6. Birthday Party

Alec's coming to pick her up, maybe in five minutes. All of Bella's preparations were perfect. From head to toe appearance, birthday present, and most importantly her condition is one hundred percent fit.

There was a bit of nervousness when meeting Alec, tonight he was very different. With a white shirt and black tie worn a little loosely. The right mix and match really suit him.

Bella couldn't hide her fascination, maybe her cheeks were blushing. She was really embarrassed until she didn't realize that Alec was watching her.

Her heart was beating, how did Alec think about Bella's appearance tonight. She wanted to hear his opinion but Bella couldn't seem to be able to ask. Because if she heard Alec's opinion, she probably wouldn't be able to control her feelings and looked directly at him.

“Alec please stop looking at me like that?! I'm ashamed..." Bella screamed only in her heart.

"Umm... Alec."

"Yes?"

"Not suitable, huh? My dress?" Bella asked hesitantly.

"To be honest I was surprised, this is the first time I've seen you in a dress. It's perfect for you Bella, so beautiful..."

Their gazes met. Bella's smile and Alec's smile seemed to melt into one.

"Thank you... Shall we go now?" asked Bella.

"Yes, of course!" Alec offered his hand for her to embrace.

They went in Alec's car which he rarely used. Usually, he uses a motorbike, as well as to school.

Arriving at their destination, party decorations greeted them. The atmosphere was cheerful, warm, and romantic. In addition to classmates and one schoolmate, Santy's good friends from junior high or elementary school also came, as well as other acquaintances.

The festive party at Sweet Seventeen was held at Santy's own house. To liven up the atmosphere, the band was also invited as a performer. A series of events are arranged as neatly as possible. MC event guides to play in small games that have a small prize for the winner.

Bella asks her boyfriend to participate in the game. It's quite fun, it looks like Alec is having fun while playing the game even though he doesn't win. Most importantly Bella really enjoyed tonight. She was grateful to be able to come with him.

Then the event reached its climax. The audience gathered in a circle around the main character tonight. Santy is like a princess in her sparkling white party dress, very beautiful. The birthday song played to the rhythm of the piano was played by Santy's mother. After blowing out the candles and cutting the cake, Bella approached Santy to congratulate her. She is also happy for Santy.

The later the party atmosphere, the warmer and more romantic. Alec and Bella enjoy music and party dishes. They took their seats by the pool and sat on wooden benches around them decorated with small lit candles that shone like twinkling stars.

"Tonight is very fun, everything feels perfect..." Bella said carried away by the party atmosphere. "Thank you Alec for coming with me... Accompanying me..."

"So am I. Thank you, Bella. It's an honor for me to be with you tonight."

Alec was relieved that Bella seemed to be in a better mood, the expression on her face was so happy enjoying the party. He was worried because she had been looking down lately. Even though Bella didn't say anything, he could feel it.

There was something Bella was worried about, something she was keeping to herself. Whatever the problem was, Alec couldn't predict. To be honest Alec was worried but he didn't want to force Bella to tell him. He chose to wait until Bella alone told him. Alec decided so. Now all he can do is take care of her and be by her side.

***

This weekend Bella, Mom, and Jennie are planning to have dinner together outside. Actually, Dad was included in the plan but at the last moment, Dad called Jennie.

“We have been waiting. Why did you just say that now?!” 

Jenny looks disappointed. Whether busy or what, Dad must have canceled the appointment. That's what Bella caught seeing Jennie's reaction.

"I don't want to hear an explanation. Dad was always like this. I don't want to talk, I'll hang up the phone!” Jennie was very angry.

Mother seemed to have known it would be like this, as well as Bella, while the previously cheerful Jennie suddenly became unmotivated. She must have been waiting for this day and hoped their families would be able to get together after such a long time. Jennie must be very disappointed.

A waiter approached to serve the menu. All dishes looked delicious and appetizing. Mom ordered food of course for four people including Dad's count. But now Jennie, Mom, and Bella have to spend a portion for four people.

This place is a family restaurant not far from home. Although rare, Bella's family used to eat here when eating out. The taste of this restaurant's food is the best taste for Mom. For Bella taste is not a problem, she just enjoys it, because their family rarely eats together.

Jennie is not in the mood. Seeing that, Mom started talking badly about Dad, making Bella lose her appetite.

“Mom has scheduled this meal long ago because of your Father's schedule. But, look now! How could he cancel at the last moment, he thought he was the only one who was busy!”

"No need to think about your Father, you have to keep eating Jennie. I don't like seeing you act like this."

Jenny was silent. She couldn't defend her Dad side because Dad was guilty of this.

“If it weren't for you wanting to eat together, I wouldn't have wasted time and effort making an appointment. Mom did it for you, but your Dad hasn't changed at all." Mother said to Jenny.

Bella doesn't like topics like this at all. Mom and Dad were never satisfied with badmouthing each other. Parents don't know what they are trying to emphasize in a conversation that is not worthy of being heard by their own flesh and blood. Nobody would ever like to hear their parents vilify each other.

Bella is sick of constantly being poisoned with things that can damage her heart and mind. It's not enough the suffer all this time. Until Mom and Dad still have to destroy her feeling too.

Bella's heart was broken again and again. Maybe now her heart was out of shape, pitch-black from nine years of poison. As cold as the frozen and numb polar ice. Anyone could tell what Bella's heart wants to do now, she doesn't care anymore.

Bella considers herself a human who has fallen into darkness, lost without being able to find direction and purpose. There was no place for her to return to but this cold, empty house.

Mom and Bella return home without Jennie. Jennie returned to the dormitory by taxi. The evening funeral ceremony ended in a gloomy mood. Bella was worried about Jennie because it was her little sister who was the most disappointed with the failure of the dinner together today.

"I'm tired... I'm going to rest in the room." Mom said when she got home.

Bella also decided to go to the room. She had to clean herself up, then get to work. Prepare her needs for school tomorrow. Bella's personality is disciplined in time and her daily activities have been programmed since she was a little kid. She has to learn to be independent because she is mostly living with a mother who works.

Bella didn't forget to tell Alec. When she is out of the house or during family events, she has a habit of leaving her cell phone at home.

There was no reply from Alec, nor did she wait. If it's too late Alec usually doesn't reply. Neither Alec nor Bella liked to communicate when it was late at night. They know the importance of rest time. They would reply to each other's messages the next day.

Bella sent a message to someone else, her sister, Jennie. Jennie's mood right now must be bad and hard to go through. She wants to encourage her so that Jennie doesn't dissolve in sadness for too long.

Bella's message contained. "Don't be too disappointed in Father, also don't be sad because of what Mom said. There's still plenty of time, another opportunity will surely come."

If Jennie doesn't reply to Bella's message, it means that Jennie wants to organize her heart and feelings. After Jennie felt better later, she would go straight to Bella. That's the pattern of Jennie's habits that Bella has observed since they met again.