Three is better than one.

Chapter 19

Chapter19: Surprise Encounter

*Priya’s POV*

My face began to heat up, seeing him in such a state made me burn with embarrassment. I was frozen, staring at him with a shocked expression plastered on my face. He stood beside the bed with a splint on his right hand and threw his shirt aside with his left. He turned his casually turned his attention to me, once he saw my reaction, he chuckled to himself.

“What’s wrong?” he asked innocently, smirking.

“N-no-nothing.” I stammered, “The doctor a-asked me to he-help you out wi-with your cuts and bru-bruises.” I struggled to get even a simple sentence through my lips.

“Then come on over.” He smirked and sat on the edge of the mattress.

My heart began to beat rapidly while my hands began to break into cold sweat. I tried to avoid looking at him as I walked awkwardly and slowly towards him. I nervously sat down on beside him, trying to keep my distance. I continued to look down with my hands on my lap.

“What are you waiting for?” he asked me, sarcastically.

I hesitated to look up, uneasy about seeing him shirtless. I cautiously lifted my head to face him. My face began to burn a bright red. My eyes were drifted past his bare upper body before I met his face. My cheeks began to blush wildly as I met the sight of his strong arms and toned abs. He smirked at my shyness as my face flushed with redness. Noticing the multiple bruises and scratches on his body, I looked away and quickly changed the subject to avoid my obvious embarrassment,

“W-where are the bandages?” I asked, trying to sound professional.

He grinned, “Over there.” He said, motioning his head towards the silver tray of Band-Aids behind me. I numbly picked up the tray off the other side of the bed at brought it closer. My hands were cold and I struggled to open up the package, after getting the wrapping off I glanced up at him. I tried to focus on getting them onto him as quickly as possible, I couldn’t take this atmosphere any longer.

*Author’s POV*

“I have a big cut over here.” He said, pointing over to his back with his free hand.

“Where?” she queered, poking her head curiously.

“Here.” He repeated, making it sound like it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“I can’t see it. Turn around then.”

“But my body hurts, I have bruises everywhere!” he whined childishly, “It’s there, look.”

She leaned in to get a better look at where he had pointed, trying to look for his ‘cut’. As she came closer, he smirked discretely. While her mind was immersed in finding his imaginary wound, he enveloped her into his strong embrace.

Her eyes grew wide as he pulled her towards him. She was caught off-guard by his sudden hold, his arms enfolded her onto his bare chest. Her heart began to pound loudly and her stomach fluttered. Her cheeks were as red as a tomato as he held her. She was confused as to what he was doing, and her mind went blank; absolutely no thoughts whatsoever. She sat there, dazedly wrapped in his arms, her head laying against him. It was as if all time had stopped at that very moment.

*Jack’s POV*

I felt a wash of relief as I pulled her to me. I couldn’t help it, I needed her in my arms. I recalled the time when I held her in my arms at the mall...everything felt so right at the time, only happiness filled my head at the moment. However this time, happiness wasn’t the only thing that I felt; there was also the guilt of hurting her that hit me in the gut as well. Having her in my arms after what I did, I didn’t feel like I was worthy of her anymore. Nothing could have compared to the pain I made her go through…yet she still allowed me to hug her like this. Spoiled…I felt spoiled and selfish. Knowing this, I knew that I had to prove to her that I was the one for her and nobody else…if she could forgive me.

I savoured the moment, I probably wouldn’t get another chance like this for quite a while. I closed my eyes and appreciated her simply being there.

*Author’s POV*

After about ten seconds, Priya had finally come to her senses and realized what they were doing. She rapidly pushed herself out of his grasp. Jack was caught by surprise as he noticed her sudden dash. He attempted to grab a hold of her wrist to prevent her from leaving, but before he knew it, she bolted out through the curtains. He hopped off the bed and chased after her, through the hallways of the large hospital.

“Priya!” he cried, “Wait!” he struggled to run as he was still exhausted from the fight. The uncomfortable splint on his arm didn’t help either. She continued to run towards the main lobby of the hospital, where patients and visitors idly relaxed on the benches in the brightly sunlit room. He caught plenty of attention from the people they passed by.

Priya proceeded to surge away from him, wanting to be as distant as possible. Jack was quite far behind. She looked down in embarrassment as she ran, not noticing that she was about to bump into someone in front of her. She stumbled backwards, landing flat on the ground as she sent him flying towards the opposite direction. Still planted on the floor, she lifted her head, only to see the guy who she had just knocked over. He seemed to be about her age and had hazel brown hair. He ruffled his bangs and raised his head. He looked at her with deep blue eyes.

“Oh, I’m so sorry.” She apologized as she got up and dusted herself off. She stretched out her hand to help him up.

Instead grabbing her hand, he simply gazed up at her. She looked at him, puzzled. He was in a trance, lost in her eyes.

“Are you okay?” she questioned him.

He snapped out of it, “U-Uh, yeah. Yeah, I’m fine.” He answered.

“That’s good.” She said, as he pulled him off the ground.

“What’s your name?” he asked.

“I’m Priya.” She replied, “Hey, you look familiar.” She pointed out.

“I’m Matt.” He smiled.

…

Jack had finally caught up to her, and was about 4 metres away. He abruptly stopped in his tracks as he noticed that she was talking to someone else. It was a guy, about the same height and build as himself. Plenty of people stared at him, however they were completely irrelevant in his mind. He continued to stare at them conversing with each other, he had never seen him before. He felt a tightening pain in his chest as he watched them. Jealousy over took him, he rushed up behind her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.