Here All Along

chapter - 46

Bright calls Win, against his better judgement, a night before his birthday. He has been avoiding his calls on purpose. He needed time to make peace with the never ending squabbles in his mind. He still hasn't made peace with them, for what peace could he expect in a fate where him and Win do not end up together. But so far, Win has not displayed any sign of resilience from this cruel fate. And Bright is no more going to fight these stupid battles alone. So he will do what he can - try to be friends again. Because not having Win in life was worse than anything else.

"Hey...it's me. Bright" he says, clearing his throat.

"You finally received my call" Win squeals, "listen I have to tell you so many things. But let me apologize first. I am so sorry Bright. I know it was stupid-"

"Win" Bright interrupts, "it's okay. It was my fault too. Let's not talk about it."

"Okay. Are you free tomorrow?" Win asks impatiently, "let's go somewhere. You like to go to beaches on your birthdays. Let's do it. I'll make you a list, just like you used to for me."

Bright finds it difficult to swallow the bitter bile in his throat. He presses his lips hard before exhaling sharply.

"Yeah..no. I - I can't do that Win" he says, with utmost difficulty, "Neen is holding a party for me. In fact, I called you because she asked me to invite you."

Win doesn't speak for a while and then nods, trying to smile even though Bright cannot see.

"Uh okay!" he says, embarrassed but trying not to give it away, "yeah I'm sorry I forgot.... I don't think i can make it."

"I'd like to have you there Win" Bright says slowly, "but I'd understand if you can't come."

Saying that, he cuts the call before the silence between them speaks more volumes than they could afford.

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Bright puts on his best smile before walking into the hall where his girlfriend, lapped in a dazzling red dress was laughing with a group of friends. It was a small party, really. Small but greatly managed by Pear and her group of friends - the self proclaimed party planners. Bright looks at himself and decided he's clearly underdressed even though he's wearing a fairly nice suit for the celebration. It's not even his fault. He could trade the world for running out from the party and go sit somewhere alone, with a cup of coffee and the draft of his novel that is almost in the ending phase of its edition.

An enthusiastic wave of a hand disperses his thoughts and he is brought back to the hall and to Neen, who's gesturing him to come to her.

"You look very pretty" Bright says, kissing Neen.

"You don't look half bad yourself" smiles Neen, "happy birthday babe."

"Thank you. You carry on.. I'll get myself something."

Neen nods and turns back to her circle. Bright finds himself a safe corner, looking around at the faces of people he recognises but hardly knows. Amidst those faces, there appears another face, the one Bright knows better than his own.

"Hey..." Win walks slowly to him, "happy birthday Bright."

Bright almost gapes. Win is clad in a charcoal black suit, matching with Bright's except his is making Win look thousand times better than Bright's could make him look. That's what the birthday boy believes at least.

"You look beautiful" Bright's words fall out involuntarily, earning a tiny gasp from Win.

"T- thanks" Win stutters, his face reddening for some reasons.

"I didn't think you'd come."

"You wanted me to come. And I wanted to do what you asked of me."

Bright nods, scratching his nape. Why is Win talking like that?