Page 199 of Not My Type
I glance at the table, noticing three cake boxes, but I can’t see the cakes yet. Nickoi holds my hand as we stand at the front. I feel so safe with him next to me. Mommy uncovers the cakes, and my mouth falls open. That Hennessy one? That one’s from Nickoi. Mi d’even a’ ask Christ.
My family members place their gifts down, and I can’t help but smile as each of them shares a little speech. It’s all so fun, especially when Dino gets up and starts telling an embarrassing story about me from when I was little. Then Sash steps up to the front. As soon as her eyes meet Gutta’s, she starts blushing, her gaze dropping to the floor, staying there for a moment.
“Ready now niecey?” Mommy approaches as emotional support.
“Yes, Aunty, so this is a gift for you, Zara, aka dolly baby,” she says, and the audience chuckles. “Mi just wah say happy birthday to you, and mi wish you many, many more years.”
“Thank you cuzzz,” I smile as she hands me the box, and I eagerly open it.
“So mi nuh know if yuh member, but the picture yuh tek when we deh a Oceano, yuh did really love it... soo!” She pops her lips, a playful grin spreading across her face. “Mi get it fi yuh inna blow-up picture frame, and a dolly cake—a you dat. Happy birthday, tight hole!”
The audience bursts out laughing at her charm, she’s funny, effortlessly. Gutta smirks, catching on that she has a thing for him. A few other family members go up, then I sit up when Gavin finally takes the floor. “Ehemz..” he starts and everyone starts laughing.
“Yes... pleasant evening to everybody. As my sister Sash would say ‘watch the dolly’, I can say there are a lot of dollies in here tonight,” he continues and they laugh again.
Gavin a comedian enuh and his face serious up deh.
“ Yes but Zara as mi tell yuh today when yuh a get ready seh a you a the talk a the town mi a say it again... you a the talk a the town cause out of all the dollies them in here you just stand up strong,” he gives the crowd an apologetic smile.
“No offense to all you beautiful ladies... anyway you know mi pocket already and yuh know seh mi nah go stretch mi basket weh it cya reach, so from other day mi a save cas mi seh mi a go stretch the basket a likkle and mi buy yuh these,” he gives me a gift bag and inside I can see some designer items. The crowd applauds.
“Yes so happy birthday and mi wish you more birthdays til we old and gray... love you.” I stand up, clapping with the others. I look at him. “Thank you.” I smile and he sits down with a nod.
“Nobody else?” My mom asks and my grandma walks over to me. She smiles at Nickoi before she walks over to the front with me.
“I’m a woman of God, so bow your heads and let’s pray,” Mama announces and begins praying. She begs God to guide and protect me, especially when I’m not around her. She prays that I accomplish all my dreams and goals in life and that she gets to see me shine and live my dreams. The prayer is lengthy, and as soon as she finishes, everyone says Amen. I smile, wiping away the tears that are threatening to come.
“Here’s your gift,” she hugs me and hands me a box with jewelry. “Thanks Mama,” I hug her.
My mother walks over to the front and she calls my name and I join her. “Good night everyone and I’m not gonna talk too long because I’m very emotional,” she says facing me.
“Zara, I love you. I want the best for you. I want to see you shine. I want to see you as a teacher, walking across that graduation platform with the awards you so deserve. You’re young, but I see you as a wife in the future, a loving mother. And I just pray to God that I’m alive to see all of this happen. I love you. Happy birthday, baby,” Mommy says, and I smile, hugging her.
“I love you too,” I peck her cheek. She pulls away and looks at Nickoi.
“Nickoi, you ready?” As soon as she asks, he nods. He walks over to me, and my mother moves aside. My heart starts beating faster, anxious to see what he’s going to do.
“Zara... ” he starts in an unfamiliar tone. Whew.
I look at his shirt. “Zara look in a mi eye,” he smirks and everyone chuckles.
“Mi need yuh fi look in a man eyes cause the whole feeling new to the both of us... yuh zimi? So let’s explore this new feeling together.”
“Wooo!” My mother claps, and I laugh shyly. I melt under his gaze, and hear people whispering, “Awwww.”
“I’m looking now,” It comes out soft. He close his eyes before he looks at the crowd then back at me.
“If yuh know mi yuh know say mi a nuh one fi explain miself or even be romantic with nobody,” he says and I hear his Outlawz responding, their voices sounding low and cold. “Neva lieeee.” His half lidded eyes on me.
“... so mi a go just do this how mi can. Zara... yuh mek mi feel some way weh mi cya explain enuh but mi priority inna this relationship a fi make sure yuh happy, at all times and mi a go try fi be there with you, be there for you and help make some a yuh dreams dem come through if mi can. Yuh zimi?” I purse my lips, then I smile, fighting with my tears.
He steps closer, his voice like velvet, sending shivers down my spine. “Yuh see that pretty smile? Mi want fi be the reason behind it. Everytime. And yuh see yuh tears, only one time mi wah see dem, and me and you both know wah me a talk bout,” his smile pretty. I hear everyone laughing. I hide my face in my palm.
His thumb brushing a stray lock of hair from my face, his touch lingering just a little longer than necessary. He leans in, his breath warm against my ear as he rasps, “Yuh know you a mi dream girl right?” I just smile, too shy to open my mouth. “You a mi dream girl, from the first time mi see yuh and mi nuh perfect, but I’m trying. Trying fi be the man yuh deserve. And one day, mi promise, mi a guh be the perfect man fi yuh.. mi a come a far way, mi a work pan miself, fi me, and fi you... but yah, happy earth strong mi Don.”
“Jah know mi bredda,” Gutta nods. “A it this.”
He smiles, and I latch onto his lip, with my teeth, teasing him in front of everyone. They’re cheering and laughing. I leave kisses on his neck then I move to his ear and bite it softly. “I love you.” Everyone getting excited, jumping around and laughing.
