Dara’s POV

He walked me home with his arm wrapped around me. I smiled giddily and buried my face on my pillow to muffle my squeals while kicking my legs like a kid. I’ve been repeating that scene in my head and I still feel giddy every single time I picture it. He is just so…manly. *Sigh* I love staring at his face; I love the sexy drawl in his voice and every little movement he makes. I want to see him now.

I rolled on my back and stared at the ceiling of my room. Then, my eyes settled on my mobile phone by the bedside table. Should I text him? But what will I say?

Grabbing my phone, I fiddled with the keyboard, not knowing what to do. I opened and closed the apps, hoping that it will somehow give me courage to actually text him or to distract me from texting him. Okay, I shouldn’t text him. That would be too weird.

But Jiro said I should contact him if I need anything…and I need to see him now. Urgh! Of course, I can’t possibly tell him that. I’ve done mortifying things like attempting to kiss him when I was drunk and I don’t want my list to get any longer.

Sighing heavily, I keyed in his name at the recipient textbox and typed ‘I need to see you, Jiro. Can you come to my house?’ I stared at the blinking cursor for a while, wondering how Jiro will react if I really send the text. I can already imagine his frown while reading it. Almost immediately, a smile crept on my lips. He looks intimidating whenever he furrows his eyebrows but even that, I find endearing.

He will probably text back to ask what’s wrong and I will probably flip out because obviously, texting him those words is totally embarrassing. What if I actually send this text? Ha ha, that would be so NOT funny.

I shifted on my side and as I began pushing the delete button, the screen of my phone rotated when I angled it slightly which got me disoriented. Seriously, smart phones. I lazily tilted it again in a vertical position and continued what I was doing, pushing the send butt-…the send button? Oh no! Did I-…. OH MY GOD! No no no! Delete delete delete! Back back! Nooo!! Don’t send, please don’t send! Oh God. How do I unsend a text? How?!

‘I need to see you, Jiro.’

Oh noo! ARGH! I was only able to delete the last sentence! Why does this have to happen to me?!

I sat up and crossed my legs, biting my fingernails nervously while my brain is literally frying itself to come up with an excuse. What if I just tell him that the message is not originally for him? Yep, I’ll deny it! Deny it? But I placed his name on the message! Oh God, can a text be partially sent? Please let the last four letters disappear!

Quit panicking! Okay, calm down self. Breathe. He will not see the text. He will not see the text. By the power of the universe, it will not be sent. GAHHHHHHHH!! WHAT SHOULD I DO?!

Did he read it? Why is he not replying? Is he purposely not texting back to make me lose my mind? OMG, he’s probably thinking I have a crush on him. It’s true but HE’S NOT SUPPOSED TO KNOW THAT!

I exhaled audibly and stared at my phone, waiting for his reply that I’m surely going to receive in 5, 4, 3, 2…Why is he not texting? Did he find it weird? Or gross? Oh my gosh, am I gross? *Gasp!* What if he’s on his way here?

I jumped out of the bed, quickly checked my reflection on the mirror, fixed myself, sprayed a little cologne…Done! Okay, what the hell am I doing? Shocks! I’m seriously going to have a heart attack. If he texts me back, I might end up in the hospital. If he doesn’t, I might also end up in the hospital.

I slumped on the floor and groaned, messing my hair in frustration. There’s nothing I could do, obviously. Whimpering in misery, I hugged my legs and rested my chin on my knees. Since he didn’t reply, maybe he just disregarded my text. That’s good. Who am I kidding, it sucks! He ignored my message and -…

*Ringgg*

OH MY GOSH! He’s calling me! He’s calling me and my hair is a mess? Where’s my lipstick? My hairbrush!

*Ringgg*

I bit my lips as I stared at the phone, my finger hovering on the button to pick up the call. Just as I was about to press it, the ringing stopped. I breathed a sigh of relief and slumped back. Whew! He must’ve thought I was asleep. It would be great if he also thought that I just accidentally rolled over my phone and accidentally typed those words and accidentally pressed the send button and -...

I jerked back in surprise when I heard the urgent knocks on the balcony door. When I whipped my head towards it, my breath was caught in my throat as I saw Jiro standing there. Gaah! He’s here!

