9th Kiss

"Hmm..." His lips are so soft. He's good at kissing. Wait a second...

Someone is kissing me. Who is kissing me? He's kissing my face. There's also some weight on me. This person's kiss is so familiar, but I can't figure out who it is. The answer is at the back of my mind, but I just can't remember. It's as if this person's kisses are enchanted, making me forget who he is.

I felt his lips on mine. I don't know what came over me, but I kissed him back. I sensed him pause. He's probably surprised by what I did, but he kissed me again, this time with a hunger that felt like the world was ending tomorrow. The kiss we shared right now mirrored how much I miss

him.

I miss Joseph. Joseph. Joseph! Wait – Joseph?!

I opened my eyes and saw Joseph indeed. He was looking at me. I know that look. He's resting on me. He's not heavy though.

"Joseph..." I exclaimed in surprise. Wasn't he angry at me? Why? Why is he doing this?

"Arianne, I miss you. I miss you so much," he said while placing tender kisses on my lips. I was left hanging, so I couldn't help but chase his lips. He noticed my frustration. He smiled. Ah! My heart feels like melting. I miss him smiling like that. I wish I had a phone right now to capture this moment. He rarely smiles, but when he does, he can make many girls swoon.

"Only you, Arianne. Only you. RAAWR!!"

Wait? Rawr? Since when did Joseph become a dog?

"ARF! ARF! ARF!" I panicked. Why does Joseph's voice sound like a dog's?

"Joseph? Joseph? Did you become a do—your voice!!!" I said fearfully.

"ARF! ARF! ARF!" it replied.

I immediately jolted upright when someone splashed water on my face.

"Who did this?!" I exclaimed in anger.

"I'm here." I turned to the source of the voice and saw Joshua there, holding an empty pitcher. I shot him a glare.

"Why did you do that? I'm all wet now. I still need to go home!" I complained. He looked at me with an expression that seemed so bored.

"You were dreaming," he said. "I thought my brother killed you in your dream, but then you made that face... YUCK! I immediately knew what you were dreaming about!"

"Why would you assume that it's Joseph I'm dreaming about, huh?" I challenged him, crossing my arms.

"Tsk!" he uttered, clearing his throat before imitating my voice, "Joseph! Joseph! Joseph!" His mimicry was so exaggerated, it was amusing.

"I don't sound like that!" I protested, feeling my face heat up. Ugh! I admit, I do talk in my sleep, but I thought that dream was real. It felt too real not to believe. Ugh! I wish it were real.

"Tsk! You're always dreaming," he commented. "Come on down, senorita. Your breakfast is ready."

"Ah, Joshua. Hold on. What about your brother?" I inquired. His eyes twinkled as he stared at me before responding.

"He's downstairs, reading the newspaper. Why?" he asked. I just shrugged.

"Never mind," I said. I was about to head to the bathroom when he called me again.

"Ate Arianne," he called me. Wow! A miracle. He referred to me as "ate," which means older sister.

"Why?"

"Please... please come here more often. B-because... because the house feels so dull without a foolish person like you." he said. I couldn't help but frown. It was going well until he added that last bit.

"You're really mean, Joshua!" He didn't respond. He still had his hand on the doorknob and kept his head down.

"I wish! I wish you and Kuya would get back together. I only saw him like this now. He's home without leaving right away," he said. "B-but it's not you we miss, it's your foolishness! Stupid, idiot, crazy, you're so ugly! Bleeh!"

"Joshua! Just admit you miss me! You can't say it, can you?!" I shouted at him.

"Shut up! You're ugly! Ugly!" he yelled back from downstairs. How sweet of Joshua. I know that's his way of saying he misses me. No matter how brusque he is, just like his brother, he has his own way of expressing it.

I couldn't help but steal glances at Joseph while he was driving. Wow! He's really handsome, but why are his eyebrows furrowed again? He looked quite grumpy.

"Can you stop staring? It's creeping me out!" Joseph said. I quickly averted my gaze at the road. How embarrassing! He caught me staring at him. "Why were you staring at me? Do you have something to say?"

"N-no," I replied. It's true. What would I say to him anyway? I just really wanted to look at him.

"How are you feeling?" he asked.

"A-about you?" I asked. Geez, Joseph. What a conceited guy he is. As if I still have feelings for him.

"No, I mean. Is your condition acting up?" he said, now with a smug look on his face.

"Ah, he-he-he..." I scratched my head. "Sometimes, but not since I came back here."

"Good. Just take your medication at the right time. Maybe next week we can start the first procedure," he said. I nodded along.

"Okay," I replied.

"Oh! If your condition acts up," he continued. He cleared his throat before adding, "Y-you can call me instead. After all, I'm your doctor now. I know how to take care of you."

"Oh dear! Joseph, no need for that. Chito is helping me," I stammered.

"I insist," he said, his face back to its usual poker expression.

"O-okay. If you insist," I said, but inside, it felt like fireworks were going off. I felt so happy.

We stopped in front of my papa's restaurant. I was still in Joseph's car when I noticed Chito. He was sitting on the hood of his car, looking quite upset. I quickly got out of the car.

"Ch-chito!" I said as I hurried over to him.

"Why did you come home so late? Do you know how many times I called you last night? I thought something happened to you!" he said, venting his frustration. "And who is-"

He didn't finish his sentence as he looked at Joseph's car.

"You? What are you doing here?!" Chito's voice was laced with anger.

"Ch-Chito, it's just that Joseph..."

"I just gave her a ride," Joseph said, seemingly bored as he addressed Chito. Chito's anger seemed to intensify at Joseph's tone.

"Arianne! Did you spend the night at their place?!" Chito exclaimed. "Did you forget we were supposed to meet last night?"

"Oh! Yes, sorry Chito. I really forgot," I said, looking down at my hands.

"And you! Leave now!" Chito snapped at Joseph.

"What if I don't want to?" Joseph retorted, glaring challengingly at Chito, making me nervous.

"Joseph, just go," I whispered to him, but he didn't even acknowledge me.

"Wait! Why are you forbidding Arianne? Are you guys...?" Joseph said. "Last time I checked, you're just her friend, right?"

Chito was furious. I couldn't understand why he was so angry with Joseph.

"We're together, Joseph!" he declared. I gasped at Chito's announcement.

"Chito, don't-" I began.

I shrieked as Joseph suddenly punched Chito in the face. He was incredibly angry. Chito laughed, as if finding the situation amusing.

"Stay away from her!" Joseph yelled, his rage evident. He clenched his fist, as if he was about to throw another punch, but then he looked at me, and I shouted.

"Enough! Enough!" Joseph turned his attention to me, dropping Chito unceremoniously. Without a word, he was about to head back to his car, but Chito spoke up.

"Then make me, Dr. Jang. Make me," Chito taunted him. Joseph didn't respond. He clenched his fist and, after a moment, got back in his car and sped away.