Chapter 3

Love comes in different forms. You don’t need to feel your heart beat fast or butterflies flutter in your stomach immediately. The strongest foundation of love comes from a bond of friendship. You can’t always detect love because it is mischievous. It grows slowly and before you knew it blooms right in front of you. Sometimes you will only find yourself fallen deeply in love you can’t get out of it.      – Anonymous

**

Ryeowook and Kyuhyun had immediately became good friends and even if they were at different ends of the university they found time to meet during their vacant hours. Sometimes they also walk home together talking about stuffs that both interest them. Kyuhyun was rather fond of the other as he finds himself always smiling and excited whenever he sees Ryeowook.

For him, he thinks that he can survive college with him whom he now considers as his best friend.

"You're not listening again. What's up with you today?" Ryeowook asked snapping him out of his thoughts. They were sitting at one of the benches at the university's grounds. Their books were spread out on the table alongside their food for lunch.

"Huh? Nothing... i just feel sleepy today," Kyuhyun only said which is partly true since he spent the night before reviewing for his report. He doesn't like losing hours of sleep because he usually gets cranky or absentminded when it happens.

"I told you don't cram on that report. You did not listen to me and you played games with your friend during your free time," Ryeowook lectured. Within almost two months of friendship,  they have gotten to know each other's habits. Its surprising how the way they talk like they have known each other for long.

"I can't say no to Minhyun, and I have told you that I missed playing Starcraft, Kyuhyun reasoned. "The last time I played was before classes had started."

"You could have played after... Okay, nevermind. Its you who lost your precious sleep not me," Ryeowook sighed. "Just goodluck on your report. You are smart enough to get through it, I think."

"Thank you. That is what I need to hear," Kyuhyun said closing his book and now focusing on eating his lunch. "I just need to stay awake and alert later." He looked at the paper that Ryeowook is currently working on. "What are you doing? You look serious there,"

"I'm finishing up this composition. Today is the last day of submission," he simply replied.

"Ohh.. am I disturbing you right now? You should have told me you're busy. I should have stayed in the library instead."

"No, its fine... I'm almost done with this," Ryeowook said smiling and the other felt smiling too. Seriously, his smile is contagious. Kyuhyun fell silent after that just watching his friend finish his work and occassionally stuffing food in his mouth.

After a couple of minutes Ryeowook finally put down his pencil and began to gather his things back into his bag. "Hurry up eating. My next class will start at 1. I need to go soon,"

"You did not even finish your own food," Kyuhyun mumbles.

"I ate a big breakfast at dorm so I don't feel hungry yet. I just need something to survive the 3 hours lecture."

"You said you cook and until now I haven't tasted your work yet. When will you invite me for your food?"

"Ah seriously? You are welcome anytime! Its you who were always busy with school works that I don't know if I can invite you for things like that,"

"During exams week? Do you mind if I go for study sessions with you? My sister is back and as much as I love music, I can't concentrate with my lessons everytime she plays her violin,"

"Your parents would not mind?"

"Nope. I'll tell them I will be staying in your dorm. They know you because I tell them stories about you, actually they are so eager to meet you." Ryeowook felt warm at that. Kyuhyun's parents wants to meet him. If only he lives with his parents right now he could have told them stories about his new friend too. Phone calls were too short for that. He guessed it will wait until he comes back home on their break.

"Okay then. I will be looking forward for that. I'll cook your favorite,"

Kyuhyun's eyes twinkled after that. Ironic as it sounds but he can't wait for exams week to come.

**

One afternoon it was raining hard and Ryeowook forgot to bring his umbrella. It that he is stuck in the rain when he really wanted to go home and lie on his bed. The weather is cold, it makes you want to curl up in your pillows and comforter with a cup of hot coffee. Moreover, this is a time were Ryeowook would want to write the lyrics of the new songs that is forming inside his head.

"Ah what is this. It seems like the rain won't stop. What am I going to do?" he talked to himself. Even if he plans to take a ride to his dorm he still needs umbrella to get himself to the gates of the school.

Deciding that nothing will happen if he just stood there watching the pouring rain, he went to the library as usual. He will just sleep there or maybe read his lessons to be productive. He can hear the loud thunder from outside and he regret not listening to the weather news.

Halfway to the library his phone rang. "Hello Kyu?" he said wondering why the other called him.

"Ryeong! Are you busy right now?"

"Not really... I'm stuck here at school because of the rain,"

"I'm going to fetch you," Kyuhyun quickly said.

