My attendants are helping me getting ready for my birthday party. Standing Infront of a large ornate mirror, staring with my deep blue eyes at my light skinned almost heart-shaped face and admiring how even with the touch of little make up that has been applied on me, I'm looking beautiful. My curly and wavy blonde hair set up in a messy bun and soft wavy tendrils of my hair framing my face. A flower-breaded tiara completed my Victorian hairstyle. My silk gown in pure white colour was flowing down to my length and beyond, kissing the grounds. Thankfully, I was wearing white stilettos which made me look much taller besides giving my frame a better look. Beads of gold inserted in a shimmery gold thread was set at the waist of my grown, securely tied, rather tightly at the back accentuating my slim and curvy frame. I was looking beautiful, sophisticated and every bit of the classic fairytale princess my father wanted me to be.

I am happy, nervous and excited because there will be lots of guests and David will be coming with his family. After 3 years I am going to meet them. It had been tough to love him but to be far from him, not even able to talk to him but our love made it through. We managed to keep our promise and Mom had been so happy with both of us. She told me that she said everything to dad and Dad was pleased to know about our choices, decisions and promises. Dad talked with me about David and I told him that I love him and see my future with him. Dad and Mom were happy and content that I dealt with thing maturely rather than revolting against what mom suggested to do.

"Emily, are you done?" - my dad asked standing at the gate with my mom. An expression of immense happiness on their faces.

"Yes, dad, I'm just coming"

Walking towards them, I saw him looking at me and smiling with appreciation.

"You're looking wonderful my doll, so like your mother" he said as he looked at me and my mom mom with pride and love. I don't think I am like her, she is an epitome of beauty. Though dad says I resemble her a lot.

"Thank you dad but where is my birthday present? i said, my voice a little emotional yet I managed to keep the moment light and funny. I felt my heart softened for the way he looked at me and his eyes looked a little misty too. Dad is a strong man. He never shows much emotion but I know how much he loves me.

"For that you got to wait" he said as he and mom smiled to each other. That made me curious.

It would be an understatement to say that my dad loved me. He adored me, I am his life. Mom and me are the closest one's to his heart. He is very protective of me so much that following his rules, sometime I feel like I am caged but in the heart of my heart I knew it was for my good so I never raised any questions.

We went towards the main hall and I felt a bit more nervous than I was when I saw the crowd of people there. Drinking, smiling, laughing and then as I entered with my parents almost at once I felt all of their eyes on me. I stiffened but I tried not to let it show. Mom was by side but I still felt nervous. My heart was so full of excitement and a pleasureable-tension of waiting for David. My eyes was searching for him.

"They aren't here yet but might come any minute" mom whispered, when she saw my circulating the room.

"Thanks mom...I just nervous. I don't how I will react. It's 3 years."

"I understand baby. Just relax"

We walked around and met the guests and they wished me Happy Birthday.

My mind kept re-playing scenes of the past of my times with David. My heart was triumphing that finally the wait is over and I am going to see him. I was so stuck between my heart and mind, with my heart wanting to jump and dance and run and hug David as I saw ..and my mind was feeling nervous, shy almost numb and nostalgic..not knowing what to do exactly.

I straightened my thoughts and kept my smile fixed on my lips as I thanked everyone coming up to wish me personally and complimenting me on the way I look. Everyone said I am looking different. More beautiful than before. I even blushed few times when the compliments from few relatives and friends got more personal.

And then I saw David. Those eyes. Those eyes watching me from afar, smiling at me and I felt that smile touch my heart. He started to walk and with every step he took towards me I felt my heartbeats getting deeper and faster. I was frozen to where I was standing and our eyes never left each other.

He came to stand right Infront of me. He was smiling, his face radiant and glowing with happiness, his hair just like the way I love, styled but in a dis-shevelled way and I was still feeling if it was a dream or reality and then I saw him lifting his hand and forwarding it to me and like in a dream, lifted mine and joined with his. Everything around us seemed to have faded. Like time has stood still. Like there was just the two of us in this world. Our eyes were fixed upon each other, driving into each other's soul and realising how much we missed each other, relating to the love we feel for each other.

"Emily, You sure do recognize David. Don't you?" - I heard my dad cough and then gave a small laugh as he said that and in the split of the second we were both conscious of the crowd around us. Mom, his parents, Sarah and that guy who was standing beside David, all were laughing at us and there was cheer all over the place.

