As news of the two couples spread, their friends buzzed with excitement. "Ben and Emily are official!" "Mark and Samantha are together!" The rumors and congratulations flew back and forth.
Ben and Emily basked in the warmth of their new relationship, feeling happy and content. Mark and Samantha shared sweet moments, trying to navigate their feelings.
However, Mark couldn't help but notice Ben's happiness with Emily, feeling a pang of... something he still couldn't quite explain.
Meanwhile, Emily felt grateful for Ben's affection, but sensed there might be more to Ben's feelings than met the eye.
As exam week approached, Ben and Emily's relationship continued to grow stronger. They studied together, quizzed each other, and supported one another through late-night cram sessions.
Mark and Samantha's relationship also flourished. They went on romantic walks, had cozy coffee dates, and exchanged sweet texts.
The four friends found comfort in each other's company, balancing their relationships with exam prep. Their love and support became a source of motivation, helping them push through challenging study sessions.
As they approached exam day, their confidence grew. They felt more focused, more prepared, and more in love.
The day of the exam arrived, and Ben, Emily, Mark, and Samantha sat nervously in the exam hall. As the papers were distributed, they took deep breaths, focused their minds, and began to write.
Their pens moved swiftly across the pages, fueled by intense concentration and determination. The scratching of pens, the rustling of papers, and the ticking of the clock filled the air.
Ben's mind raced with formulas and equations, while Emily's thoughts were filled with historical dates and events. Mark's focus was on literary analysis, and Samantha's attention was on complex scientific concepts.
As they wrote, their intensity grew, their hands moving with purpose and precision. With each question answered, their confidence grew, and their pens moved with increasing speed and accuracy.
When the final bell rang, signaling the end of the exam, they let out a collective sigh of relief, feeling accomplished and exhausted.
As the exam results' release date approached, Ben, Emily, Mark, and Samantha grew increasingly anxious. They checked their emails and school portals obsessively, refreshing the pages repeatedly.
"Come on, just release already!" Ben exclaimed, drumming his fingers on the desk.
Emily laughed nervously. "I know, right? It's like time is slowing down."
Mark and Samantha exchanged worried glances. "We've worked hard, we deserve good results," Mark said, trying to sound confident.
Samantha nodded. "We just have to stay positive and hope for the best."
As the suspense built, they found themselves constantly discussing possible outcomes, making predictions, and reassuring each other.
Finally, the day arrived. They gathered around a computer, fingers crossed, and hearts racing, ready to unveil their results.
As the results loaded on the screen, Ben, Emily, Mark, and Samantha held their breaths. Then, they saw the scores: high grades, excellent marks, and proud achievements.
"Yes!" Ben pumped his fist in the air. "We did it!"
Emily squealed with delight, hugging Ben tightly. "I'm so proud of us!"
Mark grinned, relieved. "We worked hard, and it paid off."
Samantha beamed. "Let's celebrate! We deserve it."
Their joy was contagious, and they shared hugs, high-fives, and congratulatory messages. Relief and pride filled their faces as they celebrated their accomplishments.
They all called home to tell them about their accomplishments in their exams and how their results was great.
Ben only having an elder sister who was married was happy in calling her to tell here of his performance in his academic career.
"am so happy for you I wish mum and dad were here to hear it" his sister said over the line sadly.
"yeah I wish they were here too" Ben said in a voice above a whisper to his sister sadly. "hey, hey, hey don't be sad OK am happy for you when you get home we are going to celebrate OK, now congratulations once again dear," she said in an encouraging tune.
"thanks big sis love you" Ben said through the phone, " love you Ben" she replied.
**they hanged the call**
While Ben call was going on Mark noticed his sadden face and was moved to ask him about it, but he quickly kicked off the idea.
Ben was done with his call moved to Emily and told her he had things to do in his room in the hostel "hey emm I gotta go I got something important I need to take care off OK, talk to you later love" "OK talk to you Benny, love you" she said as Ben was walking away "love you too love" Ben replied and left the gathering to his hostel.
Mark watched the mood changed in the air around Ben "what could had happened to him, everything changed immediately as he made that call" he wondered to himself; "should I follow him and ask or should I let it go, do as if I wasn't aware of it".
He was thinking about their relationship and friendship "we haven't been talking that much to each other lately, but I know something definitely happened and he needs someone to talk things out" he wondered to himself. His eyes still on the moving Ben " I will be the one he talk to about it" he thought about it for a while.
Got up to move "where are you going to Mark" Samantha asked. "am Off to my room in the hostel I need rest and a shower, I got something important to do; call you Sam" he said as he peaked Samantha on her forehead before living. "what is so important to both of them" both Emily and Samantha wondered.
