"I can't help falling in love with you."

❛❛「₪」❜❜

Ash's P.O.V.

One hour later, I was home, back in my soft bed. Katie was there with me all the time. She cooked me lunch, helped me change and got me to bed. In fact, she was insisting to feed me. I had never seen that side of her. Sometimes, some incidents can change you drastically.

But I kinda still wanted to meet Jonathan. I didn't realise that until Katie told me that I was calling for him in my sleep. I know. Weird. I mean, that is not a topic over which I can trust her, but she said that with no goofy smiles and a straight face. That made me feel as if she was not lying. And plus, I - as I mentioned before - realised I did wanted to meet, for some goddamn reason.

We decided to give this a thought tomorrow, and we dozed off.

*Next Day*

"Do you want me to call him over now?" She asked me.

"What if he is busy?"

"Well. At least we can make a call and ask him if he is free. What's wrong in giving it a try?" Katie shrugged.

"Fine." I said ignorantly, not wanting to show that I wanted to meet him. That dream was still bothering me. The co-incidence had still kept me in a deep shock.

"Okay then."

Two minutes later, he picked the call, and I asked her to put it on speaker.

"Hi uh- Jonathan. Are you still working?"

"Umm- not really. Why?"

"Do you mind coming over to Ash's apartment?"

"Is it something serious Katie?"

"Actually, I thought it would be good if we had more people around her to make her feel better you know. And over that, Ashleigh in her sleep had been-"

And I gave her a punch in her belly. I mean, I know that I was just discharged from the hospital and I should not use a lot of energy. But apparently, energy wastage is not as bad as embarrassment.

"Had been what, Katie?"

"Getting nightmares." She looked at me and grinned giving me an "Is that fine with ya" look. And I gave her a "Yup. That is fine with me" look back.

"Nightmares? But it isn't even night!"

"Well then she was getting daymares Jonathan. But whatever that is, she was being haunted by stuff in her dreams. Alright?!?!" She said that irritably. I could see she was irritated with Jonathan being so particular about this, specially since I had already punched her in there and got the really sweet and kind friend of mine irritated.

"Oh. Okay." He said, sounding rather guilty.

"So. Are you coming?" Katie asked.

"Yup."

"Well then. Am gonna text ya the address of the apartment."

"Alright!"

So finally, the bell rang. And I thought it still wasn't him on the door, Because he had taken forever, and I had been disappointed twice already, for the notorious kids in my arena had rung the bell and ran away. As if they knew I was desperately waiting for someone in particular.

But surprisingly, the third - thank god for this - it was Jonathon, or as he would like it, John.

"Hey." He said, giving me a wide smile. "How are you feeling now?"

His eyes were red and he sounded quite low. Clearly he had been crying.

"Have you been crying John?" I asked.

"What? No! I don't cr-" He said.

"Stop with the I-am-a-man-and-men-don't-cry protest. If you weren't crying, why are your eyes so red?"

"I really don't know Ashleigh. Maybe too much screen-time or something?"

"Alright." I said.

I still wasn't convinced. I knew he had been crying. But I also knew that he was not gonna accept that. Nobody does. After all, we are still strangers. Just because I hired him and allowed him to flirt with me and he brought me to the hospital and all that, it didn't mean we had become close friends all of a sudden. We had met just yesterday.

"I want to use the washroom." John said.

"Oh god. What is it with you and your washroom?" I asked laughing.

"Wrong question. What is it with YOU and my washroom? Do you never pee?"

"What do you mean always? Its been just once." I offended, still laughing.

"Twice."

"Come. I will show you the way." Katie said, definitely irritated by our silly conversation. So, she just put it to an end. Well, fair enough.

"Yeah. Hey, Ash?" He said, looking towards me.

"Hmm."

"Could ya hold my phone please?" He asked.

"Yeah sure."

And he left. The screen of his phone had stains of water that had dried up. Obviously, they were tears. I know it is wrong to peek into someone's phone. But, I pressed the lock button and the lock screen appeared, showing a really beautiful girl. Her eyes were blue, just like John's and she had dark brown hair. A delicate face. But a mesmerizing one. Probably, his girlfriend.

