Back to NewYork
Mike's POV
I reached my apartment around 1:30 am. Thankfully next day was Sunday so I had time to relax. As soon as I reached the apartment I was too tired so I just went straight to bed and as soon as I hit the bed I dozed off.
The next day, I was awakened by some noises coming from the living room. I took the blanket and pillow and covered my ears but that didn't help. Still, in bed, I looked at my phone and saw the time. It was around 11 am. I wondered who is shouting at the top of their voice in the morning. Still sleepy and in my clothes, from last night itself, I went to the living room and saw Jeff and Melissa arguing and shouting at each other.
"Hey, guys. What's wrong with you? Why you both are shouting in the morning." I asked in my sleepy voice
"Morning Sleepyhead...Ask Jeff ." Melissa said
"Nothing bro. Melissa has gone crazy?" Jeff responded
"Seriously Jeff? Am I the one who is crazy?" Melissa said in an angry voice
Melissa turned to me and asked, "Tell me something Mike would you include your ex in your band, and moreover, would you be in touch with her?"
"You are overreacting Mel. She is just a friend and she knows about you. We both have moved on." Jeff justified
"Wow...What an explanation. You deserve a slow clap for this. You know what...Enjoy your band. I am leaving. Don't call me ever."
"Mel listen baby. Maybe you can meet her. You will feel better." Jeff said
"Meet her? My foot. Just go to hell Jeff."
Saying so Melissa took her purse from the table and left slamming the main door.
Jeff sat on the couch with his face in his hands.
"Hey Bro. are you ok?" I asked
Jeff turned towards me."Tell me Mike what is wrong with being friends with your ex. I don't know why Melissa is getting so insecure."
"Maybe because she knows at a time feeling were involved between you both," I told
"Mike now you don't start."
" Fine. But listen If Melissa is insecure you have to make her feel comfortable and take away her insecurities instead of arguing with her."
"I am sorry Mike for taunting you. Maybe you are right but Me and Betty were not in touch. It's just a few days back when I had my concert she messaged me congratulating me for the show. Also, my partner who plays Electrophones is sick and I have a big show next week. Betty is good with Electrophones so I have asked her for help. I don't know why Melissa is tense. It's just a matter of one show."
"Actually you should try talking to Melissa. Surprise her with a date. Maybe give her some commitment or assurance to make her feel better and explain to her politely the entire situation. Melissa is a smart girl. I am sure she will understand."
"You are right bro. Get ready."
"why?"
"We are going shopping."
"Jeff I am jet-lagged."
"come on. You have the entire evening to relax."
"Fine. I will come."
I went for a shower and then got ready. As I came into the living room, Jeff has bought us some sandwiches from takeaways. We had our breakfast and then left for Mall.
We ran into a cloth store where Jeff was checking some dresses to gift Melissa. I was looking at stuff here and there when I spotted Mary. She was there with another girl who resembles her a bit. Within a blink of second, I reached near her.
"Hey Mary"
Mary was a bit shocked to see me but greeted me politely " Hey Mike"
"Why do you left yesterday in a hurry. I was looking for you."
I heard a voice "Mary what do you think of this dress?'
I saw a girl around in her late teens checking a shift dress she turned to me and said " Hey I am Brianna, Mary's cousin. And you are?"
"I am Michael. You can call me Mike. I am Mary's....."
" He is one of the friends from my trip," Mary said
" Oh. Is it the cute guy you told me about?" Brianna asked
"Bri why don't you try the dress?" Mary said
"sure"
"Sorry...Brianna has a big mouth."
"well I am glad at least you find me cute. But you didn't answer. Why did you leave yesterday?"
"Actually Brianna texted me that she is in town so I have to rush. But what are you doing here? Aren't you jetlagged?"
"I am being dragged by my roomie Jeff."
"Same. Brianna wanted a perfect dress for her school prom. So she dragged me to shopping."
Meanwhile, Jeff came near us. "Hey, Mike what do you think of this dress?"
" Isn't the color a bit too loud? The color should be a bit subtle." Mary said instantly
Jeff now shifted his attention from dress to Mary's face.
"Jeff this is Mary and Mary this is Jeff, my roomie." I introduced them
"Hey, Mary. Glad to meet you. Mike never told me about you."
"Actually we met during the trip." I justified
" Ok. Hey Mary. Can you please do me a favor?" Jeff asked
"sure"
"Please help me choose a dress for my girlfriend."
" Aww...you are surprising her with a gift...how cute," Mary said
A sense of jealousy ran in my body and I said "He is trying to sort the argument with the dress."
"Really? Then It's a bad idea. She is gonna throw the dress on your face." Mary said
"Oh is it? Then what should I do?" Jeff asked with a disappointed face
"First explain to me what has exactly happened?" Mary asked
"Maybe we can head to the barista and talk over coffee," I suggested
"ok. I will search for Brianna. Let's talk over coffee."
All four of us went to Barista and sat and talked over coffee. Jeff narrated the entire incident from the morning. Mary listened quietly and thought for a while.
" I know what you should do. Follow me." She said
"what? Where?" both me and Jeff asked in unison.
" Trust me."
Mary took us all to a jewelry shop and asked for a ring. She checked a few rings and then suggested Jeff a ring. She then took us to a florist shop and then bought bunches of roses.
"I thought we are buying a bouquet but what's with all these roses?" I asked surprisingly
" You will see," she said checking the petals of the rose
Mary then turned to Jeff and said "Jeff get ready and then we are going at Melissa's place"
"But she doesn't want to see me."
"Get ready Jeff. I will explain everything during the drive." Mary then asked Brianna to go back to her home and accompanied us to our apartment. Both me and Mary waited for Jeff to get ready. We all then drove to Melissa's place. As we reached outside Melissa's apartment, Mary took out the bag of roses and asked us to took out all petals and engraved I am sorry from the petal. She then asked jeff to ring the bell and handed him the ring.
She then dragged me to the adjacent side of the apartment so that Melissa can't see us. Jeff rang the bell. Melissa opened the door. We saw her dressed in her PJs. She read I am sorry and then saw Jeff at an approachable distance on his knees.
She smiled and came near Jeff
Jeff said "I found answers to your insecurities and self-doubts my lady. Every day when I open my eyes you are the one person I want to see, Whenever my phone rings you are the only one who's voice I want to hear. I want to share my life's joy and sorrow with you. I might be a disappointment to you sometimes but I promise to become a better person every day with you. You are the one who completes me. I promise you to be there beside you at each and every crucial moment of life. I love you" Saying so he put the ring on her finger. She smiled with tears of joy in her eyes.
I then realized that as Jeff is making a promise to Melissa, Mary held my hand and is not wrapped in my embrace. As our eyes met we both stood speechless looking at each other. Suddenly Mary split and said, "I need to go." Before I could say anything she left.