The Birthday Party 1
1169 Words
“Noah, you promised to be available at my birthday party. Where you at?” Melissa complained into her phone to Noah, her eyes scanning the small corner that she stood just in case anyone starts making their way to her. She flinched at Noah’s groan from the other side of the line.
Was it her fault that he’d promised to be with her on her birthdays and now she wanted him to fufill that promise? Her party had started a hour ago yet he was nowhere to be found. She desperately needed him around her now that she was about to cut her large birthday cake. Plus, her friends were awaiting him too. Most of them were present because they wanted to catch a glimpse of her fiancé. Just the thought of the embarrassment she might face if Noah didn’t show up was enough to make her groan in anger.
“Commence without me,” Noah spoke.
Melissa fisted her hair in one hand and tugged, frustration evident in her voice as she continued. “The is an hour gone, Noah. Don’t do this.”
“I'm busy right now. We’ll talk later.”
“Talk later? What are you even doing? This is my birthday.”
“I'll be there before your party ends.”
“I…I dressed up this prettily for you. Please come already.”
“I will. Now go back to the party and continue without me.”
“Fine.”
She ended the call and placed the phone on her ches feeling the pound of her heart. It was at least a relief that he was going to show up. She’d dolled up not for her birthday party but for him. She wouldn’t mind going to bed with the dress I’d it meant him seeing her on it.
“Melissa, what are you doing there? It's time to cut the cake.” She jumped at the suddenness of Mrs Hank’s call from the side. She pushed away from the wall and faced the older woman.
“I was making a call to Noah, mother.”
“What did he say? Why isn't he here yet? I mean, it's your birthday of all days. He should be here by now.”
“He said he'll be here before the party ends. Noah doesn't go back on his words. I’m sure he’ll show up.”
“Okay. Come on, come cut your cake. How are your legs?”
“I'll manage,” she replied. She had fallen down the previous day and it had somehow affected her legs.
Mrs Hank sighed as she gazed at Melissa, a flash of pity in her eyes. She knew that Melissa was fit for her son and the thought of them being the cause of Melissa’s accident made her get the urge of getting them both married immediately. After all, Melissa was the perfect fit unlike her son’s ex wife. She was respectful, pretty and the best of all things alike with her.
She wrapped her hands around Melissa’s shoulder and waist and led her back to the party, stopping before a huge castle cake that caught everyone’s attention.
“It's time for the birthday celebrant to cut her cake. Are we excited?” The MC announced and the guests screamed their approval.
“H…” the audience screamed.
“A…”
“N…”
“K…”
At the last call, Melissa excitedly pushed the red knife down the cake. One that was down, she cut a small part of the cake into a plate and fed a bite to her soon to be mother in law. They engaged in a tight hug to the delight of the guests who witnessed the love between the mother and daughter-in-law duo, cameras continuously clicking.
Meanwhile amongst the crowd of people who jeered and clapped for the celebrant were two girls who sat on their own, taking occasional sips from the tumblers of wine. They both stared at the affection shared by Melissa and her soon to be mother.
Grunting when the show because too nothing for her eyes, Eve slammed the tumbler to the table and rolled her eyes. “Disgusting much.”
Ella’s head was on a different mission. She scanned the entire hall with frown and grumbled. “Why isn’t Mr Hank here yet?”
“Who knows?” Eve shrugged. Might be busy with someone else.”
“Wouldn’t be shocking at all. I wonder where he went. This is Melissa’s big day. I think she dressed up like a f*****g doll just for him. She’s so pitiful today.”
“You know nothing, Ella. She’s always been pitiful. Even more pitiful now that she’s desperate to marry him.”
Ella gasped as her eyes settled on the man they’d both been staring out for.
“Eve,” she whispered. “Speak of the devil.”
Everyone’s attention fell on the man who just come into the party hall as the MC announced his arrival. Noah Hank walked into the party with his head up high and after wishing Melissa a happy birthday, he sat down on the chair meant for him.
“At least he came.”
“Now the fun begins.”
“It’s time?”
“Of course.”
Ella tapped her feet on the floor in excitement.
“I’ve never been this excited.”
Eve signaled the two able-bodied men standing beside them and understanding her, they nodded and walked away.
“You just have to sit back and watch the drama unfold.”
When it was time to eat and be merry at the party, to keep the guests occupied, the MC decided that the pictures and videos of Melissa since she was born till now be played out for the audience as a change this year. Realizing that it was a brilliant idea, they agreed and the projector was set out.
Everyone smiled the moment the first photo was revealed on the projector. It was a photo of the cute baby Melissa. A newborn. In her cute baby wear and tiny hat. She looked so innocent and pretty and one would think she was incapable of hurting a fly.
The pictures and videos kept going on to the delight of the guests who were having a great time taking photos and complimenting the beauty of the child as she grew up. They couldn’t help but admit that she was one of the prettiest ladies they had encountered in their entire existence.
“What the hell?”
Gasps and murmurs followed at the sight of the next pictures and videos that were revealed. The smiling Melissa frowned, wondering what it was that made everyone start murmuring. Her eyes almost popped out of their socket when she turned and saw what was making everyone murmur.
“Really? So she has been deceiving everyone?”
“I can't believe this.”
“This is evil. How dare her decieve us all these while.”
- Writer
