“Hi,” he greeted cheerily.

Embarrassed, Namjoo grew shy. She felt dumb suddenly. “Um…sorry for calling you down.”

“It’s fine,” he said. “I noticed you weren’t at work today.”

She flushed and hoped her cheeks weren’t a shade of pink. “Oh…yea, I had some things going on.” Hesitating, unsure how to string words together she started, “Other day…I mean, the other day I realized I didn’t thank you properly. I uh…so I made you lunch…I mean, it’s to pay you back obviously.”

ing the lunch box forward she waited for him to take it. When he didn’t she bravely glanced up to see a laughing smile on his face.

“Well, thanks,” he said finally taking the lunch box from her.

Finally breathing when he took it, she felt like a bomb had been taken off her chest. Namjoo almost choked on her breath when he suggested, “Lets eat together.”

This was as far as it went. Eating together would mean a whole new different thing. She just meant to drop lunch off and leave…immediately.

“I already ate,” Namjoo interjected.

“Then, sit with me at least,” Sehun said. Without waiting he turned and walked into the cafeteria. Namjoo wanted to wham her head against the pole. Why had she been impulsive with this stupid lunch? By all means, she could have just treated him to a meal during the weekend then they’d be done and over with.  

Sitting with him Namjoo flushed with shyness when he opened the lunch box to view the food inside. Anxiety squeezed her organs. She didn’t want to believe she had been anticipating his reaction to the food. Geez, it would have been even better if she had left after dropping the lunch box off. Now she was stuck with watching his reaction.

“Wow,” he mused, “it looks good. This is more than what I made for you. Are you sure you don’t want to eat?”

“I said I ate,” she repeated more aggressively than she meant to. Lowering her eyes, she bit her lower lip. She was working herself up more than necessary. Cool down, cool down she chanted to herself.

“What’d you do today?” he asked after popping the food into his mouth.

“I…” she paused wondering if she wanted to go further. “I took my in-laws to the hospital. My uh…father-in-law, Mina’s father just got out of the hospital. He’s going through therapy.”

“Sorry about that,” he sympathized. “Mina told me.”

Namjoo glanced at him feeling somewhat relieved that she didn’t have to explain further. She had never talked about it before to anyone outside of her circle…their family.

“I’m an only child. My parents are still healthy, farming their little place in Busan,” Sehun explained. “I’d never had difficulty or experienced anything too traumatizing. It’s my first endeavor into adulthood here.”

“You sound like you’re having a good time,” Namjoo added.

“Well, yea,” he shrugged. “I’m meeting a lot of people. There isn’t anything I don’t like.”

Which was very much like Yeol. He liked everything and everyone. And everyone liked him.

She glanced down at her hands silently wondering what she was doing, sitting here chatting it up with Sehun. What point was to come of it?

She glanced back up to watch him slide something across the table toward her. A movie ticket.

“I got it from Hyeok Seok,” Sehun told. “The last available day is tomorrow.”

Was he asking her if she wanted to go see a movie?

“We could meet up at the movies. I’ll wait for you there if that makes you more comfortable,” Sehun said masking his own nervousness. “I could give the tickets to someone else if you’re not interested.”

“So it’s a freebie?” Namjoo said glancing at the ticket. “I’ll uh…think about it.”

¤¤¤¤¤

Several minutes later with his stomach full and threatening to bulge over his belt, he watched Namjoo walk out. He had been wondering about when, where, and how he’d give Namjoo that ticket. Now it was over. Sehun hoped he hadn’t looked too embarrassed giving it. Hopefully Namjoo thought nothing over the fact they would be seeing a romantic comedy.

The next morning, he woke up early and went for a long jog. When he saw people walking with their dogs he thought about that little pug of Namjoo’s and wondered if she was currently on a walk with him. Returning home, he hopped into the shower and stepped out rubbing a towel over his damp hair. Sighting the ticket on the table by his bed he wondered if Namjoo would really make it or if she’d given him empty words.

She would go. He was sure of it.

