rained on

Sapphire:

"I don’t care. It’s your birthday and we are celebrating. You don’t turn 21 every day.” And she’s gone.

Who just called? Thats my best friend, Renee. And I am Sapphire, but my friends call me Sapph and yes today is my 21st birthday and yes, I don’t want to celebrate. Why? Well, it all started when all my friends were discussing my birthday plans. Their idea was to go to a bar to celebrate. What’s wrong with that? Well think from the point of view of an introvert. Bars, alcohol, and parties aren’t something I enjoy. If I wanted it my way i would have a small party with my closest friends in my house with just a small cake. That’s it. Well now i have no choice but to go. Renee got me a dress to wear to the party as well.

I got dressed in the black bodycon dress Renee had got me and tied my hair in a high ponytail leaving my curtain bangs out. I paired it with the earrings and necklace my mother had got me a few days ago. Thay matched perfectly with my dress. As i was getting out of my apartment i received a message from Renee asking me where I was. I stepped out to see her waiting for me outside in her car. I rushed downstairs and got in the car.

The bar smelled terrible, reeking of alcohol of various types. well what else did I expect? Inside my friends had already found a table for us. Renee and I headed over and took our seats. I couldn’t wait for this to be over.

Our first round of drinks arrived. I decided on the virgin mojito, mainly because i didn’t like alcohol. After our third round of drinks Axel, one of my closest friends brought in my birthday cake. It was a light pink almost peachish colour with clouds all around it. On top of it were candles with the numbers 2 and 1 . Seeing the number gave me a sudden realisation. I’m 21. I’m an adult. Before this I was just a young adult but now I’m fully grown and have the ability to do whatever i want.

Renee snapped me out of my daze and back to reality. I blew out the candles while my friends sang the old “happy birthday” song for me. I cut the cake and served it to all my friends. In between all the drinking and the birthday festivities we’d forgotten about getting food. Axel ordered food for us all. He’d gotten us some chinese jiaozi (dumplings) and longevity noodles as he knew i was big fan of chinese culture and traditions. The food arrived and we all helped ourselves to it. After wed stuffed ourselves we decided to open my presents. I didn’t expect much for my presents. anything given by a loving heart is more than enough for me.

As I started opening my gifts we heard a loud bng as if from a gunshot. Girls from the bar started screaming and running out. More gunshots. The sound was followed by noises of men grunting in pain and I could hear cries of help. My friend also ran out of the bar through the emergency exit. I froze at the sounds. I was in complete shock. I couldn’t move. After I jumped out of my shock I hid between the table and the seats, praying for all this to be over soon. Hearing more gunshots made me scared and tears started forming in my eyes. I was sniffling before i knew it.

The next thing i see is a large dark figure standing in front of me with his hand out as if waiting for me to take it.

"Well what are you waiting for? Take my hand and get up. you need to get out of here.”

I take his hand and he pulls me up. We start running. He leads me into the bathroom and into one of the stalls.

“Stay here and don’t make any noise. You don’t want to be dead, do you?”

I nod. But it's too late. We hear the bathroom door opening. The guy turns around to fight the person that just entered. i shut my eyes close tightly. Too scared to open them. I hear a guy’s voice. He sounded like he was in pain. After a while I heard a thud. that’s when I finally open my eyes and open the door to look outside. I see my saviour standing against the wall and next to him lies a bloodied man. He was not moving. I took a step outside. I look at the guy who saved me only to see blood running down the side of his head.

I rush out towards him. “Are you okay? There’s blood running down the side of your face”

“I know. There’s nothing I can do about it here. are you hurt?” He asks plainly.

“No just a little shocked. Can i help you get cleaned up and dress your wound as a way of thanking you? Please don’t say no.”

He nods slightly.

“Follow me.” I manage to hail a cab and take him to my house. “Come in and sit down. I’ll get some medicine.” I tell him.

I get some warm water in a small tub, a cloth and the first aid kit. I sit next to him and set the tub of water on the side table beside the couch. I turn to face him, taking a good look at him. He is clearly very tall, I guess about 6′2 at least. His hair is matte black, now tousled entirely. His eyes are a deep brown with specks of gold? I think. His jawline is sharp enough to cut paper perfectly and all the girl’s hearts the minute they look at him.

I hear him clear his throat and snap out my thoughts. I dip the cloth in the warm water and bring it to his face. I stop just before touching his face. “May I?” I ask for permission.

He nods. I start dabbing the blood off his face slowly. I clean the wound with the cloth. I take out the medicine amd dip a q-tip in it and put it over his wound. After i wrap a bandage around his head. “Feels better now, right?” I ask.He nods.

"What should i address you as? I don't know your name" I inquire.

"call me Zaden" He replies sharply.

"I should get going.” he takes out his phone to see it broken.

"What's wrong?" I ask.

"Can I borrow your phone?" He requests.

I hand my phone to him. He quickly dials a number and stands up to talk to the person. He goes towards the window at the end of the room and stares endlessly at the dark night sky. He tells the person to pick him up and gives my location. He then hangs up.

In about 20 minutes someone rings the front door bell. I open to find a man in a black suit. Zaden moves beside me and nods at the man standing outside. He turns to me as if wanting to say something but stops himself. He and the man leave right away before I could even thank Zaden properly or say 'goodbye'.

I close the door behind them. I remember that I'm still in the dress I wore to the party. I hurry to change into some comfy pajamas. Exhausted from everything that had happened today I lay on my bed ready to fall into a deep, deep sleep. Yet I couldn't sleep. My thought kept running back to the guy who saved me. Zaden.