Shocked

“A kiss.”

I could hear my heart that was thumping so fast. The raise in my body temperature was evident to say my cheeks had turned red, even though I couldn’t see it.

“W-what…” I stuttered.

“One kiss, one piece of information.” He winked in a flirty way.

I pushed him by his chest as he raised his hand to stroke my cheeks. He started to laugh as I shouted “You pervert!”

He wouldn’t stop laughing while I threw daggers with my eyes. “Stop playing with me. I’m going to kill you.”

“You should have seen your face.” He continued to laugh.

As I kept glaring at him, he said “Oh, don’t be sad, if you want you can kiss me.”

“Not kiss… I’m going to kill you.” I hit him with my elbow.

Then we became silent and kept enjoying the view. As I looked at the water in front of me, I started to have a weird imagination of going on an Ocean trip that made me wonder if Hayden ever traveled by sea.

I asked “Ever done sea travel?” I suddenly remembered how he never had the chance to enjoy himself at the amusement park. Before he could answer, I said “Forget it. You might not have had the chance. You even didn’t have the chance to enjoy little things…”

He didn’t let me finish my sentence “I own yachts.”

I zipped my lips as I heard him. Such a fool I was to ask that question.

“You enjoy big things, I guess.”

“Is that a big thing for you?”

“For a girl, who has never done it. Yes, it is a big thing.” I let out a sigh. Then I looked at him and asked “So, what is a big thing for you, Hayden?”

“Nothing.” He said. Then after a few seconds, he said “Maybe, everything.”

“I should not ask you these things.” I scoffed.

Our conversation was interrupted when I got a call from Eric. I kept my conversation less as I couldn’t make Hayden wait. As soon as I cut the call, Hayden asked “Eric?”

I nodded.

“Are you seriously dating him?”

“We are not sure. It’s like how we used to spend during our school days but our bond strengthened.”

He didn’t say anything but I noticed his face turning serious and I could see something on his face – Jealous. Would I be thinking highly of myself if I say that?

“Hayden?”

“That’s nice. Be with someone, who doesn’t put you in any dangerous situation.” He shifted his gaze away. “Be with Eric.”

And, it hurt me a little but I was not sure of the reason. I couldn’t even understand why I kept recalling the situations when he made me feel I was so special to him.

Could it be considered as overthinking?

Suddenly, the environment between us turned silent. Neither he spoke nor I. After he got a notification on his cellphone, he broke the silence and said “Serena! Shall we leave? I have to go somewhere.”

Though I insisted on going by myself, Hayden dropped me at my home and then he left.

_____

Birthdays never excited me as it was not the actual day I was born rather it was the day I was taken by an orphanage. Even though Eric and Mira were excited to celebrate my birthday, I couldn’t get the excitement they were expecting from me.

Mira and I went shopping to buy the birthday dress for the birthday party and after a long while, we selected a white knee-length frock and paired it with heels.

Then we ended up at Domino’s and started to have our pizza. While we both were having our conversation, I got a call from Eric asking me to meet him after the birthday celebration. After I cut the call, Mira shouted “We all decided to celebrate together. Why does he want to meet you specifically?”

“I’ll tell you after I meet him.”

She rolled her eyes. She kept silent for a few seconds and then she shouted “David expressed his feelings on my birthday.”

“So?”

“Maybe Eric will also do the same thing.”

“Stop imagining.”

“I am pointing out the possibility.” She scoffed. “You and me, we both know how much Eric wants you. He even took you out on a date, what does it mean?”

“True but…” I pressed my lips together as I started to recall every moment I spent with Eric.

“Stop thinking.” She cupped my cheeks. “Do you know what your problem is?” she didn’t give me the chance to reply. “Your overthinking. Stop thinking too much.”

“No Mira. It was…”

“Answer my questions without thinking much.” She said. “Eric is your first crush and you are happy with him, aren’t you?” she posed a quick question.

I nodded.

“Eric makes it obvious about having feelings for you, doesn’t he?”

I nodded again.

“There you go.” She smiled. “You like him. He likes you. Confusion cleared.”

There was a lot to think about it but she cleared it within seconds. Should I have called her a genius?

Then we spent some time together roaming around the streets before we reached my house. As no one would be there at my place, we thought it would be a convenient place for celebration.

Invitations were sent to only a few people and even among those guests, I waited for one person, who didn’t show up.

“It’s party time,” Mira shouted excitedly after I cut the cake at twelve, and everyone started to dance, having their drinks.

As everyone kept enjoying, I sat on the sofa and waited at least for his call but I didn’t receive it. It might be childish of me but it made me feel I was not as important to Hayden as I assumed. When I was feeling a little low, Eric extended his hand, asking me for a dance. Though I kept rejecting to involve in dance, he dragged me towards him and made me dance. My lips curved up with a small smile and within a few minutes, even I began laughing and enjoying myself with all others.

In the morning, everyone left for their houses after they came into consciousness from their drunken state. After they all left, I took bath, had my breakfast, and then checked my cell phone to see Hayden’s message.

Hayden – Happy birthday.

Just like him, his message was lifeless and soulless. I thanked him through the text and put my cell phone away.

I spent the whole day watching N*****x and chatting with uncle Otis, who left for Switzerland a few days before to meet his children. In the evening, I booked a cab to reach the hotel, where Eric asked me to meet. It was an expensive hotel that was not meant for people like me but I couldn’t turn down Eric’s request.

Though I was sure that Eric wouldn't let me pay, I brought my saved cash only to not be embarrassed before everyone.

As I reached the garden area, I saw Eric. With a bright smile on my face, I stepped forward but then I halted my walk when I noticed him with a girl. I stood beside a tree, not knowing what to do. I expected a big surprise from Eric and as I expected, he surprised me but not with gifts but by kissing a girl.