Forgetting Mellaine

The Birthday

The memory and the piece of paper sat between us like the missing piece to solve a crime scene, but they aren’t. I was able to share it with France when I got the exact chance, when Amy was able to bring herself into a rest on France’s bed.

“You look exhausted, Me. Are you sure, you're cpming with us?” France said. “It looks like you didn’t get enough sleep last night.” She added, taking a sip of her chocolate.

Silently, I nodded.

She rubbed her hand gently at my back, enough for me to feel her brief response; a sigh and a wry smile together. A mere silence. A concerning one.

“Did Brandon know about this?” She asked.

I sighed. “No. As far as I want myself to tell him, I don’t want him to be part of this as possible.”

France shrugged. “I see all sorts of things.”

“Like what?”

“I can see you’re somehow scared that he’ll know you’re giving him such lies right now and might as well leave you when the day you will tell him the truth. In fact, I can see in your eyes that you’re tired.”

“I didn’t sleep well last night, remember? And maybe. Maybe, I’m scared. Yes. I am scared that he’ll know about what’s the real deal right now and about me. But, for sure, eventually…he’ll know me, the real one, in the right time. And who knows what will happen after that. I can’t really picture out the future. Perhaps, I will grab a chance to let fate handle us in some ways. No one knows, seriously. It’s either he’ll stay and accept me or he’ll take the other one.” I pondered, rubbing my bare hands on the pillow.

She looked at me in silence for a time. France, of course, still don’t understand well that I have a person who is stalking about me, has the likes and maybe admiring me. No, it was a dangerous one. Amy slowly rose from the bed and made her steps to us in the living room, still restless again for today, and already her personality had affected anything around her. Perhaps the aftermath of getting both of them in a fun time at yesterday’s night made them this sick early in the morning or perhaps the latter’s event of having them do that thing after they got themselves crazy made them have those worn out faces. It took her some time, being a sloth, to take her hair into a ponytail. I was able to bring her with me in the café early, hoping that she won’t bother. Entering with her dashy eyelashes, France made her way out from the kitchen. My second mother.

I used to call her that sometimes, you know, when she’s being over protective, filling me with her unbounding life hacks and advices. Springing herself beside us, she gently patted Amy by the shoulder and gave her a look warm water.

“Your night really made you like that. Obviously, you look like a hideous woman right now.” France commented, giving Amy an unusual face.

Massaging her hair, she leaned over the sofa. “We had some fun for sure.” She said in a low voice with a chuckle.

“Hell, yeah. You should get some rest.” France added with authority.

“What? But I decided to go with you two to Johann’s boutique.” She frowned.

“Are the two girls coming?” I suddenly asked, trimming my nails with the nail cutter that France just let me borrow.

“Yes. I just called Megan, they just took a cab from their apartment. It won’t take them long to arrive here.” Both Hailey and Megan lived in an apartment at the Lover’s Lane. The three-story building, with its combination of orange and red paints, stood between a convenience store and somehow a local small restaurant. Most of the balconies are crowded with grills, clothes being freely hanged, hanging plants and succulents – those damn cacti and other types of it are hell as gorgeous to look at, plastic chairs, tables for cheers and bears. Footprints arrived, the door suddenly opened. Then the two with their energetic vibes sprung inside. Megan is way taller than Hailey.

With a warm smile, Hailey greeted us. In some intents, she’s far from worse than the time I first met her at the centre. My first impression is all wrong about her, which I pretty felt bad for myself for easily judging her. Right now, she’s acting like a teenager who obviously feels the excitement of having herself a new dress to wear. Natalia’s surprise birthday party will eventually start at 6 pm in the afternoon at the Grand Hotel.

Megan who stood beside her – who likes to be called Megs or simply as Meggy – has this red silky, wavy hair, which she barely likes for someone to stare at it or might even touch it, and an oblong, pink face, and she’s about to go to the gym. She thinks she’s getting much weight these days, like what she said. I actually rather like current body size, not to mention she somehow reminds me of my old friend, Noemie who tends to have the same body features as hers. She and I used to be really good friends back then, but she and her family decided to move out to Quezon for them to be near to her father who works in a private company.

