“Mike, we are going to make a quick stop at my place.” George told Michael on their way out of the bar. “Why?” Michael asked still walking beside George without looking at him. “To pick up my cell phone, please.” George replied and made a quick step in front of him stopping a taxi.

Back in George’s apartment the room was dark. “Hey man, hurry up and get your cell phone.” Michael said standing outside George’s apartment. “No come in Mike.”George said, pulling his hand and in one pull, he pulled Mike into the house then made his way for the light switch and switch on the light.

“Surprise!” Came the voices in the room which startled Michael and they all began to sing a happy birthday song to him. They where so many people inside the house, many of them are well known to him and a few others who he haven’t seen before.

Michael was so surprised that he didn’t know what to say. “Happy birthday Mike.” George said, smiling at him. “Oh my God! I can’t believe this George, you remembered my birthday that even I have forgotten.” Michael said still looking surprised “wow, thanks guys.” He said looking at the ladies and gents in the house. “And thank you George.” He added turning around to look at George who smiled at him in return.

“I told you Mike, take a break and have some fun.” George said to Mike. “I mean look at you, I can’t believe you forget your own birthday; I George would never forget my birthday for anything in the world.” Then he turned around and shouted to the DJ he had hired, “DJ hit the music, and let the party begin.”

***

Lora stood by the door, raising her both hands up to halt the kids who are jiggling at the door, they are usually filled with excitement each time they come to her house for classes; she really do not know the reason for their excitement, but all she knows is that she feels light hearted by their excitement.

“Hold on kids, hold on, hold on!” she said to the kids, raising her voice up a little to calm them down. The kids who were so eager to go in and sit down for their lessons, paused by the door and looking at one another, they wondered why Miss Lora would stop them at the door instead of letting them in to begin their lessons as usual.

“Miss Lora, are you alright?” Little Emilia asked looking up at Lora, her voice sounding small and childish. “Yes Miss Lora, is there a problem?” Jose added also looking up at Lora.

The rest of the kids looked up at her too, their eyes widened in agreement to the questions asked. Lora knowing that the kids are right and that this is unlike her, smiled and replied “yes kids, today is quite an exceptional day you know.” She said her gaze moving from one kid to another.

“Exceptional day?” the kids echoed and looked at each other in a questionable kind of way, in wonder as to what made the day exceptional.

“What could be so exceptional today, Miss Lora?” Diago asked looking back up at Lora who was still gazing at them, enjoying the moment.

“Oh yes, Miss Lora graduated today.” Nina shouted and jumped up and down, jiggling like one who had just won a lottery.

“Uhu.” Lora said, nodding her head in agreement. The kids jumped up and down in excitement and echoed, “happy graduation Miss Lora.”

Lora knelt down on both knees with her arms opened wide, the kids all ran into them and they had a group hug. “Ooh… thank you guys.” Lora said, while they were still holding each other.

This feels so good and she have been longing for a beautiful hug like this since morning. She wished Alfredo would give her beautiful hugs like this without wanting anything in return.

What a life, she’s hoping that Alfredo would give her the love and care her parents never gave her; If only she didn’t love him so much, maybe her heart won't yarn for him like it does now. She thought.

“Miss Lora” Nina called, bringing her attention back to reality. “If only I remembered today is your graduation, I would have prepared a present for you.” She said, while they were still holding themselves in a hug.

“Oh no darling, you’ve made my day by giving me such a lovely hug; you’ve all made my day.” She said now entangling herself from their little hands and looking at them.

“You know what!” Lora said standing up and making a pose. “We are not having lessons today because I have got a surprise for you...”

“What! A surprise.” The kids shouted in excitement without letting her finish her statement; they ran past her, shoving her to a side as they made their way through the door into the room where they used for their lessons. “Wow.” They shouted, their eyes widened as they saw their lesson room beautifully decorated.

Lora closed the door and followed behind them. “Well?” she asked, shrugging her shoulders in a way of seeking their opinion about the decorated room.

“This is beautiful Miss Lora, it didn’t look like our class room at all.” Maya pointed out, her voice filled with excitement; all the other kids nodded in agreement.

“Well am glad you all liked it because this is going to be my own little graduation party with you guys.” Lora said, picking little Emilia up from the ground into her arms.

***

“Let me introduce you two,” George said to Michael, holding a beautiful blond girls hand who he had invited to the party. “Mike, this is Brenda.” He told Michael pointing at the beautiful blond girl who is standing by his side. “Brenda, Mike.” He said to Brenda pointing at Michael who reluctantly stretched out his hands to Brenda, she took it and they both said “hello.”

“Excuse me one moment.” Michael said to Brenda letting go of her hand as he placed his arm on George shoulder and moved him aside.

“What’s the meaning of this George?” he whispered into George’s ear squeezing his shoulder at the same time.

“Chill Mike, relax and have fun.” George said pulling his shoulder off from Michael’s hold.

“It’s your birthday package from me to you, so please go and have fun.” George said to Michael as he shoved him back to where Brenda is standing.

“Hi!” Michael said, raising his right hand up, not sure of what to say to Brenda; then he took a sip of the alcohol in his disposable cup which he is holding in his left hand.

“Hi!” She said in reply looking at him skeptically, not sure of what to make of him. He is cute though, she thought and kind of shy too, she concluded as she took another glance at him and sipping a drink from her cup too.

“Happy birthday Mike.” She said to him after a short silence. “Thanks Brenda.” He replied, and then looked at her briefly before looking away, suddenly some guys pulled him on both hands on to the middle of the room where they assumed to be the dance floor.

George took Brenda’s hand and led her to where Michael is dancing at the middle of the house with some other invitees, Brenda extended her hand to Michael who took it and smiled sheepishly at her; they both followed the flow. “Ooh that’s what I’m talking about.” George said winking an eye to Michael who smiled at him coyly…