Her, His, & Roses

HER - Chapter 6: She A Big Girl, That Ain't a Big Deal (2of2)

“Let’s see where we can buy your sweet breakfast.” Ryan stepping on the gas as we hit on the road. “How about you Jojo, what do you want?”

“Since Hera mentioned sweet, I’ve been thinking of honey pancakes.” Joanna replied to Ryan. “What about you Jun?”

“Fruity pancakes, I guess.” I responded. “There’s a pancake restaurant nearby the hospital, I think it’s on the 3rd corner if we go straight here.” trying to remember the location of that restaurant.

Ryan followed my direction but I remembered it wrongly but Hera just laughed at me instead while Joanna was nagging at me.

“How about honey glazed doughnut for Joanna and fruit flavored doughnut for you Jun?” Hera said after laughing since we already arrived at a doughnut store. “Chocolate doughnut, right Ryan?”

After the two nodded at her she got off from the car and I followed her in at the store to assist her.

“The doughnuts are on me since I brought us here.” walking towards the counter. “One for all flavors please also 2 ice cold coffee and … what beverage do you want and Ryan would prefer?” turning to Hera.

“One iced tea and hot chocolate milk drink.” Hera said to the staff.

“Does Ryan prefer tea than coffee??” looking at her.

“Ryan doesn’t like cold drinks in the morning but he likes a sweet drink when he’s having a sweet breakfast.” she replied. “You ordered every flavor? Are we having a doughnut party?”

“They all look delicious so I ordered everything.” paying the bill to the cashier after all the doughnuts put in the boxes.

“I’ll carry the drinks you’re on the doughnuts.” taking the drinks on the counter. “They’ll be surprise when they see that boxes of doughnuts.”

We headed out from the store and go back to the car but we caught Ryan and Joanna kissing each other passionately.

“Can’t you two love birds wait to be alone? We’re here at the backseat, please show some consideration to us.” closing the car door.

“You may do the same thing if you want.” Joanna jokingly said.

“Shall we kiss too Hera?” looking at Hera.

“Shall we?” Hera suddenly leaned forward to me that make me stunned for a moment. “Close your eyes.”

I did what she said but instead of her lips on my lips she put a doughnut in my mouth and she’s laughing hard at me when she saw my reaction.

“Ahaha!” Hera laughing wildly. “Do you really think I would kiss you?”

“I feel sorry for my best friend.” Joanna uttered.

“Yeah, me too as a fellow man.” Ryan added. “That’s a b*tch joke Hera.”

“I know I’m a b*tch Ryan, thanks for reminding me.” Hera’s smile fading away from her lips. “Mama came to see me yesterday and told me to come home for my Lolo’s birthday which is 3 months from now, too early for an invitation.” taking a doughnut from the box. “I thought Lolo ordered her to summoned me home on September but I just realized earlier when one of my colleagues came to work on her birthday that it was actually Mama’s birthday yesterday.” looking outside through the car’s window. “She came to see me on her day.”

Ryan gesturing to me to put the doughnut on Hera’s hand to her mouth as our eyes met when I looked at the rearview mirror.

Hera turned to me as I followed Ryan’s instructions. “Was that for revenge?” eating the doughnut in her mouth.

“Yeah, I’m getting back at you for being mean to me.” I said to her even if I really don’t mean it. “You’re being too dramatic in the morning.” patting her head as I take another bite on my doughnut.

She laughed at me before she takes another bite of her doughnut and she didn’t mind me patting her head as much as I want.

After having breakfast while listening music to the radio, she told me to move over at the corner and lay down her head on my lap.

“Do you mind if I sleep here?” talking to me with her eyes close.

“No, not at all.” confused where to put my hand as she just surprised me with her sudden move.

I looked at the rearview mirror and Ryan gesturing to me that he’s watching me so I have to behave.

I just hanged my left hand on the handle at the top of the car door beside me while stretching my right hand on my shoulder level.

I never thought that Hera would sleep on my lap and I can watch her sleep up close even if I can’t touch her.

I also fell asleep during the transit and when I woke up my left hand is on Hera’s head while my right arm wrapped on her shoulders.

“I took a photo of you and Hera while you’re sleeping.” Joanna handed me the photo taken from her polaroid camera. “You’re welcome.”

“We’re finally here.” Ryan parking the car. “Don’t wake her up, just let her sleep, let’s set up the tent and transfer her there later.”

“Mmm.” nodding at Ryan. “I also don’t want to disturb her sleep.”

We left Hera to sleep at the backseat of the car while the 3 of us set up the tent that Ryan brought which is big enough for 6 people lying down inside.

“Go and get Hera, Joanna and I will be done here when you returned.” Ryan said as they both arranged inside the tent.

“Alright, I’ll get her.” walks off to get Hera from the car.

She’s still sleeping like a baby when I saw her inside the car so I carefully carried her in my arms as I headed back where our tent is.

“How exhausted she can be for her to passed out like that?” Ryan said as she looks at Hera sleeping in the tent. “She didn’t wake up at all??”

“No.” shaking my head. “I wonder what time she’ll wake up.”

“You boys, just let her be.” Joanna uttered. “Let’s just prepare our lunch so when she wakes up, she already has something to eat.”

“This is not a picnic but a camping on a broad daylight.” preparing the ingredients I need for the meals I’m going to cook.

I’m supposed to bring prepared meals for a picnic that we originally planned but they persuaded me to bring raw ingredients and cook on the spot to impress Hera, but she’s sleeping and completely unaware of what’s happening around her.

“How long have I been passed out??” Hera getting out from the tent.