“Sorry for being late.” Megan said with a worried face, barely holding her bag properly on her arm.

“No. It’s okay. We’re totally having some time here while we’re waiting for you.”

Seeing them with us is quite comforting. France was really able to get in touch with the two ladies. The so called mean girls by me are now close friends of us.

“Are we really now going?” Amy asked as she slowly fix her hair now into a bun. Her face is also getting better than before.

“You can manage the shop if you don’t want to go, Amy.” France directly said. That was a bit off the hook for her, considering she’s still slowly recovering from last night.

“O-of course not. I-I’m going with you.” She gave us a pout, that France will totally don’t want to see, slowly getting up and fixed her shirt.

“I’m ready.” She added, keeping still of her current state. Way to go, Amelia. I scratched my head and followed the others outside. France was able to get us a cab and hurriedly went ahead to Johann’s boutique.

“Did you bring your gifts already?” Amy asked, referring to us.

“Yes. Totally, I hope Natalia will love this present of mine.” Megan said, holding a box wrapped with a blue wrapper with imprints of Happy Birthday. A big navy blue ribbon was being put at the centre top of the gift. It was elegant to look at. Grabbing some bills, Hailey volunteered for our ride and thanked the driver.

I just texted Johann that we’re coming straight to her shop which is located at the High Hills Park. After twenty-five minutes, we arrived in a spacious pinked painted boutique with the name of Johann’s. The letter J is in red, bold and cursive. Johann welcomed us with hugs and let us enter her boutique. The smell of those different dresses lingered inside our noses. It was oddly satisfying. I went into a small room, perhaps this is her guests’ waiting room. The few bits of pottery and artworks she got from a nearby town added some beauty inside her shop. Hailey and Amy started to go over the gowns, snatching some of those and let themselves try them inside the fitting rooms. On the other hand, I walked towards where Johann displayed them inside the glassed shelf. She walked beside and took her silence.

“Do you mind if I take a look on this?” I pointed at the golden necklace.

“Sure.” She gently opened the shelf and handed it over to me. It’s clearly beautiful.

“Do you want to try it and use it later?” She humbly added.

“Mmm… I just want to look at it for a while. It seems this one is different from the others.” I opinionated.

“Yes. My grandmother gave that to me when I was still enjoying my teenage life. But somehow, I needed to sell it and let someone use it too. Perhaps, Grandma already gave me lots of them back then.” She smiled. I looked at the necklace, but it turned out it wasn’t for me to take it, which in turn I gave it back to her and now take my attention to the almost getting a lioness out from France’s body.

“Come on, just get your ass outside that fitting room.” France said irritatedly. Now she’s getting a mess with Amy. I guess her patience is really on the test since early in the morning. Damn, these two are getting wrecked all of a sudden. I made my steps towards them and stood still behind the wall, where a circular shiny mirror was attached.

“B-but, I-I’m not sure if this dress suits me well.” She shyly said.

“Then let us see it.” France uttered with a strong period.

Amy was wearing a fit white dress with some straps wrapped around her neck. She put a black thin belt with its crystal gems around it. Her body was totally defined with the dress.

“You should use this as well.” France said and offered her the black stilettoes she brought with herself a while ago.

“So, how do I look?” Amy ponderously asked, giving us some visual hints that she’s somehow expecting to have a good compliment. Rubbing her chin, Megan walked around her, and intently examined her with the dress she chose.

“I think you look dazzy with it. Did you bring some of your accessories? You can use the gold ones.” She opinionated.

“Oh, okay. So, I guess I have this for the afternoon’s event.” Amy excitedly said.

In the end, I was able to have a lacy red turtle neck dress. France wore a red puffed top and a black fitted skirt all the way to her knees. As for Hailey, she was wearing a chiffon floral dress with a combination of red and black. For Johann she decided to have a ruffled white overlap dress. And lastly for Megan, she got herself a half sleeves sheer red dress with some embroidered flower designs at the ends.

“Natalia has a date with Brandon O ‘Lier.” Hailey echoed all of a sudden, which caught my attention, as well as the others, as I pay for my dress to Hannah. I would have added something about the truth, but I was too astonished and kind of curious of the thing she’s about to tell us.

