P.A.R.T.Y.

"hi colin. it's nice to see you again," one of colin's business associates shook his hand. colin smiled and greeted him back, trying his best to be happy and of course friendly. lila, dressed to kill, held onto his left arm and looked like his dutiful girlfriend. after a while of talking about some business deals that went well this past year, the associate turn to look at lila.
"this must be your girlfriend," the associate commented at lila. colin didn't want to say anything and lila just gave him a big smile.
"i am. i'm lila."
"i think i just saw someone that i need to talk to," colin interrupted before lila could say anything else. "excuse us." the associate nodded and mingled around with other people. colin just pulled lila out of the ballroom.
"i thought we were going to talk to other people," lila grumbled, not very pleased that colin was being a sourgrape.

"lila, please. this is my COMPANY function. not just some little party that you often go to. if you wanna stick with me, you gotta keep quiet yeah?" colin said, trying his best not to scream at her.
"but he asked about me! can't i reaply to that?"
"NO! let me say things around here. when we're alone you can say stuff to me all you like, but just NOT here," colin instructed.
"then i shouldn't have came in the first place," lila huffed, trying to throw her little tantrums.
"i told you not to and you INSISTED!" colin said, angrily.
"i wanted to be here for you and this is what i get?" lila obviously trying to be the little whiney bitch. colin didn't like it when she does that. it makes him so irritated that he has to give in to whatever she wants. however, this time he needed some control. it was his function anyway and she wasn't even suppose to be around.

"can you just give in to me this time? i need your co-operation. you can rant at me back home or whatever. just promise me you won't utter another word in the ballroom," colin said, trying his best to remain calm and collected. finally lila gave in, her face showed discontent but she had to deal with it because colin wasn't going to let her have her way this time round.
"good. let's get back in there," colin said as lila tagged along beside him.

the people soon sat down in their respective tables for dinner. it was a grand twelve course dinner and the conversations around tables were more or less the same. they were all about politics, shares, trading, business deals, making new business contacts, new policys, exchange rates and other business stuff that lila couldn't really comprehend. after all, she was just a pretty nurse who happened to be the girlfriend of a rich and successful businessman, heir to his father's company and riches.

"as you all enjoy the delicious food, the company's president, Mr. Tan would like to say a few words," the emcee of the function, said as everyone present started clapping. Colin's father kissed his wife before making his way up the stage and taking the microphone from the emcee.

Mr. Tan cleared his throat and placed the mic close to his lips, "thank you everyone for taking time to attend this event. as you know every year the company would set aside one day to thank all staff and shareholders for their faith and dedication. However, this year it is especially special because of two important things. one, is that our company has done exceedingly well despite the economic downturn." everyone started to clap loudly again but this time they smiled to each other.

"the next thing is that much of these profit dealings were done by my capable son, Colin Tan who has done my company proud ever since he accepted my offer to take over the family business," everyone started to clap again, "since tomorrow would be his 28th birthday, i hope that everyone of you would join me in celebrating my son's birthday." the cake started to be pushed in by the waiters and there were 28 bright candles burning. the disc jockey started to play that old happy birthday tune and everyone sang along like as though it was a party for a six year old.

Mr. Tan invited colin up to blow and candles and cut the cake. as the cake was being passed around to everyone, Mr. Tan invited Colin to say a few words.
"well, i don't know what to say actually. never expected to make a speech today," colin said, flushing red, "though it's not really my brithday yet until about three hours later, i would like to express my gratitude to three important people or groups of people in my life. firstyl, i guess i want to thank all of you for being such a great corporate family and assisting me to boost the company's business in many ways. each and every one of you matters to the company and i'm indeed grateful for everyone's dedication." again ervyone applauded. the Tan family sure had good public relation skills. it just runs in the family.

"next would be my parents. without them, i could never have been here in the first place and for bearing with all my problems and worries for the past 28 years. i know their birthday wish for me would be like any other parents, to get married soon and settle down but sadly i haven't really got close to getting started at that," he laughed, making everyone in the room laugh too.

