red string | jay

twenty seven

ina was inflating balloons with her mom when the doorbell rang, the soft pop of the balloon's final breath still lingering in the air. they were currently preparing a small surprise party for her dad's birthday, something intimate but full of love.

"is that dad?" ina asked, dropping the half-inflated balloon into the basket.

her mom shook her head, wiping her hands on her apron. "it's the parks. go open it, i'll finish this."

ina nodded, already padding toward the door. she smoothed down her oversized t-shirt before opening it to reveal jay and his parents standing on the doorstep, their arms full of party bags and boxes.

"we got decorations and cake!" jay's mother announced with a bright smile as ina stepped aside to let them in.

"perfect timing," ina said, stepping aside to help take a box from jay's dad. jay walked in beside her, already opening their shared party planning checklist on his phone.

"so we're done with cake and decorations," he said, tapping the screen. "what about food?"

"ordered caterers. and drinks. both confirmed this morning," she replied, scanning his screen as he checked two more boxes.

jay gave her a small nod of approval. "we're actually killing it."

they had initiated the party together a few weeks ago, volunteering to take charge of everything from venue and decorations to food and the guest list. what began as a quick idea over lunch had turned into weeks of planning, texting at odd hours, and spreadsheet debates that escalated into full-blown mock fights in the group chat.

"guests are arriving in like, an hour," ina began rambling, her words picking up pace. "and dad should be here in an hour and a half. so we really only need to look after the decorations, check the speaker system, light the candles, and also change—"

jay placed a hand on her shoulder. "calm down, angry bird. we've got this."

ina took a breath, realising just how much tension she was carrying. "can't blame me for being excited. he's gonna love this."

jay's lips twitched into a soft smile. "definitely. now let's knock the decorations out."

they made their way into the living room, where ina's mom and jay's parents were trying—and failing—to hang the birthday banner evenly across the wall. the banner drooped miserably in the middle like it had given up halfway through.

"we'll do the banner," ina called out quickly, rushing forward. the three adults sighed in relief, quickly returning to the safety of the balloon station.

"cowards," jay muttered with a smirk.

"you're too short to put this banner up," he added, holding one end and glancing down at her.

ina narrowed her eyes. "i'm tall enough to kick you right in the face."

jay snorted. "i bet your leg won't even reach my chin."

"whatever, park. i'll stick, you hold." she tore off a piece of tape with unnecessary force and started adjusting the angle.

a strand of hair fell into her face and she blew it away with a frustrated puff. jay watched her a little too intently—until she looked up at him without missing a beat.

"you can stare later. hold the banner up first."

jay cleared his throat, ears slightly red, and raised the banner properly. they worked in silence after that, punctuated by occasional complaints and ina grumbling about the quality of the tape. there were more decorations than either of them had accounted for—tassels, photo cutouts, a glitter sign that said "happy birthday appa," and a corner table dedicated to desserts.

"you kids done?" jay's dad asked, peeking in as the final streamer was taped up.

"i think so," ina said, stepping back with her hands on her hips.

the living room was now transformed. soft blue and sky blue decorations filled the space, from carefully coordinated balloons to streamers, even the fresh flower arrangements matched the theme. it was her dad's favorite color—she'd made sure of that.

"how does it look?" jay asked, a hint of nervousness creeping into his usually confident voice.

ina's mom beamed. "it looks perfect. you've both done an amazing job."

she gave them a gentle pat on their backs. jay's mom nodded approvingly beside her.

"now go get changed. the guests will start arriving soon," she added.

"yes ma'am," ina said with a mock salute, already heading for the stairs.

—

an hour later, the house was alive with low chatter and laughter. ina's relatives mingled in the living room. her dad's old college friends stood near the snack table, holding glasses of juice while exchanging stories. there were colleagues from work, neighbors, and a few family friends, all waiting with excitement.

ina stood at the window with jay, both peeking through the sheer curtain every few minutes.

"we've done everything, right?" she whispered. "food, drinks, decor, cake, speaker system, tv videos—"

jay sighed, arms crossed. "you've done this mental checklist like six times in the last hour."

"nervous habits, can i live?" she shot back.

"you're gonna tear that shirt hem off if you keep playing with it," he teased, glancing down at her fidgeting fingers.

ina sighed. "he's just been working really hard lately. he deserves this."

her voice had softened. jay turned to her, his expression gentler now.

"he will love it," he said quietly. "and he'll be proud."

she looked up at him, their eyes meeting for a moment. he smiled, sincere and soft.

"we've done a great job," she finally said.

"i know. i basically carried the team," he said, smirking again.

"delusional," she muttered just as a black car pulled up outside.

"he's here!" she whispered excitedly, scrambling for the remote to switch off the lights.

"everyone, positions!" her mom whisper-yelled as jay darted into the corner and ina moved beside her mother, who was now holding the cake. ina gripped the party popper tightly, heart hammering in her chest.

the front door creaked open.

"honey? ina? why is it so dark in here—?"

"SURPRISE!"

lights flooded the living room as the whole crowd erupted. ina's father stood frozen at the entrance, eyebrows raised in wide-eyed shock as confetti burst in the air and applause broke out.

"happy birthday!" ina and her mother said in unison, their voices warm and excited.

he looked around at all the faces—his friends, his family, his daughter and wife, and the soft blue room around him.

"i... you..." he began, at a loss for words.

and ina's heart swelled, because that stunned look on his face? that was everything she had hoped for.