Brother's Love

In evening 7 pm;

James and William reached home from the office. They freshened up and came to the lounge. Caroline and Amanda were putting the dishes on the dining table.

“Where is the princess? I have not seen her till now. She is at home or not.” William was concerned.

“She was feeling tired when she returned from the university, so she went to her room to sleep,” Caroline replied, serving the gravy.

“But it is too late. How can Ashu sleep like a pig? I’ll check on her.” James said and moved upstairs to her room.

“Ashu, wake up. How can you sleep till now? And tell me, is it my responsibility to always wake you? Can you even wake up for once in your life yourself? Huh,” James exclaimed, making a fake angry face.

However, Ashlyn didn’t move, so he said.

“Ashu, I’m going to remove the duvet,”

James removed it from her face, but still, she didn’t move from her position, so James pulled her from her wrist. He felt her body temperature increased. He immediately placed his palm on her forehead.

“Oh my god, Ashu, you’re burning from fever.” He instantly called their family doctor and told him to come home as quickly as he could.

James right away ran to the kitchen to take cold water and wipes to reduce her fever.

“James, what happened? Why are you running? Princess, is she okay?” William stood from the dining table.

“What the hell are you doing at home? If you can’t even take care of my single sister.” James yelled at Amanda and ran to her room again.

“What?” William uttered and followed James to Ashlyn’s room. Amanda and Caroline also followed them.

James made Ashlyn face up and covered her to chin with a duvet.

He put a cold, wet wipe on her forehead when he saw a bruise on her cheek.

“What the hell is this? Who slapped her? Tell me,” James yelled.

“Ashlyn told us she got this bruise when she fell in the university,” Amanda said, fearing James’s anger.

“What rubbish?”

“Calm down, James. Ash will be okay. I’ll call Noah to come and check her.” William put his hand on his shoulder.

“I have already called him,” James’s anger didn’t reduce.

Within ten or fifteen minutes, Noah came and checked her.

“What happened, Noah? How is Ashu?” James asked.

“Calm down, James. Ash is fine now. I have checked her fever. It’s normal now.”

“What about bruises?” James was worried.

“I think she got hit with something hard. But don’t worry, I’ll give you ointment, apply it on the bruise, and within two to three days, it will be okay.”

James nodded.

“Okay, I’m going now. Ash will be alright, but if still, you need me. You can call me. I’ll come.” Noah exclaimed and moved out.

“It’s fine now. Let’s go to the table and eat,” Caroline said.

William nodded to her, and they moved out. While Amanda said:

“James, let’s go. Eat something you haven’t eaten since morning.”

“You can have your dinner. I’ll wait for Ashu,” James replied.

“But,”

James interjected her and said,

“No buts, I said, go, So, go,”

Amanda gritted her teeth in frustration and anger, moving out of the room.

“I’ll see you, bitch. You have controlled my husband. Please, God, give me a chance, and I’ll show her…. her rightful place.” Amanda muttered on her way to the dining table to have her dinner.

James was sitting with Ashlyn, applying ointment on her cheek when she opened her eyes.

“Finally, you opened your eyes. However, I’m angry with you,” James uttered, turning his face away.

“Why? What happened? Why are you angry?” Ashlyn asked, trying to sit, but fell again.

James promptly helped her to sit.

“First, you have a bruise on your cheek. Second, you have a fever. Third, you eat nothing. And fourth, the most important one, you didn’t call me and told me you’re not feeling well.” Her careless behavior had annoyed him.

“But when I slept, I didn’t have a fever.” She pouted to convince him.

“And what about other things, especially this bruise?” James pointed his finger to her right cheek.

“I... I fell,” Ashlyn replied, placing her palm on her cheek. However, today’s incident flashed before her eyes and she shivered for a second.

“Seriously, you think I’ll buy your excuse? Tell me the real thing,” James yelped at her.

