Her, His, & Roses

HER - Chapter 8: Have You Ever Felt the Warm Embrace (2 of 2)

“I’ll take that one.” Jun put it inside his mouth instead. “Jo will do it for Ryan, so you should do it for me.”

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you, Joanna.” looking at Joanna who’s giving me a serious look.

“Hahaha, some taken.” Joanna clinging onto Ryan’s arm. “I can take care of Ry; you don’t have to look out for him.”

“Seriously, you’re getting jealous with Hera?” Ryan looking at Joanna.

Joanna just glare at him and I know I have to clear the misunderstanding before they get into fight because of me.

“Ryan is all yours Joanna, and I’m sure if he’s going to choose between me and you, there’s no doubt that he’s going to choose you.”

“Not true. I can’t choose between you because you’re both important to me.” Ryan uttered without hesitation.

I just put my palm on my face. “You’re not helping, man.” gritting my teeth. “Can I just say sorry for being tactless? Let’s forget it and just eat our dinner. Please don’t fight because of me.”

“We’re not fighting.” Ryan shaking his head. “Are we?” looking at Joanna who seems annoyed at him at the moment.

“I don’t know, are we?” Joanna answered sarcastically.

“Hey.” Jun leaning on me to whisper. “It’s not because of you. Jo is under the weather these past few days because they didn’t meet up for almost 3 weeks.”

“But she should understand that Ryan is a graduating student so he’s busy for the finals, he’s taking his studies seriously now more than ever. Also, you two, had the exams too.” whispering back to him.

“Yeah, that’s what I’ve been trying to explain to her but she won’t listen. She even thinks that she’s Ryan’s least priority.” he said.

“That’s not good.” shaking my head as I look at the two. “She should tell Ryan what she thinks, because this friend of mine have a low EQ, should I tell Ryan myself?” I turned to him and our faces are just inches away from each other.

“I think you shouldn’t meddle with their relationship and let them handle it themselves.” he replied while looking at me in the eyes down to my lips. “I want to kiss you right now.” thinking out loud.

“Are you two going to kiss or not?” Ryan said that made me go back to reality. “Well, go on, don’t be shy, we’re all adults here.”

“Wow, you really are dumb.” Jun mumbled. “I wonder how Jo fall in love with you with this kind of mind setting.”

I laughed a bit when I heard him talking back with Ryan but I chose to mind my own business and eat my Caprese Salad Tower instead.

After we dined in at the restaurant for dinner, we hit the road again and arrived at the camping site after two hours’ drive.

The boys set up the tents while me and Joanna gathered fire woods that are readily available at the store nearby.

“Sorry about Ryan.” speaking up first to Joanna. “Jun told me what happened and I know where you’re coming from. Ryan loves you though he’s not a romantic type and clueless most of the time, he loves you.”

“I know, it’s just I missed him so much for 3 weeks that we haven’t seen each other because of the finals. We just saw each other again tonight and it seems like he doesn’t miss me at all.” Joanna said.

“That’s not true, he misses you but he just doesn’t show. Do you want to know how much he misses you?” telling her a strategy.

When we headed back at our camping spot, Joanna is trying hard to ignore Ryan like he’s just a wind to her and she keeps on talking with Jun, doing things that could also make him jealous.

“Are you trying to break the log or your hands?” sits beside Ryan who’s watching the two with jealousy. “They’re just friends, so why are you glaring at them like that?”

“I know, but isn’t she being too close with Jun??! That guy is even flirting back at her, I thought he likes you, why is he like that to Jojo?”

“Don’t worry, Joanna and I are sleeping in one tent. I’ll make sure that those two won’t stay up late together.” triggering him.

“No, Jojo and I are sleeping together. I haven’t seen her for 3 weeks because of the finals, so she’s staying with me tonight.” stand up and walk towards Joanna and Jun. “Jojo, come with me.” dragging Joanna away as they headed to the woods.

“So, you two have planned it, huh?” Jun noticed the signal that Joanna gave me as she followed Ryan. “I thought Ryan is going to punch me.”

“Nah, he doesn’t like violence.” taking the can of beer he’s handing to me. “How many have you drunk already?”

“This is my first one, also it only has 5% alcohol, so there’s nothing to worry about.” taking out his guitar from the case after he sit across me. “Do you have a song request?” tuning up his guitar.

“Can you play a song from The Beatles or Queen?” challenging him.

