old·en

Of or relating to former times.

-----

August 7 (Tuesday)

Kyung Mi groaned when her cellphone began beeping, causing her to be awakened. Squinting, she stared at the glaring screen for a split second and saw that it was only eight in the morning. 

“It’s too early for one to be awake during the holidays,” mumbled Kyung Mi, rubbing her eyes. Remembering that she had not set an alarm, and that it was probably a message, she reached out her hand for her spectacles on the bedside table. Sitting up, she gingerly held and wore the thick-framed, darkened lens. Kyung Mi blinked a few times. Gongchan had sent her a message. 

“Kyung Mi!” read the text. “Don’t forget that we’re going to watch movies at your house tonight. Do the both of us a favour by buying a few snacks?” The message ended with a cheeky, smiling emoticon. Kyung Mi couldn’t help but smile at that.

After successfully dragging herself out of bed, she did her morning particulars — showering, getting dressed — and descended the stairs to eat some breakfast. Her sister was seated at the table, finishing up on her breakfast. Her mother was cleaning up the kitchen, having already eaten. Her father had left for work. Kyung Mi’s sister, Han Min Jae glanced at her as she ate the last piece of bread. Kyung Mi spoke first. 

“You’re up early,” said Kyung Mi. “Going anywhere?” Min Jae looked at her soberly. 

“Unlike you, I have to use all of my time to study for my important exams,” quipped Min Jae. “I don’t get how Gongchan can just relax all the time and not study. He’s in the same situation as me.”

Kyung Mi felt a little guilty, remembering the text message Gongchan had sent this morning about tonight’s activities. 

“…He’s coming over to watch movies with me tonight,” said Kyung Mi, fidgeting with her fingers. Min Jae sighed and rolled her eyes. 

“I’m pretty sure he doesn’t care about the papers then,” said Min Jae sarcastically. Min Jae carried her empty plate and mug, passing it to her mother. She turned to go upstairs when she gave a look to Kyung Mi. 

“…Kyung Mi,” asked Min Jae. “Since you’re awake earlier than usual, I’m assuming that he asked you to get something. Can you get me a few ink pens? Black ones are more preferable as they have the more professional look.” Kyung Mi nodded. Upon witnessing her sister’s acknowledgement, Min Jae retreated to her room.

Her mother began serving her the breakfast that had been prepared. Kyung Mi offered a smile and her thanks. Kyung Mi began devouring her meal. In the midst of eating, Kyung Mi assumed that she heard the doorbell ringing. The ringing sensation made the bespectacled girl feel partially panicked. 

“Gongchan didn’t say that he’d come in the morning, right?” thought Kyung Mi while eating inconsistently. Still chewing onto her food, Kyung Mi pushed up her glasses and peeked at the outsider from the kitchen window. To her surprise and relief, it was just the postman. 

“It must be father’s letters and packages,” thought Kyung Mi as she nibbled on her bread. Her mother went outside to deal with the postman. 

“I wonder if mother does this every morning,” wondered the girl afterwards.

Kyung Mi was debating on the prospect of obtaining another piece of bread when her mother placed a white envelope in front of her. 

“A letter for me…?” asked Kyung Mi in genuine disbelief. Her mother, busily placing the letters and packages in the appropriate places, nodded her head. 

“It must be something related to the scholarship you planned to apply,” mused her mother. “You did give your details, right?” Kyung Mi’s brain took a few seconds to click a conclusion together. 

“Could it be…?” thought Kyung Mi as she quickly cleared her breakfast things — which meant she decided against that one more piece of bread — and settled at the table. She opened the envelope and withdrew the contents cautiously.

Her eyes scanned past the introduction paragraph and slowly absorbed the next few paragraphs of text. 

“Regarding the compulsory contest that is to be held on September 15,” verbalized Kyung Mi aloud. “The theme has been a controversial topic between the authorities due to past incidents. As such, the theme has not been stated in the application form and thus can only be sent to qualified appliers. If you have received this letter, congratulations! You are one of the chosen candidates. The theme is…” Kyung Mi held her breath before reading that part. The theme held an important role.

