After hugs and blessings, the next surprise comes with a cake baked by Matt’s mom.“Surprise, surprise, birthday boy,” Myra said.Everybody gathered around him while Matt made his birthday wish. Within a few minutes, the cake was on Matt’s face more than in his mouth. Xander held his hand while Neeral and Aoife gave him a cake facial.Everybody was enjoying themselves as Matt went to the bathroom to clean himself.*****They shifted the couch and chair to the corner for the next event. Aoife requested Neeral to sing her favorite song on this special day. Aoife wanted her to open her heart to Matt, which could be a chance for them to fall in love.They closed all the lights and filled the room with the white glowing disco ball, enlighten some candles to give it a romantic atmosphere for Neeral and Matt.Once Matt came out, wiping his face with the towel, he looked startled at this unfamiliar sight in front of his eyes.“Woah, now what?” He looked at Aoife.Everybody’s eyes shifted to
~Aoife~The next day, we started our journey back to our place.I wanted to stay, but my exams were more important. Matt stayed with his parents for one more day, and I made Neeral remain with him and told him he needed company while coming back, and they could finish the work.Xander seems quieter than before. I didn’t know what happened to him after he talked to Matt’s dad.“Hey, are you ok?” I said. He nodded without looking at me.His stern face and lost expression bothered me again.“Why are you not talking to me?” I couldn’t shut my mouth, not for a second.He rolled his eyes in frustration. I waited, but his eyes were glued to the road.“Xander,” I said. No change in his expression.The car was quiet, and he didn’t seem interested in talking to me. But there was something I wanted to discuss with him.“So, here is the thing. After I finished my exam, I wanted to join as a part-time writer in Neeral’s company. She is my childhood friend, and she knew about my writing style. What
~Aoife~ When you are in love, everything looks so beautiful. I never thought I would fall for my bully. The man who I feared the most would become my comforter. I love when he feels jealous of me. And I felt like the luckiest person in this world to have a friend like Matt. I couldn’t think of clearing my exams without his help. With him, everything seems easy. I always adored him, telling him he had some magical powers to make challenging topics easy for me. Nevertheless, I thought about taking Xander’s help, but Xander, being Xander, was never interested in studies. He felt jealous of Matt as I spent time with Matt, not with him, which I strictly quoted as study time. But Xander comes up with another idea. “Where are you? I want to meet you.” “I am at my dorm.” “Ok, I will come to your room and sit with you.” He begged. “Sit and do what? Xander, you know it will not work. You will distract me.” I lied, but I knew what was important at that moment. “Fine,” he snorted, maki
~Aoife~ Matt & I headed to the hospital. After I hung up Matt’s phone, I got a call from Xander. “Where are you? I was worried about you; you left the room saying nothing,” I blasted on him. “So sorry for not attending your call. I am in the hospital. My mom fell from the stairs, and she had a broken arm. “ I could feel his upset voice. “I am so sorry to hear that. I want to come to see her.” I said. He sends me the details. Immediately, I called Matt and informed him about Xander’s mom’s condition. Within a few minutes, Matt came to pick me up. “How did this happen?” “I don’t know, Matt. After your call, he informed me about his mother’s health. I hope she is fine,” I answered. “Let’s see. I don’t understand why he didn’t call me?” Matt was confused. “Let’s see.” We reached the hospital. After inquiring at the front desk, we found ourselves in front of the VIP room. “Hey, I think I forgot to lock the car. You go in; I will come in two minutes.” Matt left. I was unsur
~Xander~ It was good to hear my girl’s voice after two days. Mom’s health caught me up, and I totally forgot to call her. Aunt Joey called me from the hospital when this incident happened. Hastily I drove towards the hospital. Raph was not even there to take her to the hospital; he went to New York for our company’s work. Luckily, Zareena reached out before me, as she helped me a lot during this tough time. Mom had an elbow operation, and it would take a week for her to get discharged from the hospital. I was busy calling Raph and updating him about mom’s condition when I saw Zareena at the front desk. “Hey, what are you doing here? Mom is alone in her room?” I said to Zareena. “Hey, it’s nothing. I thought about bringing medicine. Well, Matt and Aoife are here to meet her.” She replied. “Is it?” We walked upstairs when I saw Aoife cupping his face and snuggling her head into Matt’s chest. I felt a little awkward. I wanted to know the reason for getting close to each other.
~Aoife~ The wall of thoughts deployed one after another, capturing the dread of betrayal. Anxiety curbed my sight, and I ran aimlessly to calm my suffocation. I couldn’t pinpoint what hurt me the most. Is it the lie or the closeness I witnessed with Zareena? But why I was running, because this is what I always do. No, I am not the girl who runs from her challenges, but why didn’t I feel the courage to confront him? Is it because I had a hidden fear he would break my heart and leave me when I needed him the most? I didn’t realize when the anxiety turned into tears, and I bumped into something. I heard a groan, only to see it was not the wall but a man. “Look out, Miss,” The train of thoughts shattered, and the wall of fear replaced with an unknown voice brushed my ears, bringing me back to my senses when I realized my smoothie splashed on his clothes. “Sorry,” The vulnerability inside me could come out in screaming, but only in whispers of gagging. “Are you ok? Miss,” he passed
~Xander~I found myself in the room, where the sight was in front of my eyes and shook me to the core. I waited for Aoife for the last three hours in her room; I called her, but finding her in Matt’s arms broke my heart. My heart groaned in pain. I had never felt the pain I was feeling now. Why? Why did you do this, Aoife?Matt is your friend. But why did everyone feel different when they saw you guys together? Why are you so easy and free with him?Whatever mom told about them being love birds seems to be true. But my heart was not ready to accept a single thing. No, no, Aoife would not do any such things with me. I pulled my hair with stress when I backed myself.They were in deep slumber; they didn’t even realize I was in the room watching them for over ten minutes.It felt like the truth came up to me. What if I didn’t come today? I am sure she thought I would meet her tomorrow, and here she is, sleeping calmly on his chest.A groan came out of my mouth. I couldn’t stand there any
~Aoife~I opened my eyes with a sense of leftover stress from the last night and found my redeemer was sleeping next to me. What should I say? I was lucky to have this gentleman in my life, and one more time, thanking God for him.He is my rescuer, always there when I need him.I kept my palm on his face to appreciate him. He was in a deep sleep and didn’t realize my hand trailed on his face.“Thank you for being here for me,” I murmured in my mind.Slowly, I woke up from the bed and walked towards the bathroom to do my morning business.Matt was sitting on the couch when I came out, rubbing his eyes like he had woken up in the middle of sleep.“Hey, good morning,”He looked at me while racking his hair and answered.“Good morning,” I sprinted toward him with all my emotions and hugged him.“Hey, are you ok?”“Yes, just happy you are there for me. Thank you for everything.” I snuggled my head in his chest like yesterday and felt delighted when he wrapped me again in his friendly warmt