Relaxing, he sat around and flipped through the channels. Had a light lunch and flipped through the channels some more. When the sky began to darken, he started going through his closet for something nice to wear. Keeping in mind not to over do himself, he pulled on jeans and a shirt. With a last check on his hair he grabbed his keys and headed out driving toward the theater with windows open.

The parking lot was densely full considering it was a Saturday night. There was a line inside for popcorn and snacks. Every nano-second people exited the theater, chatting erratically. The sky was dimming prettily and he listened to traffic flow behind the structure. Standing by the front doors he glanced at his watch again. Half an hour before the movie would start. Namjoo should be here already.

She would come. Wouldn’t she?

Exhaling, he persuaded himself to be a little more patient. Five minutes passed before he watched a car pull into the parking lot. A group of young adults exited the car and started toward the building. Sehun peered over them in hopes of seeing someone else. He turned to watch them enter the movie theater. Disappointed, he peered back into the parking lot. If Namjoo wasn’t coming, he’d be as good as embarrassed.

“What are you doing out here?” He turned to his other side to see Namjoo walking up to him.

Unintentionally, his heart jumped happily. He knew she’d come.

“You’re here?” he greeted masking his previous worry.

“Sorry, Olly wasn’t feeling well, so I ran him over to the vet,” Namjoo explained as they walked in.

“Nothing’s wrong?” he asked.

“He’s fine,” Namjoo replied. Pulling out her ticket she asked glancing at it, “What’s the movie again?”

“This way,” he led her down the hall feeling pumped for some reason. Why did he think someone like Namjoo would stand him up?

The theater room was partially full since this was the last day. Finding their seats, they sat down. The movie hadn’t yet started. The logo of the movie theater was spinning on screen and chatter was vibrant.

“Did you want something to eat?” he asked wondering why he hadn’t thought about it beforehand.

“No, I’m good,” Namjoo shook her head. He noticed her going through her phone setting it to silence then tuck it back into her purse. Sehun couldn’t help but stare at the bag tucked tightly against her belly as if afraid to get taken from her. Thinking about the picture of her and her husband in her wallet he suddenly wondered how many times a day she looked at it.

Turning away he stared at the screen suddenly silent. The room darkened and ads started playing on the large screen. Throughout the movie Namjoo giggled beside him but Sehun felt numb. He was disturbed but he didn’t want to think about the reason behind it.

The sun had set when they walked out. “Thanks for the invite. The movie was entertaining.”

“Have you eaten?” he wondered. “We could grab a bite somewhere nearby.”

“Actually, I was thinking about just heading home,” Namjoo replied.

“Oh, yea…” he said realizing he shouldn’t bother her anymore. “It is kind of late.”

“Have a good night,” she simply bid her farewell. He watched her unlock her car and get in gently kicking the ground. Inhaling, he tucked hands into his pockets then walked off. Minutes later he ended up driving around town mindlessly. The phone in his cup holder rang several times. A glance showed Mina’s name flashing across the screen but he didn’t pick up.

¤¤¤¤¤

Olly barked and hobbled toward her when Namjoo entered.

“Hi, buddy, I’m back,” Namjoo leaned down to pick the dog up. “Were you a good boy?” Nuzzling her face against the dog’s she gave him a quick kiss on the forehead. “I bought you some canned food as a treat for being good earlier.”

Circling her legs Olly panted and let out an anxious bark. Namjoo rinsed his dog bowl, opened the can, and poured out its contents. Setting the bowl back down she sat at the kitchen table watching Olly devour the delicacy. Nesting her chin into her palm she peered off into the living room at the wedding portrait.

Earlier, she had pondered over whether to go to the movie or not. Part of her had worried if Sehun harbored intention for inviting her, but recalling him asking for a chance as a friend she thought she owed it to him for being kind to her. So she had gone to repay him. Thinking about it, she was glad she’d gone. The movie had been good and getting some air had been nice. And it wasn’t so bad just sitting there with Oh Sehun. Come to think of it, just knowing he wanted to be friends with her wasn’t so bad.