Fortunately, the glass on the balcony door is a one-way mirror so I am able to see him but he can’t see me. He probably climbed the tree again to get to my balcony. I heard him entering the keycode on the balcony door but since I had it bolted from the inside, he still wasn’t able to open it.

“Ramirez!” His knocks became louder so I immediately opened the door and faced him. He stared at me and I can tell he’s checking if I’m okay. ‘Please don’t ask about the text’, I was chanting that in my brain even though I knew it’s pretty useless. He’s here, and it’s because of that stupid text message. *Groans*

“Why are you not sleeping yet?” He asked.

“I’m just…thinking about something”, I said and my eyes widened as I added in panic, “Not you! I’m not thinking about you!” Urgh! This is so awesome. He just asked me a simple question and here I am, self-destructing. Seriously, can this day get any better?

“This”, he showed me his phone with my text message, rendering me speechless. “What’s the meaning of this?” He stared at me with a deadpan expression while waiting for my reply.

Oh.my.God. HELP ME!

I gnawed my lips and lowered my gaze. That’s when I noticed that Jiro is dressed up.

“Are you about to go out?” I asked curiously.

“That didn’t answer my question.”

“Oh no! Were you about to go out with your friends?” I covered my mouth guiltily and stared at him. “I’m sorry, I bothered you. I just couldn’t sleep that’s why I texted that message.”

Jiro crossed his arms over his chest and leaned on the wall, still staring at me blankly.

“I mean, tomorrow is Saturday and here I am locked inside the house…alone”, I continued.

“You want to go out?”

“I have nowhere to go. Namee is, uhm, busy. And Bullet-…”

“Bullet again?” His features immediately darkened. He stood stiffly and eyed me wearily. “We had this conversation about that guy, didn’t we?”

“I was just about to say Bullet is out of the question since I can’t possibly bother him at this hour. So…” I met his steady gaze while fumbling with the hem of my shirt “…So, I bothered you instead.” There was an awkward pause as he stared at me silently.

“Get dressed”, he said after a while.

“What?”

“Get dressed. It’s Bonsai’s birthday today. I was on my way there when I got your message. You can come with me and we can both go there.”

I felt my heart swelled with happiness when I learned he came to me even though he’s in the middle of something. I wasn’t able to suppress the smile that came on my lips. He’s asking me to come with him! This will be the first time we will attend a party together!

“But would that be okay?” I asked.

“I’m sure Bonsai won’t mind.”

“How about you? I mean, is it really okay if I tag along?”

“Don’t worry about such things and get dressed”, he said as he walked towards the bed and lied there, his feet still planted on the floor. I watched him as he placed his arms beneath his head and closed his eyes. The shirt that he was wearing was lifted up a bit, showing his belt. My eyes trailed down to his stylishly torn jeans, to his bended knees, to his sneakers. He really looks fine from head to toe. *Sigh*

“Ramirez”, he called out lazily.

“Alright! Moving now!” I chirped.

***

Dara thought the venue of the party is in a small bar or someone’s house, but she was obviously mistaken. Wearing an off-shoulder dress does not seem to be a good idea now. Jiro was walking ahead of her while she kept on darting her eyes around in fear. They were walking in a path towards the forest and she can only hope that there are no wild animals running or flying around.

“J-Jiro.”

Jiro stopped and glanced back at her, noticing how she winces with every little sound from the surrounding. He traced back his steps and approached her. “Don’t worry. I’m here”, he said.

“It’s dark”, her voice trembled a bit. She was about to say something again but she was startled when Jiro suddenly reached for her hand and wrapped it with his.

“I’m here. Just follow me”, he said. The warmth of his hand eased her anxiety but it brought another wave of feelings. Her mind is swirling with a lot of thoughts and her heart is beating in an abnormal pace. She was too distracted with their linked hands to even notice the darkness enveloping them. His grip was gentle yet firm – just like how he always treats her.