"What?? No, you don't have to. I'll just stay somewhere until the rain stops,"

"I'm still going," the other stubbornly replied. "I'll message you when I get there,"

"Wait Kyu you -- " Ryeowook didn't have time to finish his sentence as Kyuhyun hung up. He looked at his phone bewildered by what had just happened. Just minutes ago he was worried how to get home but suddenly like an answered prayer someone comes to his rescue.

It took Kyuhyun more than thirty minutes before he arrived. The moment he stepped inside the library his eyes scanned the area looking for Ryeowook. He smiled immediately when he spotted the lone figure at the exact place where they first met months ago.

"Hello!" he greeted seating beside him.

"Kyuhyun? Seriously,  you don't have to come. You don't have classes today,"

"Oh its okay. I will still look for you today. Mom and dad plans a dinner outside today and since Ahra is too busy to come I wanted to bring you. Dinner with them is boring without my sister so I think you could keep me company,"

"What?? Now? I'm not prepared,  look at me...," Ryeowook exclaimed looking at down at his school uniform and with the notes he is holding.

"We will drop by your dorm first if you want to change into something comfortable. Please come with me tonight... Please," Kyuhyun begged him and Ryeowook did not have the heart to say no. Kyuhyun is his closest friend here perhaps its only right for him to meet his parents. So before he said yes Kyuhyun immediately grabbed his hand and pulled him out from the room and the school to his dorm.

Ryeowook thought of Kyuhyun's parents as strict and intimidating. But what he didn't expected was to be greeted with a kind smile and warm hug. He was surprised when Kyuhyun's mother hugged him instead of just giving a simple hand shake.

"Kyuhyun told us many stories about you. I really thought you were classmates before," his mother said. "I'm glad he got a good friend like you,"

"Ah Kyuhyun is also a good very good friend to me," Ryeowook said bashfully.

"Ryeowook-ah tell mom that I don't have a girlfriend. You see she was insisting that I have nowadays" Kyuhyun grumbled.

Ryeowook chuckled. "That is because sometimes you have this weird smile on your face. Now I know why," his mother said.

"What do you mean mom?"

"Nothing.  Oh Ryeowook-ah I heard from Kyuhyun that you live by yourself in the dorms. Feel free to come to us when you’re lonely. Dorm life is boring when you’re alone,” Kyuhyun’s mom offered. “By the way, call me mom from now onwards.”

“Thanks mom,” Ryeowook smiles shyly with all the warm welcoming he gets from Kyuhyun’s family.

“Do you go home on weekends Ryeowook?” Kyuhyun’s dad spoke for the first time.

“Not always sir. These past few weeks I am busy and mom says                I just take a rest on weekends,”

“You don’t need to be formal here. Just call me dad. I feel old when someone calls me sir,” he said smiling a little.

“Yes si – I mean dad,” Ryewook replied.

Ryeowook did not expect that he will meet Kyuhyun’s parents that day. Knowing them personally other than hearing stories from Kyuhyun he learned that they were not really strict. He concluded that they just wanted Kyuhyun to take a professional job because of the nature of work of his dad. Maybe they expect Kyuhyun to run the business someday too.

The night was spent on Ryeowook getting to know Kyuhyun’s family and without realizing it he was treated by his parents like their own child too.  They were very welcoming and talking to them felt like home. It made Ryeowook miss his own family and he decided to make a phone call to them when he gets home later.

**

Kyuhyun was all excited when he asked his parents’ permission to go for an overnight at Ryeowook’s dorm. Since they already met Ryeowook in person they easily allowed him. His mother also thinks that Ryeowook has a good influence on Kyuhyun. He thinks she is now fond of his best friend and constantly urges him to bring Ryeowook home sometimes.

Kyuhyun packs his school stuff and a pair of his uniform so that he will just head to school tomorrow instead of going back home to change. He makes sure he did not forget anything especially those paperworks that he needed to pass tomorrow.

“Are you sure he is just a friend to you?” a voice startling Kyuhyun suddenly. It was Ahra, his annoying yet beloved older sister. She peaked inside her brother’s room.

“What the hell are you talking about? You’re weird. Ryeowook is a boy and he is my new best friend now. My friends in high school drifted apart now that we’re in college. They don’t even contact me now,” Kyuhyun said. He thinks nothing is wrong with being so close with his best friend.

“Hmmm… is that so?” Ahra said not believing his younger brother.

