10th May, Evening 6p.m.
Noah: Guys, let's play more tomorrow okay? Let's play basketball 🏀 Y'all up?
Friends: Yes ofcourse! So, it's fixed that way then. Noah..., carefu..
Noah: Woaah
Noah bumps into Ashley on a backward jog while talking to his friends, but on reflex turns and catches her by her waist. Ashley was walking with her friend, Tiffany.
Ashley: Aaahh, F**k
(Maintaining bare minimum of 2 seconds of eye contact)
Noah: I'm really sorry Ashley, I didn't mean to bump into you. You good?
Friend catches her phone that was about to fall due to the collision.
Ashley: Yeah. No problem.
When Ashley straightened up, she was too close to Noah. She backed off, didn't say much and then walked away, but he caught her arm.
Noah: Wait...I..
She tried to loosen his grip, but he didn't leave her hand.
Ashley: What?
Noah: Um..can I talk to you? Is something wrong??
Ashley: Tiff, please wait for me near the apartment. I'll come soon. And..my phone, thanks. (Whispers to her, Some people are just carelessly blind!)
Tiffany: Okay, but hurry up. Take care..
Ashley: Yeah, don't worry. Go.
When Noah was about to say something, Ashley looked at his 3 friends, then him. He told hem to leave. They did "ooohhh" and left giggling.
Noah: Now,..please tell.
Ashley: It's nothing. Honestly, I'm just embarrassed because of that day thing...And, I hope you won't bring it up between us nor tell it to anyone. Please?
Noah: Yeah, that's for sure. I got you. Don't think about that too much. It's really fine. I won't reveal your secret.
Ashley: Thanks. Um.. I'll leave then.
Noah: (holding her hand again,) Wait..can we be friends? Your phone number? Don't get me wrong. I'm new here, just for some emergency help.
Ashley: Yes sure. Here. So, I'll call you Noah?
Noah: Yes, and I'll call you Ashley! (With cheerful smile)
Ashley leaves. Tiffany gets curious after seeing her smile.
Ashley just says they're friends. Tiffany refuses to believe it as if she saw a connection or a certain love spark or love at first sight thing in his eyes and a similar reflection in hers.
Ashley's all shy about that. But they really were friends. At least, then.
Tiffany and Ashley play in her house with few other friends. At 10p.m., they eat ordered food and leave. Ashley bids them a goodbye and was about to get ready for sleep when..
(Bell rings)
Noah: Hello. I'm sorry to disturb you. But, I have a watercut in my place. Is it the same for you?
Ashley: No buddy, it's just you have forgotten to pay the maintenance or something.
Noah: Oh..any idea if the office might be open?
Ashley: Guess it, Mr. Clueless!
Noah: So...can I just use your washroom. I'll be done in 5 minutes.
Ashley: Sure. (Shuts the door in his face. She rushed to pick her underwear in her washroom, tidies the living room and opens the door for him again.)
Noah: (enters her cozy but professional house, He sees her night wear, gulps, clears his throat and looks away. She knew it, and hurriedly wore the coat over her night gown)
Ashley: Here. (Shows him the way)
Noah: Your house looks lovely!
Ashley: Thanks.
(Bell rings again)
Ashley: You can use the washroom. I'll go to the door. Please don't come out till I tell you to. I don't want people misunderstanding.
Noah: Don't worry, go.
Ashley's Mom: Hi dear. How are you?
Ashley: Mom, Dad. Why are y'all here all of a sudden that too this late? Everything is fine, right?
Her Dad: Yes dear ash, don't you worry. We came here to surprise you. Your mom told me about James. I know, that idiot must've hurt you. We'll accompany you for tomorrow.
Ashley: There's no need to do that. I'm fine, really. Besides, I have office tomorrow.
Mom: Daughter, tomorrow is Sunday.
Ashley: Oh yes. Forgot about that.
Her dad: I know how you get over pain. You are like me in that case, keeping yourself busy by overworking and distracting yourself. It's not bad, but you need to rest enough. I can see dark circles under your eye already. They are red and puffy too.
Ashley: That's because I want to sleep. Nothing else.
Her Mom: Why are you so nervous? Are you hiding something? Did you get back with that jerk? I'm not allowing that, okay? Once a cheater, always a cheater. Don't trust him.
Ashley: No mom. It's nothing. Fine, come on, sleep in your room then, I'll do my night skincare routine and go to my room to sleep too. Thanks, love y'all. My friends also came over today to my house for accompanying me and meeting up since it's been long since we've spent time together.
Her Dad: Okay, baby. Sleep soon. Goodnight. Your mom will make food for you tomorrow, so don't worry about anything tomorrow. Just rest and enjoy with us!
Ashley: Sure shot dad. I will make a list for our one day adventure!! This is been so long, I'm excited. bye, goodnight mom, dad.
Her Mom: Love you too daughter. Goodnight.
Noah: (comes out) I guess I should leave now.
Ashley: Yes please. Hurry up.
Ashley's mom and dad come out to take their luggage that they left in the living room and see Noah beside Ashley.
Her Dad: Ash, who's this? What is he doing in your house so late? Daughter, I told you to not allow men in your house at night, didn't I?
Ashley: Yes dad, but it's not what you are thinking. He's just my neighbour.
Noah: And friend.
Ashley: Shhhh. Leave please.
Noah: okay okay, bye 😊 👋🏻 Ashley. Meet you tomorrow. Goodnight, sleep tight.
Ashley: Yes Yes. Goodnight. Hurry and leave now! (Bit annoyed)
Turns around and sees her mom waiting for an explanation.
Ashley: It's not that Ma.
Her Mom: Okay. I trust you. Just friends?
Ashley: Yes, now go and sleep and tell dad to not think about it too much. His house has water cut and he's new here, so I helped him. That's it.
Her dad: Heard that. Sleep now, everyone.
( All good back to their rooms and sleep)
Ashley thinks about James treating her like not important person while a friend, Noah caring sweetly for her. It gave her butterflies. But,..she yet thought of him as just a friend.
She stops thinking abruptly and sleeps.