Dark coffee

Chapter Thirty

A week had passed since school started. It was a Saturday in August and today was my 20th birthday.

As soon as I woke up, I felt the heat and humidity coming from outside. The sun's rays illuminated my room with a bright light. For almost an hour, I had felt my cell phone vibrating under my pillow. So, before getting up to get ready for the mystery date that Darell had arranged for me today, I looked at my cell phone. I saw several Facebook and Snapchat notifications in addition to text messages. I opened Facebook and Snapchat first; I had received messages wishing me a happy birthday from my family in South Africa, in Canada and in the United States. I also had received messages from my long-time "friends". The girls, Quincy, Darell and Jamal each sent me long text messages that warmed my heart. The one that touched me the most was Jamal's message.

From Jamal: Hi lil sis, I know you're still asleep since it's currently 5am, but I wanted to wish you a happy birthday before I go to my practice. You know if I could be there I would, but unfortunately this year I can't and I hope you won't be too mad at me...Have fun today, but don't do stupid shit or get drunk until you black out or I'll get on the first plane and take care of you! What I mean is that I'm going to hit you! For real! So that's it.
[5:02 am]

His message brought tears to my eyes and a smile on my face at the same time. I realized that this was the first year that Jamal missed my birthday. He had always been there and every year he would give me gifts that our parents couldn't afford like high game brands makeup, shoes, bags, etc. I missed him terribly.

After reading all my messages, I got out of bed and took a shower. Afterwards, I brushed my teeth, did my makeup, my hair and put on my clothes. I had decided to wear a pinkish beige jumpsuit with his shorts moulding my buttocks and my hips. I also wore the gold necklace that Darell had given me. Since Christmas, I had never removed it. I had carefully tied my long hair in a ponytail. My makeup today was fly since it was my day. When I finished getting ready, I went down to the main floor.

When I arrived in the kitchen, my parents, Lens and Malik were there. The moment they saw me, they moved away from each other and I saw a chocolate cake that looked delicious sitting on the dining table. I walked over to them and my father kissed my forehead. Then. my mother lit the candles on the cake. It had Dahila written on it in white and on a piece of chocolate on top of the cake the number 20. The next second, they started to sing happy birthday in all our languages. This family moment put a smile on my face. I made a wish and blew out my candles.

Lens then hugged me and whispered, "Happy birthday lil sis."

Then my gaze turned to Malik who normally wasn't the type to hug me, but strangely today he opened his arms to me and said, "There are exceptions to everything."

I smiled and he hugged me and wished me a happy birthday. It had been over 10 years since Malik had hugged me like that, so I was really happy. It was a perfect start to the day!

Then, my mother complimented me on my look today, even though she thought my shorts were much too short and tight. Afterwards, I cut the cake and we ate. Around 10 o'clock someone rang the doorbell. Lens went to open the door. When he came back in the kitchen, he was accompanied by Darell. Darell greeted everyone in Zulu as I had taught him how to say hello. Right after my mother served him a piece of cake. When we finished eating, we left my parent's house and went to his car. He was very handsome and as usual, he smelled soo good.

A few seconds after he started the car, I asked him excitedly, "So! Where are you taking me? To another roof?" He laughed

"I won't tell you anything! You'll see for yourself." I pretended to sulk.

He then put his right hand on my thigh as he drove. I smiled fondly for him. The more he drove, the more I realized we were leaving Toronto. About an hour later, we arrived in the nearby town of Markham, Ontario. He parked on the Markham harbour and we got out of the car.