“Noonaaa!!”

“Okay okay okay!! Fine, whatever you say. Its a pity I was not there that night. I want to meet him too,”

“Don’t worry I will make sure he comes here many times. I can’t wait to play video games with him too although he may not be as good as Minhyun.”

Ahra rolls her eyes at her brother. “Boys…,” she muttered before she left her brother alone.

Kyuhyun can’t hide his excited grin when he saw Ryeowook waiting in front of his dorm building. He waved at him and almost run towards his best friend. “You’re fast. Surely you did not run from your home right?” Ryeowook teased.

“I messaged you when I was already near,” Kyuhyun laughed. “Let’s go, I want to taste your food now,” he put his hands around Ryeowook’s shoulder and pulled him inside.

“Don’t expect too much. I only cooked for tonight’s dinner. I don’t have a kitchen in my dorm,” he warned.

“It’s okay as long as it is your cooking. Fair warning; once I taste your cooking I will really drag you at home to make you cook more food. You know already know that I love eating as much as I love games,”

They arrived at Ryeowook’s dorm at the sixth floor of the building. Right after the door, there is a small table which Kyuhyun assumed as the ‘mini dining table’ since the sink and a small stove was placed behind it. A few cabinets were attached above the sink where Ryeowook stores his food and some kitchen wares and stuffs. Separating the dining area from the bed was a 6 feet high closet that holds Ryeowook’s clothes and some other things he brought with him from home. Beside his bed were a lampshade and small study table. A door leading to the small bathroom was beside the small television.  It wasn’t much but his dorm looks neat and clean.

“Your place is nice. It makes me want to live all by myself too,” Kyuhyun commented exploring the place all over again.

“Don’t. It is much better to live in your own house. The landlady has strict rules here,”

“Well I have my mother who has strict rules there too. It can’t be that worse here,” he said.

“Your mother is really nice. I don’t know why you don’t like them showering you with love. They totally dotes on you I can see it,”

“I did not say that I don’t like it. I just don’t like to be the center of their attention. Since Ahra spends her time mostly outside home because of her work their attention was given to me,”

Ryeowook sighed. He understands Kyuhyun because sometimes he is in that situation too. You sometimes hate the feeling of having your parents expecting you to always do well in everything. It is sometimes suffocating. As much as Ryeowook wants to talk more about it with Kyuhyun, he feels that tonight is not the night to vent out your frustrations. They have exams next week and they are here to review together and have fun as friends. Nothing should be ruining this night.

“Stop sulking there and come here and eat dinner. Or do you want to eat in front of the television?” Ryeowook asked while preparing bowls and the dish he cooked.

"Let eat here. I will open your television now," Kyuhyun said. Its true that whenever your best friend comes to your house they will always feel at home. Kyuhyun is now lying on the bed instead of sitting on the floor and for once Ryeowook pushes aside his urge to scold him because the bedsheet will get dirty with food.  He went to join him instead.

"You're watching music shows too?" Kyuhyun asked.

Yeah, I need to be updated with the latest trends in music. Have you forgotten what my course is?" he replied.

Kyuhyun watched intently before commenting sarcastically about the performers on screen. "When will they change that hairstyle?? I can't even describe what they look like," he said talking about the boy group currently singing.

"I think some have improved already. Though some still have that horrible hairstyle," A part of him is actually rejoicing that he didn't need to suffer in that hairstyle. SM has weird fashion preferences these days.

"Should I thank my parents for not allowing me to train there? I can't be doing those stuffs to my hair!" Kyuhyun laughed.

"I think it suits you!" the other teased.

"Oh shut up. By the way Ryeong this is delicious! How did you learn to cook like this? Its more delicious than my mom.... but don't tell her that,"

"I learned to cook because I usually hang-out with mom in the kitchen. Besides if I were to live alone then I need to learn cooking,"

The two continue to munch foods and eventually their reviewers were spread out on the bed. There was a comfortable silence between them as they memorize and re-read all the lectures of their professors. They differ in subjects but they always match each other when talking.

In the middle of their review session, around 1am the two fell asleep side by side while still holding the books. Perhaps studying had drained their energy so unconsciously Kyuhyun leaned beside Ryeowook. They were sleeping peacefully and if only their back would not hurt the morning after because they were not completely lying down on the bed.

The next day, no one voiced out about their back hurting. Instead both were calm and ready for the exams unlike the other students whose eyebags were visible. Both never felt so ready to take exams like that day.