〘CHAPTER 7〙
"Thanks again, Heri" Dom said, offering his dear sister a grateful grin.
The girl in the blue cap took off her gloves, wiped her hands on her oil stained jeans and placed them on her hips.
She looked at the two boys standing in front of her with a knowing smirk "You're welcome, kiddo! But next time you break it, you're on your own - I won't fix it again".
Dom chuckled at her words, she always said that - every single time.
And yet, every single time, she fixed it anyway.
Sure, she'd scold him, mutter curses under her breath and throw in a painful smack on the head for good measure. But no matter how much she grumbled, she always came through for him.
That was Heri - tough on the outside but deep down, she cared more than she let on.
He respected her for that and maybe that was why June - their older friend, had so into her.
"Oh! I almost forgot" Heri said suddenly, turning her attention to Jay "Come back tomorrow, your bike is almost done".
Jay nodded and thanked her before the two boys left Heri's bicycle repair shop.
As they walked, Dom suddenly felt his stomach growl, he turned to Jay and suggested going to eat spicy noodles
Jay - who was feeling pretty hungry himself, agreed without hesitation. The two of them fell into step, their shoes echoing against the pavement.
Normally, Dom would have been rambling by now - about school, about the latest action movie, about whatever nonsense had popped into his head.
But today, he barely said a word, it made Jay feel uneasy.
Jay noticed right away, the silence wasn't natural. It was the kind that made his skin itch, the kind that felt like a storm was brewing just beneath the surface.
He stole a glance at Dom - who was walking with his hands shoved deep in his pockets, his brows furrowed in thought.
Jay hesitated, then finally broke the silence "Did something happen, Dom?".
Dom didn't respond right away, the only sound that filled the space between them was the distant ringing of a bicycle bell from across the street.
"If you don't want to talk..." Jay started but he was cut off.
"Do you think Yuna likes me?" Dom suddenly asked, his voice quieter than usual.
Jay frowned "What do you mean?".
Dom sighed heavily, as if he'd been carrying those words for too long "I mean... in the way that you and Shelly are".
Jay exhaled slowly, that was a tricky one, everyone in their friend group knew that Dom had feelings for Yuna.
Even Jay - who wasn't the most observant when it came to things like this, had figured it out a long time ago.
The real question wasn't whether Dom liked Yuna but whether Yuna understood his feelings.
And if she did, why hadn't she responded?
"I don't know about that..." Jay admitted honestly.
Dom let out a frustrated sigh, he had told Yuna how he felt many times but not once had she ever given him a response.
It wasn't that she outright rejected him - it was worse.
She avoided talking about it entirely and lately, she'd been avoiding him too.
He's afraid that even their friendship won't last.
"Lately, she's been avoiding me..." Dom continued, his voice almost breaking "I thought we were at least friends but now... I don't even know, maybe I ruined that too".
Jay stayed silent, letting his friend get it all out.
"Didn't I make it obvious enough?" Dom asked, looking almost defeated "Why can't she see that?".
Jay shrugged awkwardly, he had to admit.
Dom wasn't just obvious - sometimes, it's kinda too much actually but Jay won't tell his friends about this, Dom looks pitiful enough already.
"Should I... give up?" Dom asked hesitantly, rubbing the back of his head.
Seeing his friend like that suddenly made Jay hesitated, he wasn't exactly an expert on love. Not to mention that the decision is still up to Yuna, he can't just fly over and force her to dating with Dom.
But if there was one thing he had learned from his own experience with Shelly, it was that taking a risk was better than doing nothing at all.
"Stop being like that!" Jay said firmly, advised his friend "You should talk to Yuna again. Seriously, this time".
Dom's face twisted with doubt "But what if she refuses me? What if we can't be friends anymore?".
Jay let out an exasperated sigh "How do you know she'll refuse you when you haven't even tried yet?".
Hearing Jay's words, Dom froze for a moment "But....".
"You're going to lose her if you keep hesitating like this, Dom" Jay continued "You have to trust yourself and her as well, even if she doesn't like you that way then it's fine. At least you'll have said what's in your heart and if it doesn't work out... maybe she's just not the one for you".
Dom was surprised by the Eunuch's advice, unable to believe that he could say these words.
And this is also the first time someone said that to him - which makes him feel touched.
"You really think so?" Dom forced a smile.
Jay nodded "Yeah!".
"Alright! I'll do as you say" Dom inhaled deeply, as if gathering courage. He'll do it and if is doesn't work this time, he'll give up on this love part.
Jay patted him on the back "That's the spirit".
Jay's right!! Dom doesn't care anymore.
Even if there are no results, so what.
At least he can tell Yuna and show all his feelings to her, that's the most important thing right now.
Then just like that, the heavy atmosphere lifted. Dom slung an arm around Jay's shoulder "Anyway, I'm still hungry! Let's go~ my treat this time!"
Jay laughed, shaking his head "Damn right it is".
