Unconditional

Hope and Promise

Dec was relieved that there wasn't a sign of Nick, again that day. But he had a nagging worry that something is about to happen before the finals. That night, after the dinner everyone retires for an early night, Girls in one room and the boys including Philip, Gino and John in two other rooms. Ant and Dec were in separate rooms with their respective friends. Neither could sleep that night as thoughts whirled around their head.

Ant was trying hard to find some sleep but the memory of Dec's eyes, his laugh, his lips, everything sends tingles through his body.

Is this really love? Whom should I ask about this first? Sarha? No way Ant...the next thing, she will be fixing your wedding date... wedding...with Dec?  Wait..stop. You haven't even confessed your feelings, you idiot!

He turns around in his bed to see his friends fast asleep and wonders for a moment whether to wake them up and tell them everything. But he know he shouldn't. I have to explain them everything. I can't just say I love Dec. I want them to realise what he is for me, and why I fell in love with him. I want to talk to them first... but not now.. I can't get distracted. One more day. Tomorrow, after the finals...I am going to tell them...

Meanwhile Dec was going through the same debate Should I tell them now? No, I can't wake them up and just tell them. And also, we are not alone. I can wait a day, can't I ..yeah, I can...I will tell them tomorrow...and then I will tell Anth...that's better. Anth...I know he is the most amazing person I have ever met...but is this right? Us...we are so different. Wait, I shouldn't think all these today. Tomorrow... I will deal with this after the finals... tomorrow.

Tomorrow approached slowly for the two sleepless men and woke up cursing the sun.

They exit their rooms to get fresh and get changed and Robbie directly catches Ant's mood.

Robbie: "Did you get any sleep yesterday?"

Ant: "I did"

Robbie: "I heard you tossing and turning in your bed. You nervous?"

Ant shrugs "A bit"

Robbie: "Wait, no. It's something else. What is it?"

Ant sighs "Nothing, I-"

Robbie: "It's about Dec, isn't it?"

Ant's eyes snap at Robbie's in worry

Ant: "Dec?"

Robbie: "Yup. You are worried. For his safety.I can see that"

Ant nods "Yeah, that's one reason"

Robbie: "We all are here, Ant...don't worry..."

Ant nods at that and then says carefully
"I have to tell you something... can we meet at yours after the finals?"

Robbie looks at him in surprise "What is it?"

Ant: "Nothing urgent...just , tell others okay? Us 5. Your home"

Robbie nods "Is everything fine?"

Ant smiles "More than fine"

Robbie smiles back "Okay then"

They reach back to the room allotted to them and Dannie lets them know that theirs is the sixth lot, which   is still four hours away. They decides to get ready and do a final reading of the script, before going on-stage.

They change their clothes and wash their faces before going for makeup. They went as two teams and Dec got the right opportunity to talk with David and Stephen as neither Ant nor his friends were there.