Introvspect

Chapter 12 (A Birthday Treat)

Jasie and Yoona blew out each of the 16 candles on their own specialized birthday cake, a mango flavoured one for Jasie and a chocolate flavoured one for Yoona.

All close families were present in the large dining room of the mansion. Both of the birthday celebrants were seated right in front of the long dining table and their pictures were being shown on the projector screen.

They had a colored balloon attached on each seat and they were going to have a game later on which involved popping it to see whether there was a piece of paper that would indicate a prize.

Of course, Yoona’s parents were the sponsors. They were indeed very generous people. There was a major prize and two consolation prizes.

The main winner would be able to acquire a brand new high definition television set while the other two would each acquire a brand new laptop. Getting either of them was already considered to be a jackpot regardless.

Their lunch was festive and all mothers cooked their own recipes for all to eat with relish.

“It’s time to open presents!” Yoona’s father called out.

How lovely the day was. They were all together. They were all enjoying a particular celebration of the best of friends who had met each other from a rare coincidence. Jasie considered this day the most special of them all.

She wondered whether other people had this privilege. They were really blessed and they should be grateful for that. It was sad to ponder about the poor and the helpless since most of their days were spent in endless suffering.

If only the world was a fair and peaceful place. Jasie really felt guilty having to feel happy. At the same time, she felt dreadful for growing older as time passed by. Well, there was nothing to change about that. It was the circle of life wherein people live to die in the end. She learned to accept that fact.

That was why she also needed to find joy even in little moments, however simple they are. It was the only way one had actually lived to the fullest after all.

Their respective gifts were separately placed at a particular spot with their name on it. Raphael told Jasie to open his gift first since he really wanted to see her reaction.

“It better be good.” Jasie cheerily replied to him.

It was already a routine to supposedly choose the gifts they all had wanted so there was no element of surprise. However, Raphael had that unlucky incident so he made sure to choose what they would like and exerted additional effort just for Jasie.

Yoona was just about to open those placed on hers when suddenly there was a gunshot from outside.

Alexon had just read from the newspaper that a group of thieves were on the loose just within the vicinity. It was fresh news.

Yesterday they had attacked the residence of a well-known politician and they asked for ransom since his child was being held hostage while he was out. It also happened in broad daylight.

Why was it hard to catch them?

They were already labelled as wanted criminals who had disappeared then resurfaced just recently.

They had breached the gates leading to the mansion. It seemed that they have been eyeing the place for quite some time and planned to execute the crime perfectly. Entering the subdivision armed signified that they were experts in their field.

It was also plausible that they were mere residents already from within and decided to disguise themselves for who they really were. Even the security system of the mansion had been hacked to let them in.