Chapter 34
Ashley
The moment I got out of the room, Kristine began bombarding me with her stares. "Is there something on my face?"
She passed me a glare before proceeding to take her seat on the couch replying to my question on the accord. "Nothing. But your face looks flustered. Are you sure you took things calm?" she asked. Only if she knew what transpires between me and Neil back inside. But that would be locked inside. "Why are you staring at now?" Came her voice again.
I let out a small smile before taking my seat close to her. "Aren't you going to ask me how our talk went?" I decided to bring up the topic. The corner of her lips curved up. I know that look on her face. Whatever she's going to say won't be pleasant.
"Why are you smirking?" I asked squinting my eyes.
"Are you asking me that? You know exactly why I'm smirking. But that shouldn't be the topic of discussion. What are we to do now? I mean about the news issue"
"It's not surprising, Neil knew about it already even before it was announced" The surprised look on her face was evident. "What? Why is he hiding thing from you? Let me talk to him myself. He'd-" I was quick in cutting her off..
"You don't have to do that, I would give him some time"
"For how long?" she asked staring me down with her gaze. For a moment, I saw something flashed in her eyes. Irritation. And that should be directed towards me and my statement. Placing my hand on her shoulder, I squeezed them a bit. "I know you're angry trust me I am too. But I want to at least believe them for once. My parents and Neil. I need your support in this" I let out the last statement slowly.
A sharp breath made it way out of her mouth followed by her forming her lips in a thin line. "Alright then. I will support whatever decision you take. But can I ask you something?" The way she said it made me curious and not to talk of her serious expression. Which means whatever she's about to say is serious.
"Yeah. Go on" I answered.
"Do you like him? Neil" I would be lying if I say I expected the question from her. However, I won't deny my feelings anymore. So I answered her truthfully. "Yes I do. A lot"
"Does he also feel the same way?" As she let out the words, I felt something strike in my heart. It was the question I dreaded to hear because I too don't know the answer to it. What I'm sure of is that, I like him more than I can imagine and now that Kristine decided to bring it up, it's giving me the negativity.
"Does he?" she asked again.
"It doesn't matter. As long as he'd be with me then I'm contented" Truth be told, I'm not sure of my words. I want him to reciprocate my feelings. I want him to love all of me. But is that possible?
"It should matter Ashley. You know, the reason why I'm asking you this is that, I don't want you to experience another heartbreak. When it comes to loving someone, you do with all your soul and it breaks you. I'm worried for you" She reached for my hands and took them in hers.
Kristine is someone who I'm lucky to have as a friend. She's someone who support me in every decision be it good or bad. And now all the words she said, it made sense. When loving someone, I love with all my soul. Am I sure all the kisses and hugs are genuine? I am sure that he does feel something for me even though he didn't say it?
"I guess you're right Kristine. I'm not sure about his feelings. And I'm afraid I've fallen deeper to back out. I want him Kristine" My heart swell up with emotions I didn't know I have in me. It was a feeling I couldn't decipher. A moment of silence fell on us as we both went away on our own worlds. Until Kristine decided to break the silence.
"I have an idea"
**
"Do you really think we're doing the right thing? What if it backfires?" I said watching myself on Mrs. Grace's mirror. My hair was stretched and tied at my back, I was dressed into a mid thigh royal blue chiffon dress. Kristine gave me the advice to confess my feelings to Neil. At least if he rejects me, I won't leave with the burden of hiding my feelings. And now we're at Mrs. Grace's house after shopping some few dresses from the marketplace.
"Trust me it will" She assured resting both of my hands on my shoulder. I breath I didn't know I was holding made it way out of my mouth. "Ready?" She asked. I watched myself on the mirror once again before nodding my head. "Yeah. Ready" And we proceeded out of the house.
All through our way back to Mr. Michael's house, nervousness crept inside me. I worried about the outcome. As if Kristine notice my distressed, she patted my back. "Be calm. Everything will go smooth. By the time both of you fall into-" I shush her by covering her mouth with my palms. "Keep it low. Will you?" I scolded.
A giggle erupt from her lips. "I know the weird thought formulating in your head" My foot came to an abrupt stop as we reached the entrance door. "And her we are" Kristine announced like it's one of the proudest thing she'd ever said. And there I am feeling nervous.
"Take a deep breath. Keep your head high like the Ashley Richard I know" She said it right. I should keep my head high like the Ashley Richard I am.
I nodded my head in return with a smile. "Alright then. I will be heading to the hospital to buy some time for you guys. I want you to spend enough time in your-" I smack her lightly before she could get the chance to complete her statement.
"Anyway good luck"
"Thank" I watched her walk away before I let out another sharp breath. "Let's do this Ashley"
