LIFE OF US

EPISODE 9

JENNY’S POV…
I gulped a little as I sipped the coffee in front of me.  “So tell me about yourself.” He asked looking at me. I almost chocked because I don’t know the exact words to reply him with. It clicked on me that I haven’t shared my story with anyone for a long time. It’s even more confusing that I can’t tell Greg I hate men. I sighed silently as I picked up the coffee again. “Do you need another cup of coffee so you can tell me about yourself?” He asked jokingly.
We both laughed at his statement. I adjusted myself on the seat and folded my arms. “Actually, I am an introvert. I don’t have specific likes or dislikes. I just move on with the vibe if it suits my mood.” I struggled to say looking at him. He smiled and picked up his phone that was ringing for a while. “Okay. I will be there.” He said as he answered the call.
He slowly turned to me. “I am so sorry Jenifer; I will have to end our date here. An emergency came up.” He said looking at me with a smile. I was numb for a while. “Was that a date?” I asked myself curiously. He stared at me for a while as I was a bit spaced out. “Should I drop you off?” He asked looking at me. I quickly stammered. “No. It’s fine. I will order a ride.” I replied stammering. He stood up and picked his keys. “Okay then, let’s do this again sometime.” He said with a smile and walk out of the restaurant.
I watched him as he walks elegantly out of the restaurant. I don’t know what I am currently feeling about this man but I am sure I haven’t been comfortable talking to someone for a while as I was talking to him. I couldn’t resist myself from smiling. “What are you doing Jenny?” I asked myself as I adjusted myself and leaned on the chair. “I just hope I am not about to cheat my friends.” I said to myself as I slowly closed my eyes with a huge smile on my face.
It’s been two weeks since I started seeing Mr. Greg. It’s not as if we were in a relationship but the thing between us is getting more obvious. At this point, I am beginning to think that hating men will do me no good. Besides, not all men are bad. Men like Greg are good and shouldn’t be judged by the actions of others. I wanted to explain the situation to my friends but seeing how Mars is emphasizing about this gender on a daily basis always scare me. I decided to gather more courage and came out to my friends. I invited Greg to Kate’s party coming up in a week. “I will have to do this, even if it means ending it with the girls.” I said to myself as I lay on the bed after talking on phone with Greg.
I was alone in the room when I wake up from my nap. I looked around the room and seems like all of them have went out. I slowly walked to the bathroom to have a shower when I heard someone speaking on phone. “Who must be hiding and talking in the toilet?” I asked myself curiously. I eavesdropped for a while and I am sure it was Kate speaking to a man. I was totally shocked. I now realized what Mars meant when she always complained that Kate was acting weird these days. It dawned on me that she also spent more time outside even if she isn’t having classes.
“Have she fallen in love? Is she seeing a man?” I asked myself curiously as I slowly tiptoed back to the bed and pretended to sleep. I heard her moves when she came out and answered the call again. “I am on my way Steve.” She said as she picked her bag and head out. I am now sure that Kate is in a relationship with a man. “I need to talk to her, only then will I have a solution to my own problem.” I said to myself as I lay back on the bed. 
KATES’S POV…
I was lying on Steve’s legs on the couch while watching a movie together in his sitting room. He suddenly bent down his head to my face and kissed me. “What will you like to do after graduation?” He asked looking at me. I definitely know the kind of looks he is given me and I am sure he is expecting a certain response from me. This is not the first time Steve would insist on visiting my family. I lowered my gaze a bit with a little amount of disappointment. “I am not sure of what to do next Steve, but I am sure it’s not marriage. I still don’t have the courage for that.” I said looking at him.
He sighed deeply as he turned my face to his. “I know it might be too soon for you Kate, but I just want to be sure that I will have a chance. I want to be rest assured that I am not wasting my time on this relationship. I want to have an assurance to hang on to this.” He said looking so pitiful. I giggled as I slowly sat up looking at him. “Come on Steve, you already know the kind of life I had before. You know the kind of friends I have. Isn’t it enough that I am abandoning all those and being with you? Isn’t it enough assurance that I betrayed my friends and fall in love with you?” I asked looking at him curiously.
He stared at me for a while and then smiled and hugged me tightly. “Thank you Kate.  Thank you for doing this for me. Thank you for giving me a chance. Even though I can’t promise you forever, but I promise to make this moment worth it and I assure you that you won’t regret doing this with me.” He said as he placed a kiss on my lips. I closed my eyes as I kissed him back. I know deeply that I am enjoying this moment but I also know that this will sure have a repercussion, whatever the case may be, I am sure enough to face the consequences.
My phone started ringing while we were still locked in the romantic kiss. I quickly picked it up. After a few minutes of conversing, I ended the call and dropped the phone. “Who was that?” he asked hugging me from behind. I smiled and hold his hands. “That was my event planner, telling me about the cake.” I replied briefly. He leaned on me more. “Are you sure you don’t need anything more? Just tell me what you need Kate. I can handle it.” He asked with a concerned tune. I giggled a bit. “Come on Steve. What you have done is enough already. Just behave yourself at the party. That’s it.” I said pointing a finger at him.
He laughed for a while. “Well I have a surprise for you, but it will be at the party.” He said looking at me. I slowly stood up and picked my bag. “I just hope you are not planning something bad Steve.” I said as I head out. He followed me to the door and kissed me as I proceeded to my ride.
I arrived at the hostel and met my girls picking up dresses which are delivered by our designer for the birthday party. Every one of them was busy picking up the best outfits ranging from dresses, shoes, bags, jewelries and more. I walked to the edge of the room where my dress was hanged. I slowly touched it as a drop of tear landed on my face. “Okay drama queen. What is it now?” Yesmin asked looking at me. I quickly cleaned my face. “It’s fine. It’s just that the dress is so beautiful. Couldn’t resist my tears” I replied.
Meanwhile, I was actually shedding tears because the dress looked so beautiful like a wedding dress. I slowly walked to my bed and leaned on the wall thinking of how to end all this drama about men. At this point, I don’t know what is going on with me but I am sure I don’t want to continue this. I opened my eyes slowly and looked at the ladies. Mars and Yesmin are dressing up, probably sharing out invites to their friends. “Aren’t both of you coming?” Mars asked referring to Jenny and I. “I am not feeling well.” We chorused together.
They both stared at us for a while before heading out. I have been suspecting something with Jenny; she has been giving me a weird look since when I came in. My phone began ringing continuously. It was Steve, and I don’t know what to tell him right now. Jenny sat up and faces me. “Aren’t you going to answer that?” she asked looking at me. I quickly cut the call as it rang again. “Oh. That’s nothing important.” I replied looking suspicious.
Jenny giggled and walked to my bed. “Is that not Steve? I am sure he is important to you.” She said looking blankly at me. I was shocked already by her statement. Sweats are oozing from different angle of my body as I became instantly restless. “Do you want to tell me about it Kate?” Jenny asked staring at me. At this point, my mouth went totally dry as I didn’t know what next to say. I stared at Jenny who was also staring at me and waiting for my response.
As if that wasn’t enough, Mars and Yesmin walked into the room. “What are you talking about?” Yesmin asked with a serious face giving us a suspicious look. I am sure it’s over for me…