going back home...

"the plantiff is requesting a compensation of nearly 5 million dollars if Mr. Colin Tan does not want to wed her. This would include shares in the business and also monetary form," Mr. Yang, the lawyer, said as he flipped through the documents that were layed on the table.

colin paced anxiously around the room. "can't we get a fucking DNA test? I'm sure i'm not the father!"
"calm down son. i'm sure that Mr. Yang has a way of solving this," Mr. Tan said.
Mr. Yang clasped his hands together, "they did request for a DNA test later this afternoon. if the results turns out negative then you might have a stronger case."
"... and what if it turns out positive?" tyler asked.
Mr. Yang thought for a while, "it might be a big disadvantage for us but if they are willing to settle this out of court. I have suggested to Mr Tan that he should comprimise if his son dos not wish to marry the plantiff."

colin couldn't believe this was happening. he had to see lila.
"i'm afraid you aren't allowed to be seen within 200m of her surroundings," Mr. Yang added.
"argh! i can't do this... i can't do that. you just expect me to sit here and wait to be given orders?!" colin flared.
Mr. Tan then started to rebuke his son, "colin. you landed in this mess and everyone here is willing to help sort this out for you. why can't you be more sensible and deal with his maturely? your mother and i are upset enough. don't make this even worse!"

the whole room went quiet. colin stood up and kicked his chair all the way to the other side of the wall. he was angry. angry that he couldn't do anything to salvage the problem. Angry that he had to drag in his best friend, his parents, his company... angry that he had lost all hope he had with shayna. angry she was going to get married to timothy. angry that he was alone and helpless.

"i'll see you later at the hospital," colin said before storming out of the room. he needed to get back to the comfort of his own home and sleep. hoping that everything would go away when he reopens his eyes.

***

Shayna and Timothy walked Shayna's parents and Alyssa towards the boarding gates. Shayna's parents were busying reminding Shayna to take care of herself, to call home and all the other parents stuff. timothy was trying to comfort alyssa and make sure that she was alright going home alone without tyler.

"i don't know timothy. you just seem so happy with shay. i don't really wanna bother both of you with my problems," alyssa said.
"hey, you're shayna's best friend which makes you a friend of mine too," timothy said, tucking his hands into his pocket.
"well, i hope i get to talk to tyler when i get back," she sighed. timothy gently nudged her.
"don't worry. i'm sure when true love finds its way into two hearts. it would be there to stay," timothy commented.
alyssa arched her eyebrows up in surprise, "wow. since when did you become a love doctor?"
timothy snorted, "nah. shayna showed me what true love meant... she's all i ever need."
alyssa shuddered and laughed, "oh so mushy!!"

shayna and her parents turned around.
"what's going on?" shayna smiled.
alyssa placed her arm over best friend, "girl, you are dating a love doctor! when are you gonna tie him down and keep him for yourself?"
timothy just stood there and shied away. he couldn't believe alyssa was trying to embarrass him right in the middle of the airport!
shayna smiled and took his hand, "i guess i should tell them about our decision."
timothy's eyes went wide open. she was going to say it now?

"mom, dad, lyss... timmy and i are going to get married."
of course, shayna's parents knew about it but they just got all excited for the sake of their daughter.
"really! that's wondreful!" Mr. Fong said and hugged his daughter, "i'm so happy for you!"
Mrs. Fong smiled and hugged her daughter too. timothy went over and started talking to his future parents-in-law. alyssa and shayna just smiled at each other.

alyssa broke the uncomfortable silence with a hug. "hey, i'm happy for you," she said.
"i was afraid... you know... i didn't want to say anything about it cos you and tyler..."
"... shay, don't be stupid. no matter if i am getting married or you are getting married; they are all great announcements. of course i get to be the maid of honour right?" alyssa suggested.
shayna nodded and squeezed alyssa's hand.
"but of course. what would my wedding be without you?"
"a failure," alyssa joked and hugged her best friend, "congratulations."

***
colin lay on his waterbed back home and stared into the ceiling. his mind was clouded and he couldn't think straight. everything seemed like a whirl. he had meant to go to sleep but he was just too worried about everything.
at that moment, there was a knock on the door. he dragged himself out of bed and opened the door. it was tyler who brought him lunch.

"hey buddy. time to eat," he said and handed colin a packet of food.
"thanks. take a seat," colin said and set the packed lunch on the table before lying back onto the bed.
"god. colin, i came here not just to pass you lunch but also to remind you that your DNA test is in an hour. your father sent me here to pick you up."
colin rolled his eyes.

"great. now i'm the big baby that everyone has to bring around," colin spat.
tyler sighed, "it's not like that colin. we're all worried about you and how you're coping with this. we're here to help you."
colin pulled his pillow over his head, "i need to sleep."
"you've been sleeping for nearly three hours."
colin shook his head, "i hardly slept a wink."
"still you have to get to the hospital," tyler said.

colin didn't know what he was going to see at the hospital. was he going to meet lila and have a chance to talk to her? what was going to happen if the results turned out positive?

he realised that his sleepless nights were just beginning.