“But promise me you won’t do anything,”

“I said just tell me not to test my patience, Ashu,”

“See, I’m not telling. You’re yelling at me,” Ashlyn made a crying face.

“Okay, fine. I won’t do anything. Now tell me, how did you get this?” James asked in a low, deep voice.

“Actually, we were playing, me, Helen, Kate and Selah. While playing, Helen mistakenly slapped me.” Ashlyn lied because she knew her brother. If he came to know that Kyle had slapped her, there would be a big fight. So, she just lied.

“Are you telling me the truth?” James asked her again, caressing her hair. Ashlyn nodded.

“Okay, I’m not saying anything to her. But don’t play like this again.” James said politely.

“Jami, you’re the best,” Ashlyn spoke, hugging him.

“Yeah, I know,” James sneered, caressing her head, and they both burst into laughter.

“Now, let’s have dinner. You eat nothing and look at yourself how pale you look,” James recited, taking her with him for dinner.

They went downstairs. James supported her.

“How are you feeling? Ash.” William asked. They were in the lounge watching the news on the LED.

“I’m fine, bro,” Ashlyn replied, moving to the dining table.

At the table, James and Ashlyn ate their dinner while Amanda served them. In between eating, James offered her bites of food that Ashlyn took in her mouth happily. However, Amanda’s blood boiled, seeing her husband’s lovey-dovey things for his sister.

After eating, they spent family time where Caroline told them. There was a wedding proposal for Ashlyn. She told them the family and business details of the boy’s family.

The details satisfied William. However, James asked Ashlyn through his eyes, and she shook her head. So, James rejected the proposal without thinking much. Caroline tried to convince them, but James said,

“Ashlyn doesn’t want to marry until her graduation. So, please wait for two years. Once her study is complete, you can decide about her marriage. But for now, it’s a big No.”

After this, no one insisted, and everyone moved towards their respective rooms.

>>>>>>The next morning;

Ashlyn took off from university as James told her to take off and rest for a day. According to him, she looked extremely pale and weak. It was the love of a brother for her sister.

She spent her day sleeping, eating, reading, and scrolling the internet. After University time, her friends came to her home. They asked for forgiveness, and Ashlyn was already very generous, loving, and caring, so she forgave them easily. At night, all the friends went to the club where they drank and enjoyed themselves.

>>>>>Next day;

Ashlyn went to the University, and after taking the first two classes. They all went to the cafeteria Where Kyle and his friends were eating. They took a table in the corner.

Helen and Selah were sitting while Kate and Ashlyn stood to take their food. After taking food, they were coming back when Ashlyn bumped into a wall. She raised her head to see that it was not a wall but a chest of Kyle Ivan.

She remembered his slap.

“Sorry, I didn’t see you,” Ashlyn said instantly and rushed to her table.

Kyle also moved towards the counter to take his food without looking at her.

They were eating their food when Ashlyn glanced at Kyle’s table. She found him staring back. She immediately turned her face away.

Ashlyn felt a new type of feeling. She didn’t feel uncomfortable with anyone’s stare before, as she was a confident girl who feared nothing. However, right now, looking at Kyle made a shiver run down her spine. She didn’t know why she feared him, Why Ashlyn wanted to see his face, and why she enjoyed kissing him the other day. She was in her trance when Kate said;

“Look at their table.”

“One more girl came to him,” Selah spat.

“This is his last year here. So everyone wants to try their luck.” Helen declared.

Ashlyn looked at their table.

A girl was standing behind his chair. She had a card, a gift, and a red rose in her hand, and she was saying something.

Ashlyn felt a pain in her heart. She was jealous of that girl but didn’t know why.

“Look at him. He doesn’t spare a single glance at her and is enjoying his food.” Selah whispered.

Ashlyn glanced at him again. He was seriously eating his food while the girl was murmuring.

