Rosa's Affair

CHAPTER 19(a)

"Have you found your perfect match, yet?"

This is what I heard when I entered the living room. Jasper glanced at me and diverted his attention on the pair sitting opposite in the chair in the living room. Kiran was the one who raised this question to my secret lover. Jacob did not answer the question as he was deeply immersed in the strong liquid in his hand. Jasper and I walked towards the two people and took a seat near them.

"Ohh...my sweet darling..." Kiran stuttered and that's when I noticed the empty alcohol bottle near Kiran's feet.

"Are you drunk?" I questioned Kiran and glanced at Jacob who was sitting opposite of us. He didn't take any step to even spare a glance at me. Maybe he is concerned about Jasper who was sitting next to him.

"Where did you go...my pretty Rose?" asked Kiran, taking the support of my shoulder.

"Random...huh...walk...I guess," I said, noticing Jasper's behaviour.

"Am going to bed!" stood Jasper from his spot. Before he could walk towards his room, he turned his attention on all three of us and spoke loudly, "Have a good night everyone."

Jacob didn't mind Jasper and continued having the drink in his hand.

"Does it taste good?" I asked Jacob bringing his attention to me.

Jacob lifted his head and looked at me for a second. "Rose, Kiran and I had filled our stomach. How about I cook dinner for you?"

"Jasper and I had dinner on the way home and thank you for asking but...am not hungry now," I answered him softly.

He took a long breath and stood from the chair and came near me and spoke huskily in my ear. "Am waiting for you in my room, do not be late Rosa!"

Though I wanted to take my time dressing for Jacob, my curious side wanted to know the conversation between Kiran and Jacob. It's mainly because of the question I heard when I entered the house. Past midnight I walked towards Jacob's room like a cat without any noise in the empty corridor. What was about to happen was something I would never have imagined. When I entered inside his room I saw Jasper holding Jacob by his shirt collar.

"Don't mess with Rose!" said Jasper angrily.

Before I could walk towards them I heard the answer given by Jacob which made me stop in my tracks. I listened to them speak hiding in the dark corner of the room.

"I can repeat it even thousand times Mr Jasper. I love Rose and you don't have anything to do with our relationship," retorted Jacob.

"If you love Rose then you wouldn't have tried to kill yourself," said Jasper leaving his shirt collar.

I closed my mouth listening to their conversation more closely.

"I...I...didn't..." Jacob's voice died in his throat.

"Then...care to explain the toxic chemicals you bought from the store and please don't tell me...it's to poison the rats," said Jasper.

Jacob didn't answer and he sat in the bed with his head down. "I love Rose...but I can't ask Rose to stay with me...or can I?" Jacob's voice was very soft and sad which made me realize the mistake I have made.

"Killing yourself is not going to make Rose stay with you!" said Jasper taking a seat next to Jacob.

"Am not trying to kill me Mr Jasper, those aren't toxic chemicals, its...just some drugs to heal myself," said Jacob in his painful voice. "Am turning twenty-nine this year, when I finally thought I had found the person for myself...fate is twisted. The person I love has already been married to someone else and the saddest part is..." Jacob couldn't continue but still, he went on... "I wanted to love Rose like a man in front of everyone, I wanted to cook dinner for Rose every night and..."

"Ask Rose to stay with you," said Jasper, not showing an ounce of emotion in his voice.

"Am afraid I can't!"

"Why?"

"Am afraid of rejection and they are..."

"There is no 'they' after this Jacob. There is no Kiran and Rose even if they are married. It will be you and Rose."

Jasper's theory boiled my anger and I came out of the shaded area and walked towards the two men who are having their conversation. "How could you? How could you do that Kiran?" I pulled Jasper from his seat and in the next moment, he was lying on the floor with a ghostly look on his face.

"You!" I pointed my finger at Jasper. "You really are an idiot!" I shouted at Jasper and walked towards Jacob who wasn't ready for the immediate conversation with me.

"What did you do?" I asked Jacob.

"What did he do?" Jasper stood in front of me pointing his finger at Jacob. "Don't you love this man Rose?" asked Jasper in a threatening voice.

"I love him and I love Kiran as well!"

"Stop this bullshit!" shouted Jasper.

"Jasper! Calm down...we will handle this," said Jacob placing his hand on Jasper's shoulder to calm him down.

Jasper didn't give a shit about Jacob and continued his assault on me. "Rose! Don't try to hurt this man for your selfishness."

"Jas..."

"Listen to me Rose, both you and Kiran are my friends, but do you think I care for you...just because I am asking you to choose Jacob. If you think so...am sorry dear because I care for Kiran and Kiran only. If Kiran wants to be happy...you need to break this loveless marriage and move on with your life. Just let Kiran be happy...please," pleaded Jasper at the end and walked away leaving me and Jacob in the room.

When we heard the door was locked I walked towards Jacob and hugged him tightly and whispered how much I loved him. "I wish I could hear this every day in my life," said Jacob, hugging me even closer.

What a twisted relationship. Why haven't I met this amazing man before I could marry Kiran? Even if I did meet him, would I have the confidence and strength to marry him? Hugging him closer and feeling the warmth from his body is really good.

"Please don't ask me to stay Jacob, if you do so...I may stay here," I said and a small drop pooled in my eyes listening to my own voice. How much should I love Jacob to abandon my Kiran like this?

"I will...not, but I want you to be happy Rosa."

"I was wrong about your relationship with Kiran and am sorry!" said Jacob.

"What?"

"When you were gone with Jasper, Kiran told me how much you loved Kiran and the relationship you both shared despite all different views and conflicts. It gave me a tiny glimpse of Kiran's extraordinary love for you. I don't know Rosa whether I can love the way Kiran loves you but..."

"Jacob...what would happen if I run away with you and abandon Kiran?"

"Don't be partial and..."

"Why did you shatter my heart into pieces, Jacob?"

"Am sorry! I couldn't hold it anymore. It's just I couldn't bear to leave you."

"Promise me! Promise me you won't take any drugs after I leave this place. Promise me you will live happily and continue your life with someone else whom you love," saying this a tear rolled down from my eyes. I couldn't imagine Jacob living his life with someone else but it has to be done at some point.