It was not long before she heard the sound of merriment as they were nearing a brightly lit area. When they finally stepped out of the line of trees, Dara finally saw where the party is being held. It was in a huge spot of land somewhere in the forest. There were small bonfires all over the place and the Black Dragons are scattered everywhere – drinking and eating merrily. There were blankets on the ground where people sit and the food and drinks were settled in a huge stone at the corner. The music was coming from a group of guys carrying guitars, strumming and singing while the other members dance and sing along with them.

“Wow”, she mumbled in amazement.

Bonsai and Picaro were the first to notice the two and they quickly approached them.

“Oh oh oh. Look who’s here – the golden couple Brangelina”, Bonsai mused and laughed at his own joke. He grunted in pain when Picaro’s elbow connected on his ribs. “OUCHIE!” He whined.

“Happy birthday, Bonsai”, Dara greeted sheepishly while taking a little step back.

“Thank you! Now, kiss me”, Bonsai opened his arms widely and puckered his lips but Jiro’s hand covered his entire face, pushing him away.

“You’re scaring her”, Jiro muttered, making the small guy groan in exasperation.

“This is supposed to be my birthday. Can’t I have a little fun? You two are so stiff!”

Picaro ignored Bonsai’s incessant whines and shifted his eyes to the entwined hands of the two. Interesting. He then darted his gaze to the tiny woman beside Jiro who was roaming her eyes around in awe.

“You’re safe here, Dara. Only the Black Dragons are here”, Picaro said.

“Yeah. Too bad the Fire 39 leader isn’t here, huh?” Bonsai teased, cocking his eyebrows at Dara.

“Are you not going to shut up or should I make your mouth shut up for you?” Picaro said in a threatening tone.

“He’s Picaro”, Jiro said, introducing him to the guy who has a serious expression on his face. “And you’ve already met this small one-...”

“HEY!”

“Bonsai”, he continued.

Dara greeted the two and looked behind them, checking the other gang members seated around the bonfires who were all looking at them curiously and murmuring at each other. She noticed there are a couple of girls in the crowd, probably gang members’ girlfriends judging on how they attach themselves to their partners. She glanced at Jiro but the latter does not seem to care about anything at all.

“Is it really okay for me to be here?” She asked. “I-Is Riko here?”

Jiro glanced at her lazily while Bonsai chuckled at her question. Picaro, on the other hand, remained silent and continued staring at her, as if trying to read her mind. His penetrating gaze is seriously scary and his deep voice does not help at all.

“I see what’s happening here”, Bonsai said in between chuckles. “Ice Lord, your girl is jealous of Riko!”

“I’m not!” Dara denied vehemently and was about to let go of Jiro’s hand in embarrassment, but Jiro didn’t loosen his grip.

“BONSAI”, Picaro growled.

“Riko’s not here”, Jiro replied with disinterest.

“Just saying”, Bonsai smiled mischievously and watched as Dara shifted uneasily on her spot. “Well, enjoy the party. Happy birthday to me”, he said and raised his can of beer.

“Let’s go sit somewhere first”, Jiro said and Dara followed suit, letting him lead the way while their hands are still linked together. All eyes were on them as they walked towards a nearby tree where a blanket is spread on the ground. “Sit here”, he instructed and carefully supported her before finally letting go of her hand. He then faced his gang mates and frowned, “What are you guys looking at? There’s nothing to watch”, Jiro said. The rest of his gang cheered and teased him before finally continuing with what they were doing earlier.

“Ice Lord, here”, Bonsai tossed two cans of beer in his direction which he was able to catch. Jiro looked at the cans in his hand and glanced at Dara. She has a very good guess what he’s thinking right now and it’s making her squirm in humiliation.

“Don’t we have any other drinks? Like soda?” Jiro asked.

“Soda?!” He exclaimed incredulously, like it was the most offending word he has heard.

“Jiro, it’s okay. I can drink beer”, Dara said shyly. The reason why she got drunk last night anyway is because of the sweet liquor she added, so she should be fine with just beer. Besides, she has no plan of repeating her drunken episode last night, thank you very much.

Jiro sat on the blanket beside her and opened the beer, handing her the can. “Don’t force yourself. If you get drunk again…” He trailed off and looked pointedly at her.

“I won’t”, Dara sighed and pouted. She then took a sip from the can and tried hard not to grimace at the bitter taste. Jiro stared at her for a minute before leaning his back on the tree, his right arm resting on his bended knee while his left leg is stretched forward.

