Unseen Echoes

Chapter12 : Quietly In Love

Jack told the other waiters, "You guys take over, I will be back in a while." He quickly changed his uniform, came back to Rose’s table, and sat on the chair right in front of her.

Rose’s heart was beating very fast. Some strands of hair were falling on her face, making it hard to see her clearly. Jack reached out his hand slowly. Rose didn't pull back or move her hand; she just stayed quiet. Jack’s fingers gently brushed against her face as he carefully pushed the hair behind her ear.

As he did this, their eyes met and locked. For that moment, it felt like time had stopped. The noise in the shop faded away, and it was just the two of them. Jack’s hand rested on her cheek for a second, and Rose kept looking deep into his eyes. Then, Jack slowly and gently pulled his hand back.

In a soft voice, Jack said, "Rose, I actually work here as a part-time waiter."

Rose looked down and nodded slowly, saying, "Oh, I see."

Jack continued, "I am sorry for not giving you an exact time. I thought you would come after finishing all your classes and getting some rest. I am sorry that you had to wait for me."

Rose smiled and said, "It’s okay, Jack."

Jack asked, "Would you like to eat something?"

Rose said shyly, "Whatever you order is fine with me."

Jack ordered food through another waiter. Rose kept watching Jack, feeling confused and wondering when he would talk about the real reason he called her. Finally, she asked, "Jack, you called me here. Was there something special you wanted to say?"

Jack looked serious and said, "Yes, Rose. I wanted to say something."

Rose felt shy and replied, "Yes?"

Jack looked at her and said, "Can we be good friends?"

Rose looked at him, feeling surprised. In her mind, she thought, "Just friends?"

Jack continued, "And I wanted to apologize for that day. I am sorry for everything that happened in front of everyone."

Rose looked straight into his eyes and asked, "But Jack, why did you kiss me that day? Can I ask?"

Jack looked away and said quietly, "I just lost control. I am really sorry."

Many thoughts were running through Rose's mind. She wondered, "Just friends? How can I stay 'just friends' with him? He doesn't know how hard it is for me to be near him. I can't even control my own feelings."

Just then, the waiter arrived with their food. Jack looked at her carefully and asked, "Are you okay?"

Rose forced a smile and said, "Yes, yes, I am fine."

Jack reached out his hand and said with a smile, "So, from now on, we are friends. Shake my hand."

Rose shook his hand. She did it because she didn't want to look weak in front of him. She said, "Yes, we are friends from now on."

Jack smiled, and they both started eating. After they finished, Jack said, "Come, let me drop you home. It is very late."

Rose refused, saying, "No, it's okay, I will go by myself. Don't worry."

But Jack insisted, "Now that you are my friend, I will take care of you. I will drop you home."

Rose sighed and said, "Okay, let’s go together."

It was night time, and it was very quiet all around. Jack and Rose were walking home together. Rose was wearing high heels, and she was having a hard time walking. She had dressed up nicely to meet him, but now her feet were hurting.

As they walked, their hands kept brushing against each other. Every now and then, they would look into each other's eyes. It was a very romantic and quiet atmosphere.

Suddenly, Jack said, "Rose, wait a second."

Rose’s heart started beating very fast. She asked, "Yes?"

They both stopped. Jack bent down and said, "Give me your heels."

Rose gave him her heels, and Jack quickly took off his own shoes. He handed them to Rose and said, "Here, wear these."

Rose felt shy and surprised. She said, "Jack, how can I wear your shoes?"

Jack smiled and replied, "Just put them on, and then let’s go."

Rose put on his shoes, and she felt much better. Jack held her heels in his hand, and he started walking barefoot beside her. They kept walking together in the quiet night, and Rose felt very happy and touched by Jack’s kindness.

As they walked, they finally reached near Rose’s house. Jack said, "We are here, Rose. You should go inside now."

Rose took off Jack’s shoes and handed them back to him. "Jack, here are your shoes," she said.

Then, she took her heels from Jack’s hand. As she took them, their hands touched for a moment. Rose felt a little spark. She stood there looking deep into Jack’s eyes, and he looked back at her. After a quiet moment, Jack said softly, "Goodbye, Rose."

Rose turned and went inside. Jack held his shoes in his hand and started walking back.

When Rose entered the house, Lily was still awake. She immediately started asking many questions: "What happened, Rose? How did it go? Did you two go on a date? Tell me everything!"

As soon as Rose entered the room, she lay down on her bed and stared at the ceiling. Lily lay down beside her.

Rose answered Lily’s questions in a soft voice, "Being with him feels like a peaceful and happy life, Lily."

Lily asked excitedly, "Does that mean things worked out between you two?"

Rose replied, "No, he only wants to be friends."

Lily was shocked. She sat up and said, "What? Just friends? Rose, how can you be 'just' friends with him?"

Rose closed her eyes and said, "Lily, I don't know. I felt strange too, but I felt so much peace when I was with him. It felt like the whole world was filled with stars. It felt like spring was everywhere, and the flowers were blooming. I felt that even if he just stayed by my side without saying anything, I would still feel at peace."

Lily sat up and looked at Rose in surprise, realizing how deeply Rose had fallen for him.