Chapter 50: Chapter 50

“ Hey.” I look outside just to see Ethan. He was smiling at us with a back pack clang on his left shoulder. I nodded at Zaine who was seriously looking at me as his eyebrows are furrowed.

“ You can’t remember her but surely your heart will identify her.” I said to him before I went out leaving him inside. I smiled at Ethan when I made a way towards him.

“ What’s with that expression?”

“ He still can’t remember Cheska…”

“ Is that really the problem?” he stared at me.

“ No, but it still hurts when someone you like see you as another person,” I smiled sadly at him.

“ I’ll talk to him.” I can see the worry on his eyes as he look at me.

“ No need.”

“ Let’s go?” I heard Zaine’s voice and he looked at us.

“ What’s the prob, guys? ”

“ Nothing.” I didn’t expected that Zaine and I will both answer in unison.

“ Hmm, is that so?” Ethan answered kinkily at us. He just smirk that turn into laughter. “ You’re in a quarrel?”

“ No.”

This time I am the one who answered first. It not that I am defensive but the truth is, I am not, or perhaps, we’re not in a relationship. So why would be in a quarrel?

“ You’re thinking differently, Jane.” Ethan just shrugged and put his arm on my shoulder.

“ Let go off your arms, Ethan.” We heard Zaine warned that made Ethan removed his arm.

“ Tsk, possessive. Let’s go.”

We immediately walked the long aisle in front of us. We passed through the Engineering building of College Department and the Journalism Club Room were in we saw Chelsea there with Clifford. I smiled when I see them but they just look away. I just sighed and continued walking until we are now in front of our room.

“ The class almost starts.”

I sat on my occupied chair and check my assignments. It was all done on the weekends. I prefer to finish it as soon as possible so that I wouldn’t cram and procrastinate when the due is in.

I saw Zaine sat beside me. I look at him as he was getting a book from his backpack and putting an earphone on his ears. He looks so dashing as he was reading as those eyelashes were long and thick. His side view profile hits different compare to the one when he’s facing me completely. His jaw are now perfectly defined. I unconsciously smiled at him. He can surpassed mine to be exact, but I stopped myself from admiring him too much because of his good looks.

“ Staring is rude, miss.” I saw him smirk that made me look at him.

“ I am not looking at you, I am looking to the guy next to you.” I answered him then pointed the guy who was sitting on the corner, to be exact, a nerd.

“ Is that it? You’re blushing. You can’t lie to me Jane, you’re obvious.”

“ Don’t assume,” I just answered and look in front of me to see our adviser entered.

“ Good morning class.”

“ Good morning ma’am.” We greeted in unison.

The class started and I just focused myself in our lectures. It was a bit fun learning new things when you have intentions to do so. And also your main goal to why you want to be knowledgeable enough. And for me, I want to reach my dreams.

It’s not easy to do it, now that I can encounter many struggles. But I trust the process, and I always tell myself that I will succeed.

Our class in the afternoon ended and I am ready to go home when Zaine dragged me somewhere. I keep on pulling my hand from his grip but it just tightened even more. I just followed where he is going until someone caught my attention.

It was on the rooftop. I didn’t know why we are here but I am sure that it is prohibited to be here.

The air breezes that made my hair glee upon the wave of it. The sky are a bit of orange mixed with red now as it the sun will set. The scenery up here is breathtaking even though this is just as simple as it is.

I like nature especially the sunset. It reminds me of everything beginning has a great ending. That as the sun rises in the morning, it will set beautifully as time passed by.

“ Like the view?”

“ Hmm.” I just smiled while my sight was just capturing the scenery. It was beautiful indeed.

“ I know you have doubt, Jane.”

I heard him said together with the sun set on the horizon. I didn’t look at him and just waiting for him to continue.

“ I know that you’re stopping yourself from something I can’t remember, and I just realized it earlier. It was because of Cheska.”

I got caught of guard. I slowly turned myself and look at him. He was taller than me that made me look up on him. His wyes are pleading while staring on my eyes.

