Proposal

I was still hidden behind curtains, holding my breaths and rubbing my nose so that I won't sneeze. She kept her phone & finally headed out, I took a breath of relief, Thank God, she didn't find out anything, that message distracted her. But Ci-N and Aries are coming here so they'll find out about me being alive, maybe it's the time for me to reveal myself.

I turned towards the balcony to leave, well she might be in the restroom & I can go straight from the door now, ugh seems like I've been habitual of jumping off between two balconies.

I peeked around, she's not there and found the way to my room. My phone was lying on my bed, why did she want to see who messaged me? Did she really care about me? I took my phone, the reason I didn't want her to see is the wallpaper, our picture of first date and first perfect kiss.

I got ready and realized Jay already left for college, this girl is so fierce and bold, but I handled you whole night and no gratitude. Damn, it's better if she doesn't know the whole story, instead of gratitude there's much probability of punches. Well, I don't want to get late and left but my stomach growled, I'm hungry so thought of ordering a takeaway. Fuck, my wallet is running out of cash, I didn't know buying your own food is that expensive, take-aways will turn me poor [ikr, the struggle].

There was a cafe near the bus stop, I bought a sandwich and headed to take the bus, Jay was still there. I stood beside her, she just looked and shook her head, "do you want?", I asked. She squeezed her eyes, "no". And the bus arrives.

Jay's POV

We boarded the bus, he's ahead of me but let me get in first, so gentleman and I know he already is. There was no empty seat and clumsy me tries to hold the handle but slipped off and fall on a passenger, Keifer pulled me immediately, but I shrugged him off. I want to tell him about Ci-N is coming next week, I don't know if someone else is also coming and also Aries is also planning to visit me.

I'm just wondering how they will react, especially Aries, he's really shattered with the news, like me he cried as well. And I don't know if he wants them to know but I think I'd let them know beforehand, so that they won't be shocked.

But I've to talk about it with Keifer first, maybe he doesn't want to appear in front of them, that's his problem he can hide himself. Well, I've had to clear all the things before. A seat near him became empty and he pushed me to sit there. So gentleman behavior and I know this man literally changed himself for me, he quit smoking and picking up useless fights.

We get off the bus, he's following me and entered the main door, Isla was waiting for me, "Jay, good morning", I smiled and she greeted Keifer as well with a smile, he waved towards her, "Hi Isla". I was wondering how they got this much familiar with each other, Isla pulled me, "why didn't you told me about your relation with him?".

My forehead creases, "Relation? we don't have any relation?", I said looking towards Keifer, I don't know what this man has told them, Isla continues, "I mean, he's your roommate as well friend to your cousin, you know him for a long time". I nodded, "I thought that's not important", this turned down Keifer's expressions, she approached him, "you know when I heard your first song, I imagined you and damn you're more handsome than it".

This girl is flirting with my man... I shook my head I mean she's really flirting with Keifer in front of me and he even smiled, this jerk and I clenched my jaws, "time for class", I diverted their attention. She ignored me, "actually it's great Jay is your flatmate it'll be easy for us to communicate", he coughed, "yes", my patience was giving up.

My eyes went on Robin, "Hey Robin, here", he came near us and I can see his clenched fists by seeing Isla talking to Keifer, we're in the same boat maybe, whatever he finally interrupted and took Isla with him to talk. Keifer smirked, I know what that man is thinking, well I'm not affected by whatever you do, go meet how many girls you want. I scoffed and left for my class. He's still following me, when I stared, "my class is across yours", he said with a smile.

When I went into the class, it was all empty, "is class cancelled?', I checked the GC, "damn, the sections are merged due to sudden unavailability of Professor Brook". Ugh, I ran into another room, the class was filled, I looked around and only one seat was empty, and it's just beside Keifer, I rolled my eyes and sat.

