5

Lily

I was already getting tired of the so-called celebration. But why are we invited? Simply because we were part of Dad's family. It is not compulsory for us to participate. My father insisted on our joining, and here we are.

"Do all of these people have any relationship with his wife?" I inquired in my mother's ear. She was standing front of me, and as a timid girl, I was basically hiding from everyone. I notice myself introvert when I meet new individuals.

"I'm not sure," she said. I was intrigued. How can one celebrate his wife's birthday when their employees have nothing to do with her? Is she a coworker or an ex-coworker?

Curiosity reaches its peak, and I sighed.

"Jaa Lily, go lily, bring the cake," my mother said. Why me? Why should I bring it? I don't know anyone around here. I gave her a questioning look, "Why do I have to do that?" But all she does is wrinkle her brow, forcing me to walk inside. I looked around, and there was a cake set aside like a trash can. People are uninterested in sweet stuff. And, as much as I love cake, I can't wait to eat it. I take a sniff, and it smells pleasant. Then someone barged in, and I was physically startled by their presence.

"Did I terrify you?" She was the individual. She was tall and attractive, with a little mole on her top lips. She looked lovely in a classic salwar kamiz. An Indian outfit.

"No" is my word limit, and it might kill me at any time. I should be more approachable to others. But my throat becomes dry before I can speak.

"Are you going to pick up the cake?" I nodded as she pointed to the cake. She shifted her gaze and discovered the candles. Candles, sure. We left after she chose the candles.

When they discovered we were delivering the cake, everyone perked up. The lady which was with me, assisted me in placing the cake on the table and then stood back. I placed the candles on the cake, avoiding the center of his wife's name. I straighten up and look around before backing away as my gaze is drawn to one man.

Okay, it may be an illusion. I'm seeing someone I met a few hours ago. Was I obsessing about him too much? Now my thoughts is messing with my emotions. My ears turned bright crimson. My palms start to sweat. My heart was racing, and I stared forward, fearful that they might hear it. I couldn't see him because I was too surprised. I'm losing feeling in my legs.

I worked so hard to get my legs back. And ultimately succeeded. I was at a location where neither I nor him could see each other. I touched my heart, and it was racing. Despite being a few inches taller than my mother, I hide behind her. I ventured to turn away, but my heart said no. But I turned away. And I didn't notice him.

I was aware of it.

It Was

Illusion

To calm my rushing heart, I took a long and deliberate breath. I was using my dress to scrub my palms. After then, someone launched confetti from a cannon, which caught everyone's attention. Everyone applauded, and I did as well. I continued to take deep breaths to relax myself.

Rain began to fall heavily, and I felt a profound cold sweep through my body. I peered out the balcony window.

Heavy rainfall.

I despise rain.

On my thoughts, I said again and again.

"Okay, have a cake," someone appeared out of nowhere in front of me. I glanced at the individual for at least five seconds to regain my calm, as he was waiting for me to take a mouthful.

I returned him with a grin. I can't even express my gratitude.

Why?

My throat felt parched.

Reason?

Him.

We all ate cake and chuckled at the amusing things they were chatting about. Because the space was tiny, everyone congregated in one spot. I sat in a chair, gazing out the window. I couldn't see anything since everyone was in front of me. I flipped through my phone.

My mother is standing in front of me, staring at me.

"Stop looking at your phone," she gasped, grabbing my phone and forcing me to rise up from my seat.

"Mom, give me back," I yanked from her grasp. She'd murder me if she saw my screen. My conversations with someone, her pervert daughter.

"Enjoy this, don't spend everything on your phone," I oohed, before switching off the phone and slipping it into my pocket. When I have nothing to do, I fold my hands out of habit.

Every one of them emerges from the entrance, one by one, and I stand dumbfoundedly starring at each of them.

"Where are we going?" I ask, holding my mother's clothing. She turned to face me.

"Restaurant, the birthday person is feeding us on a feast"

"Oh" is all I could reply. I accompanied everyone. I sat in the car as we headed to our destination. Of course we don't have a car, the birthday wife of his, asked us to join in their car, so we agreed. We don't have other choices.

Everyone had gathered there, and we were the last to arrive. Of course, the driver was sluggish.

I get out of the car and consider photographing the restaurant's interior.

I spotted him once more when I pulled out my phone to start taking images of the scene after the video.

I saw him again.

So that wasn't a trick of the light.

He was taking photographs. Then I put down my phone to look at the images. And then he turned to face me, already aware that I was gazing at him. When I put down my phone, he was captured on it.

Shit.

He could condemn me for following him around.

That I am not.

I cracked a smile.

I'm not sure why. I. Did.

He, too, grinned.

What the **** is going on?

He was making his way towards me.

No.

Wait.

I took a step forward.

I cast a peek at him.