Sincerely, The girl who left words Unsaid

29. You're beautiful_James Blunt

Finally. After waiting for few days carrying the necklace with him safely like a talisman, a constant reminder of her, he finally reached college despite having no lectures to be present for something so important that he couldn't even sleep the previous night. He kept thinking about how to gift her this necklace. Well, it wasn't like the rarest rock seeing which every other woman would go drooling over. And to think of it she wasn't someone who would be carried away with stuff like these. 

She was someone who found tangible things meaningless. Shane's father used to tell him that if it can be bought with money, it can be bought any day, any time, any moment, and in fact by anyone so no matter what that 'it' is, it shouldn't be affecting your happiness. She was a bit similar. She considered intangible things far more valuable. Maybe a dance, cooking for her, carrying her shopping bags, pulling the chair, holding the door. She didn't need a guy who would put a tiara on her head, but she needed a guy who would treat her like a red queen dressed in white.

 Even she didn't know how much he wished to do all those small things for her but the problem was that there was no time. In a week they met for a brief period of ten minutes, if lucky enough to even meet in the day. He wanted to do those things not to show her that even he could do it but because he wanted to. That necklace was just a pendant hanging on a string but it was more like he had breathed a part of him inside it and giving it to her would mean no matter where he would be he would be there close to her heart. 

Sitting at the quadrangle waiting for her to come he couldn't help thinking that it was the only day, the only birthday he possibly could be with her and after that, he would be gone. His college was nearly over. Just one more week, and then study leaves for exams. He wanted that this one day be so memorable that he couldn't regret anything about it. He had a smirk thinking that she was never there for his birthday, and that really didn't matter, did it?

All his thoughts and theories were just shut for the moment he saw her entering the college gate. Her round earrings, her hair tied behind, her purple skirt, black and white stripes full sleeve tee-shirt, she wore the happiness of her birthday and nervousness of everyone looking at her with admiration as the only make-up she needed. Everyone from her girl squad jumped in wishing her, hugging her and he just kept looking at her.

 Everyone knew why he was standing there, everyone knew why he was there and it was for her, the only person he wanted to be there for. Jenny.

Coincidently, that day was also the date shared by Sabrina and Dash as their anniversary of a yearlong relation. They both were very excited and happy and Shane was delighted for them. He remembered the first time he met them working on a sketch and he had a feeling they would be together someday. That was two years ago and there they were. He genuinely wished that those two held on to each other because sometimes you just know what is really meant to be. Almost half an hour ago, when the three of them had gone around the block to have coffee Sabrina was shocked seeing Shane wasn't smoking.

"You broke? You need cash?" Sabrina taunted.

"Technically, I am broke but don't worry about cigarettes. I always have my food allowances or savings for back- up", Shane informed holding a short glass of coffee which he never had before without a cigarette in his fingers. Without smoking, he realized that this coffee that he was drinking was actually not worth drinking.

"So, you stopped smoking?" Dash was the hopeful one.

"Not anytime soon. It's just I don't wish to wish her with a smell of smoke and I am planning to make her wear the necklace myself so I don't wish to touch with the hands I smoked with"

"Why such drama? She wouldn't fall for you or something", said Sabrina.

"It's something that I am not doing with a motive or expectations, it's just I know this ash on my fingers would hurt her more than me hitting her, and then no matter what present I get her, it will be worthless"

"Don't you think she would like you to stop smoking only" Dash played his Ace?

"I will when she actually feels something for me, maybe then she will indeed have that leverage on me"

"You know you are screwed?"

"Tell me something I don't know, old sport"

"Are you two love birds done?" Sabrina's tone was almost dead, "Shane! Look at him he isn't taking me to The Northern Vineyards, tell him it's our fucking anniversary or else will break up with him and if not that will break his nuts for sure"

The thing about brothers and boy's friendship is that you can understand each other without words, just actions and eye contact. Shane knew how badly Dash needed to be saved from Sabrina's wrath and he just did what any other good, caring and the helpful friend would have done for him.

"What is this Sabrina? That's not how you talk to him." Sabrina was almost like 'You did not just say that' and Dash had the look of the cat that superman saves off the tree, "I mean come on don't think just hit him, man! He is your boyfriend, it's your right."

"Brother?" Dash was like 'fuck you' and now Sabrina was dancing on almost winning the argument as if she was 'a Barbie girl in this Barbie world'.

"What men? At least you could have done something special for her" knowing that he had actually done a lot of things for her but kept it all as a surprise for a little later part of the day.

"You should have given me a ring like this?" Sabrina showed her ring finger to the boys who were like, at least that moment they both had the same thought of amazement.

"That's a real rock?" Shane asked knowing it is and feeling that maybe what he carried in his pockets, not is rocks but the necklace was nothing compared to that ring. That one moment he actually thought of getting Jenny something else, saying he forgot the gift at home or something.

"Yes", Sabrina's eyes shone.

"Who gave it to you? You already found someone else without breaking up also?" Dash.

"Dash? Shut the fuck up? Dad gave it to me." And that moment that relief was something undoubtedly magic for him.

Shane came closer to her, his hand raised out for a handshake, "Sabrina darling, you know right? That you are my most favorite fool?" and as she reached out to shake his hand he took out her ring.

"Asshole!" Sabrina yelled loud enough to draw the attention of everyone surrounding them.

"What? I think she will like it" emotional pug face, "and you know if today she accepts it, and a few years later we get married and have a daughter we will name her Sabrina".

"Whatever. Just don't lose it, it's nearly worth 50 grand."

After a long pause, "I am sorry I heard 50 grand".

"You heard her right, that's what she said".

He took out his handkerchief, wiped it cleaned and gave her back.

"Don't be shy, take it. Consider it yours only".

He knew that he cannot afford it yet but when he will, he would buy Jenny as many rings as she can count in a lifetime. But, most importantly the one that would be the most special one would be like he once gifted his mother on her birthday.