I Will Be There For You

by Priyal Jain

CHAPTER 19

  “It had been a great day!” I said, as we stood in front of my house.

  “It was wonderful. I had an awesome time.” He agreed with me, stopping in front of my house. I didn’t want to go. It feels so good, so right.

  “Well, I guess it’s time for goodbye.” I finally said.

  “I’ll be looking forward to our next meeting and I hope it rains then.” He said and crossed his fingers and winked at me. We were standing so near to each other that I could feel his breath on my face. I just wanted that moment to freeze there forever. I could look into those blue eyes, my entire life. I have fallen really hard for him and this time I guess I would not be able to get up.

  “Bye then!” he said. Somehow I felt that he didn’t want to leave other.

  “Bye.” I said rather murmured. I waved Jake goodbye. He stood there, until I was safely inside my house. As I closed the door behind me I heard the sound of tires zooming off.

  “Hey mom and dad!” I said, removing my coat.

  “Hello darling! I guess you had a great time. It’s nearly 11:00.” My very possessive dad welcomed me inside the house.

  “Yes dad, it was really fun. We had a blast at Emma and Emmet’s house. We really enjoyed it.” I replied, ignoring my father’s tone.

  “We are so proud honey, you trying your best to make someone’s life better.” Mom said, coming out of the bedroom, tears in her eyes.

  “Mom, I am glad that I could make you feel proud of myself.” I said, getting emotional myself.

  “You girls can cry anytime, anywhere without any reason at all.” Dad made fun of our emotions. How rude is that.

  “Dad, come on!” I said, feeling hurt.

  “Okay I am really sorry, I was just kidding.”

  “Forgiven this time.” Mom snapped at dad.

  “Ashley I think you should go and have some rest. You look rather tired.” dad suggested, ignoring mom’s harsh tone.

  “Actually yes, I am quite tired and I wanna rest. I am going to my room. Bye mom and dad.” I said and went to my room and locked it from inside.

  What a great day it had been. Such a new experience for me. Emmet was really a great guy. It was a day I will remember for a long, long time. If someone wants to feel the eternal happiness than he should do something to bring a smile on someone’s face. While playing liar’s poker, I saw cheerfulness on Emmet’s face and I enjoyed it. Emma too was pleased to see her brother this happy. She has been working really hard for her brother and to see him happy meant a lot to her. I was still in my thoughts when I dozed off without even me realizing it.

  I woke up in the morning still feeling a bit lazy. I yawned and stretched myself and welcomed the sunshine filled morning. The weather was pleasant, not too cold. It was unusual for Jan to not be cold. I was simply sitting on my bed and staring out of the window, it was really soothing and scintillating. The leaves dancing in the wind, flowers blossoming and birds singing their melodious song. I never notice these small things but now I have realized that these small things occupy the large parts of your heart. I think it is called the love magic, my love for Jake. I looked at the clock kept on my bed stand and……..

  Holy Shit!

  I am an hour late. Why the hell didn’t anyone wake me up? I hurriedly threw the duvet on the floor and rushed to the bathroom. I brushed my teeth and took the quickest shower I could possibly take. I wore the most- not-so-Ashley-type-jeans and an equally horrible top. Did I really buy those clothes? I ask myself checking my reflection in the mirror. But, it is too late to change. I am already running late by an hour. Justin will surely fire me today. He will kill me. I paced down the stairs and saw mom and dad having a relaxed cup of tea with pancakes. They are chit-chatting as though everything is fine. Mom used to shout on top of her lungs, if any day I got up late. It is so unfair, they are so busy together that they forgot me.

  “What the hell is wrong with you guys?” I asked, well, I shouted.

  “What happened sweetie? I don’t think there is anything wrong with anybody.” Dad tried hard to keep cool.

  “Oh Ya? If everything and everyone’s okay then why didn’t you wake me up?” I threw my question at them.

  “We thought you would be tired.” Mom said, losing her patience.

  “Oh great, I waste another ten minutes and my parents don’t realize their mistake.” I snapped at them.

  “Ashley, why would you think that we’ll be cruel enough to wake our daughter at 9:00 in the morning on a Sunday that too after such a hectic last day?” dad asked.

  SHIT!!!!

  “It’s Sunday?” I asked, guiltily.

  “Yes of course it is Sunday and I think your Sunday’s are off.” Mom taunted.

  Well I can’t complain it is my fault after all. I shouted at them like a lunatic without a reason. Note to self: never scream at your parents, without knowing which day of the week it is.

  “I am really sorry. I didn’t realize it was Sunday today.” I said, feeling like a complete fool. Correction, I am a complete fool.

  “It’s okay. I guess you should go back and sleep for a little while.” Mom suggested.

  “No, maybe I should stay here and spent some time with you guys. It’s been a long time since we spent some quality time together, the three of us as a family. We haven’t talk about us in ages always the issue is something or the other.” I made up for all my yelling.

  “That is not at all a bad idea. It is even better coming from you.” Dad was really pleased. This ‘family talk’ is my trump card, dad always falls for it. I know my parents really well.

  “What do you say, mom?” I asked mom, crossing my fingers behind my back. She is tough to break. After a moment of thinking, she smiled and nodded. “We are really lucky to have a daughter like you, Ashley. You are really special to us and we are proud of you.”

  “Thank you so much, mom!” I took a sigh of relief. I am not such a bad daughter, after all.

  It has been exactly three minutes and none of us have uttered a single word. Mom’s speech was the last. It is so awkward, we three have no clue what to say or how to start a conversation. Every minute is so hard to pass. You can even hear the clock ticking. Come on, we are a family; families always have something to talk about. We were so close to each other and now we talk about the world and not us.

  “So, how was the visit to Emmet’s?” dad asked. See, somebody else is always the subject now-a-days. With all this happening in my life, the last thing I would want is to break the connection with my family.

  “It was awesome. We played, laughed, talked and spent a really great time with each other. Emmet is a great guy. He is so sweet and humble. I feel really sorry for him.” I replied.

  “So you like Emmet and you went with Jake, a fantastic day for you.” Dad’s tone a bit uncomfortable.

  “Yes dad every guy I meet is my boyfriend.” I want to say but of course cannot say out loud instead I give him a fake smile.

  “Honey how is the restaurant?” mom asked, sensing the awkwardness.

  “It is going good. Lot of work to do but it is fun and I enjoy it.” I replied. This family thingy was a bad idea. Thanks to me. It was nothing like this, we had such good family connection. I am sure we are all distracted at this moment and that’s why we are having bit weirdness. We’ll get in our form soon.

  “What about Becky?” dad asked. Oh God the question even I am afraid to ask myself. I don’t know what to say. Becky and I have distanced so much that the idea of us ever being soul sisters is so foreign.

  “Ummm…… I …I don’t know.” I stammered.

  “Then why don’t you find out?” dad asked. Actually he is right. We had an unbreakable friendship which cannot just break because of a stupid surprise birthday party (well not stupid).

  “I think you are right, dad.” I said, feeling full of excitement. “I will go and find my answers. Thank you dad!” I planted a kiss on dad’s cheeks and rushed towards the door. “I will be back soon.” I shouted
.

  I hope I am doing the right thing. I took a deep breath and said no to all negative thoughts. Everything would be just fine and we will return to normal. 20 years from now, she’ll be thanking me for my move. I want my friendship back and I am not an egoist, I could say sorry once again. I can’t wait to talk to Becky and sort thing out with her.