I blushed and was about to take my hands away when David mangled to take control of the situation by saying "Happy Birthday, Emily"

He too was still struggling to face the fact that we made a fool of ourselves or was still thinking of the way how we got lost into each other. I was not sure what affected him more but he was still looking at me - "Thank you David" I said softy and shyly, like I met him for the first time.

His voice so husky yet cute in a boyish way though he looked more matured than before and I realised my bears isn't 18 anymore, he has crossed his teens and now he is 21. He was tall, athelitically fit. He was looking like one of those tall, dark and handsome prince's fairytales and novels are made of. Stylish, charming and sexy like out of some magazine covers girls drool at.

"I would like you to introduce you to my friend, John Parker"

John came forward and greeted me. "Hello, Miss Emily. Happy Birthday"

"Thank you John. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Same here. I have been hearing about you day and night for 3year's now" John said and David coughed and gave him a look.

I also felt shy because everyone was standing around us. Sarah giggled beside me.

I didn't knew what to say, I was too dumbfounded to say anything. I looked at him and then at David and back at John and smiled helplessly saying "I hope it's all good."

"Always. I assure"

Sarah giggled again. I gave her a warning look and then introduced her to David and John.

"My best friend Sarah Santiago" I said to both of them.

"Sarah, he is......." I was addressing David to her but she cut me in.

"I know, it's obvious. He's the Beast." And both Sarah and John laughed as I and David just stared at each other with shock.

David's look told me I shouldn't have told her but I narrowed my eyes too of accusing him of sharing with John. We are both even and it looks like both our friends were having fun at our expense.

They shaked hands as her teasing continued.

Dad was busy with David's parents but since mom was observing me she came forward and told Sarah "Sarah, don't tease my baby"

"Sorry Aunty, couldn't help" she said laughing.

"Just wait for your turn, my dear best friend. I will return this favours the day you find your Prince Charming" I told Sarah.

"Not happening anytime soon, dear"

"Why not? My mom and John said together and I think I saw David giving John a look that said "Don't"

Sarah was taken aback by John questioning but she dismissed looking at him and replied to mom saying "Emily found the best one. It will be hard to find another David." She said looking at David and he smiled.

Mom laughed and walked towards dad and others asking us : "Come, the cake has been placed."

Aunt Martha and a Uncle Sam wished me and then we all walked towards the centre of the hall where my birthday cake was placed. I stopped by the cake with my parents and my friends standing beside me. The guests surrounded us but my eyes was now trying to find David. I saw him coming out from the middle of the crowd and standing somewhere in-between from where I could see him as I bent down to blow the candles and made a wish. When I opened my eyes they looked straight at David smiling at me. I smiled back and cut the cake as everyone clapped and sang the birthday song for me.

I cut a piece and offered to my dad, after having a bite of the cake from my hand he took the remaining of the cake and brought it near my mouth for me to eat. Then I offered to my mom, to Sarah, Aunt Martha and Uncle Sam. My mom asked me to offer David too. I cut thepiece of cake and offered him then he did the same in return. As we were exchanging bites, I heard John chuckle and I turned to look at him and found Sarah laughing too. I didn't heard what they said but I bet they were sharing private joke over me and David. David's stare towards his friend confirmed.

The guests were cheering and pictures were being taken as I offered to my friends and relatives. All the time I was aware of David watching me.

We were standing at a side away from others.

"Hey beautiful, what was that you did a while ago?" Sarah teased hinting at the eye-locking thing I had with David.

"What you're talking about?" - I pretended like I couldn't understand what she means.

"Fooling me, Emily? , you know what I am talking about sweetie." She giggled as she said.

"Get over it, Sarah. It was nothing. I was waiting for him to say something"

"So all blame on him now for that little eye-catching show" she chuckled as she said.

"Okay, okay..I got....." I was loss for words. I didn't knew what to say.

She laughed at my confusion.

"Don't laugh so much Sarah, your lungs will explode"

"Forget my lungs, take care of your precious little heart...it seems to be in more danger than my lungs"

"Don't make that little incident do big. I told you it was nothing."

"Really?"

"Yeah...Really"

"Liar!"

"What kind of a friend you are to call me a liar on my birthday?" - I said in mock hurt.

