Chapter 3: Birthday goes wrong

I went downstairs and met Ara in the kitchen

"Hey," I said

"What's up with you?" I added

"I'm supposed to be asking that Ella" She faced me with a frown

"I came to call you the other time and mistakenly heard your conversation with Ian" She added

"Oh that" I mouthed

"Is it true?" She asked softly

"Yea but don't be sorry, I'll find another job real soon" I gave her an assuring smile

"Now let's forget about it, what are you cooking?" I asked

"Oh this"

"Spaghetti meatballs" She winks, I chuckled

"My favorite" I smile at her

"Let me help" I added and we started cooking together

After some minutes, we were done cooking and I took it to the sitting room after dishing it on two plates, my house doesn't have a dining

She came to join me after washing her hands 

We turned on the television and the movie "imitation" was being played

I'm a fan of Korean movies anyways

    Looking at how serious Ara is, you'll think she was watching more than this movie

She looks so serious and I'm sure she wouldn't like it if someone distract her

I took her plates from the table since she was done and packed them in the kitchen then washed it

I came out after washing it and meet Ara still in the same position I left her

"Ara, goodnight," I said

She only waved her hand at me, I chuckled

She then face me with a confused face

"What?" She mouthed

"Nothing" I laughed

"Hey, don't let me catch you" She shouts

"Never mind" I wink looking at her

I jogged to my room and jumped on the bed

"I can't believe I've lost my job," I thought and sigh

I turn on my bed and slept off

(Next morning)

I woke up with a yawn

Checking the time I gasped

"Oh my God, I'm so late to work" I shout then remember I'm no longer working there

I sigh and stood up going to the bathroom

I brushed my teeth and took my bath before wrapping a towel around my body and going to my room

I cream my body and dressed up simply

"Today is my birthday but no one is calling to greet me," I thought sadly

Maybe they have a surprise

I went out of my room and met Ara cooking in the kitchen

"Good morning Ara" I smile at her

"Morning Ella"

"And happy birthday best friend" She shouts

"Thought you forgot" I scoff

"Never happening" She winks

"Sit down, let me cool for you, it's your special day," She said

"Yuppy" I smile at her sitting down and watching a movie

She finished cooking and serving it

"Thanks, baby," I said 

I started eating slowly

"Did Ian call you?" Ara asked

I choked on my food coughing, she quickly gave me water

"Sorry" She apologized

"Thanks" I cleared my throat

"He didn't call me since last night" I sigh

"Common, don't worry"

"He may be busy, you know he can't forget your birthday for anything" She winks

"Yea" I smile eating my food

After eating, we cleared the plate and washed the plates

I suddenly felt sleepy after eating

"Ara..." I yawned

"Don't worry, you can go and sleep, " She said

"Okay," I said walking sleepily to the bedroom

I fall onto the bed and slept off

(Evening)

I stretched my body looking around

"How come I slept too much," I thought after seeing the weather

I yawn again and stood up to go to the sitting room but I met no one there

"Ara" I called but got no answer

"Ara"

"Clara" I called more loudly

I sigh thinking maybe she had gone out

"Maybe I should call her," I thought then went back into my room to take my phone and dialed her number

She didn't pick up her calls and I started getting worried

"Common, maybe she's just busy" My mind reminds me

Yea, that may be right

And now that I remembered, no one greets me happy birthday apart from her not even Ian

Maybe I should get ready and go to Clara's house now

By the time I'll leave Clara's house, it'll be night then I'll just sleepover at his place

Yea, I already decided to let go of my pride for him

I already keep him waiting for long

I had a quick shower and then changed into another dress

I straighten my hair and then applied some makeup to my face

I picked up my bag and phone and then went outside

I decide to take a cab to her place after checking the time

I arrived at her place 30minutes later

I got down and paid the cabman, going in, I knocked on the door but got no reply

"Where is she anyway?" I thought frowning

I decide to call her again but she's not picking up

I wanted to call again when my mom call came in

"Hi mom" I picked up after the third ring

"Sweetheart," She said I smiled

"Is that Isabel darling" I heard dad's voice and roll my eyes

"Happy birthday honey, sorry it's late," Dad said 

I smile sadly

"Thought you wouldn't call" I scoff

"You know we love you, honey, even if we don't call, we still wish the best for you," Mom said

"Yes mom, I know" I smile

"So where are you right now sweetheart," Mom asked

"I'm at Ian's house" I lied

"Oh"

"Extend my greetings to him" Dad shouts

"Okay dad," I said and chuckled

"Come home tonight honey, your mom cooked your favorite" He added

"Yes dad, I'm coming" I smile

I'll never miss mom cooking for anything, I'll just forget about passing the night at his place

"Bye dad gotta go," I said

The call dropped and I stopped a cab going to Ian's place

When I got there, it was more silent than usual

I felt goosebumps in my body and for some unknown reason I felt uneasy

I knocked on his door but he isn't answering me

I opened his door and it was opened, I went in and close it

I turned back and the sight I met made my eyes watered

"Ian..."

........................TBC.....................