Together Forever
Chapter 25

"Because you feel the same way I feel for you, don't you?" He slowly opens his eyes that are pleading with mine to say yes.

No matter how strong you are, there will always be that special someone who will make you weak. We all have to face mental breakdown sometimes when our heart is tired of battling with the constant argument that our head gives rise to. We would rather wound our heart over and over again by burying our emotions deeper into it than to show our vulnerability to others but still, there are sometimes when we just break. And now for the first time, he is breaking in front of me.

Only my heart knows how much I want to say yes. Something deeper within me is screaming that's what I believe but my fears, my uncertainties persuading me to say no. But I know very well that's a lie. If I wouldn't feel anything for him, then why am I here?

I'm just afraid. Afraid to accept the truth.

"Say something." He pleads in an excessively slow voice, something flashing in his eyes.

Fear?

Fear of what?

If I say no? Does it matter that much to him?

I can't hold his vulnerable gaze anymore. I look down avoiding eye contact, my face starts sweating at this point. How would I lie looking into those piercing eyes?

I shake my head slightly, "I...I am not sure." I say, my voice is barely audible.

As if proving me right, his body stiffens and he slowly removes his hand from me. I immediately look up to see something in his stare that I've never seen before. It's not just disappointment, not just hurt, not just pain, it's something more than that which I can't decipher. But what I see, just breaks me and I regret what I said.

"Ethan," I call out his name and take a step towards him but he moves back.

"I understand." He murmurs, looking away.

"I am sorry. I didn't want to say that." I say and hold his hand into mine. I entwine our fingers and run my thumb slowly on his knuckles, looking down.

"Just... just give me some time," I whisper.

He nods.

"It's ok. Take your time." He says, giving me a tight-lipped smile.

"Thanks."

"You must be tired. Come, freshen up." He initiates and I nod.

Before he leaves my hand, he gives it a slight squeeze and a sad smile make its place on his face, and then he says something that I believe is true deep down inside my heart.

"But I promise I will make you say yes eventually."

********

"Ethan! Give my panda back." I yell, chasing him from one side to another of my room. He keeps running towards the bed carrying my panda bear with him and then lies down there, laughing his asses off. "Oh my God! Little princess plays with pandas! How cute!" He shouts placing both hands around his mouth so that it can get louder.

He is a liar. After lunch, he told me that he would help me unpack my stuff. I believed him and let him in.

He started tousling with my things and discovered some embarrassing odds and ends. Firstly Leah's nighty that I mistakenly brought with me and now my pinky bear.

I growl in frustration and then stomp towards him. I snatch it from his hand and place it nicely beside my pillow.

"Really, princess? You still play with pandas?" He says, laughing.

"I don't play with it. I can't sleep without hugging my bear that's why I always carry it with me. Understood?" I shout.

He sits up on the bed and then turns to me, smirking.

"How I wish I were a panda!" He dreamily sighs.

I burst out laughing and kick his leg playfully. Such a jerk!

"Ethan, you aren't helping me at all." I pout.

"Ok, sorry, sorry. I will work now, I swear." He says, jumping off the bed and walks to my luggage.

********

I take my clothes and walk inside the closet. It takes me fifteen minutes to arrange them properly and this whole time, I didn't hear anything from outside. When I came here, Ethan was doing something with my bag. God knows what he has brought out now!

I walk out and see him sitting on the floor watching something attentively, his back facing me. I tiptoe towards him and lean in quietly. But the sight I see shocks me.

A picture of mine in his hand that is attached to a photo frame my dad gifted me. His thumbs are slowly running upon my face.

What does this mean? Why is he watching my picture like that?

I stand there still for sometime when he suddenly looks back and his face turns uneasy. He stands up hurriedly and hands me the picture.

"Umm...what were you doing with it?" I ask taking it from his hand. He seems embarrassed as if he can't replace what to say.

"I...I was just watching. I have something to do. I will come back soon." He says in a breath and leaves the room, not casting me another glance.

*******

Finally, it's night and I finished unpacking everything. And should I mention, Ethan didn't help me at all. Instead, he snatched my phone and now playing clash of clans. Nobody ever touched my phone except me but this man never listen. He is giving me a headache now.

I walk up to him, he is lying on my bed. I grab my phone forcefully and snatch it away.

"I can't believe that I let you touch my phone. No one ever did."

He gets up and shoots me a haughty smile, "Nothing to be surprised of. You always act differently when it comes to me. Because I am special." He says causing me to roll my eyes.

"By the way, tell me one thing. Why is your phone's wallpaper the Eiffel tower? I never saw anyone."

"Because I love Eiffel tower. I don't know why but I have a huge crush on it since I was a kid." I reply, smiling.

"Hmm... Eiffel tower is lucky that it's not a human." He smirks.

"What would happen if it was a human?" I squint.

He gives me a sheepish grin, "Then I would kill it!"

My mouth hangs open hearing him as I shake my head in disbelief.

"Really? Now you are jealous of the freaking Eiffel tower?" I giggle.

He pretends to be shocked but I can understand he is trying to hide his smile.

"What are you talking about? I was never jealous." He says, throwing his hand up in the air.

"Sure, Mr gentleman," I say and pat his shoulder before we both burst into laughter.