"The same kind of friend as you to be lying to your friend...that too on your birthday when you just made a wish....what if god rejects it because of your lie?" She said that just like that.

I felt my heart squirmed inside. How anyone can say such a thing when don't even know what the person could be wishing for. I looked at her and saw her still smiling at me, waiting for me to answer. She didn't even realised what she said. I know she joked but somehow I felt alarmed. I didn't wanted to ruin her mood or mine more so I skipped it out of my thoughts.

"It was nothing, I told you"

"Between I tell you, your beast is a real hottie. Everything you said and more."

"And what about his friend? Isn't he hot?" I asked, teasing her.

"What exactly you mean?" She narrowed her eyes.

"Just that you were not the only one observing here" I giggled as I said.

"Really Emily, you could actually take your eyes off David to notice anything else. I doubt!" She was right, I been just watching David right from the moment I saw him. I wanted to talk to him but just not getting the chance but I also noticed John showing interest in Sarah and she just avoiding him.

"Why don't you and your beast sneak out and have your talk? I don't think anyone will notice."

" What? Hold onto your thoughts girl...you must stop reading too much of romance it's affecting your reasoning."

"Ha, why? We all know you both are couple so it's okay if you do that. Lovers tends to do such stuffs."

"How you know? You're very much single for all I know"

"It's because I read so much of romance" she said dreamily.

"Time to put them in practice then"

"After you. Anyways, I am single so I can't do that"

"John?"

"Emily, you are too much . Just because you had a love at first sight doesn't mean it will happen the same for me too"

"I can bet that sparks flew when you two saw each other."

"Really, you over-thinking again. Focus on your beast. You both looks to have some sizzling chemistry."

"Hush Sarah"

"Hehe why? It's the truth. It's just in the way you both look at each other."

"Stop weaving romantic scenes and enjoy the party, Sarah."

"Come on Emily, We never kept secrets before."

"I know but there is nothing to say."

"You want to sneak out or jot?"

"Sarah" I said with a friendly warning.

"Come on..tell me. I am not making it viral."

"You wouldn't give in unless you extracted from my mouth to confirm what your little brain is thinking. Right?"

"She knows me"! She said triumphantly as she giggled. "Now, answer me..."

Letting out a breathe. "Yes, i want too but I can't"

"Great. I bet he wants the same too. You both go. Me and that John guy will take over if anyone asks about you both"

"You and John?" I laughed.

She made an annoying face as we both look towards David and John.

"Believe me, I can tell if he is interested and he is....trust me. The way he been looking at you. You know it too. Don't you" I said

"Maybe...maybe not"

"There are no if's, buts or maybe's in love, my dear"

"Love? We hardly know each other, or talked with each other. Have some control over your thoughts, Emily"

"Sarah, being a romantic yourself, you know as much as me that love can happen with anyone, anywhere and at any point of time"

"I know...but it doesn't has to be the same for me" she said in a flat tone.

"You would never know unless you find out." I replied.

"What exactly is cooking in that little brain of your's?"

"Talk to him. He seems to be waiting for that opportunity. Just look at him."

"Forget mine and check upon your opportunity. You waited 3 years for this day and now he is right Infront of you and you are busy match-making for me. What's over you?"

"What's wrong if I care for my friend too and I want her to be hooked so we can all party out together?"

She laughed, a hearty laugh and I joined. Seeing us laugh together both David and John gave each other a confused look which made us laugh even more.

I knew David was watching us. I could feel it in the air that I breathe, in the distance between us that was making me pull towards him with great force but I kept my self busy talking to Sarah.

When Sarah said, I instinctively looked at him and my belief of him watching me was confirmed. A smile cornered at his lips and I blushed taking my eyes away from him to look at Sarah who was watching both of us with an expression of wonder.

"Don't look at me like that" I told her.

"Go..talk to him. It's your party. You have to attend your guests anyway. Treat him just as a guest."

Seeing me hesitate. She said : "Then I get him to come to you."

"Sarah, Don't go all Cupid with this or you have no idea how I will return the favour"

"Come on" she almost dragged me and just as We both I found moved a step to walk towards him we saw him coming to us.

Watching him coming to me, Sarah quickly slipped from my side. I wanted to move but his eyes caught hold of me and thinking it will look rude to walk away I stood there until he reached me.