“ It was not just because of it, Zaine. It was because we three are friends and I can’t just turned myself blind just because I like you.”

“ Y-you like me too?” he got stuttered. Even me didn’t expected what I just said but I will continue.

“ Before we meet, it was Cheska who is there for you. It was Cheska whom you like and it was her who is special to you.”

“ But it was before, Jane.” He held my hand and went near me. That made me shut.

“ It was you now. You’re my present now.”

“ If she really was the one for me, then why would she leave when I am on my worst state? That just mean that what she feels for me is not that hard compare to what I will feel to her even if I will remember her. If she really was the one for me, then why would she chose to leave? You are the one I like Jane and you just confessed that we have mutual feelings.”

“ Zaine…”

“ I will court you again and again until that doubt that you feel will no longer subsided in you. I like you, Jane. Remember that.” He said and leaned forward to kiss my forehead that made my heart leaped.

I can’t believe what he just said. I was just blinking numerous times just to sink that all in as my heart pounded so much. I can’t utter a word right now and was just staring at him, also confused to what I just heard.

“ D-did you just confessed too?” I asked as I was stuttering to even say a word.

He nodded. I felt his hand intertwined with mine that made my heart pounded even more. My heart was beating so fast.

“ I know it’s still early but let me be with you,” he said. “ Let me be with you.” He repeated.

“ Zaine…”

“ I am willing to wait. At least now, I have the assurance that we have the same feelings.”

I stared at him. I got his point. I want to be with him too and confessing it right now may change something in between us. But some things are bothering me that it I can’t decide right away.

“ Are you willing to wait until our graduation? Are you really sure that I am really the one you like?” I asked.

I want an assurance that he will be faithful to me. That he will invest some effort to our leveled up relationship. It maybe too early but I don’t want to rush things. I want to take it slowly but surely. I want to call him mine, but to be able to do that, I want to be the only one for him too.

“ I am. Anything for you,” he said. “ I won’t promise anything as it is meant to be broken but I will do my best.”

I still have doubts. What if his memories go back and will realize that he doesn’t have feelings for me? What if this is just temporary?

But still, my mind is saying that 'I want to risk it'. And to be able to do that, I need to wait for the right time for that thing to happen.

“ You see, Zaine. I am not yet ready for this,” I told him. “ We’re still in high school.”

“ I can wait.” He looked at me and I did the same. I stared at him too. His lips are slowly supressing a smile.

“ Really?”

“ But I will still court you…” I smiled at him. I can feel my heart beating so fast now that our ditance are very close. I felt like I can feel the beating of his too. I suddenly got stoic for a moment when he kissed me on my forehead and hug me afterwards.

“ I felt like I am complete now that you’re in my arms.” He whispered. He just hugged me for a while and unclasps afterwards.

“ The view is astonishing, but we need to go home now,” he chuckled that made his laugh sexy. “ Ethan’s downstairs.”

“ Why?”

“ He got the keys on this rooftop, Clifford helped too.”

“ You mean, we trespassed?” I asked, bewildered.

“ You can say that,” he laughed again that made me smite him. That made him step away from me.

“ Let’s go now, someone might caught us here.” I was panicking now. What I felt earlier was changed with horror all of the sudden, but the guy with me was just lughing his ass off.

“ Chill, Jane. I am in control,” he chuckled huskily. “Let’s go home.”

With that, he pullled me out of the rooftop. When we reached the first floor, we saw Ethan holding a flashlight on his hand. He saw us and smirked meaningfully.

“ Ready to go home?”

“ U-huh. Thanks bud.” Zaine said.

“ No probs bro,” he smirkly said. “ I’ll go now. I don’t want to be a third wheel, tsk.”

Zaine laughed while I felt my cheeks blushed with what he said.

“ Goodbye.” I just wave my hand to bid goodbye to him. After few walks, he got lost in our sight.

“ Let’s go to your parents first.”

“ Why?” I asked him.

I started to walk with him as we go out the school premises. The guard just salute that made me frown for a second until I saw Zaine smirk.

“ I want to tell them something.”