Reminiscing about her wedding day she smiled. Because there was only one man she loved.

¤¤¤¤¤

Too wide awake Sehun stared up at the movie ticket. It had just been a trip to the movies, nothing more. But he was bothered. Sighing as he dropped his hand against the bed he stared at the ceiling this time. He just couldn’t sleep.

Namjoo had come in jeans and a shirt. She had appeared comfortable, had blended easily into the crowd. Tonight, she could have been anyone of those girls out on a movie night. Except she hadn’t taken his offer to go eat. The night had ended too quickly. Who knows, maybe they could have chatted some more. Even talking about her dog was fine.

Flipping onto his stomach he buried his head into his pillow groaning.

He slept in the following morning and woke up groggily. There was a headache pounding in his head. Grabbing leftovers, he headed over to the sofa where he lay lazily and the TV. Hours into it his phone rang. It was still Mina calling. There were 13 missed calls from her. With no decent excuse today he answered.

“I’m sorry, Mina,” Sehun apologized when they met up at a noodle shop downtown. “Some things came up.” He wasn’t sure why they were there, but Mina was browsing through the displays. Behind the silver counter a chef was busily massaging dough. 

“But I told you beforehand,” Mina whined. “If you couldn’t come, you could have called. Or even just showed up for thirty minutes. I would have appreciated it either way.”

“I’m sorry,” was all he could say. It honestly had dropped his mind. He had grown anxious waiting for Namjoo at the movies yesterday he’d thought about nothing else.

“Then that’s all right,” Mina murmured finally turning to walk out of the awkward shop.

“Hey,” Sehun followed her out, “I need to talk to you.”

“About what?” she asked, now walking over to a candy shop. She eyed the handmade chocolate sitting on a pretty plate.

“Can we sit somewhere?” Sehun asked.

Mina turned to look at him. They finally settled down outside a bubble tea shop after he bought her refreshments. The center of the square was drizzling with consumers. Pots of flowers and green plants decorated the seating arrangements.

“If you’re bribing me not to be upset, it’s only halfway working,” Mina muttered sliding her straw up and down. The squeaky noise from it made Sehun’s ears cringe.

He couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s not a bribe. Don’t worry.”

“Then, what are we talking about?” Mina glanced at him.

“Are you still staying at your friend’s?” Sehun asked.

She shrugged, “I’m here and there.”

“You haven’t thought about heading home?” Sehun wondered.

“No.”

“You’re not worried about your parents?” Sehun pressed. “I heard that recently your father had his first rehab session.”

Mina glanced at him through the corner of her eyes, “Did Namjoo tell you that?”

“I heard from her,” he nodded.

“Is she telling you to talk to me?” Mina narrowed her eyes. “She’s such a busybody.”

“Namjoo isn’t and I’m worried for you.” Sehun explained. “Look, it’s not always about your parents, you’re right, but it’s not always about you either. You’re all having a hard time. I get that. I don’t fully understand the politics surrounding your family, but I do know that you only have your parents once. You can’t be at eye level every time or else there’d be no point with having parents, am I right?”

Mina’s eyes traveled over the children playing at a nearby fountain lost in thought. “I guess.”

“They’re looking out for you Mina, but they won’t take your future from you,” Sehun advised. “You have all the time to grow, to do what you wish, but your parents are running out of time. Go home and visit them if, at least, you’re not going to stay. Let them see your face for a few hours. At least do that, ok?”

Eyes turning depressed, Mina slowly nodded.

An hour later, he dropped Mina off at her home. Once she disappeared inside, Sehun ran his eyes over the building trying to imagine the days when Namjoo came here with her husband. She must have been shaking with bliss those days. What kinds of feelings did she have when she came here now?

He drove around some more and settled back in his apartment. For a while he sat around with his eyes drifting to the cable TV then to his phone then back and forth again. Finally picking the mobile phone up, he found Namjoo’s name and called. After a few rings he thought she would ignore him, but she finally picked up.

