Where Sky Meets Water

Chapter 9

Jun's POV:

Ubon did seem a little tipsy which made her more cringy and chatty than usual. I guess that kind of drained her out as she fell asleep within around 10 minutes while we were on the road.

And right now I'm in the most uncomfortable position I can ever find myself in. Having this monster snuggled up next to me, resting her head on my shoulder and clutching the jacket she had put on me, like a child.

I want to push her away but I don't. Something stirs in my heart when I see her leaning on me. A feeling that's forbidden, a feeling of wanting something more - something that should be nipped in the bud, cuz otherwise it wouldn't end well.

A lock of her hair falls in front of her head as we hit a bump on the road, and my hand automatically reaches out to tuck it behind her ears, which brings our faces closer and I smell that familiar clean, citrusy scent from her.

She shuffles in her sleep - the road is making her uncomfortable. So I just do the most natural thing to do - gently bring her head to rest on my lap, slowly so she wouldn't wake up. It would probably take more than an hour to get home, and Ubon needs to rest.

She complies and gets comfortable on my lap.

She starts mumbling again like the last time.

I don't really want to do this, but my hand disobeys me to stroke her head.

"Don't worry, I'm here. Jun's here, Ubon." I pat her shoulder softly.

She calms down, but I continue to slowly pat her.

"Look at you, sleeping like a baby. It's so noisy and chaotic when you're awake. Do you see how peaceful it when you sleep, except for the part where you mumble?"

She suddenly turns her head around on my lap to face mine above hers, with open eyes.

"You- You're-" I stammer.

Oh my God, that startled me. For how long has she been awake?

I jerk my hand away from her head, but she holds on to it midway.

"Don't. Please. For once, Jun. Let's please stay this way."

I look at her eyes focusing on my face, and I couldn't say no. Hell, I couldn't get a word out but could only continue stroking her head. She reaches out and laces her fingers with mine with my other hand.

I close my eyes. I don't know what I'm doing. I don't even know people could do this, as this feeling feels so foreign. I can't really explain what I feel at this moment right now, except that I like it. So freaking much. And that scares me.

And as all good things come to an end, we pull over in front of my place and it's silent for a moment.

I remove the Jacket Ubon gave me, so I can return it to her, but she stops me from doing that and puts it back on me, on my shoulders.

"It's okay. Have it on. You can give it to me later."

Wait. Does that mean she'll come back to the Café? But I'll be gone for a week from tomorrow.

"But Ubon, I -"

"Shhh," She silences me with her finger on my lips, "Keep your voice down. It's in the middle of the night. Keep it. The jacket."

I nod nervously.

"Er....Ubon?"

"Hmm?"

"Thank you. For all that you did."

"Aw, stop it. How many times will you thank me in a day?"

"Well I -"

"You've helped me, I've helped you. Now we're even."