“Shall we have dinner at Subway? Or… maybe in Gangnam Highstreets?” I asks

“How about the small samgyupsal resto near our university?” she suggested

“That would be nice too. Wait… are you accepting my dinner offer? This is real right?” I ask again and she nodded

“Well, I am hungry and you did offer and you are paying…” she replied and I can’t help but smile from ear to ear

“I’ll pay for every meal you’ll ever eat!” I suddenly blurted out and she suddenly chuckled.

I miss that soft laugh. Oh, God.

We were having a peaceful night back until we both reach the restaurant…

“What are you doing here?” my once good mood suddenly disappeared

Minjoo was just waiting inside the car, her head down, feeling like she’ll be slaughtered anytime in fear.

“What’s wrong, son? We’re just having a business meeting here, it’s just…” his eyes suddenly focus on Minjoo “a mere coincidence.”

I then didn’t talk back and boarded my car and drove off. Minjoo was still quiet, her face became pale and her hands was shaking lightly. I knew she was tensed and scared but I don’t have the courage to make her feel better, I might just make things worse.

We reached her house, nobody was moving, both of us just sat there for a solid 20 minutes, staring up front.

“I’m sorry.” She whispered

“Don’t.”

“I’m sorry, this is wrong. I’m sorry.” She said in a monotone voice, not looking at me, not even once.

“Minjoo…”

“Goodbye, Jongin.”

She then unbuckled and open the door

“How many times will you say goodbye, Minjoo? How many time will you leave me?”

She stopped, froze on the spot and I can feel that she was taken aback by my statement.

“I will stop saying my goodbyes when you stop loving me.” She replied, slammed my car door shut and walked inside her house.

“I’ll never stop loving you. So I’ll see you soon.” I drove away and decided to go to the nearest stall and drink to my heart’s content.

“A BOTTLE OF SOJU HERE AND PORK BELLY PLEASE!” I shouted and sat near the counter

“Jongin? Why are-“

“Shh.. No questions, just drinking.” I quickly told her and ordered her to serve my meal

“You’re lucky I’m working late tonight.” Sungjoo told and gave me my soju, a shot glass and my food.

“Thanks.” I said

“Pay for that later, .” She replied and walked to the other customers to serve their food

Sungjoo is Minjoo’s friend, they were buddies when we’re in college, Sungjoo is the reliable girl who has a quirky personality that may sometimes annoy you, but she can be a really good person to listen to. She works as a freelance writer and photographer by day and by night she works at a part-timer here or at a café. Sungjoo is okay. She knows my problems with Minjoo and she’s always ready to listen and to give advice.

A few bottles later, I was the only customer left, few people still come and go but I was there for a few hours now.

“Hey, Sungjoo. Are you gonna go home now?” I asked her with my head down and my face all red

“Yeah. I still have-“

“Come and talk with me for a minute.”

She sighed and sat in front of me, she knows I will start bursting out any minute.

“Why, Sungjoo?” I looked at her and asked

“Why what?” she replied

“Why does she always ignores my text?”

Silence.

“Why does she keep running away?”

She was silent, again.

“Why does she have to keep pushing me away?”

She sighed and stared at me with pity.

“Why does she say goodbye? Why does she always does the opposite of how she feels?”

“Are you even sure about her feelings? How sure of you that Minjoo still loves you?” she asked

“She does. She loves me. She’s just… scared.”

“There, you answered all your questions. She’s SCARED.”

“WHY?!” I looked at her and sighed

“Why is she so ing scared?! She doesn’t have anything to be scared about. I am here. I’ll protect her! There is nothing to be frightened” I shouted and drank another shot

I was feeling a headache. A pain in my eyes and the back of my head.

“Because she was-“

And I passed out.

Sorry for not updating. 

I was busy with my research and thesis and school stuff.

But exams will be over soon and I'll update really soon 

For now, here's a short chapter update.

Sorry again, y'all!

Love 'ya! 

God bless

- authornim