“You think I can’t?” smirking. “Just so you know I play well with guitar, bass, and piano. I could actually form a one-man band.” Start playing his guitar in the tune of The Beatles song ‘And I Love Her’.

I didn’t know that he can actually sing the song perfectly like it’s his own song while playing the guitar.

His voice is too angelic that I almost fell in love with him at that moment, he’s hypnotizing me with his vocals.

After he emptied out his beer right after the song, he played the ‘Love of My Life’ by Queen while staring at me.

“Thank you very much.” he said after the song that almost made me cry because he sang it soulfully. “I’ll just go get another beer.”

“I’ll get it for you, just stay there.” stand up immediately to get a bottled water instead of beer for him and I. “Here. Stop drinking beer like a water just drink real water.” handing him the bottled water.

“But the Beatles and Queen does it when they’re performing.” he responded but he drinks the water anyway. “What song do you want to hear next?” playing his guitar as he waits for my answer.

“I think I’m good, it’s almost midnight and I could use some sleep.” realizing that we’re sharing the same tent. “I can trust you, right?”

“Why do you suddenly ask me that?” thinking for a while. “Ah right, those two are sleeping together, which means we are too.” blushing.

“Can I trust you or not??!” asking him again.

“I should be the one worrying and not you.” chuckles. “Remember the first time we slept together in your bed, you’re the one who’s hugging me tight and won’t let go.”

“I don’t remember it at all. I have a bad memory.” looking away as I clearly remembered what he just said. “Anyway, I’m going to sleep now.” getting inside the left tent.

I’m a light sleeper and he knows that so he called my name after he laid down next to me in our tent.

I turned around and exchanged glances at him for a while before he offered to hold hands with me.

“I want you to sleep comfortably so take my hand.” looking at me in the eyes. “Let’s sleep holding hands.”

“Mmm.” holding his hand. “Will you sing me a lullaby too?”

“Do you like to hear my singing voice that much?” smiling at me.

“Mmm. You’ve got an angelic voice.” staring at him. “Why are you so great? You’re not just a handsome face and smart, you’re talented too.”

“It doesn’t matter if the girl I love won’t love me back.” covering my eyes with his left hand. “Close your eyes. Sleep, my love.” singing me a lullaby as our fingers intertwine with each other.

The morning I woke up, my head is on his chest as my right arm and leg on top of his body.

I looked up to him and our eyes met instantly.

“You’re finally awake, sleeping beauty.” he brushed my hair to my ear.

“Sorry.” pulling away from him immediately.

“You don’t have to; I actually like it.” sitting up as he stretches his arms upwards. “I’m going to prepare our breakfast.” getting out from our tent. “Do you like salad for breakfast?”

“What kind of salad??” looking at him.

“I’m thinking of Coconut Shell Salad.” he replied.

“That sounds delicious, up to you, you’re the man in-charge with the cooking anyway.” putting my glasses on as I tie my hair. “I’ll help you prepare.” following him outside.

After we cooked our breakfast, I went to wake up Ryan and Joanna in their tent without thinking twice before I unzipped the lock.

“You two, put on some clothes and have some breakfast.” zipping back to locked to their tent. “I should’ve known.” trying to erase from my memory what I just saw.

“Let me guess, they’re both naked.” Jun reminding me as soon as I take my seat to join him for breakfast. “They’ve been moaning all night and you’re sleeping just fine, it’s like a torture for me.”

“Let’s not talk about it.” clearing my mind with something decent.

There’s a pool resort near the camping site so we headed there after lunch to take a swim and bath before we returned to the city.

“Aren’t you jealous with them?” Jun looking at Ryan and Joanna kissing.

“Not a bit.” shaking my head. “It’s summer already, I suddenly miss the beaches in the Philippines while soaking in this pool.” looking away.

“Ah right, all of you in the 3rd generation were born and raised in the Philippines before you moved here in Korea.” standing beside me as we look at the view instead of the two making love to each other.

“Yup, I was turning 11 when we moved here. Most of the beaches there are so picturesque that even now I still remember my childhood during summer, of how I run around with my siblings, playing in the water with them even though only Don is the good swimmer among us.” reminiscing my childhood memories. “Ter and Tia building sandcastles while Zeus and Toto looking for treasures.”

“How long since you last see your family?” sit up on the top of the pool side and take the cold watermelon puzzle on the plate.

“Almost a year and a half ago, is it too obvious that I miss them?” lifting myself up to get out from the pool and sit with him.

