Two Strangers

Chapter 18

JULLIETE SPEND her afternoon alone after she left the brothers residence. Her plan earlier was to talk to Rhome after what happened on her cabin, but when she saw Rhyme outside their house while leaning at the main door of the house, she could tell Rhyme was sad…so she went to him and start a conversation to ease the sadness of the man but she was confused when she saw Rhyme’s emotion quickly fade away when a woman went up to them. It was the brothers mother, that’s when she remember her conversation with Rhome before, so she decided not to disturbed the reunion but it seems not for Rhyme.

Now, after several hours wondering while sitting in front of the sea, hugging her knees, barefooted. She felt someone behind, she was about to look at it but that someone moved in front of her, it was none other than William.

He’s serious as he looked at Juliette both hands were in his white khaki shorts pocket, “Are you alright, now?”.

Juliette nodded silently.

William smiled a bit, “I’m glad…” pagkatapos ay lumapit ito sa dalaga at umupo sa tabi nito, habang ang posisyon ng pang-itaas nitong katawan ay nakasandal gamit ang dalawa nitong kamay na nakatukod sa likuran.

“Why though?” Juliette asked.

Nagkibit-balikat lamang ang binata pagkatapos ay ngumiti sa kanya ngunit ang mga mata nito ay parang may sinasabi na hindi nya mawari, “Do you like my friend?”

Juliette froze and wondered…to be honest, she doesn’t still know either. She felt very happy whenever she’s with Rhome and felt also an unknown feelings that she doesn’t understand. Mahirap bumitaw ng salita…

Sighing, Juliette remained silent that making William eyebrows rose, “So you like him huh?”
Juliette lips parted a little and rolled her eyes, “Hindi…hindi ko sya g-gusto.” She gulped and took a deep breath.

William just nodded even though he knew the truth, maybe Juliette had a reason that she doesn’t want to share, it’s alright since they’re not very close. William chuckled and position her upper body normally while he crossed his arms on his chest.

“Why it seems that you’re not telling the truth?”
Juliette frowned and looked at William seriously, this guy is so annoying…

William suddenly raised his both hand as if it were said to ‘just calm down’ while a look at Juliette. “Alright, I’ll shut up.”

Juliette just shook her head and turn away her gaze from William and just stared at the sea. It somehow gives her peace of mind, after that severe incident, she decided to talk about it with Rhome, she doesn’t want him to get so worried and be such pain in the ass.

But I guess, this is not the right time…I’m afraid about Rhome would feel…

Napasapo na naman sa noo si Juliette nang makaramdam ng pananakit sa ulo, hindi ito nakatakas sa pakiramdam ni William na kaagad na dinaluhan ang dalaga.

“H-Hey, what’s going on?” Worried consumed William innocent face. Juliette just waved her hand in front of his face telling that ‘It’s nothing’ but William was not convinced instead he stood up and suddenly carried Juliette with his arms making her stunned.

“Ayos lang ako, ibaba mo na ako…” Paulit-ulit na sabi ni Juliette habang nakahawak ang isang kamay nito sa braso ng binata, nararamdaman nya na unti-unti ng pumipikit ang talukap ng kanyang mga mata, para mapanatiling gising, mariin nyang kinagat ang parteng hintuturo ngunit malakas parin ang hila ng matinding sakit na nagmumula sa kanyang ulo na mas lalo nyang ikinabahala.

Mabilis ang mga hakbang ni William palabas ng resort, hindi na namalayan ni Juliette na isinakay na sya nito sa isang sasakyan na hindi na nya inatubili na isipin pa. Hinang-hina na napahawak si Juliette sa kanyang ulo na mas lalong pinatindi ang pag-alala ni William.