Here All Along

chapter - 47

A/n: so i read all the theories regarding what would happen after Neen's proposal. Just want to remind that HAA is full of twists so expect anything. 😶

...

It's been five minutes since Bright is looking for Win. He'd understand if he left but at least the other should have informed him first. Bright had personally asked the chef to avoid using pepper in any of the dishes so Win could eat (in case he showed up at the party). And to think he left without even having dinner.

"Hey Pear.." Bright calls, grabbing her hand, "have you seen Win?"

"No" Pear says, "think he left. Oh by the way, is this yours?"

Saying that, she flashes a white envelope in Bright's face. He frowns deeply.

No.." he says, "it's for you. Win told me you wanted his autograph for friends."

"Really? Pear exclaims, "wait. Why did he throw this in the dustbin then?"

"Huh?"

Bright is confused. Pear tells him a waiter collided into one of trash bins which fell down, causing the small litter fall out on the floor. She caught the glance of the envelope and it looked too clean to be in the bin.

"I thought it was a gift for you" she explains, "and white is your favourite colour too. So... never mind. I'll keep it with me then."

Pear shoves the envelope in her purse and Bright nods before hurrying towards the portico, hoping Win would be there.

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By the time everyone leaves, it's almost midnight. Pear and a few other cousins of Neen stayed back to help clean the mess before they too left. Bright spends almost an hour in shower, half reluctant to face Neen and half worried about what will happen once he faces Neen, who is on phone, laughing and receiving congratulations from people calling her.

After the third impatient knock on the door, Bright finally gets out from the washroom, walking to his wardrobe to grab a shirt. He puts on his clothes and breathes deeply before sauntering to the living room.

"Hey" he smiles, "come to the bedroom? Let's talk."

Neen mouths that'l she'll be there while answering whoever it was on the phone. Bright nods and leaves.

"Hey baby" Neen says lovingly, wrapping her hands around Bright's neck. 

Bright smiles. He feels terrible but he has brought this on himself and so he breathes deeply and says,

"I uh.. I kissed Win. That day when we went to Naurburi."

The air drops silent. Bright feels the wreathe of hands withdrawn from his neck.

"I'm sorry.." he added, almost afraid to match Neen's eyes.

"Why are you telling me this now?" Neen's voice hits his ears, already cold and distant.

"Because you deserve to know that..  it's my fault that we won't be able to work this out, not yours. I have been a terrible boyfriend."

"You were doing fine before Win showed up" Neen almost screams, "why did you say yes to my proposal then?"

"I couldn't have said no in front of all the people. Your dignity is my responsibility too, Neen. But I don't even understand why you'd propose to me, when we've never even talked about it before."

"And why have we never talked about it Bright?" Neen snaps, "you're right. It was impulsive. But it was because I was insecure of Win. And now we both know how right I was to be insecure of him."