Chapter 2 - Sixth-Anniversary
"Okayyy. I'm all set."
Devvy’s cheerful voice interrupted my thoughts.
"I am serious Dais. Next time, if you pull something like that again, I will definitely fire you"
"Yes Yes. Mi lady" Daisy joked.
Devvy snared at her and smiled.
Looks like the storm has calmed down and Devvy is about to go up to the stage. And I haven't said what I came here for to her.
"Umm...Devvy, I'm sorry to break this up but I think I'm gonna head home and call it a night."
"Uhhh....can't you stay for a little longer. The show is gonna wrap up in one hour."
"I can't. Sorry. I have a case to study this week."
"OK.I forgot. I can't go home too. We have an after party for my sixth-anniversary. So I am sure I can't convince you to stay anyway. But thank you again for coming. That means a lot to me"
"Like I said, it was my pleasure. But wait. Let's back up for a sec. After-party? What is that?"
"Oh. It's just a get-together at some bar just me and the production crew and backstage crew. It's been six years since I debuted. So they are throwing me a little celebration party."
She paused, looked up my face and studied my expression.
"I know what you're thinking. Yes there will be alcohol but I won't be drinking. I have a photo shoot tomorrow. Edgy will be with me there. So don't worry".
[That's what I am worried about.]
I didn't say that out loud.
"OK.As long as you are careful. You know how you are with alcohol..."
I said almost laughingly.
"That was ONE TIME Endy. One time." She snarked back.
I was talking about that ONE TIME where Devvy drank a lot of alcohol and drunk-dial me for TWO straight hours. I've been using that recording as a leverage to get out of certain situations.
My blackmail card.
"OK. Fine. I am leaving."
"Wait. We will walk you to the gate. I'm going that way anyway."
Three of us walked through the hall way to the stage as we talked about unrelated matters. Mostly Daisy did the talking….she was resuming her bad-mouthing about my downstair neighbor…Mrs.Donovan.Then we reached the junction where we needed to part away. I am going right way and she has to head to the opposite.
"Well. This is it."
I cut off whatever we were talking about and said
"Thank you again for having me here tonight Spice. It is a lovely show. Go. Break a leg and steal some show thunder."
"I thought you'd never ask."She teased back.
I said goodbye to Daisy and turned my back. When I've stepped for three steps,
"Hey Endy". Devvy called me back.
When I turned around, I saw her eyes filled with sympathy.
"I know the real reason why you have to go home right now.
I don't want to upset you and I don't want to say [let by gone be by gone].
But I want you to know that if you want to discuss it or just need to talk, I'm here for you. Always. Just don't let IT consume you. OK?"
For some reasons, I felt warmed. That's the best thing about my best friend. She may act like she is the centre of the world and use vicious words against others but the truth is she cares about people a lot, especially those close to her. She just doesn't let it show.
To her warming words, I replied
"I know you know about that Dev and I totally trust you but I'm just not ready to talk about it. I promise I will talk as long as I am ready. OK?"
"OK.C ya soon then" she said with a smile.
And just when I was about to face away, she called me again.
"Oh..ah...one more thing" she paused."Sorry. This is totally about me. I need to tell you something important but now I don't have time. I will call you or text you tomorrow. OK? It's really important."
And then she looked at impatient Daisy and said the same thing
"And you too. I have a different matter to talk to you too. It's quite serious. Don't worry it's not about firing you. So remind me about that later, OK?"
Before I got to say anything
"See! That's why you need me. I'm like your waking alarm. Always reminding you and stuff now go. It's SHOW TIME."
Daisy replied.
"Don't worry Dev. I will call you in the morning. OK"
She nodded.
"And if I hadn't said so, Congratulation on your MEGA concert and hitting a six-strainght-years-success--I'm so proud of you. Now go. Your fans are waiting."
"OK. Bye. See you later......"
Her voice faded away as she dashed into the dark hall way.
I headed to the exit.
I can't believe Devvy has known all along what I've been up to and kept quiet. I have had a hunch but I didn't think she would know all about it. And as I recall the conversation we just had I feel like I kind of already knew what she is gonna talk about in the morning. It's her sixth year today, of course she has to talk about that IMPORTANT promise that she had made when we were younger.
When I got to the exit gate, I took a one glance at the stage on which Devvy is singing her hearts out, dancing tirelessly and delivering fans the best performance ever.Had she known what the night has stored in for her, would she have saved some energy?
When I got out of the stadium, I took a cab to my apartment. Considering the fact that I live five blocks from here and heavy traffic, it's gonna be a while to get to my place. I can't shake my minds off what Devvy just said to me. Then my thoughts wandered back to 16 years ago, back to nothing.