from that day's fight. I went home and settled on the dining table with Ash. He had something on his mind and he was not sharing it with me this whole week. He promised me to tell me this weekend. I had made lasagna which was Ash's personal favorites.

We ate in silence. As I was cleaning up I asked him about the surprise. He asked me to be ready for going there. It was still afternoon and the sun was clearly visible. He made a call to someone and then said that we were ready to go. "Look Ash, please tell me where are we going, I hate surprises!" Ash laughed, "Come on Jess be a sport and this will be a great surprise, trust me." I groaned, "Okay, fine. Kill me." As we were half way he closed my eyes with a cloth. "Are you kidnapping me?" I couldn't see his expressions, "Gotcha! Yes you are right." I squealed playfully, "So what will be your ransom?" he paused a bit before answering, "I want a truck full of, 'Apple Pie' and 'lasagna' for weekends." We both laughed.

I heard his car brakes shriek. As we stopped, he opened the door for me and showed me the way towards our destination. I could only hear the sound of water and guessed that the beach was nearby. I was eager to know his plans. Finally he opened my blindfolds. I blinked twice before I could realize where we were standing. In front of me was the same enormous cabin we had seen before. But it was surrounded with large wooden planks, paint boxes, tools, furniture etc. I was astounded to see this. I looked at him with unbelievable eyes. He grinned, "So, what do you think? Isn't it cool! We will repair it together and enjoy here. The place only we two know." I smiled, still not believing my eyes. As we reached at the main gate, on the place of its original wooden door, there was a glass door. But it had no knob or handle in it. Ash flashed a smile, he took out a card from his pocket and scanned it somewhere near the door, and the door opened. "Ash how much exactly did you spent on all this stuff?" he smiled and replied; "I spent a few ideas and bought a wonderful surprise for my only best friend." I didn't reply, he handed me my card and we entered. There was no furniture left inside. Ash went outside and bought the wooden planks and tools inside. We started the renovation. The first day went in a swish. Only the old planks were exchanged with the new ones all over the house. It was dinner time and we had to return home.

In a haze I had forgot that only a day was left for my mother's birthday. We reached home and I went upstairs to change, Ash went to his house and returned soon after changing. Ash always had his dinner and lunch with us. He made his breakfast on his own every day. The next day we again went to the cabin and swiped in. As we started the painting job, Ash received a call from someone.

I read his face, immense pleasure swept across his lips. "Hello! Eve, man where are you?" I had never heard him saying this name nor did he ever mention anything about this Eve guy. He continued his exciting talk, "Of course man I have plenty of space at my house. No wait it is our house." Saying this he went to the balcony talking continuously. The happiness on his face was deep. I continued the painting job, giving him some space to talk. For over an hour he was talking. When he kept his phone down, I had finished the whole room. He came inside hoping to resume from where he left. He was rather surprised to see the room done. "Did I take that long?" he asked in astonishment. I smiled, "Well, only an hour." He grinned. "You know who called?" I knew he was dying to tell me. "Nope, I have no idea. Who is Eve anyway?" I asked sounding curious. "Eve is my........" he was interrupted by Al's call. "It's my turn to talk long." I said running towards the balcony. "Hey, Jess. Where are you? I and J are at your home .we are preparing to surprise your mom for her birthday." Of course, my friends did it every year. They had different plans for my mom's birthday. But this year Ash was there. We were planning for this day from a month. We had done everything required. "Al thanks for coming. We are reaching home. Then I will narrate you the plan. Okay?". "Sure, come soon. Bye." She said. I disconnected the call. We quickly came to the car, collected mom's gift and drove home. Al opened the door for us. "Where have you been?" asked J curiously. "Oh, long story. Anyways we have done everything. We planned it one month before. The arrangements are done at Ash's home so that mom doesn't get suspicious. Invitations are already sent. The party is on today night at 12!!" Al and J looked surprised. We usually held a small get together. We went to Ash's place and saw the decorations and arrangements for the last time. The guests had started to arrive. Before 11:30 all the guests were in. It was time for my mom to return. I went to my home and pretended to sleep on the couch. I woke up as she entered. I tried to rub my eyes pretending to be sleepy. "Sorry sweetie you had to disturb your sleep." I smiled "It's okay mom. Get fresh and I will get you something to eat." As she went upstairs I quickly messaged Ash to make a fake call to me after three minutes. My mom came back and I faked baking something. As my mom was about to say something my phone ringed, it was Ash's call. I picked it up, "hello Ash, why did you call so late. Is everything good?" He laughed, "Jess, make it fast. And don't over react." Do I over react? I decided to punch him later. "Ash, I will come right there. Yes mom will also come. You lay on the bed."