No, he can't have a girlfriend.

And, why not?

Wait am I jealous?

Of course not, why would I be?

John's P.O.V.

As I came out of the washroom she said, "Thank you so much for coming Jonathan. I just felt bad for her. She doesn't really have anybody."

"Yeah. She said you were her only friend."

"Yes. She isn't an introvert. Just that she is scared to make friends."

"Well. That is what an introvert is. Scared to talk to people."

"No. You don't understand. She is scared to make friends because she fears that if she gets really close to somebody, they will leave her like her mother and father did."

"Well. That is a different thing. Her father died and..."

"Wait wait wait. Did she tell you that her father died?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"What did she tell you about her mother?"

"That she lives a bit... far from her?"

"Turns out I am the only person she told about this."

"About what?" I asked, confused. Not sure if I should have.

"We are not sure if her parents are still alive or not."

"What do you mean?"

"Her father and mother left her John. She has no siblings, no relatives and no friends. I am the only person who knows about this. They didn't love her."

"What? But why?" This was just so unbelievable. Now I realized why she was in so much of pain when she talked about her parents yesterday.

"I don't know. She just keeps all of it in her heart. Nobody knows what happened to her. Its just herself who does know about her pain and sufferings. She is dying with all that burden in her heart John."

"I have absolutely no idea what to say." I made an excuse.

"It's okay if you don't."

So she is alone. Just like me. She is in pain. Just like me. And she is dying of it. Just like me. The only difference is, that I mingled the pain with my life. Ash, made the pain her life. I am living my life with pain. But, she is living the pain.

"Don't let her know I told this to you John. Please." Katie said.

"I won't."

As we reached her room, she was lying there.

"Do you feel like you don't wanna keep lying there Ash?" I asked her. I knew exactly what I had to do.

"Yeah."

"Do you feel any energetic?"

"A bit. Why?" She was clearly confused.

"Get up then."

"What? Jonathan the doctor has asked her to rest for the next 12 hours." Katie said.

"Won't bother if we took 12 minutes from them. Will it?"

"Umm no." She replied

"Who is your favourite artist Ash?"

"Picasso."

I banged my hand on my head.

"By artist I mean singer Miss Ashleigh Bradbury."

"Oh. Umm, Elvis."

"Hmm. Okay. Do you have a speaker?"

"Yeah but why are you asking such things John? I don't get it."

"Bring me the speaker please."

"First tell me."

"Do you like surprises?"

"Now what is that for?"

"Just answer me."

"Yeah I do."

"So just wait for this one and bring me a speaker if you want your surprise."

"You realize you are gonna make me a gift using my stuff?"

I gave her a death stare.

"Alright. Don't be mad. Bringing."

After she gave me the speaker and I connected my phone to it, I played this song named 'I can't help falling in love with you' by Elvis Presley.

Okay, I know. Quite flirtatious. But, this song is just perfect for a dance. I offered her a hand.

She blushed and then smiled and finally, held it.

We had a good dance. Obviously with an eye contact. She killed me with those looks. She is a stunning girl.

After the dance, I made her sit.

"Liked the surprise boss?"

"Yeahhh. I mean, Elvis is just so good."

"Excuse me?!?!"

"What?"

"What about me."

"You are just a cheesy guy who knows only to flirt around with his boss in order to butter her so that there can be negotiations made in his salary."

"Gawddd. So mean."

Is that what she thought about me? Obviously not. She is just pulling my leg.

Author's Note

Heyy Guyz!!! I am so sorry I didn't update for so long. But, I was genuinely stuck with some stuff. And over that there is this corona hanging on top of my head. No. I don't mean I have corona. But, just that we have the news channel on in our house 24/7 which makes me annoyed hearing about all the death and destruction.

This chapter is in the name of my dear friend @LixenRose. Happy Birthday Buddy.

Wash your hands and stay in your houses. Spend time with your families and stay safe guys.

TPWK.
Vreha x