In Ben's room in the hostel there was conflict within him; he was trying really hard not to cry and regret about remembering that he had no parents to celebrate his success with only his elder sister, who was his only family now; it hurt him so much that his eyes were crying without him knowing it yet
"what's this right now, why did I call in; why did I remembered a wound that was closed in for long (sobbing) mum, dad.... I missed you both so much." Just then a knock interput his thought.
****he ignored the person knocking ****
There was another knock on the door
He got up to answer the door but couldn't move to open it, due to the pain he was feeling within his heart.
There was another knock at the door, this time slightly harder than the other.
"yes who's is " Ben was able to speak does words out but; just barely audible or barely above a whisper he didn't know.
"hey open the door Benny, I know you're in there" Mark voice out "I don't know what happened, but am here for you..... so let's talk about it" he added.
This surprised Ben as he walked to the door to open it for Mark, "hey what you doing here shouldn't you be with your girlfriend" he asked softly.... "so do you Ben, so do you.... Now will you let me in or should we talk through the door" Mark says to Ben
"alright come in Mark" Ben said as he opens the door for Mark to get in.
Mark enters Ben's room, noticing the change in his friend's expression. "Hey, what's going on? You seemed really upset just now," Mark says, sitting down beside Ben.
Ben hesitates, unsure how to express his feelings and how to respond to the question Mark asked, "hey talk to me am here to listen OK trust me" Mark added.
Ben looks at Mark, surprised by his friend's perceptiveness. "Yeah, I know what you mean," Ben says, taking a deep breath. "Sometimes it feels like life is moving so fast, and we're just trying to keep up."
Mark nods in understanding. "Exactly! And with Samantha and Emily, we've been spending so much time with them, but it's not the same as hanging out just the two of us."
Ben smiles slightly, feeling a sense of camaraderie. "You're right. I've missed our late-night talks and stupid jokes."
Mark's expression turns serious. "I've missed our real talks, Ben. The kind where we can be honest with each other without judgment."
Mark's words strike a chord with Ben, and he looks at his friend with a mix of surprise and hesitation. "You really notice that, huh?" Ben says, taking a moment to gather his thoughts.
Mark nods encouragingly. "Of course, man. We've been friends although not for a long time but still. I can tell when something's bothering you."
Ben takes a deep breath, and the emotions he tried to suppress start to surface. "It's just...today, when I called my sister to share my exam results, I remembered...my parents aren't around anymore."
Mark's expression softens, and he listens attentively as Ben shares his story. Ben tells him about the pain of losing his parents and how it still affects him, especially on moments like these when he'd want to share his joy with them.
Mark's face is filled with empathy as he listens to Ben's story. "I'm so sorry, Ben. Losing someone you love is never easy." He pauses, collecting his thoughts before continuing.
"I remember when my aunt passed away. She was like a second mother to me. I felt lost and alone for a long time. But what got me through it was knowing she was in a better place and that I had my family and friends to support me."
Mark looks at Ben, his eyes sincere. "You're not alone in this, Ben. I'm here for you, and your sister is too. We're your family now, in our own way."
Ben feels a weight lift off his shoulders as Mark's words sink in. The shared understanding and comfort between them deepen their bond.
Then there was silence that stretches on between the two. The silence was like a mountain on both of them, you could hear the little noises in the background.
The silence between them could be palpable, with Ben's emotions simmering just below the surface. Then, as the weight of his feelings becomes too much, he breaks down in tears. Mark's response could be a beautiful display of empathy and compassion.
As Ben cries, Mark reaches out and gently wipes away his tears with his hands, offering a comforting presence. The physical touch could convey a sense of solidarity and support, allowing Ben to feel seen and heard.
The moment speaks for itself, and the emotional intensity between them becomes almost palpable. As Mark comforts Ben, their faces are close, and the air is charged with unspoken feelings.
Without a word, Mark looks into Ben's eyes, and Ben meets his gaze. The connection between them crackles with tension, and they both know that something is shifting.
In a gentle, tender moment, Mark leans in, and Ben meets him halfway. Their lips touch, and it's as if time stands still. The world around them fades away, leaving only the two of them, lost in the beauty of their first kiss, both holding on to each other never wanting it to end and everything else was silent as they kiss.
And then; The kiss is interrupted by Mark's sudden realization and discomfort. He pulls away, looking shocked and unsure of how to process what just happened.
"Whoa, I'm sorry, Ben. I don't know what came over me. We're guys, and that's not...right," Mark says, trying to rationalize the moment away.
Ben stands up, looking at Mark with a mix of emotions. "Yeah, you're right. That was wrong of us," he says, though his tone might suggest he's not entirely convinced.
