CRIPPLED: JULLIANNA (VUILLTRAEN SISTERS SERIES #1)

30

COURT

"Okay,"

I don't know if he heard that since it's almost like a whisper. But I think he did because his hug became tighter. I closed my eyes, enjoying this moment too. Thinking about when will this gonna happen again is sending aches on my heart. Because even I, don't know when too.

Hearing nothing but only the crickets, him hugging me under the stars and moon above... somehow calms my heart. It somehow calms and makes me felt secured. Having him near me felt everything was surreal. I leaned my head against his chest. I smelled his masculine scent.

"Are you dating that man because you like him?" He suddenly asked with evidence of irritation in his voice.

I pressed my lips together, trying hard to suppress myself from smiling. Why is he irritated, huh? I shook my head.

"Really?" He scoffed unbelievably.

"I want to get myself a boyfriend." I wanted so bad to irritate him. I don't know but... natutuwa akong ma-irita siya!

I get disappointed when he didn't say a word. Tumahimik lang kasi siya pagkatapos no'n kaya na-dissapoint ako dahil wala siyang reaksyon. I protruded my lips. Not until he suddenly speaks.

"If you want to get yourself a boyfriend, date me instead." His hug tightened more. "Ako na lang, Jul." He whispered, almost begging.

After he said that, a phone rings causing me to get away from his hug. My eyes dilated in panic when I recognize the ringtone. I immediately get my phone and saw Ate's name flashed on the screen.

"Ate," I said right away once I swiped the green button.

"Se, nasa'n ka? Kanina ka pa ti-ni-text ni Fe hindi ka raw nagre-reply. Nag-aalala na ako sa'yo." Bakas ang pag-aalala niya sa boses niya. Hindi agad ako nakasagot sa tanong niya. Napatingala ako at nakitang madilim na pala.

"Don't worry about her. I'll be taking her home now, Grace." Vico suddenly said, causing Ate to be convinced that I'm safe now and there's nothing to worry about anymore.

We're both quiet along the way. No one of us dares to speak. Maybe we both feel awkward about what happened earlier... the tight hug. From my peripheral vision, I felt him taking glances at me every time he changed gear. I think he wants to say something but he just can't.

That's why instead of enduring the silence of awkwardness we had, I busied myself with my phone. It was bombarded with text messages. I saw Ate's text so I opened it to read it since I don't have to reply to her anymore because she already called me earlier.

Yllenea Grace Vuilltraen:

Se, how's your date?

Hindi ko pa 'yan kilala, Se.
Lagot ka sa'kin pag nanligaw
'yan sa'yo tapos sinagot mo!

Seah, nasaan ka na?

Papalubog na ang araw, KJ!

KJ, I already asked Fe about
you. She has no idea where
you are.

KJ

I opened Fe's text messages next.