AUTHOR'S NOTE

This is a one shot for CRAM. I wanted to write a different version of Chapter 20 where  Ella confronts her mother while Colton doesn't react.

I thought how it would be if Colton reacted for her and comforts Ella. What if he proposed his love after comforting her?

Suddenly Rucha updated chapter 31 . I was in my class thinking what will happen next.  Then I had a my crazy thought, "Why can't I write my version of next chapter?"

I am here writing it.

All characters are based on Rucha's book. Some characters are used in this chapter for reference like Mr. President and Harry Styles.

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THE CONSEQUENCE THE OLD MAN BARES

I just felt sad that she rejected my first date. I always considered myself not to be the romantic type. Yet, if I said I wasn't excited about my first date then I'd be lying.

I was very excited. I started thinking about a dinner surrounded by candles even.

God! I don't know when my brain started having these ideas. I can't stop the smile that comes every time I think of her.

Ella is slowly changing this bad boy into a kitten. I don't know when I started liking romantic songs.

Who would have thought that this bad boy who used to make fun of love would fall head over heels for a girl?

Yes, they say there are many books where the bad boy falls in love with the nerd, but I never thought it would happen in real life.

Even my wildest imagination would not have thought that I would be that bad boy. I have to start planning my first date.

Should I take her to a peaceful restaurant and hold hands with her while eating? Should I take her to outskirts of town and show her the pleasant grassland while walking with her hand in hand?

I want our date to be the best moment for her. I want to see the smile on her face. I want to see the happiness in those shy eyes, which made me fall in love. I want to feel the sweat on her palms while walking hand in hand with her.

Maybe I can take her to a room. There I would place all her childhood photos on the wall. I would light candles all over the room so that she can see her photos in candle light.

I would tell her that she looks like angel all through her life. I will ask help from Cam. I will ask the back-story behind every photo so that I can talk to her about them.

Wow. I have never squeezed my brain to this extent for a girl. I can get girls easily, but this is Ella.

I think is would do anything for her. She is the most important person in my life. She is more important than all the parties I attended and all the alcohol I have consumed in my life.

I would give up everything for her. I don't need anything as long as she is with me.

After all, I did all that stuff for attention. If she is ready to give me care and affection then I don't need all those things any longer.

I did this to prove myself if a girl like Ella can love me then I am definitely worth something.

I think I like her more.

I think I like her more than everything else in my life.

I think I love her.

Yes, I love her.

I will say it to her on our first date. They say that saying "I love you" on the first date is bit fast, but it is not as if I just met her. I know more about her than Cam does.

She knows more about me than anyone. So why should I wait? I will say it to her on our first date.

I heard someone knock my door. I thought I should talk with myself until Ella is free as she said she has other plans. I think I have a guest.

Maybe it's Cam or Drake.  After Ella came into my life, I forget that I have best friends.  I can't stop my smile at all.

"Come in! The door is open."

The door revealed Ella who was standing. I can't believe she is here.  Maybe she can't stay away from me.

I smiled and she was silent. I can't believe that this girl is still shy and afraid of me. I am her boyfriend now.

I went to her and hugged her tight. "Hello Doll! I found something out."

My hands went around her waist. It pulled her to me.  I thought I am hugging a solid mass made of cotton.  She was so soft. She was everything I liked.

I loved.

I think God made her completely for me or I was made completely for her.

I can’t stop these cheesy thoughts. When did my dirty thoughts get replaced by these cheesy thoughts?

I was changed into a loyal lover boy from a bad boy who slept with any girl.

I think it is time I ask her out.

She didn't ask me further.  I can't believe that she is still afraid.
I continued. "I thought you are just a doll now I think you are an angel doll."

"I found something out too when I met my sister today."

Is that why she declined my date? It's okay she has family. That sister of her always makes my angel doll sad. 

I hate her for that.

I cupped her cheek and rubbed her cheek with my thumb. I wanted to convey that I am with her.

"Angel Doll, Are you okay? Did she hurt you or something?"

My thumb pressed into her cheek. I don't know if it was due to anger or worry.

"I found out that you slept with my sister before getting into a relationship with me."

My grip on her loosened. She herself said that it was before US.

"But it was before US. We weren't in a relationship at the time."

I tried to hug her, but she pulled away. She shouted at me.

"Are you accepting it?"

I nodded. I can't lie to her.

She started crying. I have seen her cry a lot and that side of her was something that only I knew.

I used to stand like a gargoyle all that time, but now I am her boyfriend. I tried to hug her, but she pushed me away.

"Just go away"

"But -"

"How can you touch me with the same hands which were on my sister's body in her bed or your bed. I don't care about the bed. But those hands were on her."

She said and started crying. I didn't know what to do at all. Ella has always been a stubborn girl.

If she decided something then the decision is final.

Here I was thinking about our first date and my proposal while at the same time she was thinking about something, which made her break up with me.

I can't expect anything after this. I know that our relationship is finished.

She went to the end of the room and turned to look at me. Her eyes looked dead. It was without feeling.

