Her, His, & Roses

HER - Chapter 4: I’ll Take It Nice and Slow (1 of 2)

I got mad at Joanna when she told me that she slept with a guy he just met in the bar and told me she’s in love.

I helped her before when she almost got r***d by a gang but I couldn’t believe that she just gave her virginity to a stranger that easily.

I took her under my care since that incident and she forgot everything because of the man named Ryan Lewis.

They just separated in the morning but she promised to see him again in the evening after class, so I came along to meet the man.

Initially it should be an interrogation but when I saw the lady that he came with, I lost control of my thoughts when I looked into her eyes.

Not just only her eyes also her cute little button nose and her perfect imprint lips, her beautiful face is all I see at that moment and I don’t care about anyone or anything around me.

I initiated to talk to her by introducing my name but Ryan shook my hand instead and told me his name as well as hers.

That time I know what Joanna meant when she told me that she falls in love with Ryan at first sight.

I was nervous the whole time I’m talking with Hera and I said too many stupid things that I wished I didn’t say but my heart was beating too loud and fast while I’m with her that I don’t know what I’m saying anymore but the truth about how I really feel and think that time.

When she got angry at me that night, I was scared that she’ll despise me because of too much honesty I revealed to her.

But I wanted to see her everyday even if she doesn’t care about me at all, I’m contented to watch her for a while before I go to class.

I want to know more about her so I asked Joanna to ask Ryan mostly everything about Hera that I need to know aside from the data that I already know since her family is known to the public.

I waited for almost 3 weeks to push my luck again by requesting to Joanna and Ryan to help me out with Hera on a Friday night.

It may not be an official date and simply just hanging out together but it was a memorable night for me, especially when she told me about her secret after I told her some of my embarrassing moments.

However, I annoyed her again because of sense with directions and we got lost while I’m driving Ryan’s car.

What can I do? I’m not perfect like everyone around me thought I am since I’m a son of two great doctors in the country.

Others might flatter me still even if it’s my fault but Hera, she’s the first one who screamed at me whenever I get into her nerves.

Ryan told me that it was a good sign because Hera never show her true colors to anyone easily specially when she’s angry as she wants to portray a perfect lady image to everyone.

He also told me that Hera used to let out her anger to him most of the time but since she’s letting it out on me directly it means I’m not a stranger to her and she’s comfortable with me.

I woke up the earliest next morning and I tried to wake Hera up.

I intentionally called out her name softly for her not to hear and impress her with my cooking skills.

Honestly, I’m lazy, but with the thought of cooking a dish for someone I like makes me feel energetic.

As I watch her eat the dish I made, it’s an achievement for me that she ate everything on her plate with gusto.

If she’s going to be my wife, I don’t mind doing all the chores for her.

We all went to our separate ways in the afternoon, Joanna and I to our respective dorms in the campus while Hera to the hospital’s residency.

Knowing where she lives but can’t go to her directly is really frustrating and all I can do is watch her from a distance whenever I go to the hospital pretending that I’m visiting my parents.

Spending my whole Sunday in the emergency department and ICU just to observe her made me realized how exhausting her work is.

The reason I admire her more because of how she takes good care of the patients by putting them before herself and she’s willing to set aside her necessitated image as a young miss of a wealthy family for the sake of others.

Many people think that she’s just putting on a show by being a nurse and not a doctor but she’s too pure to fake everything.

Her smile, sometimes I wished I was working with her as it’s a privileged to see such gorgeous smile on a daily basis.

“Do you want to put up a table in that corner and make it your office while you’re watching Nurse Nevaeh?” Prof. Macklemore said teasingly.

“Wouldn’t it be too obvious if I do that?” turning to him.

“Aren’t you being conspicuous?” smirking at me. “You’ve been coming here every day and using your parents as an excuse even though you’ve been staying here in my office pretending that you’re studying.”

“I could only look at her, because if I show interest to her, she’ll be in the center of attention and she doesn’t like it.” shaking my head.

“Even if you do nothing, she’ll always be the center of attention. She’s a celebrity here you know, and most of the men here whether staffs or non-staffs have their eyes on her.” clearing his throat.

“Hera isn’t someone that any predators can easily prey on.”

