Echoes of Encounter

Chapter-6: A Shoulder to Lean On

** Setting: At classroom. **

As Jimmy, Neo, Aj, and Jj discussed strategies for the upcoming basketball match, the classroom suddenly erupted into gasps and whispers. Startled, the boys glanced up to see Love pulling Sea out of the classroom by his hand. Shocked by the unexpected sight, they watched as their two friends disappeared down the corridor. Fearing something was amiss, they hurriedly tried to follow, but by the time they reached the hallway, Love and Sea were nowhere to be seen. With no clue as to their whereabouts, they anxiously returned to the classroom, waiting for Love and Sea to return.

Piploy, curious about the commotion, entered Jimmy's classroom with a warm greeting - "Sawadee Ka" she said, her eyes scanning the room. The boys, who had been anxiously awaiting Love and Sea's return, smiled reassuringly at Piploy to ease any concerns she might have. Piploy made her way over to Jimmy and greeted him with a hug from behind, planting a kiss on his cheek. This display of affection had become a familiar sight for the gang, though Neo never failed to voice his mock disgust.

"Uwaah! Do you two have to do this in public every time" Neo exclaimed, making exaggerated gagging noises. "Can't you save it for when we're not around? Us singles need some peace too!"

Piploy couldn't help but tease back, "P'Neo, it's not our fault you're still single. I just can't help but show my love for Jimmy, and besides, it's not like this is the first time you've witnessed it." She shot him a playful grin before turning to join in the laughter with Aj and Jj. Jimmy was smiling at his girlfriend's comment but still couldn't shake off the worry he had as to what might have happened between them.

** Setting: At a hidden spot by the school's backyard. **

As Love bombarded Sea with multiple unanswered questions, her final inquiry hit a nerve. "Sea, do you love Jimmy?" she asked, her voice soft but probing. Sea felt his cheeks flush as he struggled to find the right words. "No! It's not like that," he stammered, his words betraying his true feelings. "I love him as a friend, but I promise nothing more than that."

But Love could see through his facade. "Sea, it's all right. Be honest with me," she reassured him, her gaze gentle but perceptive. "I have been observing you for the past few years. I know when you lie."

Feeling a surge of emotion, Sea's composure crumbled, and tears welled up in his eyes. "I don't know why I am feeling like this," he confessed, his voice trembling with emotion. "I don't know what to do! Whenever I'm near him, I feel happy. When he does something good, I feel good too."

As Love listened to Sea's tearful confession, her heart went out to her friend. She could see the struggle and confusion in his eyes, and her own heart ached for him. Gently, she reached out and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Sea, it's okay to feel this way," Love said softly, her voice filled with empathy. "Sometimes our hearts lead us in unexpected directions, and that's nothing to be ashamed of."

Sea looked up at her, his eyes still brimming with tears. "But what do I do, Love? I don't want to ruin our friendship with Jimmy. He means everything to me."

Love squeezed his shoulder reassuringly. "You won't ruin anything, Sea. Jimmy cares about you deeply, and I'm sure he'll understand. It's important to be honest with yourself and with him."

Sea nodded, taking in her words. "I don't want anyone to know about this," he pleaded, his voice trembling with emotion.

Moved by his raw honesty, Love approached him and enveloped him in a comforting hug. She gently patted his back, offering him solace in his moment of vulnerability. "It's all right," she murmured soothingly. "I won't tell anyone about this."

Feeling a burden being lifted off his shoulders, Sea leaned into Love's comforting embrace, grateful for her unwavering support. As they sat together in the quiet corner of the schoolyard, Sea knew that he wasn't alone in his feelings, and that gave him the courage to face whatever the future held.

Later, Love learned that yesterday's incident at Jimmy's house had left Sea feeling distracted and unsettled the entire day.

After Sea calmed down, he thanked Love for her understanding, grateful for her support during his moment of vulnerability. Love, seeing that Sea had regained some composure, decided to broach one final question.

"Sea, I have to ask," Love began hesitantly, "how do you feel about Jimmy being in a relationship?"

Sea understood the underlying concern in her question and took a moment to gather his thoughts before responding.

"Don't worry," Sea assured her with a faint smile. "It might be hard for me to see Jimmy with someone else, but ultimately, if he's happy, then I'm happy too."

Love felt a sense of relief wash over her at Sea's sincere and selfless answer. She knew that even though it might be difficult for him, Sea's genuine concern for Jimmy's happiness spoke volumes about the depth of their friendship.

Love who was now at ease said to Sea - "We should head back to class now. The gang might be worried about us or more like about you." Sea hearing the comment laughed wholeheartedly. Seeing him laugh, Love knew that Sea had returned to being himself. Both got up, dusted their pants, and started walking back to the class.

** Setting: At their usual lunch spot near the school playground. **

The gang which was waiting for Sea and Love came down to their usual hanging spot for lunch. As Love and Sea were giggling and walking past them, Neo shouted - "Sea! Love!". Hearing their names called out suddenly, made them turn back as to who it was calling them out.

There they found their gang along with the Piploy who was waiting for their return. Seeing Piploy, Sea was briefly sad but soon smiled at them. Love who was watching, pulled Sea by his hand after he smiled. As they arrived, Piploy not able to contain her curiosity asked them - "P'Love, what happened earlier? Did P'Sea upset you in any way?".

The other gang members, relieved as they wanted to ask them what happened but did not dare to ask, were now curious about the answer.

Love who first glanced at Sea and said - "It's nothing serious. We had a sudden meeting with our coach for the upcoming badminton match. As you already know, I and Sea have been concentrating on our academics for the past few months. That's why the coach called us and asked what we were planning to do."

Hearing the answer made everyone else in the gang shake their heads at being disappointed in themselves. They were worried for no reason. Seeing their reaction Love asked - "Why? What's with you all... shaking your head..."

To which Aj said - "We were needlessly worried that something bad happened between you both." Hearing this Love can only laugh at them. Sea was silent the whole conversation.

Neo, as soon as his anxiety calmed down, started feeling hungry, got up, and asked - "Sea where is your lunch box? I am hungry...". Sea being caught off guard, said - "Ah. I didn't have time to make lunch." Jimmy, hearing this sentence got suspicious as he knew that Sea got up early in the morning and went back to his house.

Sea, looking at Jimmy's face knew he was about to be caught so he came up with an idea and said - "I am going to the canteen to buy lunch. If you want something tell me soon, I will buy it for you."

Hearing this Neo, Aj, and Jj started circling Sea and gave an entire list of orders. After they finished both Love and Piploy wanted some refreshing drinks. Sea now looking at Jimmy - "What about you?" to which Jimmy replied - "I am good."

As the list was big, Love went with Sea to bring the ordered items back. Upon their return, both Jimmy and Piploy were missing. On questioning, Neo sarcastically said - "Where do you think will those both go... huh?"

Understanding from the tone of Neo, Sea felt bad. To which Jj noticed and asked - "Sea why are you upset? It's not something new." Love responded - "Why won't he? She asked him for such an expensive drink, and she just left like that?" along with curses.

This made the gang laugh at her silly curses. Soon Neo, Aj, and Jj started playing rock, paper, and scissors to decide who would get to drink the expensive one.

To Be Continued~