“…Before stating the theme,” continued Kyung Mi, who was a little agitated by now because the unnecessary amount of text. “The authorities have the right to change or disqualify a candidate on the aforementioned date. With all of these in mind, the theme thus have been chosen and given to you. The theme is euphoria. Good luck in your artistic style of portraying it on the day itself.” The letter ended in that style, and so Kyung Mi couldn’t help but wish that she had skipped the whole page and read the bottom line. Anyhow, she was excited and restless. Suddenly remembering to buy the snacks, she greeted her smiling mother a hurried goodbye and kept the letter.

Kyung Mi ventured towards the nearby supermarket. Upon her arrival, she then walked into the snacks aisle and couldn’t help but imagine having all of those snacks in her house. The notion of possessing an abundance of confectionery was tantalizing. Kyung Mi picked up a basket and began placing a variety of snacks in it. Though snacks are Gongchan‘s and her favourite, she still kept in mind to be a moderate buyer. Daydreaming about what to paint as well for the upcoming contest, she was initially unaware of her ringing cellphone. After a few rings though, she suddenly realized. She quickly took out her cellphone and noticed that it was call from Gongchan.

“Hello Kyung Mi!” spoke Gongchan’s voice from the cellphone. “Are you even fully awake yet?” The aforementioned girl, who was still half-daydreaming about the contest, responded to his query. 

“Mmh,” mused Kyung Mi. “Euphoria.” The eighteen year old heard a confused Gongchan. 

“Okay…” remarked Gongchan. “You’re still half-asleep.” Kyung Mi snapped out of it. “Sorry!” laughed Kyung Mi awkwardly. “You called when I was thinking about the contest. I’m at the supermarket right now, so don’t worry about the snacks.” Kyung Mi smiled when she heard Gongchan laughing. 

“Euphoria seems like a deep theme for a painting,” wisecracked Gongchan. “Worried?” Stuffing a random bar of chocolate just because she felt like it, the spectacled student headed towards the cashier. 

“Please, I have some ideas already,” said Kyung Mi stoutly. She heard Gongchan stifling a chuckle.

“That’s my girl,” whispered Gongchan fondly as a supportive reply. Kyung Mi couldn’t help but to blush a little, and unfortunately for her, the cashier saw. 

“Talking to your boyfriend?” asked the cashier nicely, taking the basket from her. “He must be pretty sweet to be able to cause you to blush over the phone!” Kyung Mi blinked in alarm. 

“N-No!” protested Kyung Mi. “He’s not— “ The cashier merely shook her head and dealt with the items. 

“That’s what they all say at first,” said the cashier and placed them into respective plastic bags. “Here you go, young lady.” Kyung Mi nodded and paid up, taking the plastic bags and began walking home. 

“I think you forgot about me,” accused Gongchan suddenly. “I’m still here you know.”

Kyung Mi groaned. 

“Oh come on,” replied Kyung Mi. “You know that I’m in the supermarket. I came here to buy snacks so I was busy paying and well; I’m carrying things right now. Deal with it.” 

“Or maybe you were too busy blushing to reply me,” said Gongchan. Kyung Mi nearly dropped the bags because she was only using one hand to bring all of them. The other one was holding the cellphone to her ear, after all. 

“W-What makes you say that!” retorted the girl with a prominent sulk. “It’s heavy to carry things by my own too you know.” 

“I just notice that you have a tendency of not replying me when you’re blushing,” concluded Gongchan, and then his voice grew concerned. 

“Would you like me to come over and assist you?”

Kyung Mi’s eyes widened. 

“There’s no need!” said Kyung Mi. “You live quite a distance away, so don’t come until later. I’m certain that you have things to do. Plus — I’m almost at my house so it’s fine.” 

“Oh, you went to the nearby supermarket,” echoed Gongchan over the phone. She almost nodded to that statement, actually. 

“Yep,” replied Kyung Mi as she entered the house. 

“I’m home!” proclaimed Kyung Mi as she pulled the cellphone away from her — so that Gongchan wouldn’t have bleeding ears — and struggled to take off her shoes. She entered the kitchen to place the snacks and noted that her sister Min Jae was eating an early lunch. 

“Studying sure makes people feel hungry faster,” thought Kyung Mi.

Min Jae’s eyes flickered to her sister’s, and noticed her carrying a few plastic bags. 

“So which one has my ink pens?” asked Min Jae as Kyung Mi placed the things on the table, who was still talking to Gongchan. Acknowledging the fact that her sister did not hear her, Min Jae asked her again. 

“Kyung Mi, please hand me the ink pens,” mentioned Min Jae. Kyung Mi’s face fell. 