“Well it’s only normal that you miss them, you grew up and live with them since you were born.” giving me a watermelon.

“Yeah, and I’m meeting them again this September.” sighing heavily.

“You seem troubled than excited. Is it because you’re afraid that they’re going to gang up on you when you come on your grandfather’s party?” staring at me.

“It’s better if they do that but most likely they’re just going to ignore me since it’s a party. The silent treatment is what I’m afraid of.”

“I can keep you company of you like? My parents are attending your grandfather’s birthday party regularly, it’s just me who didn’t wanna go because I don’t have any reason to go to, but now I have.” he said.

“It was Ryan who usually accompany me to the party when I were in college but now, I don’t think I can come with him as my partner anymore.” glancing at him. “Sure, let’s be partners to the party.”

“Finally, I’m going to meet your family!” he exclaimed.

“Why do I feel like I made the wrong decision?!” taking a bite of watermelon. “This is really cold like ice cream.”

We arrived at the city late night and even if I’m tired from the journey I still slept lightly like I didn’t sleep at all.

It’s really weird how touching Jun makes me sleep like dead for 8 hours straight as if he knocked me out.

Ryan and Joanna went to California to enjoy their summer together and be back on the 1st day of August to join me the next day.

Two weeks later, Dr. Haggerty convinced Hailee to go back to California and continue her studies in high school along with her treatment to her disease.

We only spent time together for 2 months but we became close with that short period of time, so sending her to the airport that Saturday evening makes me feel sad that I can’t help but burst with tears.

“The plane already left and you’re still in tears.” Jun patting my head while we’re both sitting on the airport lounge. “Do you want me to book a flight to California right now and let’s follow Hailee?”

“I really hate parting with someone that I care about.” wiping my tears.

“I hate to see you sad.” putting my head on his shoulder. “Stop crying.”

“I’m trying.” thinking of something else. “You’re leaving tomorrow morning, too right? You’re going to Washington for a week.” sniffing.

“Yes, but if you’re going to cry like this to when you send me off then don’t come. I might also cry if you do and that’s not cool.” he said.

“You really know how to make me laugh.” chuckles. “Why would I cry knowing that you’ll only be gone for a week? You’re coming back here anyway so I don’t think I’ll cry.”

“I guess I’m the only one who’s feeling sad that we would be far from each other for a week.” pouting.

“Well we’re seeing each other once a week so what’s new with that?”

“So, heartless.” feeling down. “If you’re done crying, we better leave.”

“Ah right, let’s go.” stand up. “Ryan and Joanna are coming tomorrow, it’s a shame that I can’t pick them up because of my job.”

“You really don’t intend to send me off, do you?” giving me a cold look.

“I’m already in the hospital on your time of departure so I can’t send you off, also I can’t pick you up on your arrival because I’m in Goyang that time. So, you’re on your own, buddy.” Tapping his shoulder.

“Buddy??! Shouldn’t you be calling me baby or honey instead of buddy.”

“What the hell are you talking about?? We’re just friends. Why would I call you baby or honey??” keeping my distance away from him.

“After we slept together twice, we’re still friends?!!” he said in a loud voice that made people turn to look at us.

“Cut the bullsh*t Jun! What do you think you’re doing?!!” gritting my teeth as I covered his mouth with my hand and laughing awkwardly to others. “Why are you making a scandal?!!” dragging him out.

He licked my palm that made me pull my hand away from his mouth.

“Eww … was that necessary?!!” wiping his saliva on his shirt.

“Don’t you think it’s rude to cover someone’s mouth when he or she is talking?!” frowning at me as he holds my hand and put it on his chest.

“What are you doing?” feeling his heartbeat with my hand.

“You feel, that right?” looking at me in the eyes. “This heart of mine is beating fast and loud when you were sleeping right next to me, but you never hear it even your head is on my chest. Like how you always ignore my feelings for you.”

“Here we go again.” pulling my hand away from his chest. “When will you ever stop talking about the same thing over and over??”

“Until you accept me and stop rejecting me over and over.” he said.

“Then, don’t you want to be friends with me anymore?”

“No, I want to be more than friends.” he suddenly pulled me closer to his body and kiss my lips forcefully.

I tried to resist him at first but the more I pushed him away the tighter he embraced me that I couldn’t even get away from him.

“Now tell me that you don’t feel anything for me.” he pulled away as he stares at me after the rough kiss that he gave to me.

-End of Chapter 8