“8 hours straight.” Ryan answered. “If you continue sleeping like that anyone can take you away easily without using any chemicals or drugs to make you unconscious. You’re completely unguarded you know that.”

“Then that chemical or drug you’ve been talking about must be Jun, I only sleep like this when I’m with him. I don’t dream or have nightmares, just all blank 8 hours straight.” Hera responded.

“Me??” looking at her in puzzlement. “You mean last Sunday morning you really passed out while back riding?”

“That was the 1st time and today’s the 2nd time. I only estimated the hours last time but now I confirmed that it’s really 8 hours sleep.”

“I think I should schedule you for a check-up, I’ll ask Prof. Macklemore later when we come back to the hospital for your night shift.” looking at her worriedly. “I want to make sure that there’s nothing wrong.”

“I don’t think there’s any, I’m just comfortable around you and I feel safe and sound when you’re beside me so I’m sleeping without worries.”

“So, you’re an effective sleeping pill to Hera, huh?” Joanna teasing me.

“I don’t know if I should be happy or not. I’m glad that I’m helping you to sleep but does it mean that you’ll only sleep on me from now on?”

“Probably, since I’m on a night shift.” Hera nodded. “It’s already 3:30pm, that’s why I’m famished.” opens the packed meal we set aside for her lunch. “Wow, ribs! Who cooked this among you two?” looking at me and Joanna. “I know Ryan can’t cook so it’s impossible that it’s him.”

“Do you have to say it out loud?!” Ryan scowls at her.

“I can only bake.” Joanna responded. “Jun did all the cooking; I can only take credit for the dessert.”

“I must say aside from being very bad at directions and lazy sometimes, you’re great with everything.” eating the food I made.

“You’re making my heart flutter with that compliment.” smiling at her.

“That’s why you should give him a chance to be your man, Hera.” Joanna building me up. “I’ve never seen Jun this determined to prove himself.”

“Hera, I’m not telling this because I’m being forced to agree with Jojo but I’m telling it anyway.” Ryan also speaking up for me. “Give yourself a chance to love and be happy again. Stop being so hard on yourself.”

“Now, you’re all ganging up on me.” Hera laughed. “Jun is too perfect for me so I can’t take him as my man, in fact, I don’t think I can take anyone to be mine. I’m done devoting myself to one person, instead I’m choosing to care for everyone who needs medical assistance, I’m devoting myself to my job.”

“Yeah, I agree with her, as future doctors we should devote ourselves to our job as people lives depends on us. But … it doesn’t mean that we have to be alone. You don’t have to alone, Hera. You’re giving care to everyone, but who’s taking care of you aside from yourself?”

“I think I’m enough for myself.” she said sternly. “I’m well aware that you like me, I’m not that dumb.” smiling at me. “I told you this too many times before and I’m still telling you this now, we can’t be more than friends. I like what we have now and I would like you to stay by my side but I don’t feel the same way as you do. You deserve someone better and to be loved equally, I’m sorry if I can’t be that one for you.”

“Hey, why are you rejecting me?” trying not to get affected by her words. “Have I confessed to you?? I haven’t said anything yet so you can’t reject me as you like.” standing up. “Also, love can never be equal, so it’s impossible to be loved equally. Whether I have an unrequited love, you’re not the one to decide what’s best for me, only me can tell who I deserve and not you or anybody else.” walks away from everyone.

I said what she needed to hear even if it sounded like I’m hopelessly devoted to her but that’s the truth.

I never confessed my feelings to her properly so she can’t reject me just because she knows that I like her.

After half an hour of cooling myself down, I returned to our site as I had to take Hera back to the hospital for her night shift.

Ryan lent me his car as we planned and returned it to him the next morning as he and Joanna spending the night in the camping site.

Hera and I haven’t talked to each other as I’ve been waiting for her to talk to me first but she never did, so the whole 2 hours of transit was complete silence if not for the music in the radio.

When we arrived at our destination, she finally speaks up to me first even if she’s just being polite.

“Thank you for driving me back, take care on your way home.” taking off her seatbelt. “Also, if you want me to accompany you tomorrow morning to go back at the camping site, you may pick me up after my shift. Though I may be sleeping while you’re driving.” glancing shyly at me. “Are you still mad at me??”

“What are you going to do if I am?” I said sarcastically.

“What do you want me to do??” staring at me.

“You’re not going to do it anyway so why ask?” giving her a cold look. “Get off now, you’re going to be late. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning after your shift.” looking away from her.

“Alright, I’ll go now.” getting off from the passenger seat.

I watched her go inside the hospital and it’s the first time she ever looks back at me after she left me.

“Do I really have to treat you coldly for you to care??” stepping on the gas as I get back on the road to head home.

When I arrived home, my father immediately asked me whose car I drove as he thought that I bought a car without consulting them.

“It belongs to Jo’s lover; I’m returning it tomorrow morning.” kissing my mother’s cheeks. “I don’t have an appetite so I’m not joining you for dinner.” looking at my father and mother sitting in their chairs at the dining room of our house.

“Why? What’s wrong sweetie??” Mom asked worriedly. “You don’t look like yourself. What happened today? I thought you went for a camping with your friends. Shouldn’t you be with them at this time?”

“It’s just Jo and Ryan went for the overnight, Hera had to go back to the hospital for work so I come home instead. I’m picking her up tomorrow morning and return the car to Ryan.” I explained.

“I can grant Hera a leave now, son, do you want to go back to the camping site with her tonight?” Dad trying to make me feel better. “I only need to call Head Nurse Jeon to relieve Hera on her duty tonight.”

-End of Chapter 6