🍁"I don't miss calls,
I stare at them"🍁

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Bryce's P.O.V.

I took two steps away from Timber as Kyler walked inside with his gaze fixated on me. His chocolate brown eyes were holding some inexplicable emotions. I averted my gaze.  Someone ask him to look away. Timber came and stood in front of me hiding me. I left a sigh of relief.

"You're Kyler. Did I guess it right?", Timber said forwarding his hand towards Kyler.

"Yes. And may I know your name?", Kyler asked.

"I'm Timber", he said.

"Nice to meet you", Kyler replied as both of them shook hands.

Stupid human interaction.

"Bryce, why don't you bring something for Kyler?", Timber said and I narrowed my eyes at him.

It's my birthday. I will not do any work, I thought.

"What will you have Kyler?", Timber asked.

"Coffee will be fine", he said as he looked at me.

"Bryce, two cappuccino please", Timber said. He just had one cold coffee with me a few minutes ago. His stomach is a black hole. How much caffeine will he take?

I didn't respond and walked to the kitchen. I'm better avoiding any more interaction. I made coffee for both Timber and Kyler but my mind was all about the conversation those two must be having. I heard Timber laugh once or twice. What joke did Kyler tell him? Kyler isn't funny. Timber is stupid. He can laugh on any lame joke.

The coffee was made. I nicely made two leaves on both the cups and walked out of the kitchen. I frowned as I saw Kyler sitting alone. Where did that stupid Timber go? Kyler read me as I walked to him and all I wanted was to hide somewhere.

"Why are you here alone? Where is Timber?", I asked placing the tray of coffee cups on the table. I initiated the conversation to kill the awkwardness.

"He left. He said he has some urgent errands to run. He asked you to close the cafe today", Kyler said. I slid a chair and sat next to him.

"He could have told me", I said more to myself and picked out my mobile. Timber didn't leave any text. He did this on purpose. He left two of us alone intentionally. I'll kill him next time I'll meet him. He must not play cupid if I'm not interested.

"Happy birthday", Kyler spoke and I looked up from my mobile screen. He had a smile on his face. But this smile of his was different. It lacks real happiness.

"Thank you", I replied with a social smile of my own.

Why are you so late?, I wanted to ask.

"I called you earlier", I told him.

It was needed.

He looked surprised for a second but later he simply nodded.  "I don't have my mobile with me. I must have forgotten it at home. I'm sorry for coming late", he said.

"It's okay. You came that's important. Please enjoy the coffee", I said as I picked up my coffee mug.

How much caffeine will you take? my inner self mocked me.

"Won't you ask the reason?", He asked. I was intrigued but I can't. I don't want to cross the line of distance we've between us.

I shook my head in NO. "If you want to tell then it's okay. If not, then it's okay as well".

He sighed. "You know what, Bryce. Sometimes it's good to be a bit unreasonable, a bit demanding and a bit more open. As a friend, you can ask me anything without feeling guilty".

That's too much for me to open.

"I don't like burdening anyone. That's my nature. I don't nag", I said.

"Nagging sometimes is good. It shows that you care. You don't care enough that's why you don't nag", he said and I gave him a cold glance.

What's his problem?

I called him and I even texted him. How can he say that I didn't care enough? Does showing affection means being angry and throwing tantrum? Can't one care without being too close? Kyler has lost his mind.

He never has one in the first place, my inner self said.

Right.

"Okay. Why did you come late?", I asked. I don't want to argue with him. Let him win or he'll start lecturing me here only. I pity my poor ears.

"My grandma is hospitalised. She's in critical condition. We got a call in the morning, so I just ran to see her. In a hurry, I forgot my mobile behind", he said.

"Ohh. How's she?", I asked. After his speech, I started seeing him differently. He looked stressed. I could see the tiredness in his eyes. A tight smile appeared on his face in response to my question.

"Doctors said she doesn't have much time", he said and then he sealed his lips with a coffee cup. I felt bad for him. I saw him struggling to gulp the coffee down along with his helplessness. No one deserves to see the pain of separation from loved ones. But this is life. Everyone has a journey to pass and once they reach their destination, they leave this cycle of birth and death and move upwards in heaven to live as an angel.

Some people go to hell as well!!

"I'll pray for her", I find myself talking. He looked up at me with glistening eyes. I wanted to look away but he needed some assurance. I gave him a small smile in the hope that it helps.

"Thanks", he said and I simply nodded. I glanced at the coffee cup placed on the table who was staring at me back. I couldn't manage to take another sip. Kyler sipped his coffee in silence.

"How was the party?", He asked after exactly forty seconds of silence. Yep, I was counting.

"It was nice. Everyone enjoyed", I said.

"Did you enjoy?", He asked with a playful smile. I couldn't resist that and smiled back.

"I'll enjoy tonight with my novel", I said and he laughed a bit. I'm glad he smiled. He's sad because of his grandmother after all.

"I get to know that Timber is not your boyfriend", He said.

"I never said he was", I replied.

"But you never denied as well", he said. Why can't he simply let go? I just glared at him and he simply smiled as he sipped his coffee.

"Thanks for coming. You don't have to. You should have stayed with your grandmother. She's important", I said. My invitation wasn't that important.

