While you were Sleeping

6. Limbo

WHAT??!!

Looks were exchanged around the room, everyone, apart from Valentina, seemed as surprised by the news as she was.

"Guille has a girlfriend?" Everyone turned to look at the sleeping man.

The doctor broke the silence. "Juliana arrived in the ambulance with Mr Carvajal, he was asking for her when he came round, and we thought it was important for him to see a familiar face when he woke up. She's been here the entire time."

Again, everyone turned to look at her. "Erm..." She frowned and nervously bit her lip, as Leon approached.

"I apologise my dear, my son is very secretive. We didn't know of your existence, although you do look familiar." Juliana smiled at the man who surprised her by pulling her into a tight hug. "Thank you for looking after him today. I'm sorry you were here alone for so long," he said before releasing her.

Once again, Valentina was directing that beautiful smile towards her, she didn't know what to say or what to do. She just hoped Guille would wake up soon and put an end to this charade.

She took a deep breath before speaking. "You're welcome, I didn't want to leave him here alone," again her gaze moved to Valentina.

"She kept me company too." Valentina winked at her. "And it was Juliana who came up with the idea of phoning Alirio and the theatre."

Everyone seemed quite impressed, even the originally hostile Eva. It was the doctor who again broke the silence.

"I'm going to limit the visitors to two at a time. There is a waiting room at the end of the corridor and a cafeteria downstairs if you would like to take turns visiting. I assure you Mr Carvajal, the nurses will be monitoring his vitals every hour. It is hard to know how long this induced coma will be necessary, but I do advise that you all get some rest."

Everyone looked at each other as the doctor left the room. And again, Juliana felt incredibly out of place.

She cleared her throat, this time trying to get everyone's attention. "It's been very nice to meet you all, but I think I should go home. It's been a long day and I need to eat something," she smiled, excusing herself. Valentina pouted and she thought it was the cutest thing she'd ever seen.

"Why don't we go to the cafeteria? It'll be my treat, for keeping me company?" she smiled and bit her lip. "Please?"

Juliana scratched her eyebrow; how did anyone say no to this woman? She looked around the room, apparently, they were all waiting for her answer. "Okay." Valentina gave a little squeal as she pulled her into a hug while the others smiled at the interaction.

After a quick discussion about who would stay or who would go, Mateo and Eva offered to come back and spend a few hours with him overnight. Leon and Lucia would stay with him now while Eva and Mateo went home to change and collect a few things for Guille. Everyone said their goodbyes and went their separate ways.

*

The cafeteria was quiet when the girls entered and approached the counter.

"Would you like something warm? Or a wrap or sandwich from the fridge?"

Juliana looked around; she didn't know what she wanted. "What are you having?" she asked.

Valentina smiled. "I don't know, that's why I asked you," she giggled.

Juliana returned her infectious smile. "Okay," she grabbed her hand pulling her towards the counter looking at everything on offer. "Do you see anything you like?" Valentina's eyebrow raised as she smiled, Juliana rolled her eyes and tried again. "Do any of these food choices appeal to you?" What was going on? Was she flirting?