“Everyone knows, she’s a Nevaeh after all, so when the rumors about her getting dumped by a man, others felt devastated and showed their support to her, some even confessed their feelings to her but got rejected of course but in a nice way.” taking off his doctor’s coat.

“Wait, are you going home now?” looking at the clock on the wall.

“I’m done for today; I’m going home and so should you. You’re not going to wait for her until her shifts end, are you?” tidying his long sleeves.

“I might actually do that. Can I stay here at your office?” pleading at him to let me stay for a little long.

“I think you already overstayed for today and you know you can’t stay here, I only allowed you for today but it ends now.” taking his bag. “If I were you, I would talk to her and ask her for to go out instead of watching her all day long without making a move.”

“Do you think she won’t reject me if I do that?” getting anxious.

“You said you two are friends now, I think she won’t reject you if you ask her to grab a coffee or tea.” waiting for me to get my stuffs.

“I’m not sure if I should ask her in front of others?” hesitating.

“Well it’s up to you if you want to do it or not. It’s you who’s about to gain or loss someone, so it’s not my business.” locking his door after we stepped out from his office. “I’m only advising you to man up.”

“Easy to say but it’s hard to do.” rubbing my nape as I think if I should do what he says or not. “Whatever, I’m already here the whole day anyway might as well do something instead of just watching.”

“Great work everyone!” Prof. Macklemore telling to the nurses at the station. “I’m going home now, call me when needed.”

“Yes, Dr. Haggerty!” nurses responded to him and Hera bowed her head along with others.

“Are you going to stand there and do nothing but stare?” Prof. Macklemore whispered to me.

“Fine, I’ll ask her alright?!” walking towards the station to approach Hera even though others are watching me. “Uhm … Hera … I mean Nurse Nevaeh.” trying to calm down as I arrange my thoughts. “Would you like to go …” I’m about to ask her when the phone suddenly rings and it so happened that she’s the one near it so she answered it immediately since we all know that it’s an emergency.

“I understand, we’ll send some ambulance right away.” Hera replied.

“What happened??” Prof. Macklemore asked Hera immediately.

“There’s a collision at the main road between a bus and a truck, the bus is at its maximum capacity which happened to received the greater impact from the accident.” Hera dispatching the ambulances at the site of the accident.

“I guess, I’m not going home tonight.” Prof. Macklemore sighing. “I’m going to the site and send here those who need urgent medical attention.” rushing towards the exit to get his Moped.

“I’m coming with you; my Harley is faster than your ride Prof.” volunteering to give him a quick ride.

As much as I want to take Hera away for her to have some rest, when her duty calls, I know I’ll be invisible, so I’ll just set aside my desire for now to help everyone as a concern citizen.

JMHC only have 16 ambulance, can accommodate 32 emergency patients and operate 4 of them at the same time.

But with the current situation when we arrived at the site, we couldn’t help everyone even if we wanted to.

The rescuers managed to get everyone out from the bus before it exploded but everybody was injured so Prof. Macklemore sent the seriously injured individual to our hospital while the others who can wait were sent to the next hospital which is 5 kilometers away.

It’s no new for me to witness the emergency section of the hospital in chaos as it’s always a warzone most of the time.

Talking about a good location of our hospital that is in the center of accident-prone area, being at the emergency section is not ideal.

“You’re still here.” Hera walking towards me as she saw me sitting alone at the bench. “You want to grab some breakfast with me?”

“Absolutely.” I only slept for 4 hours but it felt like I’ve slept for 8 hours because of her. “I can’t believe you’re talking to me right now.”

“Dr. Haggerty told me what you did, so he asked me to give you a reward for being a good citizen. You’ve been watching me the whole day yesterday and when you mustered your courage to ask me out, something came up.” patting my head. “You did great, Jun!” her little eyes turn upward and her rosy cheeks light up as she smiles at me.

“You’re making my heart skip a beat right now, Hera.” stunned by her lovely smile. “Don’t you ever smile like that to other man alright?”

“Pfft! What are you talking about?! I’m the one who haven’t sleep yet here but you’re the one who’s being ridiculous.” she replied.

“I’m serious Hera, you’re making any man fall for you with that breathtaking smile of yours.” standing up as I stretch my arms upward.

“Stop being silly, let’s go, I’m famished.” walking off first. “You should’ve gone home and sleep comfortably in your bed, why did you sleep on the bench?”