“Hello?” she answered and upon hearing her voice his mind blanked. Suddenly, he wasn’t sure what it was he wanted to say. “Hello?” she called out again.

“It’s me,” he dumbly said.

A moment of silence then she said the obvious, “I know.”

A pause again. It grew awkward once more and he thought she would just hang up, so he rashly told, “I just wanted to tell you I saw Mina today. And she went home.”

“That’s good news.” She sounded glad which was good. “How is she?”

“She looks better,” he replied. Wondering if the conversation might end there he asked, “How is Olly?”

“Olly?” she repeated surprised. “He’s ok.”

“I passed a dog friendly park the other day. I was wondering if I could take him there.” He swallowed, wondering if he sounded weird talking about the dog as if it were a child. Goodness, he’d never done anything like this before.

Thankfully, Namjoo didn’t seem to think much of it. She just asked, “Where is it?”

Brightening, he gave her the location. Since nothing was going on Namjoo told him she wouldn’t mind letting Olly out and would meet him soon. Ditching the TV Sehun hurried into his bedroom and immediately began scrounging through his closet.

A little more than a half hour later he stood by the entrance of the park, a field of lush green with trees scattered and benches hammered down for visitors. Dogs were barking, running energetically to catch flying balls and frisbees. Mothers were sitting on mats in the shade with their young ones, watching their older children run around with their furry friends. He spotted butterflies flittering around and thought today would also be a good day to visit the beach. Perhaps he’d do that another day.

The sound of a car door slamming caught his attention. He recognized Namjoo opening the back door for Olly to jump out. Already the dog was panting but he looked happy and eager to explore. For several seconds his eyes glazed over her outfit. Shorts, a tee, and an old flannel ed over it. He was glad Yeol’s family wasn’t demanding her today.

“Hey,” he breathed.

Olly barked a welcome and tugged Namjoo toward him. “He’s too excited,” Namjoo commented before commanding the pug to sit. When Olly did Namjoo reached down to take off his leash. The dog went off running into the distance becoming a gold speckle.

“I hope he doesn’t get lost.” Namjoo whispered. Turning to head back to the car she said, “Keep an eye on him.”

“Where are you going?” Sehun called after her. She hadn’t told him he was dog sitting, so he’d thought they were spending the day together with the dog.

“I’m getting him water,” Namjoo replied.

“Oh…right, he’ll get thirsty,” Sehun muttered. She pulled out a water bottle and found a cap somewhere in her backseat. Slipping it over her head she started back toward him looking casual and fit. If he didn’t know her he would think she was just a single woman taking her dog out for play.

She looked…unmarried.

“Where is he?” Namjoo first asked when he shifted to walk with her into the park. A second later she murmured, “Oh geez…” jogging forward she raised her voice, “Olly! Olly! Give that back!”

The pug was currently in a tug of war with a Yorkie. The two small dogs growled as they wrestled the tied rope between their mouths.

“Cut it out,” Namjoo scolded lifting her dog into her arms and trotted away. Olly stared off into the distance feigning innocence. Not until she reached an empty small area did she let Olly down and threw a ball out for him.

“How old is he?” Sehun asked joining her under the shade.

“Two.”

“Months? Years?” he asked when she didn’t finish.

“Years,” she replied with a quirky smile. Olly darted back in a beat with the ball between his mouth. Stopping in front of Namjoo with tail wagging he stared up at her waiting for praise.

“Did you find it?” she asked leaning down to rub his head. “Good boy.”

He glanced at her hand when she handed him the ball. “Want to throw the next one?”

The new tennis ball was filthy wet when she dropped it into his palm. “You ready?” he asked the dog already prepared to make a dash for it. Stretching his arm back he flung the ball, watching it arch through the sky and disappear into the distance. Olly barked as he made a run after it. He, too, disappeared out of sight.

The breeze flowed past before he glanced at Namjoo. They were alone, but he noticed it didn’t feel like they were friends here than anywhere else. What was wrong with him?