19 Chapter 18

Ria's POV

Our backyard is spacious. Mum and dad both loves gardening, thus the whole backyard is full of different verities of flowering and non flowering plants. And at the end in all three corners are the home grown vegetables.

It also has undercover alflasco with one hanging chair and a out door dining table and a barbecue in one of the corner. Where the decking ends starts the green grass which dad keeps it tidy at all time. He make sure grass is groomed regularly. One the side there is a big swimming pool.

I saw Hanrey stretched and relaxed next to uncle Patrick and dad near the BBQ.

"Hanrey", I called and he looked in our direction ran and reached me in no time. He barked and started licking at the same time trying to jump on my body. I sat down on my knees carrying him " Ooh you missed me. I missed you too buddy".

I kissed him several time and squeezed him in cuddle rubbing his fur at the same time. He keep licking my hand and face saying how much he missed me. He settled on my lap with no intention of getting off.

He has been with us for 5 years and he has been very close with me. I know how much he must have missed me.

My mum agreed to have dog in a condition that me and Ryan would be the one to look after him.

We both agreed and did it as well.

Even though my mum said that before having him, she is the one who spoil him the most.

"Ria my daughter come here", my dad called out. Me and Sarah who was standing next to me watching me and Henrey with the smile, we both ran towards our dads still carrying Hanrey. I put Hanrey on the floor to hug my dad. Both uncle Patrick and dad were standing near the barbecue with the beer on their hand.

"Look at these girls growing up too fast. How are you Sarah".

"Hello uncle Patrick. I m good. How are you. we mis you guys so much", I said with the pout.

"We all missed you guys as well. You guys are the gem of the house, house feels hollow without you guys around", said uncle patrick embracing Sarah.

" We missed you guys so much as well", Sarah stated. She kneel on her knees carrying Henrey who was now licking her foot. "How have you been Henrey," Sarah said rubbing him gently. Henrey barked in response.

Dad gave both of us a bottle of beer each. I love having beer specially in the beautiful weather like today. I was a bit hot during the day but the evening breeze cooled the temperature down.

Fresh air blowing and clear sky.

We can officially have alcohol now. I have had it at few occasions before I reached legal age on the parties organised by friends. But my parents haven't been aware of it or they try not to discuss it, which one is true i have no idea.

Carrying bottle of beer each we started having BBQ lamb. Dad's lamb and cumin BBQ recipe is better than the takeaway. Wow and he always makes it extra hot which makes it even better. We all are chilli lovers in our family. Even though Sharah prefers less chilli she always likes the BBQ lamb the way dad makes it. My dad got some magic on his hand.

Dad put one plate of cooked BBQ on the disposable plate and gave it to us to take it to where mums were sitting on the dining table with glass of wine on each hand.

Sarah carried both of our beer and I carried bbq and headed towards the dining table. "Ooh you guys are here now. Sit down and enjoy and thanks for the bbq" said my mother munching on the lamb piece.

Sarah and me grab the chair and pulled it near were mums were and settled down to enjoy the evening.

Ryan came outside shortly after we started eating BBQ. He grabbed beer and came towards us. He pulled the chair and settled down next to Sarah brushing onto Sarah's arms with his as he sat down causing Sarah's cheeks to ripen.

We have been really close since childhood so I don't think anyone would notice the change in their behaviour except me. They stared into each others eyes for a little while then Ryan broke the contact as he tried to garb lamb which was sitting next to Sarah on the table.

As Ryan was finding it difficult to reach the plate. Sarah tried to bring it towards him but with the other hand Ryan hold Sarah's hand and pulled it and said something on her ear. Sarah went red with embarrassment.

Then he bring the chair even more closer towards Sarah and put one hand on the side of her arms as if hugging from the side and lean forward to grab the BBQ.

I who was on the opposite direction watched

them, they unaware of my eyes on them. I didn't wanted either of them to feel awkward so i tried not to stare at them constantly. Mums were busy taking about one of the neighbours to care about what was happening behind their eyes.

" I wish Mr John and me could be doing the same", thought came from nowhere. His thoughts were not there since I came out of the Shower.

I managed not to think about him for at least a while. A deep breath escape from my mouth. Everyone looked at me at the same time with the quizzical look.

"Are you alright Ria?" my mum asked me with concern.

"I am all good mum, may be just a little tired," I managed trying to sound normal.

"Do you want to have your dinner and rest then?"

"No mum, I am ok. I want to enjoy my time with you guys. I am not even sleepy yet and I can never sleep this early. Also I slept all th me way home".

"Sarah can you please stay here tonight. We have to finish all our assignment so that we can enjoy our whole day tomorrow", I asked her shifting my conversation, even though there was not a single assignment due.

Sarah smiled and said, "sure, mum I am gonna to stay here tonight is that ok?" she asked looking in her mother's direction.

Instead my focus was mostly on Ryan who looked the most happiest sitting next to Sarah hand still on Sarah's shoulder.

My mum interrupted, " alright then you guys stay here as well. We can all go out for picnic tomorrow after breakfast".

"But we haven't got any night clothes and we don't live that far. We will go home and come in the morning for breakfast. You definitely can stay Sarah. Try and finish everything tonight so that we can enjoy the rest of the weekend", Sarah's mum said.

"No you are staying tonight. Ryan, Sarah can you guys go to your house and bring night clothes and tooth brush for them. Do you need anything else", said my mum.

"I am not going to win here m I. Ok then, your dad has the key go and get the night cloth and toothbrush as well as my travel make up kit. Also being the yellow floral dress for me and a nice pair of t shirt and shorts for dad for tomorrow as well. You know where they are don't you?" Sarah's mum asked her.

"Of course I know mum. Ria do you want to come as well", said Sarah.

The whole time I was looking at Ryan who was over the moon about the idea of being alone with Sarah. Sarah's word made Ryan's face drop. Of course I wouldn't go with them why would I want to interrupt whatever is cooking between them.

"No Sarah, is that OK if I stay here and finish my beer. You know I don't like warm beer, also I am a bit tired as well", I said to Sarah with the wink.

Ryan's lips started lifting up hearing what I said. Sarah left first followed by Ryan. I watched them as Sarah grabbed key from his dad until both of them disappeared from my view.

Ryan suddenly grabbed Sarah's hand and hugged her from behind. He might have thought that nobody could see them but they were still visible from where I was sitting. After a while Ryan let of of Sarah and both of them headed towards front of the house.

I shipped on my beer thinking what Mr John might me doing now.