Darren’s POV
Everyone is already prepared in going to the party, except me. It was still six in the evening and the party will start at 7:30. I still have an hour and half to prepare myself, but I feel like I’m not in the mood. Until I heard a soft knock on the door.
“Chum, can I come in?”, it was Dolly’s voice.
“Yes, come in, sweetheart.”
My sister entered and grinned at me. But she furrowed her brows, upon seeing that I wasn’t ready yet.
“Chum, what’s wrong?”, she asked, and sat beside me on the bed.
“Nothing sweetheart. Uhm you look so pretty my dear sister!?”, I exclaimed, trying to change the topic.
“I know it, right?”, she smirked while intently looking straight into my eyes.
“Chum, you have to get dressed now, we are leaving in thirty minutes. C’mon, what’s wrong with you? What’s that sullen face? Are you not excited for your birthday party, chum?”, she asked while raising one of her brows.
“C’mon! Take a quick shower now, and I’ll prepare the best suit you’ll gonna wear”, Dolly pulled my hand and gave me my bath towel.
I walked into the bathroom, still not in the mood. But I have to suppress what I’m feeling right now for my family and for my group mates who set everything just for this day.
After 15 minutes of shower, I went out, wrapping a towel around my waist. Dolly was still sitting on my bed with a big box beside her.
“Uhm, I have here my birthday gift to you, chum. Take a look at it now. You have to wear this, okay? I personally bought this one in France, and I know this is your favorite”, Dolly said and walked towards the door. But she paused for a while and smiled at me.
“Now, I know why you’re not in the mood, chum. But don’t worry, she will catch your party later”, she said and winked at me.
I hurriedly grabbed my phone that was placed on the bedside table. And there, I read Clarisse’s message. I think Dolly has read this awhile ago because it popped up on the lock screen.
“Hi bubs, I know you wanted to know if Jeyah will come to your party, well, yes, she said she’ll catch later. So be happy, okay?”
After reading it, I couldn’t help but feel excited. I glanced at the box that was placed on my bed. I opened it and found out it was a dark blue-green long sleeve with a brown khaki pants. Together with it was a pair of loafer shoes. I put it on and closely looked at myself in the mirror. I folded the sleeve up to my elbow and tucked it to my waist.
I smiled upon thinking that my sister exerted much effort in buying this kind of clothes, knowing that it’s my favorite. Well, Dolly has really an exquisite taste when it comes to clothing. When I was still in France, it’s always her, who decide on what I’m going to wear every time there’s an occasion.
As soon as I’m done fixing myself, I walked towards the door and went out of my room. I saw mom and my two sisters, waiting for me in the sala. Mom was wearing a maroon evening whole dress and my two sisters were wearing a maxi dress. Housemaids also were already prepared and just waiting for the ‘go’ signal.
“Chum, you look so handsome!”, Dolly exclaimed and grinned at me.
“Yes chum, I agree!”, Daphne seconded.
Mom looked at me and smiled. “The perfect ‘adonis’!
“Thank you so much, my dear mom and sisters, for flattering me around”, I responded, and we all chuckled as we were heading to where I parked my car. Sitting beside me was of Dolly, and in the back seat were mom and Daphne. Housemaids were inside the other car, with a driver we hired just for this day.
After a while, we set off to Mifaña’s Place. It only took a half hour before we reached the party venue.
“Wow, it’s so amazing, chum! I love the ambiance here!”, Dolly exclaimed as we entered the hall.
“You really have hired the best event coordinator, son”, mom spoke as she looked around.
“This is all my group mates’ ideas, mom! Oh! There they are!”, I said.
Mom smiled when she saw Angela and Eduard coming to our direction. The two of them were closed to my family, because we were classmates since elementary.
“Hi tita, Dolly, Daphne! It’s good to see you again!”, Angela said, and kissed my mom’s cheek. Afterwards, she hugged my two sisters. Eduard did the same and pinched Dolly’s cheek.
“You’re big enough Dolly!”, Eduard exclaimed.
“Uhm, yes, I’m big enough and getting even prettier!”, Dolly spoke confidently, and we all chuckled.
I introduced my other group mates to mom and to my sisters. Mom just smiled and complimented that they are all pretty and handsome. Then I led them to the table intended for them in the front. Afterwards, I went back to where my friends are. I glanced at my watch, and it was already 7:15 in the evening. It’s fifteen minutes more to go before the program will start. I suddenly feel uneasy thinking that Jeyah is not yet around.
“Have you guys, already received Jeyah’s text?”, I asked anxiously. They all shook their heads, and it made me feel even more uncomfortable.
“Bubs, relax. I know she is on her way now”, Angela spoke.
“But her phone is not yet ringing”, Clarisse butted in.
“Relax bro. Let’s just wait for a while. Anyway, we can still extend the program for another fifteen minutes, right?”, Eduard tapped my shoulder.
I just nodded, but deep inside, I started to feel upset. I sat on a couch while my friends were anxiously looking at me. My eyes were fixed at the entrance door, and so I could immediately see her if she comes in. I kept on looking at my watch, and it’s now 7:30. My other friends, and classmates, were already settling in, and it’s not good to keep them waiting. I stood up and was about to give signal to the emcee, when the sliding door opened, and I saw Jeyah entering the hall. All eyes were set on her, full of admiration, as she walked towards our direction. She is indeed gorgeous and stunning in her long powdered blue maxi dress. Happiness enveloped my heart, the moment she stared at me and our eyes met.