✓ Never Is A Promise, p.js

09 | reconciliation is the answer

09. RECONCILIATION IS THE ANSWER

— JAY'S POV

The poor male couldn't help but to wince out of agony whenever he grazes on the surface of his bruised lips. Jay had spent hours lying on his unmade bed, contemplating whether or not he should return the calls for Anais but he ended up discarding his intention in doing so. He needs to be reminded that this discolouration wound that he has now was caused because of his desires to be friends with Anais, which resulting Heeseung to punch him in frustration. Jay heard the rattling sound from the outside of his room this morning and with that, he just knows for sure that his parents have already returned from their business trip. 

A light knock on his door could be heard, followed by a soft voice was calling out for his name, "Jay, my son. Can I come in?". It was his mother of course. As much as he wants to avoid his parents by appearing like this, he knows he'll get caught red-handed either way. Jay annoyingly frowns as he shoves his phone on the pillow next to him.

"No, you can't come. I am studying. . .naked!" The male emphasises bluntly.

Jay constantly joked with his parents about being around his room with no clothes on so that they could leave him alone. His silly little tactics used to work on them, but knowing their son's behaviour, they don't fall for the traps no more and just crash into his space whenever they feel to.

"So you're studying with those comics on your bed and fully-clothed? I see nobody naked in here" The older eventually retorts as soon as she's peeking her head slightly inside the son's room to check on him.

"For your information, these are not comics Mom, it's a graphic novel" Jay corrects his mother in a joking tone while adjusting his back.

"Oh my god, what happened to your face?" Jay's mother finally notices that new bruise on his lips when he finally shifts to her fully.

"Why? It's getting handsome?" Jay throws another joke in between because as much as he's hurting, he doesn't want his parents to still babying him at his big age. Mrs Park eventually rushes to the side of the bed in order to get a clear visual of those fresh wound. "Park Jongseong, quit joking around! I am being dead serious right now, what happened to your face?".

"I just fell down."

"You fell down and left a bruise on your lips?"

"Yeah. ."

"Don't lie to me. Did you have a fight?" The mother raises her brow as she curiously asks.

"Well, sort of" Jay answers coolly, gesturing that so-so hand movement.

"And you didn't even bother to treat your wounds, Park Jongseong? See it for yourself, the bruise widens!" Mrs Park points it out while softly tracing it with her finger. Jay tries to back away from his mother in return and rolls off his bed. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it." Jay says, grabbing his jacket on the drawer before going off to somewhere.

"I'll be off now to go to the pharmacy and buy some plasters and stuffs. I'll see you later, Mom."

He's out fully black from head to toe, including a cap that rests on top of his hair. The distance between his home and the nearby pharmacy is around 10 minute walk, so he's carefully strolling towards his destination. Ten minutes have passed, his feet finally drag him inside the store as soon as he arrives. Jay's gaze immediately scans the front section as he's hoping to see the glimpse of a box of plasters there. Busy scrutinising each one of the products, his ears are greeted by a familiar, soft-toned voice. "—Jay?"

Without guessing the owner of the voice, he immediately reacts to her by swirling. Out of many people, who would've thought he'd bump into the person he should step away from. It was Anais. Now, it's too late to turn away from her and run off, so he just greets her as usual. "Fancy seeing you here, Anais". A small smile creeps from his lips.

This is the only time where he could predict where this conversation is leading to, "What happened to your lips?" A flicker of worry lights up in Anais' eyes as she questions, eyes never left his lips at all. The tension just briefly grows when Anais takes a step forward to him to watch closely. In return, Jay backs away as a reaction, "It's nothing."

"Did Heeseung do this to you?" Anais asks, her voice sounds rather agitated. In a matter of seconds, Jay got pulled out of the store. Both of them walk to elsewhere for a talk, until they arrive at the convenience store with a vacant seat outside. They both just sit there for a minute to comprehend and Anais finally speaks up, "Tell me the truth Jay, did Heeseung really do this?".

Truth is still the truth, so he nods slowly. "He just went all out on me thinking I had something with you" Jay calmly explains before continuing more, "he caught me leaving your apartment that night when we had a revision together. He thought I was interested in you or something. . ." The male swallows a huge lump of bitter truth.

Jay could notice through Anais' expression is that she's indeed in shock and taken aback with what just happened. "And so he punched you in the face carelessly?" Anais asks.

Jay nods again slowly, "He also told me to keep a distance from you. He doesn't want to see me near you ever again. That's why I refused to contact or meet you again."

"He's really doing too much. I am sorry on his behalf, Jay" Anais apologises. "He has no right to be mad at you. I will make sure he'll be sorry for his actions."

"Thinking about it, part of it was my fault too. I should've been careful and shouldn't be alone with you that night at your home"

"Hey, I invited you over, remember? Please stop blaming yourself. None of this would happen if Heeseung could just ask me nicely about it." Anais reassures the male intently while staring at his bruise on the lips.

As Jay is observing the woman before her, he could feel that his heart rate is increasing with those little gestures and stares he receives from her. The two exchange their glances as the silence just outgrows between them. "Let me help you with that."

"What?"

"Your bruises. . ."

THE END OF CHAPTER