Her, His, & Roses

HER - Chapter 4: I’ll Take It Nice and Slow (2 of 2)

We went to the National Library like she wanted but instead of having a sweet time together she wanted me to study for my finals.

“Seriously, you want to watch me study?? This is not a date that I have in mind, Hera.” carrying the books towards the table.

“You’ve watched me work last Sunday so I think it’s fair enough to watch you study. You’ve got exams next week so you should study.”

“What are you going to do then? You’ll just get bored because it’s not fun at all to watch someone read.” sitting right beside her.

“I’m going to read this manhwa.” showing me the book she got.

“That manhwa do you know what it’s all about??” wondering how that manhwa end up in the National Library.

“I got no idea; I’ll tell you when I’m done reading it.” opening the book.

Fortunately, that we’re at the corner so no one will know that she’s reading an adult manhwa.

Maybe she’s too embarrassed to return the book so she kept her poker face while turning every page like she’s reading a decent novel.

She told me that she’s going to watch me but I ended up watching her while holding back myself not to disturb her reading.

“So, what’s that manhwa all about??” feigning ignorance.

“Human anatomy.” closing the book immediately after she reached the last page. “I’ll return this book from where I got it.” stand up.

“I’m coming with you. I also wonder where you get the manhwa from.”

“You know this manhwa, aren’t you??” looking straight to my eyes.

“I’ve read it before when I’m learning to read Korean.” smiling at her. “I must say you’re so calm looking at the drawings in that manhwa.”

“You, I thought you were focusing on your book?!!” her face turning red. “You were watching me the whole time??”

“I can’t help it specially I know what book you’re reading.” teasing her.

“You return it then.” handing the book to me. “I’ll tell you where I got it, but you have to put it back.”

“Now you’re shy.” I can’t help myself to look at her cute shy face.

“Just do it.” pushing me from behind as we walk towards the shelves.

“I lost my virginity when I was a freshman high school.” sharing my secret to her. “Prof. Macklemore accidentally gave me an adult video tape as present on my 14th birthday, fortunately my parents weren’t home that time and noona was at the university.”

“Dr. Haggerty gave that to you??” holding onto my arms as she turns me the other way. “But wait, why are you telling me this??”

“Just saying. I was a troubled youth when I was in high school so my parents transferred me here to Korea before I totally lost my way in America.” exchanging glances with her.

“There put it there.” pointing the shelf at the corner to me.

“Somebody must be hiding this manhwa here as it definitely doesn’t belong in literature section.” putting back the manhwa at the corner. “How did you find it here?”

“I just took it without thinking twice, I didn’t browse it until we got to our seats.” looking for another book to read.

“Do you like romance novels?” saw a familiar book behind her.

“Reading is actually not my hobby, I only do it when needed. But sure, give me something decent to read.”

I stepped forward to her and put my hand on her shoulder as I move her a bit to the side to get the book that I saw.

“This one.” showing her the book. “Noona like this book, Juliette, you’re familiar with Romeo and Juliet, right?” noticed that she’s looking at me closely as I stand in front of her. “What? Are you falling for me now? You finally realized how handsome I am?”

“I already know that your handsome, I just like it when you talked about your older sister and remember even little things about her. I suddenly miss my younger brothers.” take the book from my hand.

“Oh, I thought we’re going to kiss.” watching her walk away from me.

“Not gonna happen.” going back to our table at the corner.

And like how my noona reacted while she was reading the same novel, Hera is also tearing up after an hour.

“Why is this book so depressing??!” sniffing as she wipes her tears.

“Here.” handing her my handkerchief. “Do you like it too?”

“It’s so sad but I can’t stop reading it and I’m only at the half but it’s already dark outside.” blowing her nose.

“Do you want it? We can borrow it today and returned next week.”

“I don’t think I’ll have a time to read it so I’m not sure if we can return it next week. I’m not sure if it’s available in any bookstore here in Korea but I’m pretty sure it is in America.” pulling herself together.

“Hmm, I’ll ask noona to get me a copy and send it to me before Sunday.”

“You don’t have to do that. I can ask my own older sister if I want it.”

“Just let me do this for you. I’m the one who introduced you the book so I’ll take responsibility of it.” staring at her.

“Fine.” she said. “I’m going to wash this first before I return it to you.” referring to my handkerchief. “By the way, you studied, right?”

