Tick Tock. Tick Tock. Tick Tock.
The clock is ticking and as if the entire scene is paused, there is so much silence that the clock's ticking can be heard. Paul is sitting on a chair and sitting in front of him are Jean, Rose and Radhika.
"What did you say just now?" Jean broke the silence. She was wearing a white T-shirt with a blue jacket and shorts. Her hair was in purple and they were slightly longer than her shoulder.
"You heard what I said…" Paul replied unfazed by his predicament. In front of him were three women looking at him fiercely, as if they would rip him apart at any time.
"You bastard! How dare you even spout such nonsense?" Rose replied as she got up from her chair furiously. She was wearing a yellow shirt and denim shorts. Her pink hairs were untied.
"Let me repeat it again." Paul said calmly and continued "I have given it a lot of thought. I love each one of you so much that it will be impossible to describe in words. All three of you are someone, I would take a bullet for, without hesitation. My love is sincere. I love you. The only problem is I love all three of you a lot! No matter, who I pick up, I will always end up regretting it. I do not want any regrets in my life. I promise you, if you accept this proposal, I will love you, all three of you so much that there won't be any complaints from your side. Do you accept my proposal? Do you love me?" Seeing his sincerity and listening to those words, even Rose blushed. Jean whose reactions were stiff earlier loosened a little.
"Do you promise that you will love us forever?" Radhika, who was normally shy spoke up. She had her glasses on and was in black jeans as well as a purple hoodie.
Paul looks her in her eyes "I promise you, sweetie!" Seeing, Paul addresses her that way Jean coughed. "I guess if you are this sincere, we can try."
"Hmph! Stupid bastard! I guess I will make an exception this time." Rose said as she puffed up and looked the other side.
Finally getting an agreement, Paul jumps at his feet and goes behind all three of them. He stretches his hand and hugs all three of them together. He plants a kiss on their heads "I promise you. I will love you beyond my last breaths. My love for you is that sincere! Let's move in together!"
The memories slowly became bubbles and evaporated. Paul looks around a little and realises that this memory is over.
'I see, these memories are no longer previous Paul's. It has become my memory. The one that I will cherish forever.
"Paul. I got you breakfast." Paul heard Rose's voice. She had a tray in her hand with a hot bowl of oatmeal in it. Paul opens his eyes. He smiles gently at the view.
"Thank you, Rosie…"
"Oi… Oi… Aren't you getting carried away? Hmph. Calling me Rosie and all." She pouted.
'He…he… She is such a Tsundere.' Paul smiled internally when he heard that.
"Hai hai… Come please feed me, Master Rose." Paul replied.
"Hmph. That's more like it!" Rose said as she puffed up. She comes and sits on the bed, near her.
"Open your mouth." Rose says gently after she blows on the spoon full of hot oats a couple of times.
It was at that moment, he knew, that he fell in love. He felt a sweet feeling in his stomach. He opens his mouth obediently and eats it.
"Your plans for today?" He asked Rose.
"Just the usual. Will head to the gym and after that Yoga. Don't worry, I will come back on time for dinner. She takes another spoon and feeds it to him. He ate silently till the bowl was almost finished. He was at lack of words. He felt like he needed to know all about her but he cannot raise any suspicion. Suddenly his phone rang. The phone was much more stylish and costly than what he had in his previous life. On the screen 'Rad Sweety' flashed.
"Huh… Why is this bitch calling?" Suddenly Rose's sweet face turned sour. Paul realised that the person on the other side of the phone was someone whom Rose didn't like much but still is fine with being called sweety by her boyfriend. He realised it must be "Radhika". He picks up the call sheepishly.
"Hello, Paul. How are you?" Radhika said in a cold voice. Her voice filled with a little grief. Native Paul's surface memory came to Paul and he realised that Radhika was out of town for some research work.
"I… I am fine now. Much better. What about you? How is your research going?" He asked after thinking for a while, a bit concerned not to come out as a cold and uncaring person.
"Hmmm, just with the question you asked me, I would say that it was successful." She paused for a while, there was silence, "Have you had breakfast?" she continued.
"Yes, Rose made for me."
"Good. Now listen to me clearly. I will come back home by tonight. Promise me that you will not go out of the flat no matter what. Do you understand?" She asked.
"Ye… Yes, mam. I promise." He stuttered.
"Hmmm… Good. Try to rest as much as possible. It will be good for you. Bye, see you soon." She said as she disconnected the call.
"What did she say?" Rose asked.
"Nothing, that she will come tonight, and I should rest."
"Not even 'I love you'? She must be in a hurry, huh." Rose said as she got up.
"Anyways, you rest now. Lunch is on the table. I will head out soon.
"Okay. And…" Paul hesitated a little and blushed a little before saying "I… I love you." Seeing his state Rose chuckled a little with a sweet expression on her face
"Geez, what happened to you? I love you too babe." She said as she leaned and gave a small peck on his lips. "Now rest and don't make any trouble for us." She said as she left.
'Hmm… I suppose this is a good time to learn more about people.' He thought as he lay down on the bed, falling asleep.