The professor came, teaching about changing dimensions of world economy and US hegemony over world, and the suggestions to initiate De- dollarization, he concluded, "sometimes we have to start from a point, the goal seems impossible but one day you'll surely achieve it if took one step at a time". I heard Keifer whispered, "one step at a time". The class got over, he offered me to go to the canteen with him, but I denied, instead I pulled off my iPad to complete the left-over task.

Almost all students left, to do the work with more concentration, took a seat at the corner, not visible to others, some girls entered while laughing and talking actually screaming, their accent were American that I felt my nose was bleeding. Well, tbh one of the girl's laughs reminded me of Freya, the way she's dramatically speaking. I chuckled by remembering those days when I literally became the headache of Section A by taking their President's attention.

*Flashback*

I was walking by the cafeteria, "what's up with Keifer, he's paying too much attention on Section E, actually that new girl called Jay-Jay", it's a girl talking with her friends, I looked at them, "seems like canvass paintings", I remember she's Freya, her voice is too loud and sharp.

Another girl joined, "it's all because she's Aries's cousin, too spoiled, I've seen Aries is too protective of her, and so Keifer is doing the same", other on added, "I've heard he suggested inclusion of Section E in annual sports day", Freya cut her off, "come on Grace , don't talk about them specially about that ugly face, but she's really taken Keifer's attention, I want to kick her out".

Huh Keifer's attention? Well, I've not taken anybody's attention, it's just we met frequently due to Aries, but how dare she call me ugly. At least not covering myself under tons of makeup, I had the coke in my hand and I shaked it, "Hi Girls!", I greeted them.

I know they're not interested and still forced a smile, Freya moved towards me, "so you're Jay- Jay", I smirked, "wanna be my friend", I offered her the coke, she knitted her brows, "what?". I calmly said, "a token of my affection". She laughed off, "you're really something", and she opened the can, boom, the cold drink was all over her.

I tried to suppress my laugh, but Ella standing behind me lost it and gradually the whole canteen was staring. Keifer and Aries came as well, "what's wrong?" Aries questioned. My dear cousin, the queen, is just taking a coke bath. Freya fumed and grabbed the hem of my shirt, "what do you think of yourself".

I jerked her hand off, "it's you, who started back-bitching me", she clenched her jaws, "you're eavesdropping", I smirked, "my ears are sensitive". We both were so close, and about to start a war, but Keifer interrupted, "shut up, you want your section to get banned again". I backed off.

Freya smiled and pushed me, "timid", I fold my fists but Keifer pulled me, "stop it, calm down", and I tried to get off his grip, but I was unable, "there's assembly for annual sports day, you wanna join". I relaxed my body and he let me go, Freya asked, "well, she's nothing to do with sports day".

Keifer cut her off, "Section E will participate this time", and everyone was shocked, "the ewws of HVIS will compete". I snorted, "yes, are you afraid of us". Keifer coughed, "no more arguments in the canteen". I left by showing my tongue to Freya, still hearing their talks, she rants to Keifer, and he just said, "they're part of our school". I've really taken his attention.

*Flashback over*

Those girls were too loud and I was irritated, "Kerry, you're superb", I scoffed Kerry, huh. I tried ignoring them, but they took Keifer's name, "he's so handsome, like my dream boy". Oh girl! Be in your limits, don't even look at him.

She took out a bracelet and chocolate from her bag, "I'm going to give this to him, after all he can't say no to my beauty". Beauty my foot, he'll never accept it, she kept bragging about her richness and not so pretty face.

One of her friends interrupted, "but what I think that Jasper, she seems close to him", Kerry points finger at him, "no way, that girl is not even close to me", she swirls around, "and the way he writes songs, they're for queens like me".

It's really annoying, I hid under the bench and threw a paper ball at Kerry, she was shocked, "who the hell is this?", they looked around but found no one, I turned on a horror sound on the phone, they're all looking terrified.

I was enjoying, they started looking in all over room, I crawled under the benches and hid behind the podium, there's a shallow space, and I laughed like a devil by changing my voice, "there's a ghost", and they all ran off, I came out, it's really fun.