“Yes, I can multitask, I’m glancing at you from time to time while reading books.” reassuring her. “You want to make a bet?”

“What kind of bet??” looking at me in puzzlement.

“If I got perfect scores to all of my exams, you’ll grant me wishes.”

“How many subjects are we talking about here??” browsing the books at my side. “Well it doesn’t matter, if you got perfect scores with all then I grant you 8 wishes but if you failed even in one subject then you won’t get anything from me, do we have an accord??”

“So, it’s all or nothing, huh?” smiling confidently. “Sure, I only have 7 subjects anyway and it’s like I have an extra wish with the 8th.”

“Wait, are you a perfect student??” giving me a look. “But you’re very bad with directions and get lost easily, also you’re lazy.” hitting me right to the spot where it hurts. “You’re bluffing, right?”

“You’ll see whether it’s a fact or a bluff.” smirking. “I’m starving, aren’t you? Let’s grab dinner first before I sent you home.”

“Oh alright, we still have time for dinner anyway. Also, I think I would like to have some dessert, this story made me lonely.” referring to the book she read.

“Sure, let’s go.” reaching out my hand to her as I stand.

Tapping my hand. “I can walk on my own. Wait, are we going to leave these books here? Shouldn’t we put it back??”

“It’s alright, just leave them here, I only have limited time to be with you so we better go.” feeling lazy to put them all back.

“Ayy, Jun, we should put them back.” handing me all the books I used.

“Fine, I’ll put them all back. Come back to me after you put yours back.” walking in separate ways with her.

I just put all the books to a space where they can fit regardless if they really belong to that shelf or not.

After we departed from the National Library, I brought her to a Japanese restaurant because she told me not to bring her to any posh place as we should pay for our own meals.

I had raw foods to match with wasabi while she ordered a beef meal and tiramisu for her dessert.

I dropped her off at her place before 8pm, though it’s past the 5 hours deal that we had, she didn’t say a word to me.

“Take care on your way back to the campus.” putting her glasses on after she took off the helmet from her head.

“Of course, I want to have a date with you on Valentine’s Day so I should be very careful on the road.” staring at her.

“Ha-ha-ha very funny, but seriously, be careful, alright?” tapping my helmet. “You should’ve asked for a car instead of a motorbike.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll ask for a car this year. Though it’s more convenient to ride a motorbike than a car but because it’s what you want I must have it for you.” reassuring her.

“Silly, I’m not asking it for my sake, I just think it’s safer than a motorbike. Your ride is quite dangerous and you know that fact, right?”

“I know, but I like this better since this ride brings us closer.”

“I’m done here. I’m going in. I’ll see you tomorrow.” turning her back on me as she walks away.

“If you look back it means I have a chance.” watching her leave. “And she didn’t look back at all, but I’m not going to give up on you.” sighing.

I didn’t show up at the hospital the next day, hoping that she’ll miss me too like how I miss her whenever I don’t see her.

I had my finals on Thursday and Friday, and I’m quite confident that I’ll have my 8 wishes even the results aren’t available yet.

Saturday morning, I put on my shirt with ‘FREE HUG’ signage before I head straight to the hospital.

This is my 2nd year doing this for every patients and personnel in the hospital as everyone deserved to be loved on Valentine’s Day.

“Free hug for everyone!” took off my jacket before I announced my arrival. “It’s Valentine’s Day we should spread love to everyone!” hugging the 1st person who approached me. “Sorry, you can’t monopolize me, one hug is enough.” tapping the back of a teenage girl for her to let me go. “Happy Valentines!” greeting her as she releases me.

“Me too! I want a hug too!” another teenage girl hugging me tight. “I’m yours from now on, you can do anything you want with me.”

“I won’t do anything to you, but you’ll soon find a love that you deserve, Happy Valentines!” noticed that most of the crowd are all teenage girls. “You girls, keep on coming at me, do you even know someone in this hospital? Happy Valentines!” trying to make my way on the crowd.

“Can I kiss you too?” another teenage girl grabbed me after the other.

“Only hugs, please don’t kiss me! I might need to call the security if you do that to me. Happy Valentines!”

I don’t know who spread the news but I got mobbed by teenage girls who claimed that they’re all families of patients or personnel in the hospital that’s why the security let them in.

Nevertheless, I haven’t done my purpose yet so I met with the patients and the staffs after I changed my clothes that almost torn down by wild girls who threw themselves to me.