“ About what?”

“ Just some random things,” he answered and stopped when we were already in front of his car. He opened the passenger’s side door and I went in then he closed it. I smiled as I saw him jogged towards the drivers seat.

He was really different now. The way he act, talk and his gestures were very surprising to me. I felt like we are now starting new or leveled up for something I can’t determine. This relationship we have is something I didn't expected but is now happening.

I am happy today despite the fact that there is still doubt inside of me. The thing that still worrying me is our friendship and how it will be in the future. Ad also, his memories that were not back as of the moment.

I am aware that I am maybe using the situation to be with him and that I am on my advantage, what Aunt Zandra just said. I tried to stopped my feelings towards him but I can’t. In fact, it is me who decided to end our connection but destiny is contradicting my actions. It was like it always finds a way for me and Zaine to be together. And in this game, I lose.

But that doesn't mean I lose everything. I still have myself. And now, Zaine. I just lose the game of love. But it felt that I won Zaine's heart. And we're both falling, together. . I want to enjoy to be with him. I want to his and I want to call him mine. And that will take a time for us. I will trust the process until the right time comes for us to be together.

***

Zaine’s Clared Madrigal P.O.V

I looked at the woman who was walking towards me. She was wearing a nurse uniform with a stethoscope on her neck. As she smiles brightly, I can see to her that she’s happy.

I smiled. I can’t help but to admire her beauty. Those pinkish lips, her long wavy hair, her captivating eyes and her good personality. She has it all. The brain and the beauty, but what I really admire about her is her kindness and humbleness as she act and speak towards people.

“ You’ve waited, huh?” she smiled. She put the stethoscope inside her big bag. I was just staring at her yet I can’t stopped smiling as I was looking at the woman I waited for so long.

“ Zaine? You okay?” she asked. That was the moment I kissed her cheeks. She blushed as I gave distance to her. That blushing of her made her pretty and cute at the same time.

“ Yeah…” I mumbled, staring at her. “ You’re beautiful.”

“ Zaine, you always said that. I am so sick of hearing that from you.”

“ I am telling the truth.”

“ Stop pouting,” she said and drag me out of the hospital. She was in her leave for today.

“ Where do you want to eat?” I asked even though she was the one who’s dragging me out of nowhere. I can feel the stares of the people towards us. They may think that I am under my ‘girlfriend’. But I don’t care what they will say.

Yes. She’s now my girlfriend and I am proud to say that.

She didn’t responded. I immediately recognized the placed when we stopped in front of it. It was an ice cream parlor. Tsk, a freaking ice cream.

“ You really want to get spoiled?” I asked her. She just nodded like a kid with her pleading eyes that I can’t resist and I just surrender with her cuteness. It is rare to see her like that. She always professional around things but when it is about her likings, she is like a cute puppy who want to get it.

What a cutie.

We went inside just to see my friends, Ethan and Nathan. They were with they’re girlfriends. I felt Jane stopped for a moment but I held her hand to tell her that I am with her.

This is what her reaction whenever we see our friends especially when there’s Cheska. She was always keeping distance to them, it began when Cheska got back a few months ago.

We went to their table and greeted them. I whispered to Jane that everything will be fine and looked to my friends. That was my eyes dilated to Cheska who was looking at me.

I don’t know her personally but my friends were. She’s also beautiful but all I can say that she’s just a friend. An acquaintance.

“ Let’s eat, Jane.” I said as I guided Jane to seat next to me. She was now smiling at them but I can feel that she’s uncomfortable.

“ You want to go home?” I whispered again to her but she just shrugged and smiled when she looked at me. I feel the contentment on that smile that made me smile too.

“ PDA, bro, really?” Ethan tsked as he looked at us. I just give him a warning look but he just laughed too and put his arm to Cheska’s shoulder who was beside him. And also, Cheska is Ethan’s girlfriend.

“ I ordered vanilla flavor for Jane,” I heard Cheska said. She smiled at us.

“ Thank you, Cheska.” Jane responded.

