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“What and what do I need? “ I asked, numb with ideas of what I could make out for the decoration.
I never intended to hire anyone. I just wanted to do it myself, but since one of my friends offered to help, it was a win-win.
“Just get a balloon with the same color; more other ones can be mixed with ribbons, glues, and a pair of scissors,” Jane said.
We were four friends, no, five,including Mercy, who is always glued to her phone.
She occasionally joins in our conversation, but her work is much more important than a random conversation.
We almost discuss without her, especially when we talk about boys. “What about the cake? Have you ordered one?” Chioma asked.
“Yes, I did. It's just a simple design I did, I said, getting hold of the phone to show them the design. My son will be one on Saturday, but the celebration was shifted to Sunday.
“Where do you intend to do the decorations?” Chioma asked.“I don't know, probably at the dining.”
“Why not in the sitting room? The parlor is really large and would accommodate a side decoration where the cake will be placed, and Brian will cut his cake with other children,” Chioma suggested.
The four of them have been to my house one time; I hosted a house party.“You will help me out in the decoration then,” I added.
“Of course we will be there,” Chioma assured us. We went on to talk about other random things, especially the upcoming Lovers Day next month.
I shared with them what I intend to get for my husband and needed their advice or suggestions.
“Your idea is nice, but what if your husband has other plans?” Chioma asked; I shrugged, not quite sure if the gifting was going to happen.
I still have a double mind; moreover, I still have a long time to think through it and make a decision.It was 4 pm; work was already over, so everyone took their bags and left.
All through our conversation, Mercy never said a word but acted like none of our plans concerned her.Saturday was a busy one as I tried to get things in place—drinks, food, and other relevant things.
By Sunday morning, it was all about cooking and getting the dishes ready on time.I checked the time; it was already 12 pm, and yet the place Brian will be cutting his cake and taking his picture with other children was not yet ready.
I picked up my phone to call Chioma. She assured me she was coming soon, but I was already running out of time as visitors were already trouping in.My sister helped in blowing up the balloon while I waited for Chioma, Jane, and Susan to arrive.
1 pm, no sign of them; I was already running out of patients. I picked up my phone and yelled at them. My calm voice turned into a hard one as I yelled at them without menacing my words.In less than 10 minutes, Susan arrived and began decorating the room immediately.
Though they don't owe me, Susan, Jane, and Chioma have promised to help out, and all my hopes were dashed on them. It's Brian's one-year birthday, and I wanted it to be memorable with friends and family.Just after Susan arrived, Mercy came to my greatest surprise. I never thought she was going to come since she worked over the weekend.“Happy birthday, Brian,” she said with so much excitement in her voice, giving Brian a peck on the forehead. I was feeding Brian then.
“How far?” she asked casually. “Mercy.” Before I could respond, Susan had already called her. She turned.
“Are you the one there? I didn't recognize you. What can I help you do? she asked. Susan, who was busy with the decorations. Within a few minutes the decorations were done.
I helped out in a way, and with the three of us, it was much faster, and the mood was already set for the party to commence.
Susan was my MC for the occasion; she anchored the event, and it went perfectly fine.
I was grateful Mercy showed up because I never expected her to come. Jane didn't come earlier but came when the party was already over. I didn't have the energy to be mad at her, though.