"You're important as well. One must never forget their responsibility for one relationship over another. I played my duty of grandson in the morning. It's time for me to be a good friend", he said and I just looked at him in awe.

He's a good person.

"Can I ask you a question?", He asked looking away from me. He looked nervous. I frowned.

"Sure", I said eyeing him closely.

"Do you like my gift?", He asked. A smile made its way on my lips.

"The camera was nice. Thanks. I'll make good use of it", I said.

"And?", He asked hopefully.

"And?", I asked back. He narrowed his eyes at me.

"Never mind", he said leaving a deep sigh.

I'm not discussing about the letter he wrote. It'll be awkward.

"Okay", I replied and he just shook his head.

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

Kyler's P.O.V.

She sat there looking outside seemed lost in her own world whilst I was enjoying the coffee. Today the start of the day was rough. The fear of losing my granny is taking a toll on me. I needed this coffee. I'm grateful to Bryce for making such an amazing cup of coffee. She took two more sips from her cup.

Today Bryce has worn a blue top and black denim. She doesn't cover herself with her hoodie. Her hair were open and they have natural curls and waves. I could appreciate her beautiful features today. That small nose over which her big spectacles rest, her those pink plump lips and a small chin following the oval face of hers. A cute little dimple popped up when she smiled. She's simply adorable.

I looked away soon. I don't want to stare at her like a creep and make her feel uncomfortable. Should I ask her about the letter? I wonder why didn't she mention it? Is this too much for her?

"What will you do now?", She asked as she looked at me with her beautiful black onyx eyes.

"I don't know. I came to spend some time with you. What should we do now?", I asked and her demeanour changed from calm to confused and nervous.

I'm not going to eat her. Someone, please inform her.

"I had plans of resting", she said.

"Okay. Then I'll go home", I replied. What was I expecting anyway? She just held her guards up all the time.

We both don't talk further. I finished my coffee and we both got up. She walked inside the kitchen once and came out with a small paper bag. She forwarded it towards me.

"What's this?", I asked.

"I baked some cupcakes. I saved some for you", she said without looking at me. A stupid smile stuck on my face.

"Thanks", I said taking the bag from her. She just nodded and walked past me. We both came out of the cafe and Bryce locked it. I walked her to her car quietly.

She turned around me once. She clasped her car keys in both her palms. She bites her lower lip once and then she looked up. My eyes took time to leave her lips. Our eyes met.

"Would you like to come with me somewhere?", She asked and to say I was caught off guard would be an understatement. Bryce asked me out to go with her. She asked for my company. Oh my god.

Stop being a dramatic brat, my mind said.

But this is huge, I replied back.

"If you don't want to then it's okay", she said when I didn't reply. It's not my fault. She left me speechless.

"No no. I'll come. I want to come. Please let me come", I said.

Smooth much, my mind mocked.

Sue me.

"Okay. Calm down", she said. Unlocking her car, she said, "Follow me on your bike". I saw my bike standing next to her car.

Our vehicles are parking buddies, I thought.

Could you be any more lame?, My mind screamed.

"Done", I said and she climbed inside her car. I hop on my bike and followed her. The car stopped outside the church. I parked my bike next to her car. Yes, I'm clingy. I have to admit now.

She locked her car and I saw four candles in her hands. She passed two candles toward me. I took it from her hand. "Earlier my grandmother used to bring me to this church on my birthdays. When she left, my parents never brought me here because they're too busy to have time for me. When I started driving, I decided to come here often. Let's go", she said and I nodded.

She's opening up.

"Where is your grandmother?", I asked.

"She died when I was seven years old", she said.

"Oh, I'm sorry", I said and she shook her head in negative.

"Don't be. She has a very happy life. She died before seeing the separation of my parents. My grandparents have an amazing love story, the one written in novels", she said as a smile made its way on her lips. Her smile made me smile.

We both walked inside. She lights up the candles and motioned me to do the same. I obeyed. We placed the candles and then she clasped her hands together and closed her eyes. I noticed her and mirrored her action.

'Dear Jesus. Please give my grandmother peaceful and happy last days of her life', I prayed. As I opened my eyes, I saw Bryce looking at me.

"What did you pray for?", I asked.

"Wishes aren't meant to be told", she replied and then we both sat down together on a bench of the almost empty church.

"Thanks for bringing me here. I feel good", I said looking at her. She turned her face to look at me.

"Thanks for the right words you wrote in the letter. I understand that my parents are also human beings and they can choose how to live their life as well. If I'm not that important for them then I can't force them to make me a priority. I've to live with this fact and move ahead without holding grudges", she said and I nodded.

"I'm glad I could help", I said and she simply smiled. I don't know what came into me, my hands reached out to hold hers.

She jumped in her place and looked at me. I entwined our hands together. She looked at me with wide eyes. I held her gaze and said, "I'll be always there for you. Even if you feel like you've no one, that time as well, you'll have me. Can you please allow me to stand by your side in your hard times?". Her eyes read mine. She didn't speak.

She just looked away and then gave me one nod. My hold on her hand increased. She didn't push me away as well.

We're making progress finally.

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Aana..