"lastly i would like to thank this very special person in my life. this person has not only taught me the real meaning of life and also to wake up from my rich boy's fantasies and live life to the fullest. this person has also made me the happiest man alive everytime i see this person. i'm very thankful for this person in my life." by this time some of the people present guessed colin was talking about his girlfriend lila and started to nudge her and ask her to stand up when he said her name. lila flushed. she never expected this but it was a very good surprise for her... she felt that finally colin knew the importance of her in his life.

"this person is none other than my brother, colby. he has shown me through his little ways how much his life can be fulfilling even though he might not be well. his spirit is always inside of me and i truly love him," colin said, making lila so embarrassed that she decided to make a dash for the toilet in case anyone saw her reddened face. as everyone clapped for colin when he made his way back to the table, for the first time colin was glad to turn 28. another year older and hopefully wiser.

***

shayna placed down the receiver and sighed. she had just cancelled going to the scholars party after much consideration. she didn't like the fact that she had to be purposely placed on the list. she was just excluded from much of the stuff that her other friends were involved in.

"why do you look so sad?" timothy asked, bringing in his clothes intended to be worn when they went to the party.
"i just feel so left out... everything that my friends are involved in, i'm not. it's as though i'm just a regular student instead of one who is taking up a scholarship. so i cancelled today's party and decided to do my homework instead. i just have no mood to have fun," shayna said, dejectedly. timothy placed the clothes down and hugged her tight in his arms.

"it's alright to feel this way. maybe next time they would remember to put your name down. besides, we can still have our little fun without going to a party," timothy said, giving her a kiss.
"maybe we could," shayna smiled, "but after we finish our work."
"why are you always so level headed? can't we be just a little playful and rebellious for once?" timothy groaned. shayna shook her head and tossed him his book.
"well, we can be a little playful.... your room or mine?" shayna said, trying her best to sound inviting. timothy laughed and carried her all the way to his room. shayna just laughed and held onto him.

timothy placed shayna on the bed and kissed her. "you wanna study on the desk or on the bed?" he asked. shayna pointed towards the desk and plunked herself on the desk. timothy smiled and lay on the bed beside her and opened up his book.
after a while of studying, shayna couldn't get her thoughts right. she just didn't understand how to complete her work. timothy, on the other hand, was reading intently and looking very serious. as shayna looked at him, she just wanted to jump on him and kiss him. when timothy looked serious, he totally made shayna melt. she walked towards the bed and lay down on his stomach, trying to see what he was reading about.

"i'm reading about this rare blood disease that affects one in every 200,000 children. it causes symptoms like asthma and heart attacks but this disease only affects children. till now i'm still very fascinated about it because it's unexplainable how it happens," timothy said, pointing to some pictures of blood clots and infected children on the book. as shayna listened, somehow the symptoms remind her of colby's rare disease. maybe he was the unlucky one out of the 200,000 children to have it.

"i think i know a boy who has similar symptoms," shayna said.
"oh really. that's very interesting. he comes by our hospital?" timothy asked, placing the book down.
"yeah.. you remember my friend, colin and his younger brother colby?"
"that's the boy? gosh he looks very healthy for someone having such a disease," timothy said, when he vaguely remembered how colby looked like.
"you shoud have seen him before that... but now i'm glad he's finally having a normal life," shayna said, comforted at the fact that colby was doing well.

later that night, she spent the night with timothy. she decided to give a call to colby and find out how he was. it should be early morning back home.
"hey colby. this is shayna," she whispered, trying her best not to wake timothy up.
"shayna jie! you finally called! i missed you! why didn't you tell me you had to go away?" colby said, excitedly. shayna warmed to the sound of his voice.
"i'm sorry colby but i didn't have time to tell you. i miss you too," she said, tearing.
"kor told me you'll call. he misses you too," colby said. shayna didn't know how to respond but before she could think of a response colby continued, "today is kor's birthday and he is spending it with me. you want to talk to him?" at this time, timothy also started to awake.

"you still up?" he said, groggily.
"colby... it's alright. shayna jie has to go now but i promise i will call you," she said as colby just said ok.

"oh and wish your brother a happy birthday for me."