I walked around my room scratching my hair. The party had ended and my room was filled with numerous gifts. My phone was buzzing none stop as notifications rolled in.

I stared at the pile of gifts I had collected and walked to my table. I frowned upon seeing a large box on the table.

I was already down cast at the fact that Ini didn't give me a birthday gift. I was heartbroken. There was a paper on the box and I picked it up.

Happy birthday Rachel
Cheers to a new beginning.

Inioluwa.

My hands flew to my mouth as I let out a shriek of excitement.

He gave me a gift!

I was over happy as I did an happy dance still in my gown. I became excited as I fumbled with the box. Different answers ran through my mind as I wondered what Ini could have bought for me that would require such a large box.

I slowly unwrapped it and saw a closed black case. Curiosity got the better of me and I slowly popped it open.

My hands flew to my mouth seeing the object inside. It was a brand new violin. My violin wasn't old in the slightest even after using it for about six years but I could use another one.

A violin cost a minimum of 18,000 naira and looking at the violin; something told me it was worth more than that.

I grabbed my phone and quickly went to Jumia to check if i could see the amount he bought the violin.

My eyes widened the moment I saw the cost. Being the only child, my parents spent money heavily on me but no one spent money on me like this.

35,000 naira!?

I wasn't expecting it. Only veteran players used this type of violins. Although i was an expert, i was nothing close to being a veteran violinist.

I quickly dialed Ini's number immediately. Silly me to have thought he didn't get me anything. His gift apparently could have a quarter of the gifts I got.

He picked up after the second ring. I pursed my lips immediately.

"Hello" Ini's voice came over the phone and my heart beat went erratic.

"Its Rachel" I said.

"I know. What's up?" He asked.

"Why did you pretend like you didn't get me anything?" I asked playing with my painted nails.

"I didn't pretend. You didn't ask me if I got you something or not" Ini replied as I laughed.

"Thank you" I muttered.

"I wasn't expecting such a thoughtful and expensive gift" I added.

"You are welcome" Ini said as I swallowed my saliva when I noticed I had run out of words.

"I'll see you online" I said and hung up while rolling on my bed happily.

I was finally sixteen. And unlike my expectations, i realized there was nothing special about clocking sixteen except the ceremony and the happiness you feel as you celebrate your birthday.

It was different for me as I had changed and I had discovered myself. Aside that; there was nothing really about the whole thing. If someone had told me two weeks ago that my birthday party was gonna look like this; I would have laughed hard.

And maybe hope but here it was. Grand like I wished. I sighed as I closed my eyes. I could choose whoever I want to me. Being myself was seriously less tiring.

°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

I waited nervously beside Ini. We were done with school and we were going to Ini's house to bake the cake.

I had bought all the ingredients we needed the previous day. We had agreed that I would buy the ingredients and we'll bake at his house.

I easily recognized his driver at a distance as he drove towards us. Ini opened the door and turned to me.

"Ladies first" Ini said and I laughed as I waved at Joy and Sunkanmi.

Yeah, I know what you are thinking. I and Ini were becoming really close. I discovered that he could be really cheeky at times and of course, he looked extremely cute when he was being cheeky.

The driver drove towards another side from my estate. I rarely left the house but I knew how expensive the houses in this particular estate was.

The driver pulled up at a gate painted white. He honked the horn and a gut pushed the doors open while the driver drove into the house.

The house itself was painted white and looked like well.... A palace castle. I quickly opened the door and got down.

Ini got down after me and started walking towards the house. Everything looked sophisticated and expensive.

I sat down on the small chairs in the seating room while Ini walked upstairs. He came back minutes after holding a pair of slippers.

He had removed his jacket and had unbuttoned his shirt showing the white singlet he wore underneath.

"Wear these and remove your school shoes" Ini said as he dropped the slippers.

I nodded slightly as I removed my shoes and my socks. I wore the slippers and was surprised to see that the slippers fitted me perfectly.

Ini came back the stairs few minutes later doning a pair of shorts and a grey top.

"Bring the ingredients" He said as I carried the nylon and followed him through a short hallway.

My jaw dropped at the large kitchen and I turned to Ini.

"You have a large kitchen" I said dropping the ingredients on the large table.

"Seeing that Tomi's slippers sized you, I can see that you have small legs" Ini teased and I laughed.

"Your top" Ini drawled out as he shook his head and walked to the cabinets and started bringing out the bowls and pans.

"That's the crate of eggs" he said as he walked out of the kitchen.

I sighed as I got to work. I measured five cups of flour into a bowl as Ini came back holding a top.

"Change into this. Your uniform will get stained. Don't worry;its new" Ini said as I collected the top from him.

"That's the store, you can change there" Ini pointed towards a door and I walked towards it. Closing the door, I quickly changed into it and stepped out again.

I folded my shirts and started breaking the eggs into the flour. After adding all the necessary ingredients, I poured it into the heart shaped pan and placed it in the oven.

"Let's just pray NEPA doesn't go crazy while we are at this" I said as Ini chuckled.

"Light never goes off here" Ini said and my eyes widened in surprise.

"Whoa! That's cool" I said as my eyes travelled to Ini's legs. He was seating on the slab and his hands were running on his phone.

If someone told me that I would ever be in Ini's kitchen baking cake with him; it would have been unbelievable. But here I was admiring his long thin but firm legs.

"Don't look at me like that, its as if you want to eat me" Ini said as he raised his head from his phone.

I turned red as I pouted "Who said I don't want to eat you?" I blurted out.

Ini's curved up in an alluring way "Eat me if you can" He said and I found myself walking towards him before stopping in between his legs.

I looked at him in the eye before speaking "I can" I said as I smashed my lips against his.

Damn.