by Priyal Jain
CHAPTER 11
I ended my shift, deadly tired. Jake’s band stopped playing before I got free. He was waiting for me near his car.
“Let’s go.”
“I was just waiting for you.” he said, shrugging his shoulder. We sat inside the car and rode off. To end the awkward silence I started the conversation. “So….you never told me about your girlfriend.”
“I don’t have one.”
I am such an idiot. Of course, he doesn’t have a girlfriend or otherwise he would be giving her lift not me.
“Oh! I am sorry.”
“No problems at all.”
“But you must have been in a relationship before?”
“Yes. I’ve had girlfriends, but nothing serious. There is always something missing. I don’t know what but none of my girlfriends seem like the one I want to spend my life with.”
“You know in future, if I will get a chance I’ll choose a perfect girl for you. I am a great advisor. You can ask for my opinion any time.”
“I’ll certainly keep than in mind.”
We kept on cracking jokes and kept on laughing until we reached my house.
“Bye, Jake” I said and went inside my house.
“Hey mom!” I greeted her hugging her from behind.
“Hey, honey. How was your day?” she asked.
“Great as usual.” I replied with a big smile.
“Good. By the way, Becky called and said that she has something important to tell you. So you may call her.” Mom gave me the message.
I nodded and rushed towards the phone and dialed her number.
“Hey Beck. You called?”
“Yes. Ash listen we are planning a surprise birthday party for Jake. And I want you to help us out please.” She said in a hushed tone.
“Jake’s birthday is coming. When?”
“24 Jan. and it is already 3 Jan. You have to help us.”
“Absolutely, I’ll definitely help. I try to help in any way I can. I will get a chance to repay him that way, for all the things he has done for me.”
“Great. You come over at my place tomorrow, after your job, we can sit together and plan everything.” She sounded very excited.
“Okay then, bye, see you tomorrow.” I said and hung upped the phone.
This is awesome; I’ll be able to throw him a birthday bash. It is all so cool. I have never thrown a party before. Okay, now I am exaggerating, I am not throwing the party just helping a bit. Note to self: don’t get carried away, just help.
Okay, now this is not what you mean by help. I have been at Becky’s house for more than an hour now, and we are still not completed with the rough draft of the party. Mostly we have only discussed what I am supposed to do. Seriously, she said help, only help. I thought I would have to burst the party poppers or decorate the cake table. Things like that. But I guess I need to learn the new definition of ‘help’, so I can’t be fooled next time.
To-do list for Jake’s birthday:
1) Convince Justin to give me a 3 day break from 22 to 24 Jan (so I could prepare for the party).
2) Also book the party hall of Crimson Palace.
3) Invite his band members and other friends from the restaurant. (This should be easy; he doesn’t have any friends from the restaurant.).
4) Ask Jake if he wants any particular gift on his birthday but of course not directly. (Now, how the hell to do that?).
5) Pick a shirt for Jake with Becky. (I am sure we’ll end up buying boys sweatshirts for ourselves.).
6) And finally, get Becky ready for the party. (Because everyone knows my choice is the best.).
I just have only few days to do this all.
“I almost forgot, you also have to keep it all a secret, don’t spill the beans you!” she warned me. Like I don’t know the meaning of ‘surprise birthday party’. Wow I am learning mew words.
“Of course Becky I won’t tell it to anyone.” I said with a bit of disappointment. “I think I should leave, it’s getting late.” To be honest I wanted to go until Becky becomes a power craze maniac. She is so excited about this party like she hasn’t gone to one ever.
“Bye, Ash! You are such a darling.”
I went home and told mom and dad everything about the party.
“Nice! I am glad you are doing all of this for Jake. He is a really nice chap” mom said.
“I know, he has been really helpful to me.” I said with a shy smile.
“Is dinner ready?” dad asked, ignoring the piece of information I have just shared. Typical of him.
“Yes, dinner is ready. Both of you set the dining table please.” She said going inside the kitchen.
“Oh yes! You were gonna make lasagna today. I just love it.”I said, really pleased.
“Love, I . . . . . made . . . . . mix . . . mix veg instead.” Mom said guiltily.
“What? Why? Lasagna was the deal.” I said crossly.
“Relax honey, you know that people say mix veg tastes just like the filing of lasagna.” Mom replied.
“Who says that?” I asked, surprised at the non-sense sayings of people.
“Well. . . . . . people who have never tasted lasagna I suppose.”
WHAT?!?
“Look Ash I am sorry. I totally forgot that I was supposed to make lasagna. I will make it some other day, I promise.” Mom apologized, of course melting me.
“It is okay mom. Make sure you make it soon, I mean really soon.” I said focusing on the soon.
“Mother-daughter promise sweetums.” She said, sending me a flying kiss.
“So if everything is settled maybe we should eat, I am starving out here.” Dad, our mute spectator, finally spoke.