“Uh, Gongchan…” said Kyung Mi quietly. “I have to hang up now.” 

“Eh?” replied a surprised Gongchan over the phone. “Why?” Kyung Mi glanced at her sister’s slightly frustrated expression. 

“I forgot to do something for my sister,” explained Kyung Mi and ended the call.

An awkward silence hung in the atmosphere. There was only the sound of Min Jae eating her lunch minimally. 

“Great,” said Min Jae acidly after finishing her lunch. “You forgot.” 

“…Sorry,” said Kyung Mi miserably. Min Jae cleared her plate with an air of indifference and started ascending the stairs. 

“This isn’t the first time, Kyung Mi,” remarked Min Jae icily. “Remind me next time to refrain from asking you to do simple things for me.” Kyung Mi nodded, agreeing to her harsh remark. It was true. She was someone who often forgot the important things. Alongside with her mother, Kyung Mi ate lunch and executed various chores until nighttime made its debut.

Gongchan arrived after dinner in his casual shirt and knee-length shorts. He smiled brightly after entering the house. 

“I brought your favourite kind of movies!” declared Gongchan triumphantly. Kyung Mi could only manage a minuscule smile. 

“That’s nice,” said Kyung Mi weakly. Gongchan tilted his head subconsciously due to her unfavourable reaction. 

“Are you okay…?” asked Gongchan. Kyung Mi indicated silently that she didn’t want to discuss about it in front of her father and mother. Therefore, she ushered herself and him to the living room which had been set up for their movie watching. Kyung Mi sat on the couch and Gongchan automatically sat beside her.

“…I made my sister upset again because I forgot to get her stuff,” mumbled Kyung Mi at last. Gongchan pulled a face. 

“Were they even important things?” inquired Gongchan lightly. There was a subtle halt in the atmosphere. 

“…Ink pens,” said Kyung Mi feebly, knowing that it sounded so lame. The nineteen year old tried his very best to not laugh. 

“We can get them for her another time,” said Gongchan, patting her head. “Surely we’ll be going out during one of these days!” Kyung Mi fidgeted imperceptibly after hearing that. 

“…Am I taking up your study time?” blurted out Kyung Mi accidentally. Gongchan wore an astonished expression. 

“I already said that I will have enough time to study for the exams,” said Gongchan with a smile. “So don’t worry about it. Let’s enjoy tonight, alright?” Kyung Mi nodded.

Gongchan stood up and entered the tape, causing the television to illustrate images. He dimmed the lights and hurriedly returned to his spot next to Kyung Mi, who brought out the blankets for them to use. Gongchan watched the smile on Kyung Mi’s face grow when the movie continued. 

“My favourite type of movie,” sighed Kyung Mi. It really was. 

“I know,” chuckled Gongchan. Kyung Mi stared at the silent, black and white film that was being portrayed on the screen. 

“Sorry for being old-fashioned,” joked Kyung Mi. Gongchan smiled secretly. 

“Anything for you,” murmured her best friend. The rest of the movie was spent in a comfortable silence.

A few more movies were played, with Gongchan getting up each time to put in a new one. At the end of the fourth one though, the male realized that Kyung Mi had not given her review about that particular movie. 

“You got bored?” asked Gongchan, turning to his left side. Gongchan’s mouth formed a small ‘o’ shape when he saw that Kyung Mi had fallen asleep. Being under the blankets must have been too cosy. Kyung Mi’s head was leaning on his left shoulder. With much care, the nineteen year old removed the girl’s glasses and tried to place it in a safe spot, but indubitably failed because of his limited movement. 

“How am I going to…?” thought Gongchan when he spotted Kyung Mi’s mother.

“Please help me keep her spectacles in a secure place,” mouthed out Gongchan. Kyung Mi’s mother got the message and took the spectacles from his hands. Gongchan smiled in appreciation. Kyung Mi’s mother then switched off the television set and the living room lights. She exited the room. There Gongchan was, in the darkened room with a sleeping girl on his shoulder. 

“She trusts me,” concluded Gongchan silently. Gongchan took another look at Kyung Mi, who was peacefully sleeping — something he noticed even in the sombre darkness — and smiled. Hesitantly, he pulled up the blankets and eventually placed his left arm around her shoulder. Leaning his head against hers, he then whispered. 

“Sleep well, Kyung Mi.”