We talk for quite some time and was teasing each other about our high school days until my phone rang. It was mom who’s calling.

“ Hello?” I said as I answered the call.

“ Go home, Zaine. We’re ready for the setup. Bring her, okay?” I laughed when she whispered the last words.

“ Okay mom, thank you for your help.” I answered sincerely.

“ No worries. I am your mom. Okay gotta go, son.” She hanged up immediately.

I just smiled as I put my phone back. I am okay with my mom now though I can’t still remember what had happened to my childhood. Only I can remember were few things back then after six years that had passed.

I even graduated as an Engineer, so as my friends in their respective courses. And I can say that we achieve our own dreams together and living life comfortably.

I looked at my friends. Ethan and Nathan stayed with me while Clifford, John and Chelsea were not here but I know that we’re cool. Though they are still distant to Jane for no apparent reason but we still have communication. While Luke was in California studying again.

I gave them a meaningful look. I planned it all a long time ago. It was all set and all I need to do is to bring them there especially Jane.

They nodded.

“ Let’s go to Auntie Zandra’s place,” Nathan informed. “ She texted me that Zared is making some barbeque on their backyard.” He added.

“ Okay let’s go.” Ethan answered with a smirk.

“ Let’s go, Jane?”

She nodded. I looked at them one by one and it stopped to Cheska who has pale aura. I looked at Ethan then pointed her girlfriend. He just nodded and slowly guided Cheska towards the exit. I got a bit worried there but when I dilated my gaze to Jane, she was also looking at me. I don’t know if I am hallucinating, but I saw her eyes were starting to water.

“ Why are you cry—” I didn’t finish what I am saying when she immediately hugged me and covered her faced on my chest. I hugged her back.

“ Don’t leave me.”

“ I won’t, silly,” I assured her. I didn’t know what’s she’s talking about but I just didn’t mind that.

“ Let’s go home. Mom is waiting.”

“ Okay,” she mumbled and unclasps.

We went to our house and I leave her in front of the main door.

“ Wait here Jane, okay? I forgot my keys in the car.” I said, lying. She just nodded and smiled at me.

I went inside the house entering from the back door and entered the kitchen. As I am on the dining table, all plans were in their right places. The lights are set and the food is ready. All I will do is to wait here inside and wait for my plan to start.

My dad went by my side and gave me the ring. I am proposing to her in front of them all.

Her parents are here and also mine. My friends and colleagues are also here.

I herd the car beeped outside means that my plan will start. I went in front of the door to wait for her as the door opens. We saw Jane looking at the back before she turned around and our eyes met.

I can clearly see her shocked face as she walk towards my direction and she’s a bit confused. When she was in front of me, I begin to kneel down, one is supporting my other foot. I was staring at her. Her eyes begin to water again and she was still wearing her nurse uniform for Pete’s sake.

But I can’t wait her to be mine. I want to be permanently mine.

With that, I started to speak.

“ Jane, you know that I waited for you for so long and that is worth it.. I realized that my feelings towards you didn’t changed at all and it even went to the point that all I want is to be with you ‘til eternity. I can’t wait to call you mine, to be my wife is an a very special gift from above. I am proposing in front of your parents, family and friends that I want to marry you. That I am sincere when it comes to you and that I will promise to be with you. All I want is to hear your answer. Will you marry me, Jane Samantha Valdez?”

She got teary eyes and as of the moment, she was crying silently while looking at me. She smiled.

“ You know the answer to that question, Zaine Clared Madrigal,” she laughed. “ It’s a yes.”

That made me stand up and hugged her immediately. I wore the ring to her finger and smiled at her. I gave her a kiss on her forehead, slowly travelling my hands on her face and blushing cheeks.

Our eyes met. Instantly, a gravity was like pulling me towards her and the last thing I did was to captured her lips that I waited for so long. I kissed her passion and with my emotions I felt today and my love for her.

“ I love you, Zaine.” She mumbled. After a moment, we heard some clapping. I give distance to the both of us and hugged her again.

I smiled. “ I love you to eternity and beyond, Love.”