“Where’s Hera? I haven’t seen her all day.” staying at Prof. Macklemore’s office after touring around the hospital.

“She attended a seminar.” Prof. Macklemore replied. “She probably chose this day because she wanted to avoid trouble. Have you seen the nurse station? It looks like a flower shop who also sells chocolate right now, they’re all for Nurse Nevaeh from her admirers.”

“But why the other nurses giving them out to the patients?”

“Nurse Nevaeh told them to do so, and the men agreed because it’s what she wants, so everyone got flowers and chocolates in their room.”

“Good thing I didn’t bring flowers and chocolates with me today. I want her to receive it and not given away to anybody else even if it’s for the purpose of spreading love to others.” enduring the pain in my ankle.

Prof. Macklemore give my ankle a squeeze.

“AHH! What’s that for?!!” I almost curse him.

“We have to check that ankle injury of yours. Come with me.” asking me to stand up and follow him.

“I was fine before, why is it too painful now?!” trying to stand on my own and walk to him even if I’m limping.

“You overdone it boy, can you walk? Do you need a wheelchair??” making fun of me even though I’m obviously hurting.

“Is this how a doctor should treat his patient??!” sitting back at the couch. “Are you really a friend or a foe??”

“Hahaha, I’ll go get you a wheelchair.” leaving me on his office.

He checked my ankle injury and had me under observation, so I need to stay at the hospital for a day.

Staying at the VVIP room is too boring for me and Hera isn’t even around to take care of me since she’s attending other patients.

“You fool! What have you done to yourself?!” Mom scolding me the moment she checks up on me. “Are you in pain??”

“Not anymore now that I see my beautiful mother’s face.”

“Silly child!” Mom hitting my shoulder. “Do you know how serious your ankle injury is??!” frowning at me.

“You have to get a surgery for that son.” Dad checking my records.

“Surgery??! But I could even walk after I got mobbed, I even had a tour around the hospital before I rest at Prof. Macklemore’s office.”

“Exactly my point, you overexert your ankle even though it’s already injured. I wonder how you manage to endure the pain that long.” Dad said. “I’m doing the surgery so you don’t have to be afraid.”

“I trust you dad, I do, but do I really have to go for a surgery??”

“Who’s the doctor here you or me??” Dad replied. “Either you go for an operation or you won’t be able to walk normally again.”

“Don’t worry son, I’ll assist your dad, we’re going to fix you.” Mom tapping my shoulder. “Do you need or want anything sweetheart?”

“Can I request for a personal nurse to assist me while I’m staying here?” trying to use my connection for once.

“You can’t have nurse Nevaeh, she’s not done with her 1-yr actual training, many VIPs are asking for her too but we always decline their request, so even if you’re a VVIP and you’re our son, we won’t accept your request. We’re strict with the quality here and you know that.”

“That’s a bummer. What if I tell you she’s going to be your future daughter-in-law; you still won’t accept my request??” persisting.

“That’s a different kind of situation.” Mom uttered. “Are you really pursuing Hera Nevaeh, Jun?”

“Yes, it’s not just a baseless rumor it’s a fact, Mom.” confessing to her.

“If that’s the case, I think we can make some arrangements. If she’s going to be my daughter-in-law, she must know how to take good care of our son, though it’s already given because she’s a nurse.” Dad said.

“I agree, we can also confirm if our boy really have a chance to be with her, I don’t want my baby to get hurt because of love.” Mom responded.

“I love you, Mom! I love you, Dad!” smiling at them happily.

“I thought you were dating Joanna, you’re not together anymore?” Dad getting more information from me.

“Dad, Jo and I are just friends, how many times do I have to explain our relationship to you?! Also, she’s dating Hera’s friend, Ryan Lewis, he’s an incoming 6th year med student in YU.” telling details to them.

“Were you dumped by her that’s why you’re after the man’s friend for revenge?” Mom having wild thoughts.

“Mom, why are you making things too complicated?? You’ve watched too much drama, it’s not like that, alright?! I simply like Hera.” feeling frustrated at them. “Don’t listen to the rumors spreading around, you should listen to the person involved and not with others.”

“We hear you son.” Dad giving me a reassuring smile.

“I just hope you’re serious this time, sweetie.” Mom looking at me.

-End of Chapter 4