I Will Be There For You

by Priyal Jain

CHAPTER 26

  “What should I wear?” I screamed on the phone.

  “Easy there, girl.” Emma replied. We have been talking from past thirty minutes, still we haven’t decided upon a dress for me to wear tonight and Jake would be here in about an hour to pick me up.

  “Take a deep breath and take out the dress you like.” Emma suggested and I did the same. I have chosen five dresses and I started asking Emma about them.

  “A black pencil skirt with white blouse and pencil heels?”

  “You are not going as a waitress.” She replied.

  Option 1 cancelled.

  “A cool, light pink floral dress with noodle straps and I am going to wear wedges with it.”

  “Are you nuts? It’s freezing out there.”

  Option 2 also cancelled. She has canceled the next two also. She said one is way too casual and the other was looking as I have to go on a wedding.

  “Emma this is my last option. If you don’t like this too, then you have to come down here and select one for me.” I was completely bummed out.

  “Let us check out your choice.”

  “A red colored, tight fitted, knee length dress with stockings. I will wear a black coat over it, don’t worry. And I would wear my suede sandals.”

  “This one sounds good!” Emma replied, thank God.

  “Done, I am going to wear this only. Why the hell didn’t I think of it before? ” I said.

  “You could also wear your silver and black danglers with it. They would look great.”

  “Of course I would wear them. Thanks Emma.” I said and hung up the phone.

  In about forty-five minutes I am completely ready and must say I am looking lovesome. I have kept my hair loose and they are perfectly falling on my shoulders. My make-up is subtle yet noticeable. My ear rings are looking super stunning. Overall I am looking luscious. I heard the doorbell ring downstairs.

  “Hey Kathy!” Jake greeted my mom.

  “Hello darling!” she replied.

  “Hey Jake.” I am glad dad greeted him first.

  “Hello sir!” he replied.

  Okay, so it is the time of my grand entrance. I am getting the feeling of my prom, it was so excited. I took a deep breath and walked graciously down the stairs. I saw my parents and my boyfriend bonding, what a sight. Jake is looking a complete heartthrob. He is wearing black jeans with red t-shirt and is wearing a black coat ever it. We are perfectly matching that to without deciding anything before-hand. I guess it is luck and destiny. He is also carrying a beautiful bouquet of red roses which I am supposing is for me. I mean, red is the color today. Jake saw me coming down and his face lit up. He had a broad smile on his face which made me skip a beat. I also flash a smile back at him. My parents follow his gaze and are awed too.

  “Sweetheart you look amazing!” mom said as I stood beside Jake, who is completely frozen.

  “You are looking ravishing.” Dad said showing me, thumbs up.

  “Hey, Ash!” Jake finally said. His voice sends jitters to my whole body.

  “Hey!” I replied, it feels awkward meeting him for a date and mom and dad staring at us.

  “For you!” he said handing me over the bouquet.

  “Thank you, they are beautiful!” I said, taking in their enchanting fragrance.

  “Shall we leave?” Jake asked, innocently.

  “Of course.” I handed over the bouquet to mom. I held his arm and we waved mom and dad goodbye. We went outside and Emma was right it is a bit chilly.

  “You are looking so beautiful Ashley.” He said putting a strand of hair behind my ears.

  “Thank you!” I blushed, totally caught in the moment. He kissed me on my lips very tenderly and left me breathless.

  “You ready?” he asked in a very low voice.

  “I am ready but where is your car?” I looked up and down on the street but there Jake’s car was not there.

  “Well, I knew that you would be looking so stunning and that you will definitely distract me and I may send an old woman flying again. So, I thought it is better I don’t drive rather we walk to the place.” He replied.

  “I am really flattered but what if I get tired walking?” I asked, teasingly.

  “Then I will do this…..” he said and lifted me up in his arms.

  “Jake, put me down.” I said embarrassedly.

  “Are you sure?” he asked.

  “Jake people are watching.” I said but I can’t stop smiling.

  “Okay, then!” he said and placed me down. He gave me a really cute smile like he is so innocent.

  “Let’s walk!” he said.

  “Okay!” I replied, unable to hide the adrenaline rush I was having. My cheeks have gone red I don’t know if it is the weather or the Jake magic.

  “So are you excited?” Jake said as we walked to the place.

  “Very. And you know what is amazing; you and I are completely matching. Look, red and black. Seriously destiny.” I said, looking above at the sky and he started laughing really loudly.

  “What happened?” I asked.

  “I don’t think we should thank destiny, it’ll be better if we thanked Emma and Emmet.” He laughed again.

  “Could you please be clearer?”

  “Okay, so when you were discussing about your clothes with Emma I was talking to Emmet. Both of them had the phones on speaker so I was able to hear what you were saying. I heard that you were wearing red and black so I also wore red and black.” He explained. I felt like a fool looking at the sky like that.

  “That is so unfair, she didn’t tell me you were listening.” I shouted.

  “I told her not to tell you.” He laughed.

  “Why would you do that?” I asked.

  “Because I wanted to see your expressions when you see me in the same color combination. Destiny.” He replied.

  “You are really bad.”

  “Every girl wants a bad boy who will be good just for her.” He stopped and got all quixotic. We are standing in the middle of the road.

  “Jake, I respect your feelings but it is really cold, let’s first go to the venue and then be all romantic.” I said not wanting to wait myself.

  “Okay.” He said and started walking again. His arm around my waist, just like a protective boyfriend.