Ocean Eyes

CHAPTER 11

Rachel stayed silent for a few more seconds before she saw Ashley giving her a look that was forcing her to answer, otherwise Ashley will take things into her own hands. And that was the last thing Rachel wanted. After seeing Ashley's threatening stare, Rachel faked a cough before answering the phone, her voice shaking as a sign of struggling and uncertainty. "Oh hey, Arthur! It's been a while!" Rachel said. She could hear the distant sound of Ashley slapping her own forehead against the wall, most likely frustrated with Rachel's demeanour. But Rachel just chose to ignore it. An awkward and forced out laugh can be heard from the other side. "Yeah it sure has been a long time Rachel, hope you're doing well. What's the sudden occasion of you calling me?" Arthur asked with a curious tone.

Rachel bit her lip. Something about the way he says her name, really hits home. It reminded her of the sweet times during her youth. When everything was much simpler and back when she thought that one day, she could've called Arthur hers. But everything seems to be going south and she really can't pinpoint who is to blame. Or maybe everything can just be simply excused as fate. Nonetheless, Rachel let out a quiet sigh, hopefully unheard by Arthur before responding, "Yeah, I'm fine.." That was a lie. A white lie that she needed to say because she really didn't Arthur knowing what had happened to her. She glanced at Ashley and saw that Ashley was looking at her with worry on her face. Rachel gave her a thin smile for reassurance.

"I called because I was wondering, do you want to catch up? I'm sure there's a lot of stories for us to share. I just figured that we might as well catch up before your wedding." Rachel said, trying to hide her embarrassed tone. It would be really shameful of Rachel to be seen talking just the two of them after his marriage. After a while of silence, Rachel couldn't help but letting her imagination run wild on what Arthur is thinking and would respond. And as Ashley and Rachel had established, letting Rachel get lost in her own imagination has done more harm than good but luckily, before Rachel could say something along the lines of 'forget it' or 'actually, never mind', Arthur had responded with a "Yeah, sure. Sounds fine to me. Of course, I'll have to tell Rose about this first. But she's a really understanding person so I'm sure she's fine with it" Arthur said, trying to reassure Rachel because perhaps he can still read Rachel like an open book even through the phone. It's like he can sense her worry.

Rachel wanted to say something, anything really, like an 'alright!' or a 'that's great' but what really came out of Rachel's mouth was the faintest whisper asking, "Rose?". Don't get her wrong, she isn't jealous or anything, she's just really surprised that's all. Arthur could be heard humming. "Yup, that's her name. Well, her name is actually Roselyn but Rose for short. She's a really lovely lady, just as lovely as a rose". 'I'm sure she is' Rachel thought to herself. By the sound of his voice and even the way he says her name, Rachel can tell that he really is truly in love with this Rose girl. Oh how Rachel wished she could tell Rose how lucky she is, but, Rachel is quite certain that Rose might actually already know that she was really lucky to have Arthur, to call Arthur as hers. Rachel could only let out a huff and smiled thinly before replying, "Well then, tell Roselyn I send her my kindest regards" Arthur chuckled and Rachel would be lying it that sound didn't make her chest feel warm. "Will do" Arthur said before the both of them ended their conversation there because they decided that they will text each other the further details, which is what Rachel had actually been wanting to do all this time.

After the call, Rachel sighed and turned her head to the side to look at Ashley. What greeted her was an Ashley with a very conflicted expression on her face. Rachel tilted her head to the side a bit as if asking what's wrong? Ashley lets out an aggressive exhale before sighing and making her way to sit on Rachel's bed. "I don't really know, Rachel. Are you really sure about this? All of this could go south very quickly. I'm just really worried about you; I don't want you to get hurt anymore" Ashley explained. Rachel stared at her sister in awe. Something about Ashley being caring and worried about her really made Rachel fell appreciated.