Its her birthday tomorrow, but for some reason Joan wasn't very thrilled about the fact. Something was not the same this year. She was neither enthusiastic nor happy. Last year she was jumping all week waiting for her birthday, why not this time? Upset about getting a year older? Nah she didn't look a day older than 25 or at least that's what her friends told her all the time. She went on about her day as usual. Went to work, hung out with friends and back home. Her golden retriever Dash came running to her when she stepped in. She decided to take him for a run around the Tan
track. That should make her feel better she thought. With Ellie Goulding's Burn blasting from her Bose headphones, she started on a slow run. By the time she finished she had worked up a good sweat. On her way back she picked up her
favorite fried noodles from the Vietnamese restaurant next to her house. Joan filled Dash's bowl with some dog food
and decided to have a cold shower. She had her dinner, browsing through the TV channels unable to decide on what to watch. She decided to call it a night when she heard her mobile phone ringing out aloud. It was her school mate Ana calling.
'Hey Ana, how are you settling in ?'
'I am still getting used to the damn weather Joan but liking it so far.. Do you wanna start your birthday with some hard
rock partying'
'Nahh, hey how did you know its my birthday tomorrow?'
'Duh, its on Facebook doll'
'Oh OK'
'Come on Joan, lets go at least for for a movie. There should be some new movie you haven't seen yet, pleasee..' she pleaded.
'Ok Ana. Let me get ready. Will see you at the movies in an hr ?'
'Awesome, give me a call once you reach the mall. I am here for a social catch up with the class guys'.
'Ok then. Ciao'.
Joan found Ana and they headed to watch the movie. The movie was good and it was now well past midnight and it was Joan's birthday..
'Happy happy birthday Joan' said Ana..
'Thank you said Joan smiling. They were just walking out from the theater into an almost empty road. They were waiting for the bus to go back home when another of Joan's friend turned up..
'Happy Bday Joan' he said.
'Maxxx, hi. Thanks. Been almost a yr since i saw you.'
Suddenly she could see Zoe, Esther, Raj and Maahi too.
Joan was confused.
'What are all of you doing here? This cant be a coincidence.' she said.
'Happy Bday Joann' they all echoed.
The road seemed brighter now with all the cheerful faces. Definitely someone has switched a light on thought Joan
smiling to herself. She was still reeling with happiness when far away she saw somebody walking towards her. As he neared, Joan's eye welled up. It was Prof. Mujkanovic. Joan was sure everything around her was spinning. It was exactly 4.5yrs since she last saw him. She had been in contact via email for a while but nothing in the last two years. She felt bad that she hadnt been in touch in the recent past. He was the perfect mentor any student could have. He had taught her some of life's most invaluable lessons.
'Happy Bday Joan', he said smiling.
'Thanks Val' she said giving him a hug.
'Look at you, all grown up'.
'Oh Val, stop it. I am so so happy to see you. How have you been? How are Mary and the kids?'
'They are good. Kids growing up.'
'Guys we should all move inside and have a seat. We are making ruckus on the road' said Joan
'Ana, i cant thank you enough. How did you manage to organise this?'
'Joan.. I didnt do anything. There is still one more person waiting for you.'
Then Joan saw him. She saw a silhoutte walking towards her. Even without looking at his face she knew who it was. It was her ex. She hadnt seen him in months. She thought he had moved continents not wanting to be with her. Her stomach
was doing a flip. A sense of belonging and familiarity returned. Is this what i wanted? she wondered. She could now see Nathaniel clearly. He held a boquet of her favourite red tulips.
'Happy Birthday Joan' he said.
'What are you doing here Nathaniel.'
'Wishing you on your Birthday', he smiled.
'Did you do all this ?'. He nodded.
'But why?. I thought you hated me'.
'I never hated you Joan. We just had too many arguments. At the time I felt it was right for us to get some space. But now I know what a big mistake it was. I am sorry Joan for hurting you and breaking your heart.. Will you accept me back?'
'I don't know what to say'.
She didn't care to look around. It was just her and him now. She knew she was happy seeing him. She now felt excited that it was her birthday. It was all too much for her to take in. Before she could say anything, she saw Nathaniel reach for something in his back pocket and the next moment he was on one knee.
