Where my Heart Lies

Celebrations

"You guys are getting married!?"

"WHY WOULDN'T YOU TELL US BEFORE!"

"We have tonnes of preparations to make. You guys gimme the theme, I'll look after the arrangements."

"Include Roses, okay?"

"You didn't have to say that.", Kiana chirped in.

Jessica, Ryan and Kiana had headed out for shopping, right at 7 in the morning, when most of the shops would be closed. It wasn't the girls that  had planned their day-out. This time, it was Ryan, who had also insisted they start early, since there was so much to do. Jessica barely had had the chance to tell these two about her conversation yesterday with Liam. She knew she still wasn't sure, but she was excited nonetheless. The words had been at the tip of her tongue all this while, and she knew if she let them out, Ryan's special day would be ruined. He was all too enthusiastic about his wedding with Larry, which they had planned just the very next month, after their graduation. She tried to blend in with the celebrations and bury the feeling that was threatening to erupt from the newly found volcano of life inside her that had been dormant for so long now. Liam had finally decided to take their relationship a step ahead, and Jessica was more than ready for it. A little validation was perhaps what she was seeking. She did not want to be wrong, not this time.  

The day moved fast, just as Ryan had said. All three of them headed to various places all round the city, shopping, eating and having fun. Now it was about eight, when they finally put all the shopping bags down and go back to college. Ryan had called Larry up, who was lightening quick in coming to pick them up. When it was time to get in, Kiana sensed something off with Jessica. She seemed hesitant to ride back.

"You guys go on, we girls still have some things to do."

Ryan looked at Kiana, who subtly pointed at Jessica. He opened his mouth to say something, but then understood it was not supposed to be for him. The two guys waved goodbyes and went away. 

"Why 'things' we have to do?" Jessica asked Kiana as she lightly smiled. "I am honestly pretty tired."

"Do you want to tell me something? Is it about Liam? Did you guys-"

"No." She laughed a little. "What made you think that!? Is that why we stayed behind?"

"Don't lie. I didn't pay much attention to you throughout the day, but I kept getting this weird feeling."

"It's really nothing." It was merely a whisper. "It's just..."

"Just what?" Kiana raised an eyebrow.

"Liam asked me to get married."

Kiana's expressions changed from those of a calm, happy, old lady to that of a sex-deprived middle-aged woman. She looked like a lioness ready to pounce at Jessica any moment.

"TellMeYouSaidNo!"

Jessica didn't reply.

"Fuck! Tell me you said no! Jessica! You couldn't agree to such a ridiculous thing even you drank a megapint!"

"I said yes, Ki."

Kiana's eyes flared with anger.

"Are you dumb!?I- I can't believe!"

"I mean, we would be graduating this year. Aren't Ryan and Larry-"

"Theirs is a different story." Kiana took a deep breath. "Let's take a walk."

For a few minutes, the two girls walked around in the night life of the city in silence. No one knew what went through their minds. Jessica, probably was regretting her decision to agree to Liam's proposal. Kiana... was simply contemplating. She needed more time to process all that information. 

"I mean, Liam is a nice guy. But for years he hadn't been here. Even if we forget how he made a fool of you all those years ago, it still hasn't been enough time for you guys to take that big leap. Larry and Ryan have been together for so many damn years already. For you, it's been days."

"I know. I wanted to talk about it with Ryan and you, but I didn't want to ruin his special time. Liam said it's for one of his business deals. That they need someone with a family, a wife, at least. We will not get married, just be engaged."

"I understand you want to be there for him, help him out in whatever he is doing. But-"

"I know it's too soon. But I really like him. I don't want to screw things up early on."

"I understand. It's just I hope you don't get hurt. You shouldn't say yes to everything he asks of you. You know if he's a true one, he will stay regardless of what you do, and what your choices are."

"I know. I am not desperate enough to do unhealthy relationships. Let's see how this goes?" Jessica pressed Kiana's hand tightly and hugged her. "I love you so much." She mumbled as she pressed her face into Kiana's shoulder.

"Yeah, yeah. I know. I love you too!" She laughed and patted Jessica on her back. "Let's go back, shall we?"

"Do you think I should tell Ryan?"

"I don't feel this is the right time."

"Hmm. Let's go." 

"Not to the dorm!"

"Let's dance."

"And Sing!"

"We'll celebrate this for you. However this ends."

"Yes. However this ends, we'll stay the same."

"Amen to that."

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Short Chapter. But at least I got the energy back to get the story going.