Ben came by searching for me, "Oh you're here", I smiled, "you're late today", He nods, "I slept late last night". I chuckled, "yeah your dark circles are saying so", I was in good mood, maybe I knocked out those girls. He sat beside me, "actually I've something to tell you, can we talk", I affirmed.

He told a bit about last night and again made me feel embarrassed, "well I know it, I became such a mess after drinking, thank god Keifer was there". He sighed, "he knows you better". I stretched my arms, "yes unfortunately, he knows everything about me, and knows how to handle me".

I get lost in thoughts, that how many times he's handled me in my vulnerable situations, when I got into a fight to counter Ci-N's bullies and then due to Section E fights I was held hostage by another gang. He even knows how to handle my traumatized side, when I see blood and get out of control. He really knows me well.

Ben shakes me, "hey, you're close to him", I denied, "there's a time we're close, but it's just nothing more than flat mates". His expressions changed, I don't know but I was not feeling good as if he's up to something, please Ben don't do anything that will create distance between us. He held my hand, I pulled off, "Jay, actually I want to say something".

Fuck, I know what's coming, don't say it, don't say it, Ben's voice was hesitating but seems like he's determined to say it, "I like you Jay, can you give me a chance?", Shit! why, can't we stay like friends, why do you have to bring this love factor in between. I got up, "I don't think so Ben, it's possible". He held my hand, "is it because of Keifer?".

I negate, "no, it's because my focus is somewhere else, it's on my career, no distractions", He followed me, "but you can do both things together, you know me, we can really go well together".

I shook my head, "just one chance", he kind of requested, "I need time", and I left. I know you're too good, helpful and supportive, and became my first friend here but I really can't see myself with someone other than Keifer, yes him, that jerk is still all over my mind. And now he's back, my heart has started expecting again, I need time.

I went in the class again, the Professor started lectures and Keifer was taking notes, I was sleepy so I asked him to share those with me, and I kept my head on table, he caressed my hairs, "you really work hard", though I pushed his hand but honestly, I felt so good.

In the evening we went home, he's casually sitting on the balcony, and I was also there, our eyes met but I ignored and started sipping my coffee, and patting Keifie, but it jumped off on Keifer's balcony.

I called it, "Keifie come back", Keifer chuckled and grabbed it, "nice name". I snorted, "I found it near a cafe, that's why...", he cut me off, "I didn't ask for an explanation", and went inside my room.

I noticed he's not ordering food anymore but cooking soup or something, does it fill him. Around 3 am, I got up to drink some water, but I saw the light of his rooms were on, I knocked "sleep, otherwise you'll get me late in morning".

He didn't reply, I went in, he's sleeping by sitting and keeping a book on his face, I took the book from his face, covered him in blanket and ruffled his hairs. I was about to turn off the light, but he held my hand, "don't give up", he's sleeping, I get out of his grip. All I saw packaged food on his table, "he used to scold me, now he's eating junk".

My eyes went on his opened bag, I was settling it and some rappers, it's same chocolate I saw in Kerry's hands and even the bracelet was there. He really accepted it, I clenched my fist, rolled my eyes and threw the bag over him, "asshole", he got up with jerk, "what? are you sleepwalking?", I pushed him and got back into my room.

He is still the same, can play with my feelings, not changed at all, my eyes welled up with tears but why am I crying when I decided not to. And if he's really moved on then why am I still holding it.

Next morning I called Ben to pick me up, if he can really look for someone else then why the hell I'm trying to keep memories, I will let him go completely even if it means that I've to get together with someone else.

"Good morning", Ben was on the door, Keifer was still brushing his teeth when Ben appeared. I smiled back and went out with him. We were in lift, "you're asking for a chance, right?". His eyes sparkled, "are you going to give me one?". I thought for a moment & nodded.

To Be Continued....

Let me know.. if you like it ❤️

Keep reading ✨

-----------------------------------------------

First of all, sorry for the delay, but I was busy as well as sick, but now fine. And after coming home feeling relaxed, I'll try to update regularly at least during the Diwali holidays.