Hannah sniffled. “I think it’s not date today. Perhaps, I saw Mrs. Fartherwood visited him at his apartment. I think she just offered Brandon to be Natalia’s escort on the same day she’ll be having her birthday party with us.”

Way to go Hannah. I guess I don’t have to explain the real reason why Brandon will be with Natalia for today. To think, I was having some hints that Natalia has the likes for him. But she is like a hunting dog, a determined and impervious one to get what she wants. Hannah made her way to them and let herself come in the circle of the current conversation. And I knew what I had seen on France’s eyes – it was curiosity, the cat is lurking behind her shadows, pouncing its paws to the ground with any information it can take with itself.

And then I saw something in my mind. A bulb just lighted above my head to know that I got an idea. It happens more often, at unguarded moments – that includes asking random questions with a hidden intention.

“They’ll be a great couple later, right?” I said.

France, out of a sudden, tapped me on the shoulder and raised an eyebrow. “Don’t be mad girl. We know, Brandon is NOW hitting on you.” She exclaimed and gave me a small smirk.

“Right. So I guess, even if Natalia is having some likes with him, Brandon likes you. That’s it.” Megan added, examining her dress over the mirror.

“We all know Natalia is capable of doing anything.” Hailey, who tends to have the side for her friend. “But, I somehow like Mellaine for Brandon.” She smiled at me. “Surely, we know how Natalia works, but if she’s really into Brandon then…I guess it’s fair if both the ladies will have a friendly competition to the man they like.” She winked at me. I gulped.

Not that I want to, but do I really have the potential? Of course not, just thinking about what happened with the old me is unbearable to think. Brandon will probably choose her---. A pinch over the side slapped me back into reality. “Come on, Me! I’m just kidding.” Hailey gave us a loud laugh.

“I-I…thought you’re really going to have a bet between us.” I pouted.

“Of course not! And if ever I have a bet, then I surely give it to you.” She gave me a thumbs up.

Everyone laughed with her, almost like shifting the awkwardness itself into a lively one. I took a soft sigh, a relief one. After an hour, we were able to get all the things we needed for the party. Johann volunteered herself to have us some descent and attractive makeovers. I was the first one to have a makeup on, then the others eventually got theirs. Right now, we’re waiting for Amy to finish hers, then we can get ourselves into the venue.

“Close your eyes.” Johann instructed Amy.

Amy closed her eyes, and Johann was able to put some eyeshadows that will fit her dress and her skin colour. Looking at the others, who’re currently enjoying themselves in taking pictures on the mirror, made me smile; I got a ponytail with a red ribbon, which I requested a while ago, Hailey got her chestnut hair into some big curls, Megan who’s examining her lipstick that was kind of smudge got herself into a wet look, Hannah who tends to be our tonight’s beautician gave her hair into a wavy silky one. After some time, Amy was able to get herself, at last, into a bun. We thank Johann for our lovely looks, which we really liked it.

We used Johann’s car to get to the venue. Luckily, the main road was clear, just some vehicles passing by; no traffic; a shade from the clouds; a cool song being played inside the car. After some couple of minutes, we arrived at the Grand Hotel, specifically it is now surrounded by those whom I supposed to be Natalia’s families and friends. Everyone got their makeups on, luxurious cars parked over the parking lot, those high stilettoes worn on their feet, the dangling earrings that shine with the hotel’s lights, and of course, those red lipsticks they wear to complete elegance.

From the entrance, white roses are already placed in a straight line, making a path for us. Entering the Ballroom, soft romantic songs are currently being played. The stage caught my attention; a hundreds of white and red roses are decorated on the wall together with the ferns. The giant words and numbers, 31st are standing beside a white cushion chair. The lights are sparkling from above, together with the chandelier and the fabrics they got, being arched around it up until to the other sides. Everyone went to their designated chairs and tables and gathered in groups; most of them are together with their friends and families, just like us. People are happy to see familiar and new faces. Perhaps, this is also a great time for us to get along with the others. Surely, there are those who just met their colleagues who are far from them. I recognized Mrs. Fartherwood, together with somehow I guessed to be Natalia’s parents, making her way with them to the very first table, near the stage. As they pass along the way, they gave their smiles to the people around. It was six pm sharp that they decided to start the program.