She was not angry. She was disappointed. We were both disappointed because we both really thought that our relationship would be a long lasting one.

"Good bye Colton."

I know that both of us can't say the word break up, but I know that we are officially over.

This definitely is the darkest day of my life.

***********************
50 YEARS LATER

“Mr. Colton, how does it feel now?”

“Mr. Colton, you have been voted as the most inspiring person in United States of America. What do you think about it?”

“Mr. Colton, how was your dinner with Mr. President?”

“What do you think about the freedom of speech nowadays?”

I just ignored all the questions. I am used to all the questions. I don’t know how the media knows everywhere I go.

The more I try to avoid these people, the faster they come. After all this is big news. I am back to my hometown after many years.

I stood at the entrance of the house. I saw the tree house and I remembered my moment with Ella there. I can’t believe I am back in the house.

I didn’t come to this house for years. I remembered why I came back. I came here for Drake. I remembered his exact words

“Are you avoiding me? Please come Colton.”

Let me tell you, when "please” comes between friends then there is something wrong for sure. I came for him.

I saw four kids playing there. I recognised two. They came running towards me.

“Grandpa Colty!”

The two lovable devils came and hugged me. I hugged the elder devil, Thomson, first and then the younger devil, Edward, next. They are none other than grandchildren of Cam.

Suddenly, I heard a scream. I turned to see a young girl on the ground. I went to lift her up. I think she has a bruise now. She suddenly pushed me from her and struggled to get up. I tried to help, but she declined it. I don’t know why she hates me.

After she took a few steps, she fell again, but she raised a hand immediately so that I wouldn't try to help her. If she had shown half of this effort in trying not to fall, she might have reached her home even.

It saddens me to see so much anger in such a young child. Every generation is more impure than the previous generation. These kids are angrier than I was at their age.

No, that this is a lie. I was angrier than this girl was at her age, but I can't admit it. Elders should always project themselves as perfect.

I know that perfection is the antonyms of the word Colton once before, but now it is the synonym of the word Colton.

“Sorry, Grandpa! She hates you because your poster is all over the walls so she can’t have posters of Spiderman in her room.”

“Why can’t she take down my posters?”

“Because Grandma Ella will scold her.”

That name made every nerve in my body raise. It made the weak and old nerves of mine get back a lot of strength.

“Why does she listen to what Ella says?” I asked this question even though I know the answer coming.

“She doesn’t want to disrespect her Grandma.”

I went to her and kneeled down before her. She tried to sidestep away, but I stopped her,

“Do you like Spiderman?”

She nodded enthusiastically.

“I can introduce you to him.”

I know his father. I can arrange a meeting. There is always a big advantage in being popular.

"He is himself is a big fan of myself. He would be pleased to meet me. I can take you with me."

She hugged me and I hugged her. I saw her face deeply.

“Your eyes are same as your Grandpa Drake.”

Actually, it is normal to have your Grandpa’s gene in you. My mind went to that day, the saddest day in my life.

The day I realised the consequence I had to bear.

***********************
FLASHBACK: THE DARKEST DAY OF MY LIFE

I saw her leave my house. She was crying. I watched her from a distance. Her tears multiplied the moment she thought that she is out of my sight, but I could see her. I wanted to run to her.

That is when I saw that she was running into Drake’s arm. He hugged her and rubbed her back. Then he kissed her cheek.

At that moment, I decided that I am staying away from her. There are people who will take care of her. She has a life.

I don’t have a life anymore. My life is in someone else’s arms now. She is my life. I lost my life in that moment.

I decided to take my corpse to United States of America.

***********************
PRESENT DAY

“Hey! Old Man! Nice to see you here.”

I saw Cam come to me. I can’t believe life sometimes. Our second language was swearing once, but when his children came he learned to control his anger, and by the time his grandchildren came, he was an anger less man.

***********************
FLASHBACK: 21st DAY IN USA

It is my 21st day in United States of America. I heard a knock on door to my room. I opened it to see Cam standing there.

He said that he came for me. I scolded him in our second language.

“Even if you are not my sister’s boyfriend, you are my brother.”

I cried and hugged him. After some moments, he said something trying to lighten up my mood, but I knew that it would change my entire life.

“Then I should be here to save the virginity of these American girls from you too.”

He laughed at his own joke, but those words made hit me like a hammer in the back of my head. I understood my mistake. I was a bad boy. I was a bad boy so that I can prove that I am worthy.

I proved that I am worthy in many worthless things like parties, one night stands, and by breaking the law, but I lost my worthiness when it came to things which are valuable like Ella.

I lost her because of these things. I realised that God made her completely for me, gave her to me partially to me, and then took her back. It seemed like God’s punishment.

“I am not going to kiss anyone from now Cam. I've had enough.”

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PRESENT DAY

I tell Cam my reasons, and from that moment on he has been with me. Cam had been with me by my side during my days of struggle in a foreign country.

Now I am a bestselling author. I used to dictate my stories to Cam while he would write them. He has been with me in everything.

We sat and talked for hours. The he went inside. Now I was sitting alone and enjoying the view. The cameras where flashing everywhere, taking pictures of me.

