Together Forever

"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.

Take your time." He says, giving me

"Thanks."

tired. Come, freshen up." He initiates and I

my hand, he gives it a slight squeeze and a sad smile make its place on his

will

********

to another of my room. He keeps running towards the bed carrying my panda bear with him

my God! Little princess plays with pandas! How cute!" He shouts placing

a liar. After lunch, he told me that he would help me unpack my stuff. I

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

growl in frustration and then stomp towards him. I snatch it

play with pandas?"

without hugging my bear that's why I always carry it with

up on the bed

wish I were a

and kick his leg playfully. Such

me at all." I

sorry. I will work now, I swear." He says, jumping off the bed and

********

arrange them properly and this whole time, I didn't hear anything from outside. When I came here, Ethan

floor watching something attentively, his back facing me. I tiptoe towards him and

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

is he

stand there still for sometime when he suddenly looks back and his face turns uneasy.