Chapter 5 - Birthday Plans

"Water?" Joel asked with concern, his head spinning with so many thoughts he couldn't voice out.  He tried his best to look neutral but internally, he wasn't satisfied with Estelle's behavior and the answers she gave him but he trusted her so much and wished and couldn't suspect anything. He felt she just needed time like be needed to tell her about himself too. She wasn't the only one with secrets after all.

Estelle's nods in the affirmative, as she felt fire in her nose. She coughed involuntarily, making the food divert it's way from her esophagus to her conchae. It was a short burning pain, slowly eased by the warm water Joel held to her mouth which she gulped down impatiently, easing her discomfort.

"Thank you" she whispers with glassy eyes. Joel waited till she finished eating, not wanting to say anything to make her choke as before.

"Babe, you are getting me worried. Ever since the interview, you've been acting all weird. Am not complaining. Just honestly concerned."

" Am sorry, I appear to be this way. Everything is so overwhelming right now," she apologized.

"I should be more sensitive. Please forgive me. I just thought that instead of wasting money hiring a hotel, we could use your house instead because it's equally beautiful, even more than a five-star hotel," He said apologetically.

"You don't have to explain. You know above everything and everyone that when it comes to you, nothing is too much. Don't feel bad that you are spending so much. If it makes you feel good, you can take it as a loan and pay it back in ten years." She joked. She knew she can never accept repayment from him but it made her happy to see him smile with relief.

It indeed made Joel feel better because, he knew in ten years, billions of dollars will be nothing to him. Estelle was happy to have succeeded in making him take his mind off having the party in her house. She didn't know how to explain it without telling lies or giving a hint on the kind of person her dad is. It already hurt her so much that she had to lie every time they had a conversation about her parents.

She knows her dad has spies around her since to refused him to give her bodyguards. 

"Thanks, babe, I owe you a lot." He said giving her a peck on the cheek.

" You owe me nothing," she smiles, getting up leave. "You know I hate to drive when it's dark. I'll be on my way home."

"I'll walk you to the car and go meet Pete. We have a few things to discuss concerning our final match with Angels College. Am surprised you cheerleaders are not meeting to put in any new moves," he chuckles.

"Who said we aren't? Just wait till you see what's going to happen." She drives off, waving Joel a hearty goodbye. Joel goes back to meet his team for a meeting before going home.

After their discussion, he calls Pete to help him with his birthday party.

"Hey Dude, have you talked about it to your girlfriend? She might be planning a surprise for you," he says, reminding him of his birthday surprise organized by Estelle last year.

"I know, and I already told her not to." 

"And she agreed? That girl loves you like crazy. Am glad you're going to get married after graduation. If you waste too much time, you might lose her. You should hear the things the guys say about her. They seem to marry her in their heart," he laughed out loud but stops when he sees the frown on Joel's face. He wasn't in any way amused with Pete's words. He couldn't stand a competition when it comes to Estelle.

"They should be prepared to have their hearts broken then because she is mine," he said with pride.

"That's what I told them. But some of them think that Brittany stands a chance with you so they've got eyes on Estelle."

Joel felt his blood boil with anger and his jaws clench with fury. 

"Give me names," he said with an emotionless expression.

"It hasn't gotten to that dude, she's still yours for a fact," he chuckles as they drive to various hotels making inquiries.

Joel was captivated by one of the hotels they visited. It was the most expensive but judging from their offered services, he was determined. They got the quote and for a moment, he thought he needed to get his eyes checked.

"That's outrageous," he lamented. Even Pete agreed it was way too much for a campus party but it meant so much for Joel so he sends the quote to Estelle through WhatsApp. He felt uncomfortable telling her over the phone.

"Don't you think this is too much? We can get quotes from other hotels. I won't advise you to go with it," Pete discouraged.

"A part of me agrees with you but a part of me can't help but do something special for myself, once in a lifetime. After college, there are lots of people I won't get to see anymore. Even most of our closest friends. I just want to keep this memory of college with me," Joel said dreamily. 

"You can still do that in the future after you've worked hard enough," Pete encourages.

"That's true but by then, I won't have everybody here. Most precisely, it will be you, Estelle, work colleagues, and a few others. Don't forget that most students are only schooling here from other states and countries. They will leave immediately after graduation."

"You have a point there. Let's see how we can raise the money," Pete said. Pete genuinely wishes he could help his friend but he knew his parents will never give him such an amount of money and within a short space of time, even if he wants to take up a part-time job to help his friend, it will be practically impossible. 

This party meant so much to Joel because he never had such since he was a child. His parents gave birth to him at an old age and retired from active work when he was just ten. Coupled with sicknesses and all, he couldn't grow up like a normal kid and usually did a few menial jobs. Even before they retired, the best they could completely afford was his educational needs and daily upkeep. There was no room for excess to be wasted on parties.

He saw a text message on his phone and his jaw dropped. He instantly felt dazed. It's not possible. He ignores the text message and checks his banking app and there it is. It's real. He felt relief wash over him but also anxiety. His heart raced, beating as if he had just completed the biggest tournament of his life. She did it like she said she would. Well, she always kept her word but with this, he had mixed feelings. He wanted to call her instantly but with Pete standing there with him, he couldn't let him know that his bills were being footed by his girlfriend.

"Pete, can you give me a second?" He excused himself and secretly went to the manager to make the payment. He transferred the amount into the account number given to him by the manager and got his receipt. All he had to do now, was relax and enjoy the moment but he couldn't do so without speaking to Estelle and properly thanking her. He dialed her number when he got out of the manager's office but no answer. He dialed again but no answer. Maybe she's in the shower or fell asleep. 

But the time if the transfer was just five minutes ago. She can't be sleeping. Most probably, she's in the shower, was the thought most dominant in his mind.

He gets back to see Pete pacing back and forth. His eyes widen when he sees him.

"Dude, where have you been? I've looked everywhere for you?"

"Don't be silly, am not a kid. I was just talking with the manager and he said he could do something about the bill". He said the first black lie that popped into his mind.

"You mean he's going to reduce it?" He asked with excitement.

"Not exactly. Something like an installment plan so I transferred almost everything in my account as a down payment. I think we're good," He said, slapping him on his back. Pete was confused but didn't show it. 

"Great. We should get going then. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow," He smiled. 0

Joel called Estelle again but still no answer. He left her messages but no reply. His first thought was going over to her house but it was already midnight and his sick parents will be worried.

Just as he decided to drive there, a text message blinked on his phone. 'Sorry, I was on the phone with my mum. You must be sleeping now so let's talk tomorrow. I might have to go home immediately but I will wait till after the party. Love you.'

Joel felt something wasn't right but couldn't bring himself to know or understand. There must be something Estelle isn't telling him if she has to stay this long on the phone with her mum.