My birthday had become the only thing keeping me excited through everything that had been happening, and thankfully, it fell on a Saturday. For once, I didn’t have to worry about school, teachers, or pretending everything was fine in front of people. Today was supposed to be about me.

Hameedat and Nafisa arrived early, almost dragging me out of the house before I could even finish getting ready. I knew they were trying, especially Nafisa. She had apologized, and although I told her it was fine, a part of me still held back. Trust doesn’t return that easily. Still, today wasn’t the day to hold grudges.

“We are getting late oo. Jerry has been calling,” Hameedat complained, pacing around my room while I stood in front of my wardrobe, completely stuck.

Nothing felt right. Every outfit suddenly looked wrong on me, like I wasn’t enough for my own birthday.

Jerry’s name lingered in my mind. He had just been discharged from the hospital a few days ago, and even when I saw him briefly, he still looked weak, pale, thinner than usual, like life had been drained out of him little by little. I hadn’t had the chance to talk to him properly, to tell him everything that had happened while he was gone. Maybe today would be that chance.

“Wear this,” Nafisa said, pulling out one of my pink dresses.

I paused. Pink. My favourite colour.

Without arguing, I took it from her and quickly got dressed. Maybe I didn’t need something perfect.

We left the house soon after, and when we arrived at Jasmine Hotel, my heart skipped. George had really gone all out. His street friends were already there, along with some SS3 students and a few of my classmates. The atmosphere was louder, freer, like we were stepping into something we weren’t entirely supposed to be part of but who cares?

We moved together as a group, entering the rooms that had already been booked. I couldn’t stop glancing around, trying to take everything in. This wasn’t something we did every day.

After settling in, the boys dropped off drinks, snacks, and everything we needed before we began to celebrate my birthday.

Soon, George and I stepped out to the next room that was also booked. That was when reality hit me. How did he afford this hotel or how was he able to book three rooms?

“How were you even able to book these rooms?” I asked, lowering my voice slightly. I didn’t want to offend him. “We’re still underage.”

George laughed like it was the simplest question in the world. “That one doesn’t matter,” he said casually, stepping closer to me. “The only thing that matters is you. Happy birthday, my love.”

Before I could respond, his lips were already on mine, soft and familiar. Then he pulled away slightly and began showing me the gifts he had bought.

I was stunned.

It was too much. Way more than I expected. Way more than what I gave him on his birthday.

For a moment, I felt guilty for making him spend so much. Then I smiled, wrapping my arms around him and kissing him again, this time slower, more intentional.

“I promise I won’t hurt you anymore,” he whispered against my lips.

I froze slightly. He must have noticed the hesitation in my expression because he pulled back, searching my face. “I swear, Zara. I won’t leave you. I love you.”

I wanted to believe him. I really did. But love, to me, had started to feel like something that always came with pain.

“Make an oath,” I said quietly. “That’s the only way I’ll believe you.”

There was a brief pause, then he nodded without hesitation.

“I have a new blade,” he said. “We can make a blood covenant.”

Something in me should have stopped him, because this wasn’t normal. This was too much, and we were going too far but I didn’t stop him.

Instead, I watched as he brought out the new blade.

My heart pounded, but I still stretched out my hand. I cut my index finger, wincing slightly as the sting spread through my skin. He did the same, and then we pressed our fingers together, our blood mixing.

It felt… binding and permanent. In that moment, I convinced myself that it was something real.

I smiled, relieved in a strange way, and kissed him again, pouring every piece of love I had left into it.

But our moment didn’t last. There were loud and angry voices coming from the other room and it was impossible to ignore. So, we pulled apart immediately and rushed out to see what was happening before anyone came to chase us out.

“What is going on?” I asked, but my voice got lost in the tension filling the room.

“How dare you?” Hameedat was shouting, her voice shaking with anger as she faced Olamide.

Everyone had gathered around, watching.

Then she turned to me, her eyes blazing. “Can you believe Olamide sent a picture of me and Gideon kissing to Saheed? What is his own business?”

For a second, I couldn’t even process her words.

“You… kissed Gideon?” I asked, completely stunned.

Everything inside me paused. Wow.

So she had really moved on. Well, thank God Saheed wasn’t here because if he was… this birthday might have turned into something else entirely.

Unique question:

Is Zara falling deeper in love… or trapping herself in something she won’t be able to escape?

Thank you to those who spared some time to share their thoughts on every chapter. I truly appreciate your comments and for those who haven’t been commenting, it’s not too late to drop your comment please.