They were enveloped with silence as they watch the others goof around, with Bonsai leading the chaos and Picaro running after his ass to subdue the small man who moves like a tsunami.

“Jiro”, she called out after a while.

“Mmhmm.”

“What’s your relationship with Riko?”

Jiro glanced at her curiously, his eyebrows furrowing a bit.

“I mean, is she someone you’re close with? Like a…girlfriend?”

Jiro shifted his gaze forward again and took a sip from his beer. “Stop asking those questions.”

Dara felt like her heart dropped to her stomach. She lowered her gaze and played with the can that she was holding. “I guess she’s someone special”, she murmured but Jiro just ignored her.

Dara sighed and observed the other girls in the party. They were all sexy and pretty, and then there was her. She looked at what she’s wearing and grimaced a bit. She just grabbed a random dress from her closet in haste because she doesn’t want to keep Jiro waiting. It was a plain off-shoulder white dress that falls below her knees. If she stands in the darkness, she will probably look like a ghost. A child ghost, to be exact.

“Do I look like a kid?” She asked Jiro after her conscious scrutiny of her outfit.

“Yes”, he replied without giving her a glance.

“Hey, I’m not-…” Her protest was cut off when a freezing wind blew, causing her to shiver while the other girls squealed in surprise. Their respective boyfriends quickly pulled them in an embrace to give them warmth while Dara can only wrap her arms around herself.

“Shit”, Jiro cursed while looking for something. “I didn’t bring my jacket”, he said.

“I’m okay, Jiro.”

“Wait here. I’ll see if I can borrow from anyone.”

Dara grabbed his hand and shook her head. “No, you really don’t have to do that. Just stay here.”

“But you’re cold.”

“I’ll be fine”, she assured him and smiled.

Jiro sighed and sat on his spot again. She frowned in confusion when he suddenly slid closer and instructed her to scoot forward. “Move forward a bit”, he said. She obliged and curiously watched as he settled behind her, spreading his legs so she was situated in between them. “Now, move back”, he said, guiding her towards him.

Oh my! Dara can almost hear her heartbeat as Jiro pulled her closer to him, making her settle between his thighs. He then wrapped his left arm around her from behind and gently rubbed her upper arm. “Warm enough?”

“Y-Yes.” HOLY CRAP! What is this position?! They looked like a couple of lovers! Lovers? *SQUEAL!*

Dara can feel his breath fanning his bare shoulders and it’s seriously doing some weird things to her system. She was stiff as a log, not even wanting to recline back a little. Jiro lifted his right hand to drink his beer and Dara can even hear the small gulps that he made - that’s how close they are. Skin to skin. God, she can’t breathe! Her heart felt like it’s going to jump out of her chest any minute!

“You can lean your back against me”, Jiro said and held her tightly, causing her to be pinned against his chest.

*GASP!!*

“Getting cozy aren’t we?” Bonsai suddenly materialized near them but quickly ran away when Picaro hurled an empty can towards his head.

“Don’t mind him”, Jiro said while settling down his can to the ground, evidently uncaring of their close proximity while her soul is about to abandon her mortal body. Dara slowly glanced behind her and was frozen when she was met by Jiro’s gaze. She immediately whipped her head and focused her eyes forward, her breath increasing fractionally. She wanted to move away; to tell him she’s not feeling cold anymore but somehow, those words won’t come out of her mouth. Because to be honest, she likes being close to Jiro.

She almost gasped when Jiro leaned forward a bit, his chin almost resting on her right shoulder, to reach for the can of beer that she was holding. “Your beer is not cold anymore. Want me to get you another one?” He asked.

“No, I’m fine”, she replied hurriedly. If he leaves, she’s not sure if he’s going to assume the same position again – with him hugging her from behind. She’s quite enjoying the new experience with him and she doesn’t want it to be cut short because of a stupid can of beer.

Jiro didn’t lean back and instead, hovered over her shoulder, tilting his head to stare at her. She wanted to look away but she was drawn by his intense gaze. The moon was casting a dim light on his face, and Dara was mesmerized by the sight.