DATE ME IF YOU WANT

Chapter 10

Staying in hospital, however short, gives a fresh new perspective to the importance of life. I was being given the 'OK' for discharge. Jimmy, being the good friend that he is, arrived early in the morning and did not once hesitate to skip the morning classes. Kate, on the other hand, simply texted me an early congratulations gif. 'Typical!'
My eyes were secretly searching for the small shy figure of the individual who had managed to capture my heart in the recent weeks. Sadly, my search did not yield results.
"Apart from the few bruises, you seem very healthy, Mr. Becket. After the paperwork, you will be free to go.", Doctor Mike assured us and left.
My mother couldn't keep it in and rushes towards me to teddy hug me. 'Stop it mom! I am a grown man!', but I liked it.

My mother drove me back home while Jimmy left for school. I wanted to go back as soon as possible but I was recommended two days bed rest under observation which meant I was going to get bored out of my mind, or maybe not. I sneaked out of my own house, in the middle of the day. That should have set a new record, but I had nowhere to go. In the end, I ended up going back home dejected. My mother did not look happy. "Seriously, Harry?" She was holding a glass of water with a strip of my medication.
'Oops!' "..."
"We just came back and you vanish?"
I lowered my gaze apologetically. ".."
"You are going to Jimmy's tomorrow anyway. So please can you rest up today?" She handed me the contents of her hand.
'Please' was not something she often used. I nodded gently. 'She must have been worried sick this week, with my leg pain acting up and then the hospital stay.', I realised.
The rest of the day was uneventful.

The next day was the Saturday I was hyped about. It was bright and beautiful, befitting of her image. The entire day I held back the urge to wish Rachel on her birthday. She did not know that we knew. Kate and I decided to throw her a small party with Jimmy's help.
And then quickly, it was evening, time for the actual surprise.
"No way!", I retaliated.
"Why not?", she asked.
"What's wrong with a tee?", I begged.
"What's wrong with a shirt?", she returned my question.
"It's..it's too formal!", I justified.
"Nooooo! It's not!", she picked up a maroon checkered shirt from the stock she spread on my bed, "it's classy."
"Kate! Leave me alone!", I picked up a navy blue tee, "it's final!"
"You want my help or not?", she threatened me.
"..."
"Good! Then this one it is!", she pointed towards something from the heap that I had to clean up.
'Geez!' "Thanks for your kind help!", I mocked.
"Uh...thank me later!", she smirked. After a brief pause, "you still remember my plan, right?"
"Uh..which one?", she was getting angry, "that!? I remember...I remember. But I'm not following that plan. Please, no!"
"That's the plan which suits your image the most!", she protested.
"Whatever! NOT DOING!" 'My image is so... . .'
"You want my help OR not?", she reiterated her threatening. (Girls love doing that, don't they?)
"..." 'For God's sake, stop it!'
"Then you follow my plan!", she ordered.
"It's gonna be a disaster.", I panicked.
"I will be there. Don't worry!"
"..." 'That's what worries the most! You and your gossips-loving mouth!'
"Good god, Harry! Trust me, okay? And get ready to enact my plan."
"Ya ya whatever!", I shut the door behind her.

I sat on my chair, wondering if I have done something terribly wrong by confiding in Kate. Her amusing yet dangerous ideas wreck havoc. This time it's going to be my love life! 'Nonetheless the first time ever huh!', I amazed myself. I switched on my laptop and searched for solutions to Kate's plan. Even my trusted search engine failed.
'Ugh!' I leaned back. I should have just forget about her and return back to my fun life. I went over my change of feelings for Rachel over the past two weeks. My mind was a mess, worse than the display of garments on my bed. From a popular guy in school to a hopeless romantic, I came a long way in a short time. What have I become!
I ultimately got dressed in the shirt Kate chose for me, paired with a light grey pants and brown shoes. 'Too formal!', I commented as I tidied my hair. I sprayed a cologne, grabbed my wallet and keys and went out. I swiftly walked back to pick her present off my bed. 'Can't be having you left behind huh!'