I Have It All Planned

I walked behind Mike and entered our living room. He threw his backpack on the couch and turned to face me.

" Mike, he is my junior from college. Everything's fine"

He nodded. I walked past him to my room and went straight to my bed.

Mike was worried about me. I can see that from his face. But he knew that I will tell him everything if it comes to a situation that I can't handle on my own. He is going to keep an eye on me for some days like he always does when he feels something off about my behaviour. But what I am feeling now even I am not sure about it. I have never thought about Ron like that. But why am I feeling down? Why couldn't I face him? It was so rude of me to walk away like that. But every minute I stayed with him in the car after his confession felt like hours without oxygen. I wanted to run away from there and that's what I did. I left him who was already hurt because of his breakup with Betty to be in complete despair. What he needed was a friend at that moment but I freaked out.

I should talk to him tomorrow clearly about what happened today. Better to sleep now. I don't want to repeat what happened today morning to happen tomorrow.

I woke up by hearing Mike calling my name. Oh no. Not again. I can't be late today. I got up and quickly took my phone to check the time. Thank god it's just 6:20 am. But then why is Mike calling me. I got up and went to the living room to see him looking out through the front window.

"Hey, why are you shouting my name this early in the morning."

He was still staring outside.

"Mike?"

"Mel, I think we are having new neighbours in the house opposite ours"

"Don't tell me you wake me up before my alarm to tell me we are having new neighbours."

"I just called you down. Come on let's just go out and welcome them"

"When did you become so much interested in our neighbourhood. You can go and welcome them but count me out. I have to get ready for college"

Sometimes I can't figure out what's going in his mind. Sudden interest in socialising with neighbours I should investigate it later. Now I think I have a more important problem to deal with. I have to talk to Ron today. I took a bath and got ready for college. When I went to the kitchen I saw Mike preparing toast for our breakfast.

" That's something new. You preparing breakfast"

"You are so grumpy today. So for making your mood better, I made sunny side up. Here"

He gave me a plate with toast and Sunnyside up.

"I know there is something else cooking behind me other than this. But I will deal with you later"

I gave him a suspicious stare and ate my breakfast. Well for the first-timer he is good at cooking.

"So you didn't go to welcome our new neighbours?"

" I did but they were not there. It's only the people to move furniture and other things"

"Well good to know your interest in socialising even though it is very unnatural of yourself. Anyway, I am out."

I washed the plate and took the bag and left the house.

Mike was right people were moving the furniture to the house opposite us. I walked past them to Leya's house. Her mom invited me in. I went to her room since I was early today. When I knocked on her door she told me to get in. She was doing the base of her makeup.

"Didn't you sleep yesterday. Why are you so early?"

"I wanted to talk to you about something"

"So you said yes to Ron?"

I was shocked. How did she know?

" I saw you both yesterday night on the car while I was going to dump the garbage and I guessed that he would have confessed to you"

"He did. Oh Leya, how could I be so blind? You and Jake told me about this and still, I kept my eyes closed. I am so stupid. Why out off all those girls around him I became the third person in their relationship"

She sighed and sat next to me on her bed.

"Look, Mel. Betty, she was not even in the picture from the beginning. We all could see that except Ron and of course you. Even Betty did too. He always had that tenderness in his eyes while talking to you. Too bad that he recognised that late."

"But Betty loves him. You saw her crying"

"Yes. But being in a relationship is not one way Mel. Both have to be equally committed. She knew from the day they started dating that he was not in love with her. She wanted him to be with her because she was in love. But now since he realised what exactly he feels for you, to continue in that relationship will be toxic for both of them"

"Somehow I feel that I caused this. I don't want my friends to face any problem because of me. Now I am stuck. He was already in pain and I poured salt in his wound by rejecting him on his face"

"Oh no, you didn't. Why did you reject his proposal? You know he is a great guy. He cares for you. You are both comfortable with each other, what else do you need to start dating?"

"I know. I know. But I am not ready to date anyone now."

" Just give him a chance Mel. You don't have anything against him. Just think about it"

She completed her makeup and took her bag. We got to the bus to college.

Throughout the way to college, Leya was convincing me that dating Ron was a good choice. When we reached college I saw Jake and Ron getting off their car. Leya ran towards Jake and hugged him. I walked towards them.

"Hi, Mel. You are not late today."

Ron said smiling.

I know he is trying his best to hide so I went on with it.

"Come on. It was just one day"

"Hey, guys the new dean is starting her work today. I heard that she is very talented" Jake broke the awkward conversation that we were trying to pull off.

"Oh yeah now that you mentioned her. She and her family moved to our neighbourhood. Since my mom is the president of residence association we are hosting a BBQ in our backyard to welcome them. Leya is already invited and I am inviting both of you to my house today evening."

" Wait when was I invited. I didn't even know about this and wait, our new dean is my new neighbour?"

"Girl, you were not aware of it but your parents are. So we are all going to my house after college"

"Leya... But I have..."

" No Ron I don't want any but. You guys are coming and that's final"

"Babe we will be there"

Jake and Leya became busy in their sweet talks.

"Ron if you don't mind can we talk after the class before lunch"

"Sure Melanie." We both smiled and walked towards our classes.

There was a session in before the lunch break to introduce our new dean. I don't know why but she looked very familiar. It's like I have met her before. She had a very brilliant profile and she was also the CEO of the famous medicine manufacturing company that I always wanted to work for. Maybe that's why she looks familiar. I hope at least I could do my internship there. Her speech was inspiring. After her introductory speech, I went to meet with Ron. He was already there where we decided to meet.

" Hey " He waved at me when he saw me

" Ron I know I was a little bit blunt yesterday. I am sorry"

" No. Don't be sorry. You told me what you felt about me. You didn't hide. I appreciate that"

"Ron you're a great guy. But I don't want to date anyone right now. All that matters now is to spend my final year in college with my friends, have fun and then after college to secure my career. I have it all planned. I don't want anything to be out of order."

"I can understand Melanie. I respect that. Let's just keep all these apart. Let's just be how we were"

"Thank you so much, Ron"

"No. Thank you, Melanie, for being my friend"

I felt nice to talk it out with him. Even though it won't be easy but we were trying to go back to how we were before. We four had our lunch just like we used to have merrily.

After college we four came back home in the car. Since I told them I need to freshen up they stopped to drop me in front of my house.

" Mel, who is that guy in your porch?"

I turned my face from Jake's direction to my porch to look who he was pointing to.

There was a guy in my porch. He was on his phone. He turned towards us while talking on his phone.

Who is that?

Wait...

I know those eyes. I know him.

"No way. It can't be him"

What I thought in my mind came out loud.

"Who?" Leya asked

"You guys go on. I will be there"

I hurriedly walked out of the car. With every step I made towards him I became sure it was him. He was now talking facing the garden. He stopped his call and turned to face me.

He smiled. That smile... Even its been years, I felt the same warmness

"Mel we meet again"

I am not dreaming right. He is standing in front of me in his flesh and bones.

I didn't know what to say. I stammered again after a long time.

"Ray...Rayon"

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