Veronica, wearing a backless gown with a long slit on the right side, exposing her long legs, her silky long hair a gold necklace with a heart pendant, her heels are black, stood in front of us, holding one of the programs I made and the microphone. Perhaps, Natalia and Brandon are already here. Looking around the venue, I still didn’t have a glance of their presence. Maybe, they are currently inside a room and will be called later on for the surprise. Suddenly, the lights turned off.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This day is very important to someone. Together with your lovely smiles, please help me welcome… Natalia Fartherwood.” Veronica smilingly said.

The spotlight immediately moved towards the door which slowly opened and let us see a dazzling Natalia, wearing her sparkling red gown with white gems at the bottom of it, forming some petals. Beside her was Brandon wearing a maroon long sleeves, and a white bowtie, his hair was waxed, carefully assisting her in walking inside the ballroom, her right hand was holding his arm. A surprised look was plastered on Natalia’s face when the lights slowly gleamed – showing us. They slowly made their way inside the venue as they hear and see those small claps and smiles from everyone, admiring them. They seem to look like a real couple, I said to myself. Brandon suddenly caught my gaze and smiled. I waved a hand to him and smiled in return, watching them happily to the stage. Brandon assisted Natalia over the chair and walked towards the nearest table, where her parents and Mrs. Fartherwood seated.

“You may now take your seat.” Veronica said. Taking our seats, we listened to her. “To the one of the lovely persons I know, Nathy, happy, happy birthday. This day is really for you and I hope you will take all the fun and happiness.” She added, watching her cousin seating on the chair where everybody can see her, and hugged her.

Veronica slowly handed her the microphone. Shedding a tear, she smiled to us. “U-uhm. I really didn’t expect this. But…everyone of you made me happy in my birthday. To my parents, Mom and Dad, thank you for everything. I love you so much. To my Grandmama, thank you for listening and helping me out in anything. You’re one of my partners, not just in business but also as a companion and a family. To Brandon, thank you for this also. And to all who are here, to those who take the parts to make this as a successful one and share this memorable day of mine, thank you so much. Let’s enjoy and….happy birthday to me.” She smiled, her voice is kind of shaky.

We all clapped our hands. In some ways, the program is running smoothly with the great help of Veronica; Natalia’s closest friends and families got their message for her and were able to read them in front of us, and that include both Hailey and Megan. Everyone is enjoying Natalia’s day; some are gathered in groups, grabbing some plates to take some foods which France made together with the other delicacies made by those working inside the hotel, taking pictures, greeting her, giving their gifts – everyone are busy with their own.

Taking a sip of the wine I got a while ago, my attention was altered. Once more, I felt a sudden flash of annoyance in France’s presence. The smile had gone, and now I could only sense an authority in her face. The other girls are nowhere to be found, maybe they’re busy taking some pictures again. I still didn’t had a normal conversation with Brandon since we arrived here either. Natalia, the birthday celebrant is currently having her time entertaining the guests and somehow her workmates and friends.

Looking over Mrs. Fartherwood – presently standing in front of us at the side of the ballroom, who does she think she is? I asked myself. Certainly, running a café business is not just about luck but a mere result of her hard work and dedication. The old woman thinks it’s true. Perhaps, it was, but I don’t have any rights to judge my companion and a best friend. Not minding the current topic of having France being paid in return of leaving Mr. Gregory behind and be married to his now wife, and got the result of having her own café, I tried to calm the tidal waves surrounding them, that in any minute they can move them off together.

Taking a look at Mr. Gregory’s wife who’s standing calmly beside the old lady, still I didn’t know her by her name – France didn’t even mention her name when we talked about her, from the start, it’s not even new to me, that anything like this will come out from her grasps. It was totally planned, like her little way of having a sweet revenge. But on what intent? What’s the real deal of putting France in the spotlight? What’s the truth behind this act?

“Perhaps, we don’t want to settle our lives with the past, anymore.” France commented. She gave the ladies her most brilliant smile.