Chapter 6
1075 Words
Ella’s eighteenth birthday arrived with noise, color, and forced excitement.
From morning, the house was alive. Mamacita moved around like a commander, giving instructions. Anita handled decorations, tying ribbons carefully around chairs. Music speakers were tested repeatedly until the bass vibrated through the walls.
Daniel had been there since sunrise.
He fixed the canopy outside, helped arrange tables, carried drinks inside, and even assisted Mamacita in setting up the cake table. By afternoon, no one could even call him a guest anymore. He belonged there. He moved freely, comfortably, like someone who had earned his place.
Anita noticed it. And she liked it.
When guests began to arrive, laughter filled the compound. Girls screamed excitedly when they saw Ella in her fitted birthday dress. Cameras flashed. Compliments flew around.
Ella looked beautiful,Glowing,Confident.
Daniel stood beside her as she greeted people, occasionally leaning closer to hear her over the music. Every now and then, he would adjust something—her sash, a strand of hair that had fallen out of place, the bracelet sliding down her wrist.
Small things.
But Anita saw everything.
Josh arrived late.
He stepped into the compound with slow confidence, scanning the area until his eyes landed on Ella.
And Daniel.
They were standing too close.
Daniel was saying something that made Ella laugh softly, her hand resting briefly on his arm.
Josh felt something tighten inside him.
Jealousy.
His jaw flexed slightly.
He walked closer, forcing a casual expression.
“Happy birthday,” he said flatly when he reached her.
Ella smiled and hugged him quickly, but Josh’s eyes weren’t on her. They were on Daniel.
Daniel nodded politely. “Hey.”
Josh gave a stiff nod in return.
For a second, the air between them felt heavy.
But as quickly as the jealousy rose, Josh remembered something.
He wasn’t here because of love.
He wasn’t here because of attachment.
He liked Ella for what she gave him. The excitement. The benefits. The physical pleasure.
That was it.
Feelings were unnecessary.
If Daniel wanted attention, he could have it. Josh wasn’t competing for emotions.
Still… watching another guy hover around her irritated him more than he expected.
He stepped aside, standing with his hands in his pockets, observing quietly.
Across the compound, Anita felt her own battle.
Daniel’s attention was undeniably centered on Ella. The way he watched her closely. The way he stayed near her. The way he reacted immediately whenever she called his name.
Anita swallowed the bitterness rising in her throat.
It’s her birthday, she reminded herself.
Of course he’ll focus on her.
She forced herself to mingle with guests, but her eyes kept drifting back to them.
The music grew louder. Friends dragged Ella to dance. Mamacita laughed proudly from her seat. The cake was brought out with cheers and singing.
Ella smiled brightly as she cut the cake, feeding Mamacita first, then Anita.
When she turned to Daniel, she hesitated for a second before lifting a small piece toward him.
Josh noticed that hesitation.
He looked away, annoyed.
He didn’t clap. Didn’t cheer. Didn’t move closer.
He simply watched.
Minutes passed.
Then something shifted.
Ella blinked slowly, her smile faltering just a little. The music suddenly felt overwhelming. The ground beneath her heels didn’t feel stable anymore.
She pressed her fingers lightly against her temple.
Daniel noticed immediately.
“Are you okay?” he asked, lowering his voice.
“I’m fine,” she replied quickly, but her words weren’t steady.
Anita saw the change too. “Ella?”
The noise seemed to echo strangely in Ella’s ears. Faces blurred slightly. The bright decorations felt too sharp against her eyes.
She tried to straighten her posture.
But the dizziness grew stronger.
Daniel reached out instinctively as she swayed.
“I think you should sit—”
Before he could finish, Ella’s knees gave way.
Her body collapsed forward.
Gasps erupted around them.
Daniel caught her mid-fall, pulling her against him before she hit the ground.
“Ella!” Anita screamed, rushing forward.
The music stopped abruptly.
People stepped back.
Mamacita stood up so quickly her chair nearly fell over. “What happened?!”
Josh remained where he stood.
He watched the scene with narrowed eyes.
He wasn’t panicking.
He wasn’t rushing.
He was irritated.
This wasn’t how the day was supposed to go.
Daniel carried Ella toward the nearest chair, laying her down carefully. Anita knelt beside her, tapping her cheeks lightly.
“Ella, wake up. Please wake up.”
Mamacita’s hands trembled. “Call a car. We’re going to the hospital.”
Guests began murmuring nervously. Some started leaving quietly. The celebration atmosphere dissolved into unease.
Josh exhaled slowly and looked away.
This was becoming complicated.
Hospital visits meant questions. Questions meant explanations.
And explanations could lead to things he didn’t want to deal with.
Daniel didn’t hesitate. He lifted Ella again, determination written all over his face.
Anita followed closely, holding Ella’s hand.
Josh walked behind them at a slower pace, his expression unreadable.
The drive to the hospital was tense and silent.
Anita kept whispering Ella’s name.
Daniel focused on getting there quickly.
Josh leaned back in his seat, staring out the window.
He replayed recent memories in his head.
Moments. Decisions. Careless choices.
He told himself it was nothing.
It had to be nothing.
At the hospital, nurses rushed Ella inside immediately.
Tests were ordered.
Blood samples taken.
Machines beeped softly in the background.
They waited outside.
Anita paced restlessly. Mamacita prayed under her breath. Daniel stood near the door, his arms folded tightly, worry evident on his face.
Josh remained seated, scrolling through his phone briefly before locking it again.
He felt the jealousy again.
Not fear.
Jealousy.
Because even now, Daniel looked like he cared more.
Finally, the doctor stepped out.
“We’ve conducted several tests,” he said calmly.
All eyes turned to him.
“There are some results we need to discuss.”
Anita held her breath.
Daniel straightened.
Josh’s face remained blank, but his fingers tightened slightly against his knee.
“From what we’ve seen so far,” the doctor continued carefully, “this fainting episode is connected to something more serious.”
Silence fell heavily in the corridor.
“And we’ll need to confirm it immediately.”
The birthday decorations were still hanging at home.
The cake was unfinished.
But whatever the doctor was about to reveal would change the direction of all their lives.
Especially Josh’s.
- Writer
