"I know it is very easy for you to handle her type but I advise that you avoid her. Getting into a fight with her over a man you don't love or have any relationship with is pointless," Catherine advised as a good friend would do.

"Did you hear what I said?" Catherine asked when Jasmine refused to utter a word.

"I can hear you," Jasmine replied as she began taking off her clothes.

"Then why didn't you say anything...,"

"Because I don't know what to say. I can't promise you that I will stay cool if she dares disrespect me again. You know the way I am, I won't tolerate her nonsense. If she thinks she is insane then she should be ready because I am crazier and if she thinks she knows how to pretend then, babe I tell you that she is just learning," Jasmine said fiercely.

"Jasmine, why does it sound like you have something against her? What exactly is going on between you and Jackson? You aren't keeping secrets from your best friend right?" Catherine asked thinking that Jasmine was overreacting. Jasmine she knew doesn't care about what people think or say about her. She has witnessed on so many occasions how ladies and men speak ill of her in her presence but she would pretend as though she did not hear them so Jasmine acting this way feels strange.

"You aren't secretly dating or having sex with him right?" Catherine asked suspiciously.

"I am not but just to make that lady furious I wouldn't think twice having sex with him in her presence...,"

"Jasmine!" Catherine shouted at the other end of the phone.

"I am just kidding and this is because I am furious. I was already furious because I have to visit my parent's home tomorrow but her words ignited the leftover anger in me," Jasmine explained.

"Jasmine...,"

"Happy birthday girlfriend," Jasmine greeted on realising that the time just clocked midnight.

The words Catherine wanted to say refused to form in her mouth.

"Catherine, the day you came into my life is one of the happiest days of my life. Your entrance into my life has been nothing but a blessing. You were there to comfort me on my most painful days. When others criticised me and say all manner of despicable words about me, you have never condemned me. You were there to celebrate with me doing all the happy moments of my life. You are not only my best friend but also like a sister to me. I love you so much and my greatest wish for you is that you will find the one you love and live happily ever after," Jasmine said emotionally.

"I could never wish for another friend other than you. A true like you is rare to find that is why I will forever cherish our friendship. Happy belated birthday my dearest best friend," Jasmine said smiling.

"Thank you Jasmine for the kind words. You have been an amazing friend, boss and sister too. Our eight years of friendship has been like I was on a roller coaster ride. It was thrilling all along. There is no day I have ever regretted being your best friend. You are the greatest friend I could ever find in this world and I love you too. I wish our friendship would last forever. My greatest wish for you is that your wounds will heal so you can find your real true love. The man who was created just for Jasmine Avans," Catherine said emotionally as tears fall from her eyes.

"Cat, this is not my birthday so why are you saying these heartfelt words? You are making me want to cry," Jasmine said as she cleans the drop of tears from her eyes.

Catherine came into her life at the time she needed someone who understands her. Catherine comforted her during the time she was in so much pain. She encourages her and made sure she pulled through those difficult days. If not for Catherine and her grandma then they would have been no Jasmine today.

Catherine has not only been her source of comfort but also her source of motivation. Just within the space of eight years of their friendship, they have been through a lot together. They were the happy days where all they did was jubilate and they were also the sad and trying days where all they did was cry and comfort each other. All these things were the factors that strengthened their friendship and brought it to the level it was now.

"It doesn't have to be your birthday for me to say sweet words to you and you are free to cry. Nobody is there to tease you so what are you afraid of?" Catherine asked playfully.

"And all I said is the truth. I know it is hard for you to move on. I mean I have been with you all these years to see how hard you have been trying to forget the past but I really wish your wounds would heal completely. I want to see you fall in love, get married and give me some cute little buns. These are my greatest wish and I would really love it if you can grant me these wishes," Catherine said in a serious tone.

"Cat, come on I am not starved of love so what are you saying to...,"

"No more pretending, Jasmine. I am damn serious. I seriously wish that they would come a day when thinking about that incident no longer hurt you. I mean it and that will be the happiest day of my life," Catherine said seriously.

All these years she has seen her best friend pretend not to care about anything in a guise to hide her pains. She has turned blind eyes to these pretending as though she did not know anything. But the truth is only she knows Jasmine's true personality. She Is nothing like people out there think. She is just one sweet girl who was hurt to the point that recovering seems impossible.

"Jasmine, I know that you were hurt and betrayed by the one you love so deeply but I want you to give love a second chance. You said that Jackson is a nice guy so this means that not all men here are the same. They are few good ones among those bad ones but it is left for you to find that good one who was made especially for you ok?" Catherine said in a firm tone.

"When did my best friend becomes a love expert? Where did my Cat who always chase men away from me go to? I want that particular Cat back and not this one who keeps asking for impossible things," Jasmine now lying on her bed half-naked said as she rolls on the bed.

"Jasmine, it might look impossible but it is not impossible as you think. You will realise that I was right when you decided to give love a second chance...,"

"Ok, I have heard you madam but try to do what you are preaching so that the one you are preaching to will follow your footsteps," Jasmine said sarcastically.

"Jasmine...,"

"Sorry, Girlfriend but I need to hang up the call now. I need to find something suitable that I will wear to the mansion tomorrow. I don't want father and mum to start scolding me at the entrance after seeing what I wore," Jasmine said just to evade the topic.

"Let's celebrate my birthday like we normally do before you leave for the mansion because I know that you will be in no mood to celebrate after you are back," Catherine said.

"Sure, come over in the morning so we can prepare together," Jasmine said. After receiving a response she disconnected the call.

Jasmine lay on the bed and thought about all Catherine said.

Can my dead heart be revived? Is it possible for me to fall in love again after my belief has been completely shattered?.

Jasmine thought as she closed her eyes.

The next day Jasmine was awoken by the excited Catherine who pulled her up from the bed. Although she wanted to sleep some more she had to sacrifice a bit of her sleep for the birthday girl. After showering and dressing up the two ladies went to Jasmine playroom and immersed themselves in games that make them momentarily forget their problems. They played there until it was 2:00 pm.

Since they had plans to go out and have some more thrilling moments Jasmine and Catherine reluctantly abandoned their games and went to freshen up.

After they had finished preparing, Jasmine secretly brought out a blue small square-shaped gift box she had hidden inside her drawer. She approach where Catherine was sitting afterwards.

"Jasmine, what are you hiding behind your back?" Catherine asked when she saw that Jasmine's hands were behind.

"Nothing," Jasmine replied not revealing her hands.