Then I saw Ella coming to me. I am seeing her for the first time in 50 years. She was still a pleasant sight to me.

Why wouldn't she be? I love her. Love doesn’t cease with age. Love grows with age. My love for her grew with age.

Nevertheless, age also gives you the strength to suppress your feelings, which I had to use now.

“Nice to meet you Mr. Colton, the bestselling author. It is a pleasure meeting you. I will be pleased if you say my name. My name is Ella. Can you please say it?”

She was serious for a moment then she cracked a smile. It has been 50 years, but this smile still has the same effects on me. She hugged me after that. I felt the wrinkles in her body.

"How can you touch me with the same hands which were on my sister's body in her bed or your bed? I don't care about the bed. But those hands were on her."

I remembered her exact words, which stopped me from hugging her.

“Is it shocking enough that you didn’t even hug me back?”

This was really sad. She completely forgot. If she had glared angrily at me then I would have thought at least she hates me, which means that she remembers me.

I was not a matter to her for 50 years. Those words didn’t mean anything to her. The same exact words have been giving me sleepless nights.

We used to talk about many things. I don’t think our days together meant anything to her. She has Drake. Why will she think about me?

“I heard that Mr. Colton is a gentle man who doesn’t kiss or even flirt. What happened to the playboy?”

You happened to me. I realised many things. I realised that my one night stands don’t leave a mark on my body, which is perishable, but it leaves a mark on my soul, which is not perishable.

“I didn’t find anyone worthy.”

“Come on! You know Michelle Styles who is a player just like her father Harry Styles.”

“I am not a player anymore Ella.”

She watches me for a moment. I watch her eyes. I avert my eyes so I wouldn't help the media who are watching and waiting to get a big headline and cause trouble into Ella’s family.

“Why didn’t you fall in love?”

She says it as if it is easy as ordering pizza. You can’t fall in love. It has to happen. Love is something beyond our power. If you try to force then you are forcing sadness and sorrow on yourself.

“Why do you have to live life alone? Why can’t you have yourself a family and see your children and grandchildren grow.”

This a consequence old man has to bare.

“Everyone is not blessed like you.”

“Someone might have come to you.”

Many but none were like you.

“What is your plan in life?”

Live with the help of the memories I have of you.

“Why are you replying like this or sometimes you don't reply at all?”

This is it. I can’t understand. She is asking about questions, which she already knows.

“Don’t you really know why? I am still in love with you Ella! I can’t live with anyone else. It will be living only if it is you. I can’t accept anyone else!”

Two seconds after I finished speaking, I felt her hand collide with my cheek.

She slapped me.

The children looked at us with shock and I can see the media clicking photos. I knew that I gave a headline for them.

I always give them a headline, but today is different.

I found Drake and Cam looking at me with shock too.

An another slap came to my face. She slapped me for the second time.

***********************

Suddenly, I woke up. I look my surroundings and realised that it was a dream.

My breathing was heavy and I clenched my eyes shut for a moment.  I thought about the dream. Ella broke up with me. I can’t imagine a life like that.

I need my Ella in my life. I realised the pain.

Sometimes the positive thoughts show the pleasure in success and we are lost in the deep sleep called happiness. We are cheated by the temporary happiness, but negative thoughts like this show the pain in failure. We will decide that we will avoid this at any cost.  We are awakened by these temporary tears.

May be God gave me this dream so that I understand her value. She is very important.

I learned the importance of kissing and sex. I will think for days before kissing Ella even now.

I won’t wait till someone else has her in his arms while she cries. I will stand before everyone to comfort her.

It is my duty too. Even though I liked the idea of being a bestselling author, but it came at the expense of Ella.

Nothing is important then her.

I will say my love to her, I might even propose for marriage.

I can just give her an engagement ring or something. Marriage can wait.

I won't party again. I won't drink alcohol. I will do what that old Colton did.

I would give up anything for Ella.

Now, I have to search for a suitable date. Suddenly I sat upright and went to the chair. Why can’t I use the childhood photo date? I have to search a ring now.

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AUTHOR'S NOTE:

Rucha you always give unexpected things. This is kind of my payback sis ;)

If you are legally crazy, then I am illegally crazy! ;)

I loved this one shot. I think you will have liked it enough to spare my life.

I am a 19 year-old young boy. Even if I am not a cute boy, I need to see some happiness in my life. So please spare my life. :)

I will come when I am old and you can kill me at that time. :p

Believe me I ship Colton and Ella. It hurt me more than others when I wrote this.

Thanks for checking this out. This was too big so I deleted a scene. It takes place in America. Cam enquires if Colton can live without Ella. I deleted that.

It was an emotional scene where Colton cries before Cam as he lost Ella.

If you haven't read CRAM. Go and read it. It's a great book. Very different than ALL other bad boy loves nerd girl books.

I loved it so much that I couldn't stop from writing this one shot.

All the best to all other participants.

Who knows I may write a whole fan fiction book on CRAM? :p

Take care be safe and stay blessed.

-YAGAPPAR