Then, They both avoided the topic; both feeling awkward "I gotta go OK later Benny" Mark said as he left Ben's room to his room in the other hostel building at the western side.
Mark's departure leaves Ben feeling uncertain and possibly confused about what just happened. Why did he feel empty inside right now after that kiss "it was wrong but it felt right" Ben thought to himself.
Ben sat on his bed, replaying the kiss in his mind over and over again. He felt a mix of emotions: guilt, confusion, and a hint of longing. As a Christian, he had always believed that same-sex relationships were wrong, and the kiss with Mark felt like a sin.
He tried to brush off the feeling, telling himself it was a momentary lapse. "We're guys, and that's not what guys do," he repeated, echoing Mark's words. But the memory of Mark's lips lingered, and he couldn't shake the sense that something real had passed between them.
Ben stood up, pacing around his room. He felt torn between his faith and his feelings. He wanted to believe that the kiss was a mistake, but a part of him yearned to stay in that moment with Mark. He pushed the thought away, trying to focus on his faith.
"I'm a Christian," he reminded himself. "I need to do what's right." But as he looked in the mirror, he saw a conflicted person staring back. The kiss had awakened something within him, and he wasn't sure how to reconcile it with his beliefs.
"I need some fresh air, let get out to let all this that happened flow away with the breeze and maybe when I get back I would have forgotten about it" Ben said as he got dressing.
As Ben stepped out into the evening air, taking a walk to clear his mind. He hoped the fresh air would help him shake off the lingering feelings from the kiss. As he walked, he tried to focus on the sounds of nature, the rustling leaves and chirping birds, but his mind kept drifting back to Mark.
Meanwhile, Mark walked to his room, his thoughts racing. He couldn't believe what had just happened. He had kissed Ben, and it felt...right. But how could that be? They were friends, and guys didn't kiss each other. Mark felt conflicted, unsure of how to process his emotions.
As he entered his room, Mark collapsed onto his bed, staring at the ceiling. He replayed the kiss in his mind, wondering if it meant something more. But what if it didn't? What if it was just a momentary lapse? Mark's mind swirled with questions, and he didn't know where to start looking for answers.
The distance between their rooms seemed to grow, and Mark felt a pang of uncertainty. What would happen to their friendship now? And what about his own feelings? Mark didn't know what to do next, but he knew he needed some time to figure things out.
As Mark lies on his bed, he can't help but think about Samantha, his girlfriend. He reflects on their relationship, wondering if he's been feeling truly fulfilled. The kiss with Ben has stirred up emotions he hadn't expected, and Mark starts to compare his feelings for Samantha to what he felt with Ben.
He realizes that his connection with Ben feels different, more raw and genuine. Mark's thoughts are filled with questions: Have I been settling for a relationship that doesn't truly satisfy me? Do I really know what I want?.
*****Ben on the other hand *****
As Ben walked through the evening streets, he couldn't shake off the feeling that his kiss with Mark had awakened something within him. He thought about his own relationship with Emily, his girlfriend. Had he been truly happy, or was he just going through the motions?
Ben's mind wandered to the differences between his feelings for Emily and the connection he felt with Mark. He felt a pang of guilt, wondering if he was questioning his relationship because of one moment with his friend.
As he walked, Ben's thoughts swirled with uncertainty. He didn't know what the future held or what he truly wanted. All he knew was that the kiss with Mark had stirred up feelings he couldn't ignore.
The parallel thoughts in both Ben's and Mark's minds created an interesting dynamic.
The next day, Ben and Mark's girlfriends, Emily and Samantha, asked them about what had happened the previous day. But both Ben and Mark brushed it off, saying nothing out of the ordinary had occurred.
Emily looked at Ben with a curious expression. "You're sure everything's okay? You seem a bit distant." Ben forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired, that's all."
Samantha had a similar conversation with Mark. "Hey, what's going on? You seem a bit preoccupied." Mark shrugged. "Just stressed about work and stuff. Don't worry about it."
As the day went on, both Ben and Mark made a conscious effort to keep their distance from each other. They avoided talking or sitting together, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy in their friendship.
The unspoken tension between them was palpable, and it seemed like a heavy weight hung in the air.
As the semester drew to a close, the school buzzed with excitement. Students were making plans for their upcoming holiday break, eagerly anticipating time off from classes and exams.
Ben and Mark, like their classmates, were thinking about how they'd spend their break. But for them, the excitement was tempered by the unspoken tension between them.
Ben wondered if he'd be able to put the kiss out of his mind during the break, or if the memories would linger. Mark, on the other hand, was grappling with his feelings, unsure of how to navigate his relationships with Samantha and Ben.
As they packed up their bags and said goodbye to friends, the question hung in the air: would they be able to put things back to normal, or would the kiss change everything?.