CHAPTER TWO :Tobias- Tris turns 13 years old.

I couldn't believe that I had no friends earlier and today I feel so grateful to god that he sent Tris into my life at the right time. In the end, 'One true friend is better than another 100 casual friends'. I simply like to spend time with her, we get along so well. Sometimes she does act crazy and out of her mind which I don't usually recognize in other Abnegations as it's not even permitted. 'But that's how friends are!'my mom said when I told her about Tris.

Today I have to meet her at lunch, at her place. I dressed up in a clean pair of pants and pale gray shirt. I look different today because of how I felt from inside. My face glowed bright because it was the first time someone invited me to their house. I took a basket full of fresh, yummy strawberries and banana pudding pie cake that I made specially for Tris (I learned that from my mom). I walked down the lane and as Tris said, it took me exactly 10mins to reach her house. As usual the building wasn't different, all the buildings were actually gray with the same architecture patterns.

I stood straight at the door which is approximately of my height and rang the red, circular bell. Tris opened the door. She was wearing an apron and gave me a huge welcoming smile. In a few seconds her Uncle entered from the back and welcomed, " Oh please come inside Tobias. Make yourself comfortable!" I bowed at her and her Uncle, a standard gesture of greeting in our faction.

"Hey, so what's special today? You didn't answer this question in the school too," I asked in curiosity.

"Yes! It's my birthday today and I requested my Uncle that I don't want it to be fancy or anything extraordinary. I just want to have a good time with my close ones. As you can see I am baking a cake for you guys, looking down at the apron she wore. I just wanted to celebrate my day by spreading happiness around. So here you are!"she answered, passing a smile back at me.

"Thank you so much," I said. My tears were threatening to spill down, as Tris started to speak. She became the closest to me in no time.

She continued, " You know, I have told you and Uncle too that I literally had no one. He used to say(pointing at Uncle) that go out, make some friends, be kind. But...I just couldn't. Then you entered, in my life, actually dumped into my life that day. Today I want to take a moment to thank you Tobias for always being there after that moment. You are like light to me, illuminating the darkest corners of my life. You are my second family and I don't usually say this to people but yes you are special to me. I used to walk home or anywhere all alone, very few people talked to me but I couldn't actually connect to them or have a conversation much. You came in to lighten me up like an angel. So thank you so much and there won't have been another day than my birthday to tell you that, how in this little span of time you hold a very special place in my heart."

Tears already cascading down my face. I was startled and frozen in time. I did not expect that. I replied wiping my tears," Thank you and yes….you are the actual magic in my life Tris! I owe you one."

Resetting the gloomy and emotional environment Uncle said, " Thank you Tris and welcome Tobias. I hope you enjoy today's dinner!"

The dining table was huge and it generated a thought of why they need such an enormous table if only two people stay here. The table was decorated with the lavender flowers at the centre and plates placed with proper gapping. Tris served us pancakes, veggies, buns and a glass of mango juice. The food was tasty and I lauded them for inviting me and for showing so much love that I didn't really deserve.

After the dinner was over, Tris held my hand and pulled me, in the store-room of her house. It was dusty and the lights were dim. As if no one frequently came in. I held her hand and pulled her back because I could see in her eyes, that she was up to something. She was up to some mischief because she usually is. However, nothing like that happened. In there, she opened the carved old oak cupboard beside the door. There were many random, mysterious things in there like it was some kind of a treasure. She pulled a narrow, diminutive wooden box,which was filled with colourful letters. I was puzzled, like why had she pulled me in here? Then she opened an old crockery cupboard and pulled up letters from the box! When I looked up while she rushed her fingers over the letters, she seemed different all of the sudden. She seemed happier, calmer and a bit somber. These mixed feelings confused me further. Then, I heard her say, " These are my dad's letters that he wrote for me. Every birthday I wait for these. There's nothing serious in it, but when I read it I can feel him talking to me in person."

I observed and realized a lot at that moment. About her dad, her mom, they suffered from the black plague that had no cure, I heard about this from my mom and how Erudite had failed to find a cure. I didn't stop her from pouring out her feelings because maybe I thought I should know, what makes my friend feel sad, or happy?

She continued," He wrote a few letters before he died and left those with my Uncle. Since then Uncle promised to take care of me. I don't share much with my Uncle because he is also busy helping the factory people. We don't talk much but I am really grateful for the things he is doing for me.I had no one, until you came.. Umm….sorry i just got carried away."

"It's okay! Are you fine now? Are you sure?" he asked.

"Yes, thank you! Let's go, let me show you my house and then, we have to go and help the Factionless too. My Uncle believes that we should help them whenever we get time. I don't want to upset him, so I have to go. Also I have planned a mini party for us," she replied with a lour.

I raised my eyebrows, moved my head and said, "Ummm...what? A mini party? Tris?"

She replied cutting the conversation, "Oh, come on Tobias….we will argue about this later."