“See, girl. Everyone knows here that the great Kyle Ivan doesn’t date. He doesn’t like this type of shit. Why are you wasting your time, money, emotions, and efforts on him? You can try it for me. I’ll think about it. I should accept it or not. But see, as for Kyle, he won’t even think for a single second of you.” The boy sat beside him said that girl.

She started crying and ran away. Everyone in Kyle’s group laughed, however, Kyle’s single glare shut their mouth.

Ashlyn was looking at him when he again looked at her table. Their eyes met. She instantly turned her face away.

“Bloody devil, who stops others’ breath through his glare,” Ashlyn murmured under her breath.

[One week later]

After that day in the cafeteria, Ashlyn didn’t see him again. So, the rest of the week went well. Yet, she was feeling annoyed and angry because he slapped her and didn’t even apologize. However, nothing happened again, so she was comfortable.

>>>>>>On Monday

Helen, Kate, and Selah waited for Ashlyn in the classroom, but she didn’t come.

“Ash told me yesterday. She’ll come.” Kate pursed her lips. She was worried.

“Then why is she not here? I told her yesterday that I have a surprise for all of you. Then why is she not here?” Helen scowled.

“Now, you’ll tell us about a surprise or not,” Selah raised her brow.

“Of course, I’ll tell you. Ash didn’t come. It’s her fault.” Helen shrugged.

“Okay, now break the suspense and tell us.”

Helen bit her lower lip, clasping her hands.

“I’m going to purpose, Kyle,” she was excited.

Kate was drinking juice, and it fell on her when she heard about Kyle.

“Are you talking about Kyle Ivan?” Kate asked in astonishment.

“Yeah, Kyle Ivan,” Helen gritted her teeth because her reaction was like an insult to her.

“Did you forget what he had done with Ash when she kissed him?” Selah tried to recall her.

“I know, but I'll not kiss him. I’ll just tell him I love him.”

“And you think he’ll accept you? Dream on,” Kate took a sip from her juice.

“Did you also forget about that girl in the cafe? He rejected her proposal without even saying a word.” Selah shook her head.

“That girl, who will accept her? Did you not see how she looks in her glasses and braided hair, and also, she was fatty?” Helen snorted.

“So what?”

“I have a body and beauty to die for. Every man had a wish to date me. How will he reject me?” Helen said, being proud of her looks.

“Now you are becoming overconfident,” Kate exclaimed.

“Shut up, just wait and watch. Anyway, it’s my last chance. He is at the university for a week only. If I had not grabbed him now. Then it’ll be too late to even try. At least, I should try.”

“Okay, let’s see what you can do,” Kate spoke.

They stood from their seats and started searching for him. At last, they found him in the garden, reading a book.

“God is also in my favor. See, he is alone.” Helen said happily, pointing her brows towards him.

” Okay, best of luck. We just hope you won’t get a slap.” Kate exclaimed, folding her arms.

Helen smirked, moving towards him, and stood in front of him.

Kyle raised his head to see her.

“What?” he asked.

“I want to say something,” Helen looked nervous.

Kyle waited for her to say something, but when she didn’t say it, Kyle spoke.

“If you have nothing to say, leave. I don’t have spare time for you.”

“Umm, I want to ask you.” Helen halted for a second.

“Would you like to date me? I mean, I’m fond of you. I... I like you.” Helen blinked her eyes and tried to look cute and innocent. However, Kyle didn’t give her any response because it didn’t matter to him.

Helen waited for him, but when he said nothing for a moment, she retorted.

“At least say something.”

“Okay, listen, miss, whatever your name is. I don’t want to date you. Now, leave me.” Without putting a single glance at her, Kyle refused her.

“Please, Kyle, listen to me. You can try,” Helen tried to touch his arm. Kyle instantly leaned away.

“I said leave me alone. I don’t want anyone to think there is something between us. Find someone else. I’m not for you. Leave,” He repeated his words, trying to control his anger.

However, it didn’t affect Helen as she continued her efforts at convincing him. So, Kyle stood from his seat with books and left her there.