“I fell asleep, it wasn’t my intention to sleep in there initially.” I replied as I walk with her towards outside the hospital.

“I thought you’re going to say that you’ve been waiting for me, since that how you always flirt with me.” glancing at me.

“Well I really am waiting for you, and it’s worth sleeping on the bench because you talked to me and now, we’re going to have breakfast together. I didn’t wait in vain.” keeping my eyes on her. “How come you’re still beautiful even without sleep?”

“Now you’re flirting with me.” staring ahead. “Let’s eat somewhere near, I only have 6 hours before my next shift starts.”

“Huh? You already rendered 18 hours in the hospital and you’re going back after 6 hours??!” frowning at her.

“I’m a resident nurse who need to be on duty for 12 hours, regardless I had overtime or not, I need to report later.”

“You’re only human, you need to rest too.” worried about her.

“You’re a student and you have to attend class later too, right?”

“You got a point, you win, just sleep more hours on Saturday.” I said.

“My day off changed to Sunday this month and that’s what intend to do on my rest day. I’ll just stay in bed and sleep for 12 hours.”

“Then can you allot 8 hours for me every Sunday this month?” pushing my luck to ask her out regularly.

“4 hours and without you lurking around the hospital everyday to watch me, you’re being conspicuous, you know.” negotiating with me.

“6 hours and I promised to come only once a week like I used to before.” pleading with my eyes as I look at her.

“5 hours on Sundays and visitations every Monday morning, that’s my final offer, so take it or leave it?” turning to face me.

“Deal! We’re going for 5 hours date every Sundays and I can see you for 3 hours every Monday morning.” outsmarting her proposition.

“First of all, we’re not dating on Sundays, we’re just hanging out as friends. Secondly, why are you going to stay for 3 hours every Monday morning?? Don’t you have class in the morning??” raising her eyebrows.

“If you want to call it hanging out it’s up to you, for me it’s still a date that I’m looking forward once a week. As for my class on Monday morning, I can attend the evening class after my regular class so it’s not a big deal. There’s a lot of ways to do something if you really want it and a lot of excuses if you don’t.” handing her my extra helmet.

“You’re the type of guy who always do what he wants to do.” sighing as she took the helmet from my hand. “I guess they’re going to talk about me again later.” looking around as she put the helmet on her head.

“You’re a celebrity nurse of JHMC so even if you do nothing people always have something to say about you. That’s all because you’re a goddess among women and the fact that you’re from a wealthy family.”

“I don’t care anymore.” hopping in at the back. “I’ll put my hands on the pockets of your jacket, alright?” doing what she told me she’ll do.

“I prefer it if you hugged me tighter but this is fine.” stepping on the gas as we hit the road towards a restaurant nearby.

After we had breakfast together, I sent her home while I’ve gone straight to the campus to attend my classes.

I had to stay awake even if the professors voice were like lullabies to my ears and my bed is calling out to me.

I only have 1 more week before the final exams so I buried myself with my studies but still I spare my Sunday for my happiness.

“Where do you want to go on our 1st date?” picking up Hera on a Sunday afternoon at the residential area.

“At the National Library.” she said without hesitation as she hops at the back of my Harley.

“Why at the library? We can go to a cinema to watch movie or at the park for a stroll.” suggesting her what normal lovers do on a date.

“Why do you have to ask me if you already have plans in mind?”

“Fine, let’s go to the National Library.” putting her hands inside the pockets of my leather jacket.

“Huh? What’s in your pocket?” pulling out her hand as she takes out the wrist watch from my left pocket. “Ooh, a purple watch.”

“That’s for you. I’ve got the blue one here.” showing her my left wrist.

“How did you know that my watch stopped working?? I was thinking of buying a new one. Wait, is this customized wrist watch??”

“I thought of having a matching pair of wrist watch with you using our favorite colors.” hoping that she won’t return my gift to me.

“Will you put it on my left wrist?” handing the watch to me. “My friends in elementary used to give me friendship bracelets, but this is very considerate of you, thank you.”

“So, you’re going to ignore the fact that we have a matching pair of watch, huh?” putting the watch on her left wrist. “As long as you have this on, it’s fine with me, treat it like a friendship bracelet as you want it to be even though it’s supposed to be a couple item for us.” sighing as I put her hand back to my pocket.

... To be continued ...