My Birthday Party – Episode 5

MY BIRTHDAY PARTY – EPISODE 5

A story by Miriam Edem

 

Minutes later Oliver was called on phone, “okay I’ll be there, he said and ended the call.

“I have to go now dear, my attention is needed, he said  but Winifred only nodded.

“What’s wrong? Is it because of your birthday? He asked when he saw her mood.

“Its fine, let’s go, Winifred said getting up first before he could say anything.

 

“Wait Winifred, if I’ve offended you in anyway am sorry okay, he said.

“Its alright let’s go, thanks for the treat, she replied and slowly left while he attended to the bills.

 

On the way they were so quiet though she felt he was stealing gazes at her but she didn’t care. “Why must he insist on celebrating my birthday like I asked him to? Was all she was thinking in the car and it came to a halt.

 

“You’re home, and thanks for your time, Oliver said to her.

“Thank you, she said coldly and attempted to open the door.

“Winifred wait, whatever is the reason you don’t want to celebrate your birthday, I just want you to know that I care about you and I want you happy. I just wish you change your mind and celebrate that special day of yours okay, Oliver said.

“Okay bye, she slowly said and left.

 

Oliver hurried up to the school hospital where he works, stepping out of the car Joseph approached him.

“Hi, Oliver said giving his hand for a shake but he ignored it.

“Stay clear from Winifred, Joseph said and Oliver scoffed.

“Is that a joke or something? Last I checked you are dating Lily, not Winifred, Oliver said.

“How is that your business? This is a very friendly warning am presenting to you, stay clear from her because she’s mine! Joseph said sternly.

 

“Oh you’re making me scared guy. Winifred didn’t tell me same, and why are you so scared and angry when you see me with her? Do you think I stand a better chance to have her? Why not let her go for what she wants which you know she won’t dare choose you. You know what, I gat something important to do in there okay, bye, Oliver said smiling and left Joseph burning in anger.

“You don’t just know me, Joseph said in his heart giving a smirk look and left…..

 

Lily who didn’t do her report had to stay back in school to get it done, Winifred smiled at that when she called to ask why she’s not yet home. “Am damn hungry okay, please don’t finish the food at home, Lily said to her.

“Really? Anyway Oliver took me out so am filled, bye, Winifred said and ended the call.

 

Winifred heard a knock on the door and wondered who it was, she opened and saw Joseph standing. “Lily is not at home, maybe you should be calling her before coming, she said blocking the way in.

“Can I at least come in first? Joseph asked.

“No, because the room is not presentable, she replied.

“It’s okay, I just want to have a seat and a cup of water, Joseph insisted.

“No way, I’ll keep the seat outside for you then, Winifred said and he heaved dialling a number.

 

“Hello dear, am in your place but your friend doesn’t want me in, please talk to her, he said and stretched the phone to Winifred who just walked in angrily.

“It’s okay just joking, am in, he said and ended the call smiling at Winfred.

 

“What pranks are you putting up now? What do you want? She asked.

“You’re avoiding me Winifred, you don’t even want to see me, is it the Oliver guy you need? He asked.

“And what if its him? She asked.

“Why him and not me? What exactly do you want that I won’t give to you after all these years! Joseph shouted.

 

“You’re so shameless, you have my friend Joseph be contented with her. I can’t have anything to do with you and I will never have. If you don’t love my friend then let her go, don’t think you can use her to have me because you’ll be wasting your time. I don’t love you Joseph, not even a bit, Winifred said and he bit his lips in anger looking at her.

“Then you’ll never be happy, take care, he said and left the room leaving Winifred shocked and worried and she called Oliver which he didn’t pick up….

 

 

Oliver called back Winifred when he saw her missed calls, “Hello dear, sorry I missed your call, he said going out of his office.

“Can we see tomorrow, please? It’s already late, she said.

“Are you okay? He asked sensing trouble in her voice.

“I’ll tell you everything tomorrow, bye, she said and dropped the call.

 

On the way going home, Oliver met Lily on the road and stopped.

“Awn here he is again, good evening, she greeted him.

“Evening Lilly, what are you still doing here at this time? He asked.

“Ermmm some kind of punishment though Winifred is at home, she replied.

“Please come in, he said opening the door for her and she hopped in.

“Thank you, Winifred said you took her out, that’s sweet, she said.

“Yea but I noticed something. Why does she hate her birthday, do you know the reason? He asked and she heaved.

 

“Well, her parents died on her birthday after celebrating her two years’ birthday. Her uncle told her never to celebrate her birthday again, to him it carries evil and she held on to it. I already told her I am going to celebrate her birthday and I don’t care if she likes it or not, Lily said.

“That’s bad, though she never told me why but she got angry when I insisted to. Now I am confused if I should go ahead with it, he said.

 

“Common don’t be, she’s just scared that’s it and someone needs to take that fear away from her, her birthday party will be successful and she won’t be scared anymore, Lily said.

“So we’ll go ahead with it, right? He asked.

“Sure, we’ll do it together, she said and he smiled at that.

“Thank you so much, you just relieved a huge burden on me now, he said to her.

 

“I am just seeing my friend gradually letting go of her past. I just hope this relationship will be the best and the last for her, Lily said and Oliver looked at her curiously.

“How was her past relationship? He asked and she sighed.

 

“When I first met her, she was heartbroken, that was her first breakup anyway and that’s how we became friends. About 6 months later another guy came by, he was so sweet and made Winifred forgot about her true first love. But death came knocking, he died in a ghastly motor accident 1 year later. Winifred couldn’t face it, she remained broken and never thought she can ever love again. Please don’t tell her I told you this, Lily said as Oliver was all quiet looking at her.

 

“Sure I won’t, thanks for telling me this, he said.

“Do you really love my friend? If you don’t, I beg you please let her be. I won’t forgive any guy who will hurt her after all she’s been through in love, that’s just how much I love her, Lily said.

“My feelings are sincere, I didn’t meet her first at Valentina birthday, I met her when she took you to the hospital when you were sick. I liked her there and when I saw her again at the party, I couldn’t help myself and she has been a very cool person these few days. If she will give her heart to me, I swear I won’t hurt her because am already in love with her, Oliver said and a tear fell from Lily’s eyes.

“You don’t know how happy I am to hear you say that, we are going to make her happy on her day because she deserves it, Lily said and he smiled.

“Its going to be the best birthday party she has ever had, he said smiling and they arrived home.

“Thanks for the ride, good night, Lily said.

“Good night, Oliver said and she left……

 

To be continued

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