Julia POV
I was so bored, no one to talk to and I was the only one in the apartment. After eating, I went to the sitting room to watch a movie. Shawn had gone to check up on them in the hospital. He told me not to step out of the house because it was dangerous. I was tired and would like a walk, but what can I do but sit here all day?
Minutes later, Mia came in and sat beside me on the couch.
"Do you want to play a game?"
I stared at her and shook my head.
"I'm not really good when it comes to playing games."
"I'm bored. If Erastus was here, he would've kept me company."
"You talk about Erastus as though he were a god or something. Are you guys dating?" I asked grinning.
"Nope, we are not. He hasn't proposed yet but I'm hoping he would soonest. I love him but I don't know if he loves me back." She said looking sad.
"He likes someone else which is you."
"No, I don't think so."
"I'm serious. The way he stares at you and the way he always talks about you tells it all."
"We are just friends, nothing more. I don't feel anything for him or any other man." I said and she humphed.
"What?" I asked raising an eyebrow.
"Shawn. You have something for him right?"
"No," I said rather too quickly and she chuckled.
"Honestly, I'm jealous. I'm jealous of your beauty. You're very pretty." She complimented and I laughed
"In my entire life on this planet earth, no girl has ever complimented me, except my sis though. You're the first."
"Really!"
"Yeah, really."
"So... How does your sister look like?" She asked and I hesitated before I replied,
"Uhm... Well, she was beautiful too, but she wasn't noticed the way I was."
"You used the past tense."
"Yeah, that's because she's dead." I said dryly."
"Oh my goodness!" She exclaimed. "I'm so sorry. What happened, what caused her death?"
Can't she notice that I didn't want to talk about it?
"Accident. She died in a motor accident." I lied because I didn't trust her enough to tell her the story which I've never told anyone except Mrs. Porsh... Oh! I've told Shawn. Hmph.
"I'm so sorry dear."
"It's okay," I replied.
"Back to Shawn, do you know he loves you?"
"Yeah, I do. I need no soothsayer to tell me that."
"Why don't you love him back? He is everything a girl wants. He is handsome, rich, popular, he can sing. I can't imagine the number of girls that will be trying to get his attention."
"You like him too?" I asked knowing where all these was leading.
"Well..." She stammered.
"If you do, tell me so I can talk to him."
"Huh? Don't try it, not at all. He will sack me."
"I didn't know you have a crush on him too."
"Yeah, but it's you he likes. Why don't you want to give him a chance?"
I was tired of her questions.
"Nothing," I replied dryly. She got the message immediately so she excused herself and went to God knows where.
*********************************
It was snowing and everywhere was chilling. I sat by the fireplace to keep warm. It was getting dark and Shawn wasn't back yet. I was getting worried. The worst thing was that I didn't have his phone number.
I didn't even realize when Raj sat beside me until he touched my shoulder.
"Are you okay?"
"Y... Yeah, I am. What are you doing here? You ought to be in your duty post."
"I didn't want to freeze, so I came here. You love Shawn, don't you?"
"Why would you say such a thing. I've got no feelings for him."
"You should guard your heart and not fall in love with him because... I'll not say anything."
"What's your reason for saying that?"
"Never mind," he said, "you'll find out yourself."
I stared at him for some moment before looking away.
Why doesn't he want to tell me? Mrs. Porshia said the same thing, now he? What exactly went on?
"Why are you staring at me like that?"
"N... Nothing." I stuttered and looked away, embarrassed.
"Just forget about what I told you, okay?"
"Okay," I replied still lost in thoughts.
How can he tell me to forget about it?
"That aside, can we be friends?" He asked and I cocked an eyebrow.
"No, thanks. Unless I see reasons to make you my friend."
His expression changed and he quickly recovered. "I've gotta check up on something. See you later." He said and walked off.
My mind drifted to my children who were in the hospital. I pray Poojah makes it out of the hospital, else I won't be able to bear it. I can't afford to lose her and knowing she hated me.
"Poojah, please stay strong for me," I whispered to myself.
When will all these end? I've never had peace since six years ago when it all started and it seems like Anas is tired of waiting and wants to take it by force.