The way it should be

It was Melina's 23rd birthday but she wasn't in her full spirits. She had received hundreds of calls, messages and cards . Her mother gave her a warm HAPPY BIRTHDAY hug. The telephone bell rang. "Melina, it's me, Ralph. Happy...."

"How dare you call up, you cheat," She banged the receiver.

She and Ralph were an ideal couple. He was handsome and rich. She was beautiful and intelligent . They had similar tastes and got along like oil and fire. Melina had never considered dating men though she had a thousand offers. Not that she was old fashioned, but her ethics always got better over modernity where dating men was considered. She always believed that her man would be the only one she would go out with, even if it was for a cup of coffee.

Sadly, she thought, Ralph turned out to be otherwise. It was by sheer accident she came to know this. A day before her father had taken her to a business get-together. She suddenly saw Ralph so deeply involved with a beautiful girl that he failed to notice her . She was shattered. So she was not his only girlfriend. Since then, she had ignored his calls . "Never again dating men," she promised herself, "love brings pain."

Her parents were worried but chose to remain quite.Her mother had even suggested her dating men but Melina remained firm.

The evening party was stupendous. All her friends came with huge gifts and flowers. And then her jaw dropped and the pain in her heart, so gracefully concealed by smiles and the-hell-i-care attitude, showed in her lovely eyes. Ralph was standing at the doorway with the same girl . "Melina, meet Rachel, my business partner."

"You....you........!"

"You must listen to me! Rachel lost her husband recently in a car crash after which she became the sole heir to all the business in which he and I were partners. That day we were discussing business when you came in. Melina, you must trust me. There can be no other girl for me except you."

Rachel spoke up," Melina, Ralph has brought me here only to tell you this. Trust me, he is made for you. He loves you and will always love you."

Suddenly, the room looked heaven. She was amongst flowers and fairies . Her grief, agony, anguish disappeared. She laughed and hugged him.

"Happy Birthday, Melina......"