'Joan Miller, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I was a fool to think otherwise. Will you please marry me
and make me yours ?'
After what seemed like eons, 'Yes' she said laughing and crying at the same time.
She hugged him tight taking in his familiar smell and his touch.
track. That should make her feel better she thought. With Ellie Goulding's Burn blasting from her Bose headphones, she started on a slow run. By the time she finished she had worked up a good sweat. On her way back she picked up her
favorite fried noodles from the Vietnamese restaurant next to her house. Joan filled Dash's bowl with some dog food
and decided to have a cold shower. She had her dinner, browsing through the TV channels unable to decide on what to watch. She decided to call it a night when she heard her mobile phone ringing out aloud. It was her school mate Ana calling.
'Hey Ana, how are you settling in ?'
'I am still getting used to the damn weather Joan but liking it so far.. Do you wanna start your birthday with some hard
rock partying'
'Nahh, hey how did you know its my birthday tomorrow?'
'Duh, its on Facebook doll'
'Oh OK'
'Come on Joan, lets go at least for for a movie. There should be some new movie you haven't seen yet, pleasee..' she pleaded.
'Ok Ana. Let me get ready. Will see you at the movies in an hr ?'
'Awesome, give me a call once you reach the mall. I am here for a social catch up with the class guys'.
'Ok then. Ciao'.
Joan found Ana and they headed to watch the movie. The movie was good and it was now well past midnight and it was Joan's birthday..
'Happy happy birthday Joan' said Ana..
'Thank you said Joan smiling. They were just walking out from the theater into an almost empty road. They were waiting for the bus to go back home when another of Joan's friend turned up..
'Happy Bday Joan' he said.
'Maxxx, hi. Thanks. Been almost a yr since i saw you.'
Suddenly she could see Zoe, Esther, Raj and Maahi too.
Joan was confused.
'What are all of you doing here? This cant be a coincidence.' she said.
'Happy Bday Joann' they all echoed.
The road seemed brighter now with all the cheerful faces. Definitely someone has switched a light on thought Joan
smiling to herself. She was still reeling with happiness when far away she saw somebody walking towards her. As he neared, Joan's eye welled up. It was Prof. Mujkanovic. Joan was sure everything around her was spinning. It was exactly 4.5yrs since she last saw him. She had been in contact via email for a while but nothing in the last two years. She felt bad that she hadnt been in touch in the recent past. He was the perfect mentor any student could have. He had taught her some of life's most invaluable lessons.
'Happy Bday Joan', he said smiling.
'Thanks Val' she said giving him a hug.
'Look at you, all grown up'.
'Oh Val, stop it. I am so so happy to see you. How have you been? How are Mary and the kids?'
'They are good. Kids growing up.'
'Guys we should all move inside and have a seat. We are making ruckus on the road' said Joan
'Ana, i cant thank you enough. How did you manage to organise this?'
'Joan.. I didnt do anything. There is still one more person waiting for you.'
Then Joan saw him. She saw a silhoutte walking towards her. Even without looking at his face she knew who it was. It was her ex. She hadnt seen him in months. She thought he had moved continents not wanting to be with her. Her stomach
was doing a flip. A sense of belonging and familiarity returned. Is this what i wanted? she wondered. She could now see Nathaniel clearly. He held a boquet of her favourite red tulips.
'Happy Birthday Joan' he said.
'What are you doing here Nathaniel.'
'Wishing you on your Birthday', he smiled.
'Did you do all this ?'. He nodded.
'But why?. I thought you hated me'.
'I never hated you Joan. We just had too many arguments. At the time I felt it was right for us to get some space. But now I know what a big mistake it was. I am sorry Joan for hurting you and breaking your heart.. Will you accept me back?'
'I don't know what to say'.
She didn't care to look around. It was just her and him now. She knew she was happy seeing him. She now felt excited that it was her birthday. It was all too much for her to take in. Before she could say anything, she saw Nathaniel reach for something in his back pocket and the next moment he was on one knee.
'Joan Miller, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I was a fool to think otherwise. Will you please marry me
and make me yours ?'
After what seemed like eons, 'Yes' she said laughing and crying at the same time.
She hugged him tight taking in his familiar smell and his touch.
This entry was posted
on 18 April 2015
at 6:01 AM
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engagement,
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