Chapter 1 First meeting

Melissa's POV

"Melissa, what are you still doing up there?"

"I'm coming. .I'm coming."

"You're the celebrant, how can you keep your guests waiting."

"Mom don't pin this on me I never wanted any 9f this, no how I pushed against it you double down and insisted on having this party."

"How do you expect me not to throw a coming of age party for you. This is your eighteenth birthday, we need to celebrate you becoming an adult."

Like that changes anything.

I wonder why my mom was making a fuss about my eighteenth birthday, it's not like anything will change. I had to give in just to make her happy and I ended up regretting the morning I woke. The whole house was buzzing with activities.

As I walked down the stairs to the hall I could feel everyone's gaze on me without needing to look up. I had to force a smile and greet my guest warmly.

When everyone was focused on catching up and socialising, I looked for a quiet corner to enjoy a piece of cake.

Cough

Halfway through I heard someone Coughing. Before then I didn't notice that there was someone else there and when he coughed it scared me so much that I ended up dropping my cake on the floor.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to scare you." The man said in a deep frail voice.

"It's okay. Are you sick?" I asked when I saw him all wrapped up and even had a mask on.

"I'm fine. I'm just not used to crowded places."

"Really, let's go for a walk, I'm not a big fan of crowds."

He chuckled as he stood up and left the hall with me. I led him to the garden.

"Ah, nice. So are you a family friend or a business partner."

"I'm a family friend, you don't remember, I used to come over to your house to play with you brother when you were little."

"Oh! Why are you wrapped up like this? Don't you feel hot." He was covered from head to toe. I could barely see his eyes.

"Let's just say I'm sick."

"What kind of sickness would make you wrap yourself up like a dumpling?"

"I have a rare condition and I react to many things and people."

"Whoa, that must be frustrating?"

"It's indeed frustrating. But hopefully I'll get a cure for it soon."

"So you spend your days wrapped up like this?"

"I live in seclusion so I only dress like this when I'm living in the house."

"I see so..." I was just about continuing the conversation when a guard walked over.

"I guess it's time for me to leave. Oh before I forget, here's your gift. Happy birthday Melissa."

"Thank you, you haven't told me your name."

"I'm Richard."

"Goodbye Richard, I hope they find the cure soon."

"I hope so too. Goodbye Melissa." I felt bad for him, how difficult would it be for someone to live his life like that.

I stared at him until he was out of sight. I felt bored staying outside on my own so I returned to the party.

"Melissa, there you are. I've been looking everywhere for you."

"Went for a walk. You know I'm not a big fan of parties."

"That doesn't mean you should abandon your guests."

"I didn't abandon them, I just accompanied one for a walk."

"Where's the guest you're claiming to have accompanied."

"He is gone. I came back after he left."

"Don't tell me you don't know his name."

"His name is Richard, he said he was a childhood friend of ours."

"Oh." I could swear I saw my mom's eyes glow with excitement when I mentioned Richard but it disappeared quickly.

"Can I go now?"

"Of course not. It's almost time to start seeing your guest off."

"can't you and dad just do that? I'm tired."

"You're tired. You did nothing the whole night and now you're telling me you're tired. Quickly go to the door and see your guests off."

"Mom, no more parties. Atl least not for me."

I begrudgingly walked to the door with the best smile I could mutter and bidded farewell to the guest. After everyone left I rushed straight to my gifts and started opening them.

I loved the present but not the party, if I could receive gifts without having to host a party that would be perfect.

That was the last birthday party my mom ever held for me, but I would still receive gifts from family and friends including Richard. I couldn't help wondering what Richard would look like without his mask on. After my nineteenth birthday I wasn't the one who personally received his gifts, so I slowly forgot about Richard.

I once heard that love could mess with your head and if you're not careful it would lead to your doom. When I heard those words I sneered, I believed I was clear headed and would never fall victim but things don't always go as we plan. University life was filled with love bubbles in the air. You would all always see a couple at every corner, I alway sneered when I saw them as I could not understand what was wrong with them. It's not as if they would die if they stayed apart for a few hours.

Well that was not my problem, I spent most of my time in school or in my hostel, sometimes at competitions organised by the school though I never participated. I don't like competing so I attend to gain more knowledge.

As usual I decided to go to watch one of the competitions held by the school and this was where I thought my love bloomed. This competition changed a lot in my life.