As they walked toward their favorite noodle shop, Dom's heart felt lighter.
Maybe, just maybe, things would turn out alright.
〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜
Vinny and Yumi walked slowly toward the hospital, the warm afternoon sun casting long shadows on the pavement.
Their hands were full - Vinny carried a neatly packed bag of fruit while Yumi held a bouquet of delicate lilies and roses, their fragrance drifting in the air between them.
"I'm so nervous" Yumi admitted, gripping the bouquet tighter. Her fingers trembled slightly and she let out a shaky breath "What if she doesn't like me?".
Vinny chuckled, turning to look at his girlfriend.
The way her brows furrowed and her lips pouted made her look irresistibly cute, he resisted the urge to reach out and pinched her rosy cheeks.
Today he'll bring Yumi to visit his mother, she said she wants to visit her so Vinny thought this was a good idea.
His mother always said that she wanted to see Yumi again and that's why his girlfriend is so worried because she was afraid of ruining the first impression.
"You're being dramatic, babe" He teased "You've met her before, you know?".
"So?" Yumi shaking "It's completely different now! I want to make a good impression on her. What if she doesn't approve of me? What if she thinks I'm not good enough?".
Vinny stopped in his tracks, letting out a small, amused sigh before gently taking Yumi's hand in his.
His grip was warm, reassuring "Babe~" He said softly "You're overthinking this, she already likes you".
Yumi bit her lip, her eyes filled with doubt "You really think so?".
"I know so~" He squeezed her hand, she had even dressed up - wearing a soft, floral patterned dress and a light blue jacket. Her hair neatly styled, it was adorable how much she cared.
"And you didn't have to go out of your way to buy flowers and fruit, you know?" He eyed the bouquet and the bag in his own hands with a raised brow "She's just happy you're visiting".
"I wanted to" Yumi insisted, straightening her back. She glanced down at the bouquet and gently adjusted the ribbon wrapped around it "I hope she likes them".
Vinny smiled lightly "She'll~ babe".
As they reached the hospital room, Vinny pushed open the door to find his mother sitting up in bed, watching the news on the small television mounted on the wall.
The moment she saw them, her expression lit up.
"You're here!" She said warmly.
Vinny grinned "Mom, Yumi came to visit you" He turned slightly, giving Yumi's hand another light squeeze before letting go.
Vinny's mother gazed at Yumi for a moment, taking in her delicate features, the soft floral dress she had chosen and the way her short hair framed her face.
She had certainly grown even more beautiful since their last meeting.
Her son had good taste - no doubt about it.
Yumi stepped forward with a polite smile "Hello, Auntie. It's nice to meet you again" Her voice was gentle but Vinny could tell she was trying to hide her nerves, she extended the bouquet and fruit toward the older woman "I brought you some fruit and flowers, I hope you like them".
With a warm smile, she reached out and gently pulled Yumi down to sit beside her "Oh, my dear~ you didn't have to go through all that trouble" She said, taking the bouquet with careful hands. She inhaled its scent before placing it on the bedside table "These are lovely".
"I wanted to" Yumi insisted with a shy smile "It's the least I could do".
As they chatted, Vinny excused himself to answer a phone call and his mother took the chance to observe her son's girlfriend closely.
The more she looked at her, the more she liked her.
She knew her son well - Vinny was grumpy, impatient and stubborn. Having a girlfriend like Yumi must not be easy, she guessed this little girl had probably endured a lot.
But despite that, she could see how happy Vinny was with her, how his eyes softened when he looked at her.
She just want to see her son would stay like this forever.
With a gentle smile, she reached for Yumi's hand and said softly "Sometimes, my son has a bad temper. I just hope you'll be patient with him".
"You don't have to worry about that, Auntie!" Yumi giggled "He's never been like that to me".
His mother sighed, squeezing her hand "Can you do me a favor, sweetie?".
Yumi nodded attentively.
"Please... stay by his side" Vinny's mother said softly "He needs someone like you".
Yumi felt a lump in her throat, she squeezed the older woman's hand in return "I promise, Auntie. But you have to stay with him too... Vinny loves you so much".
His mother smiled, eyes glistening "I know".
Just then, the door swung open and Vinny reentered, his gaze shifting between them suspiciously.
"What are you two talking about?" He asked, narrowing his eyes playfully.
The two women exchanged amused looks before Vinny's mom chuckled "It's nothing, son. We're just sharing some secrets".
Vinny crossed his arms "Secrets, huh?".
"You'll never know~" Yumi laughed, shaking her head.
Vinny sighed dramatically but let it go "Fine, fine~ let's eat some fruit together" He pulled up a chair beside the bed, opening the bag he had carried in.
As they all sat together, peeling oranges and slicing apples, laughter filled the room, mixing with the gentle hum of the hospital machines.
The sterile white walls seemed a little less cold and for a moment, it felt less like a hospital and more like home.
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