Chapter 33

"Penny for your thoughts, Diana," Ashley whispered during an Ancient History lecture at the University.

Diana smiled and turned to look at her friend, "Huh?"

Ashley sighed, "What's happened to you, gal? You are not paying attention in your favourite subject's lecture! You haven't talked much since days! You are never at your house! And have you combed your hair!?"

"Is it that conspicuous?" Diana patted her hair.

Ashley smirked, "Whose he?"

Diana paused and then laughed, "Whose who?"

"The guy you are in love with."

"Me? In love? Good joke," Diana turned back to her notebook. "Seriously, Ash, pay attention to the lecture."

"The matter is not closed…." Ashley said in a happy tone.

Ray decided to take the day off. He went home with a huge smile plastered over his face.

Tyson was, as usual, at home. Mariah was there too, sketching with great gusto. Ray settled beside her.

"So..." he began.

Mariah stopped and turned to look at him. "So..."

Ray took out a key with a pink ribbon on it and handed it to Mariah, "Here, it's a present!"

"You've found Diana's spare key?" Mariah asked.

"No!" Ray laughed. "It's our house key."

"Our house..." Mariah repeated and then shrieked, "Oh my God, our house?"

Ray nodded, "Want to see it?"

"Yeah," Mariah leaned towards Ray.

"Did I hear right?" Tyson burst in. "Ray's bought a house?"

Mariah glared at Tyson.

Tyson however continued, "Let's go right now."

It was a bungalow. A cosy, pale, light green coloured one with a cute little garden in front. They had called Kai and Diana over too and the five of them explored the empty but beautiful house.

Tyson went about here and there yelling and screaming so as to hear the echoes. Mariah and Ray were in the living room.

"Thanks, Ray," Mariah whispered softly. "I can't wait to furnish it and start living here with you."

"I would have done that too except you are a better designer than me."

"But what about your job?" Mariah asked suddenly.

Ray smiled, "The thing about being in a top-notch job in the beyblading field is that you can operate from any base as long as you have a laptop and internet connection. Besides, the WBBA was considering a base transfer. London does offer a lot of opportunities."

Diana left Tyson to himself when she noticed that Kai was nowhere to be seen. She walked out of the front door and sure enough there he was, leaning against the garden gate.

"Hi," Diana made her presence.

Diana could have sworn Kai was going to scowl but he managed a "Hi!" too.

"Why so moody?" Diana smiled.

Kai heaved a sigh, "Look, I would rather be alone right now, ok?"

Diana laughed, "C'mon, Kai, you can tell me."

"Fine," Kai's voice sounded frustrated, "I'll go." He started to walk away but Diana caught his wrist.

"It's about Ray buying the house, isn't it?" It was not the first time Kai had been surprised by Diana's ability to sound so serious when she was constantly so happy but he did look surprised.

"No," he spluttered. "It's not that. I am happy for him."

Diana nodded, "You want him to stay at your place. Him and all the others."

Kai swallowed, "I don't know why I'm telling you this but I've got used to having people around me. Earlier it was ok. I was alone and it didn't matter but when they came back it was like childhood again. I guess, I like of friends and now they are all again going to go away."

"That's not right. Not all of them are going. Max and-"

"Max is going to move out too. He's buying a place to live in, with Mariam. I'm sure Tyson's going to move out. Why can't they just going living with me? I wouldn't mind it."

"Look, Kai. Did you seriously think that everybody was going to go on living at your house? They have their own lives and jobs and responsibilities. You should be happy that they aren't going back to their homes. They are trying to live near you, here, in London itself and even if they do go far away they'll still be your friends. They all care about you, ok? So, stop being selfish. Enjoy along with them. You won't ever be lonely if you try to let people be friends with you."

Kai was speechless for a long time and then at last muttered, "I guess."

Diana gave a huge smile, "And now, let's go and have fun with the others."

Kai even managed a small smile.

It was when Diana pulled him to get going that she realised that they were holding hands. She blushed and quickly let go, a fact which Kai noticed with a slight frown.

By the way Ash is a real person and I'm sure she'll be reading this chapter and smiling. Thanks for being amazing, Ash!

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